Ecommerce has become a buzz these days, with various entrepreneurs taking advantage of online businesses. With eCommerce, drop shipping, wholesale and private label business models have emerged, making the cashless economy mainstream.Â
Like every business, Ecommerce also revolves around sales and payments. Every eCommerce website must integrate payment gateways to accept transactions from customers. New business owners feel overwhelmed with the idea of an eCommerce payment gateway, its operations, and which payment gateway to use for their website.Â
Let us first understand payment gateways and some renowned service providers and make a short comparison for selection.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding payment gateways
- Their importance for eCommerce businesses and their process
- Top 10 Best Payment Gateways For Your Ecommerce Business
- Comparison chart of 5 popular payment solutions
What are eCommerce Payment Gateways?
In simple terms, a payment gateway is a technology that helps merchants receive payments from their clients. These are usually third-party services utilized by both physical/online stores and marketplaces. Website owners contact professional eCommerce development solutions to integrate payment gateway(s) for a seamless transaction.Â
Any client who makes a transaction has to enter credit/debit card details on the payment page. The service deducts the amount from the card, deducts a fee, and sends the amount to the merchant’s bank account.Â
A payment gateway for a website makes the transaction process for a drop shipper safe, smooth and easy. The customer and merchant can file a complaint regarding their solution if there is any issue.
Importance in Ecommerce and Dropshipping
Dropshipping stores operate in the domain of eCommerce, with the exception of not selling their products directly. They sell manufacturer’s products and need secured and best payment gateways for eCommerce transactions. Their importance lies in offering the following benefits:
- Integrates with checkout carts and provides multiple payment options
- Faster transactions and preventing chargebacks
- Avoids financial fraud through strict compliance and security standards
- Provisions of bills and invoices
These are but a few features that make payment gateways essential for an eCommerce business. Even though merchants can have the amount credited directly into their bank account, customers trust these services for a protected fund transfer.
Integrating the best payment gateway for online business also reduces customers’ abandonment of shopping carts.Â
Additionally, millennial and GenZ customers are impulsive and need immediate payment options. They may leave or switch to a competitor if the payment method asks for too many details or has a tedious method.
Process of Ecommerce Payment Gateways
- The customer finalizes a purchase after adding items to their cart and proceeding to checkout. After confirmation, the website redirects them to the payment page, where they select payment options (either cash, bank transfer, or through a payment gateway, depending on the website).Â
- Once they select the payment gateway, they enter the necessary information on the preceding page, such as personal and card details.
- Once the customer confirms their details and payment, the gateway immediately transfers that information for processing to a bank.Â
- Payment processing has two sub-processes: the first one is the verification of details and ensuring the availability of enough funds to proceed. The next step is authorization by the bank to initiate the transaction.Â
- Finally, the money moves to the merchant’s account, and a notification message is issued for the merchant/customer about credit/debit accordingly.
Note: The bank monitors any unsuccessful payment and takes the settlement to the gateway and trader to complete the payment cycle.
The money transferred to a merchant’s account can take seconds to days or weeks. The service provider may hold the payment to avoid chargeback or fraudulent activity. Since the process is digital, system errors or network issues may delay the transaction.
Our top picks include:
- PayPal: Best overall payment options with maximum coverage
- Square: POS system for in-person transactions
- Stripe: Second best choice for eCommerce merchants after PayPal
- Payline: Smooth financial and cart managementÂ
- 2Checkout: Supports multi-currencyÂ
- Skrill: Offers website extension and chargeback prevention
- Shopify Payment System: Default payment gateway included in the packageÂ
- Google Pay: Trusted by major businesses worldwide
- Authorize.net: Offers customized user experience
- Helcim: Supports POS hardware and website integrations
Top 10 Best Payment Gateways For Your Ecommerce Business
Now that we clearly understand the best payment gateway, it is time to list some of the best options available to merchants. ClickySoft, a professional web development company Houston, has listed the best gateways. Whether you are new to the eCommerce domain or own an online Shopify store for business, the list helps you select the right payment solution.
1. PayPal
PayPal is by far the most trusted and best payment gateway for eCommerce. Since its inception in 2002, it has become an accepted payment system in more than 200 countries that accepts all card types (Master, Visa, and others), multi-currency and international payments. Most businesses prefer PayPal due to its security, popularity, and easy setup process.Â
Even though it may cost more than other options, startups and small businesses prefer PayPal for a safe and secure transaction.
PayPal has no monthly fee and takes per transaction service charge. It has a robust anti-fraud team that freezes any unsuspicious account or transaction activity if it does not fulfill the evaluation.
Features
- Accepted worldwide
- Multi-currency support
- Charges per transaction with no monthly fee incurred
2. Square
Square is another great option for merchants seeking a fast and reliable gateway with anti-fraud pricing. Square focuses primarily on in-person transactions as it is a POS system and has proven itself as a secure system for Ecommerce websites.Â
Whether you own a large or small business, Square works best for in-person transactions and credit card processing. It is a great option if you have a retail location besides your online store. Similar to PayPal, it also charges according to each transaction.Â
Imagine having a swipe machine attached to your phone; that is how Square works.
Features
- In-Person transaction option
- Fast, and reliable
- Excellent to use if you have both physical and online stores
3. Stripe
Stripe is another payment gateway in the USA that is second only to PayPal. It is a US-based payment gateway that accepts payments from 25 countries and supports all the major credit card services. It also charges according to per transaction method and is a preferred system in Canada, Australia, and the UK, besides the US.Â
Strips are one of the easiest payment methods to integrate on a website with their friendly setup features. The difference is that Stripe does not redirect customers to a page, and they can fulfill the payment without remaining onsite, thus offering a seamless customer experience. Besides credit cards, Stripe also accepts cryptocurrencies, making it more tangible than other options on the list.
Features
- Accepted by over 25 countries
- Supports major credit/debit cards
- No redirection as payment is done onsite
4. Payline
Payline also offers a seamless transaction experience and hassle-free transfer, the same as other entries on this list. However, one feature that makes it stand out among others is the eradication of complexities when dealing with a service provider and instead makes transfer smooth with minimum details. Â
Payline offers a payment solution that integrates easily with over 175 shopping carts and supports payments made through mobile apps. Moreover, Payline also integrates with other payment systems for easy financial and payroll management. It has a built-in anti-fraud feature that prevents suspicious transactions and other activities.Â
Payline’s monthly subscription model is suitable for businesses that offer regular services or memberships. Transactions through Payline become optimized, lowering costs and improving overall customer experience.
Features
- Integrates with more than 175 shopping carts
- Easy financial and payroll management
- Anti-fraud features that block suspicious transactions
5. 2Checkout
2Checkout is an underrated Ecommerce payment gateway available in 87 countries and supports all major card types (Visa, American Express, Master, and others). It is also available for third-world countries where it collaborates with other payment gateways. 2Checkout offers three payment packages:
- 2Sell: 3.5% + $0.35
- 2Subscribe: 4.5% + $0.45
- 2Monetize: 6.0% + $0.6
If you want to run the transaction in non-US currency, 2Checkout is the right option to integrate into your eCommerce website.
Features
- Offers 3 transaction charging options
- Available for third-world countries
- Accepts all major credit/debit cards
6. Skrill
Skrill is another renowned payment gateway for online merchants in over 40 countries. Skrill is a preferred payment method for WooCommerce drop shippers as it offers an extension directly integrated into the website.
According to the payment method (ranging from 0.00% to 0.05%), Skrill charges are paid via Visa, Diners Club, JCB, and Mastercard. Some key features included in Skrill are PCI compliance, easy integration, anti-fraud, and chargeback prevention.
Features
- Preferred by WoCommerce dropshippers and merchants
- Offers anti-fraud and chargeback prevention features
- Provides an extension to integrate into the website directly
7. Shopify Payment System
Shopify’s eCommerce store creation platform offers more than a drop shipping website development. For people who want to sell online, Shopify offers an all-in-one solution that includes store creation, payment solutions, and b2b eCommerce marketing strategies & tools.Â
Since Shopify has everything included in a package that performs well, it is a recommended option for people stepping foot into the eCommerce business. Shopify payment plan starts immediately after subscription, and there is no wait time to accept transactions.Â
Shopify also tracks every transaction and is convenient for customers as it accepts all card types and integrates easily with other third-party payment gateways. Shopify Payments come with the package and have no transaction fee (other payment integrated deduct fee accordingly). Shopify offers a 14-day trial period to understand the system before selecting a monthly plan.Â
An expert from Shopify development company can integrate your preferred payment gateway with Shopify payment system to gain maximum benefit of both services.
Features
- Default payment system offered in all Shopify plans
- Does not charge anything for transaction
- offers a 14-day trial to understand the system features
8. Google Pay
We know Google as a trusted and reputable name, but very few people know that they also offer a payment gateway, namely Google Pay. Google Pay smooths customer transactions like other services and improves their online experience.Â
Google Pay primarily focuses on in-person checkouts, eCommerce stores, and mobile applications and is a preferred method of transaction by big-name companies such as Airbnb and StubHub. Google Pay has the least amount deducted as a fee as its payment holder also serves as a bank.
Features
- Trusted payment system offered by Google
- Used by popular businesses worldwide
9. Authorize.net
Authorize.net offers a user-friendly API for integration that offers a customized user experience. Authorize is a highly secure payment system with an advanced fraud identification suite that detects and prevents suspicious activities.
Besides fraud detection, it also offers a simple checkout module as an add-on. The best part of Authorize is that it does not limit the dollar amount that enables immediate fund transfers. In fee terms, Authorize has a monthly fee that it charges in addition to each transaction fee.
Features
- Offers customized user experience
- Simple checkouts through add-ons
- Monthly subscription charges
10. Helcim
Helcim offers a one-stop solution for payment needs, including POS hardware and eCommerce website integration. Helcim is a perfect choice for people starting. It has a no monthly fee structure, and its pricing depends on your store’s monthly sales volume compared to average transactions. You save more if you have higher sales or average transaction prices.Â
Their best feature is $0 on setup, cancellation, compliance, deposit, and monthly charges, which makes a huge difference for new entrants. It is recommended for small businesses earning $25,000 to $50,000 per month.Â
Like Shopify and Shopify Plus, Helcim offers a shop setting platform with a built-in payment system. It has fully hosted packages that help you create a website without coding experience, and it also integrates with other eCommerce payment gateways for added benefits.
Features
- Supports POS hardware and website integration
- Does not charge on installation or cancellation
- Good for small businesses
Comparison at a Glance
Besides the names mentioned above, we have many other payment gateways to choose from and integrate into our website. However, not every solution works in our favor, as some may not work in a specific country while others might be outright banned. It depends on the availability of the gateway and its functionality.
We give you a quick comparison of the most preferred payment gateways to help you further narrow down your selection.
| Factors | Laravel | Symfony |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Laravel framework uses Symfony components with an average load time of 60 milliseconds. This framework is best for projects that have a shorter timeline. | Symfony development takes more loading time, with an average of 250 milliseconds. Compared to Laravel, Symfony PHP requires more time and effort. |
| Scaling | Laravel has an architecture different from other PHP frameworks with an MVC-based design | Symfony works on a package module architecture with various reusable components |
| Default Template Engine | Laravel's Blade is one of the most powerful default template engines that allows developers to use simple PHP code. The template allows the creation of applications without any additional costs. | Symfony uses Twig's default template engine to develop concise and designer-friendly templates. It allows companies to offer high-end development services. |
| Database Support System | Laravel uses manual Eloquent and database migrations. Laravel makes data manipulating easily with object mapping and supports only MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Lite, and SQL Server | Symfony uses doctrine for repository functions, data access, and support. It has simple and automated data migration with more options such as SAP Sybase SQL, MySQL, Drizzle, and Oracle |
| Learning Curve | Laravel has a simple learning curve, and developers can learn the framework through various methods, including documentation, video support, and tutorials. | Symfony has a complex learning curve as it does not offer support and tutorials compared to Laravel. |
| Security | Laravel has robust security but is difficult to set up due to numerous authentication methods. | Symfony has simple security with basic features enough for many scenarios. |
| Speed | Laravel can expand its performance to allow rapid development with minimal effort. | Symfony has a slower speed than Laravel, which supports peak performance and adaptability. |
| Structure | Laravel has no integrated structuring tool. This framework has several tools combined. | Symfony has its structuring tool that offers instructions for scaffolding and CRUD backend. |
| Dependency | Laravel removes the need for dependency injections as it has a built-in auto-detection feature. | Symfony has a feature called Autowire that offers comparable functionality and dependency creation. |
Consideration before Selecting Payment Gateway for Website
Drop shippers have access to various payment gateways, each with distinctive features. You need to select the one that suits your Ecommerce business requirements. Before finalizing any option and handing the task over to a professional website developer to integrate it into your website, you should consider a few points.
1. Convenient in Use
Any Ecommerce payment gateway you select should bring convenience for the business and customers. There is no need for a payment option that asks for lengthy details or makes checkout difficult for users. Inconvenient gateway results in cart abandonment and reduced sales, so select the user-friendly one.
2. Time Taken for PayoutÂ
Once the transaction commences, the payment gateway takes some time to transfer that money into the merchant’s account. The payout time is to ensure the legitimacy of transaction details and may vary for every option. Research the best payout time before integrating it into your website to get maximum benefit.Â
3. Fee Deduction
Every payment gateway has different pricing plan strategies and models; some charge a monthly subscription fee, while others deduct a specific amount per transaction. You need to pay these costs to integrate and continue using the service provided. Compare various payment options available and select the one that fits your business requirements.
4. Multi-Currency Transactions
Unlike a physical store, an eCommerce business is not restricted to a certain location but is available worldwide. You have to target customers from different locations and deal with multiple currencies. A payment gateway that allows multi-currency transactions works best as it allows every customer to pay in their local currency. Payment options accepted in multiple countries also work in the same way. Â
Read Also: Best Ecommerce Platforms For Startups and Small Businesses
Combinations of Payment Gateways in the USA
As eCommerce and Shopify web development service professionals, we recommend selecting at least two options for a new business. Selecting the right method for first-time drop shippers is hard, and you can experiment with multiple gateways and decide on the better one accordingly. You can also utilize some successful combinations we have recommended to our clients.
- Paypal and Stripe
- PayPal and 2Checkout
- 2Checkout and Skrill
- Skrill and PayPal
- 2Checkout and Stripe
Final VerdictÂ
Ecommerce payment gateways are essential for eCommerce merchants and drop shippers. The importance of digital wallets has gained rapid momentum, but you have to realize that every customer has different payment preferences.Â
Finding the best payment gateway for an eCommerce website that fits well with your business model is challenging, as you must consider various factors before selecting. The above comparison table gives you the necessary details about the most renowned method today. Compare and choose a suitable option from the list and kickstart your online business now.
FAQs for Payment Gateways
A payment gateway is a third-party service that processes checkout transactions between merchants and customers for either physical or eCommerce stores. Service agencies and others may also use the service according to their need.
While each payment gateway has varying features and pricing options, the operating process is more or less the same.
- The customer finalizes and moves to the checkout page
- Fills in the necessary details and confirms
- Gateway service sends the information to the bank or card handler
- Transaction authorized
- Funds transferred to the merchant’s account
Some of the factors you need to consider before making a selection of the best payment gateway for an eCommerce website are:
- Transaction fee incurred
- Convenience
- Payout time
- Multi-currency payouts
Every payment gateway has its pricing model and costs incurred for integration or transaction. Consult the table above to understand the best pricing model according to your business.
Selecting a payment gateway depends on your business model and target market. Professionals suggest starting with PayPal, which has the most widely covered feature and is accepted in almost all countries. Another good option is to use the Shopify payment system that comes with the package and integrates with other options for value addition.
Some of the most popular and trusted eCommerce payment gateways are:
- PayPal
- Stripe
- Skrill
- Square
- Shopify payment module
- 2Checkout
Paypal and Stripe both have almost similar features and fee structures. However, one key difference between them is the number of countries that accept the service, and PayPal is accepted in 200+ countries, while Stripe is available in only 25.
While PayPal and Skrill are good options for Shopify eCommerce stores, the platform offers its exclusive payment system that comes with the package. The benefit of the Shopify payment module is that it incurs no fee on transactions and transfers funds directly to a merchant account with a low payout time.
