An online payment gateway is a digital payment mechanism built into an online retailer (whether website, smartphone app or marketplace) that allows consumers to charge directly while purchasing.
Credit or debit cards have long been the most commonly used online payment options, close to those at any retailer or grocery. However, a few other schemes that make an electronic payment without the user needing to reveal their bank information have recently become more common.
In any kind of e-commerce, both for security purposes and to save time, online shoppers already want peace of mind of ensuring that their private information is well encrypted, and they don't need to disclose all their sensitive data any time they make a transaction.
Features that should always be included in your online business payment gateway
SSL security certificate:
This is the 'number one' prerequisite for every online store. Users should trust only places that have a legitimate and active certificate, and yours should still include an up-to-date SSL certificate. Many payment solutions for business provide certification, and Verisign is the best recognized.
Anti-fraud system:
A measure of this kind adds extra protection in order to determine the origin of the payment and thereby prevent theft against your business.
eCheck option:
Online transfers typically use credit or debit card information, but the mechanism is dependent on the current account number.
API available:
This may sound trivial to you right now, but it is very helpful for your website developers to have the payment gateway API enabled. Later on, they will be able to handle payment measures in a more personalized manner.
Support:
Whether you have any issues with your best payment gateway and you don't have qualified technical staff, or they can't find the cause of the malfunction, who are you going to go to? This is a bonus as the payment portal provides technical assistance and 24/7 customer care.
Don't be afraid to use the payment gateway that best serves your needs, even though it doesn't seem to be the most common one. A vote of confidence should be granted to the user: after all, they can still do a fast search on Google and verify that this is a legitimate and accurate tool that will help to facilitate sales in your shop.