E-Commerce vs Online Payment Processing
The Importance of a Web Presence
In today’s market, staying competitive means having some kind of online presence. This could be a full website, a listing in an online directory, or even just a social media profile. Having an online identity helps customers find out about your products and reach you easily. You might even build an e-commerce site where customers can shop, leave reviews, and share their positive experiences.
Challenges with Online Payments
Setting up online payments can feel complicated and risky. Security concerns and maintenance costs may make you hesitate. If you already run a successful brick-and-mortar store with little online activity, you might wonder if it’s worth switching processors just to open an online shop.
Deciding Between No-Code Solutions and Custom Development
When expanding your business online, one major decision you’ll face is whether to use an all-in-one solution that you create on your own or hire developers to build a custom website tailored to your needs. Both options have their advantages and challenges, and the best choice depends on your business’s specific requirements, budget, and long-term goals.
All-in-One No-Code Solutions
All-in-one no-code solutions, like Shopify or Square offer a quick and user-friendly way to set up an online store. These platforms are designed for business owners who may not have technical expertise but still want a professional-looking website with integrated payment processing.
Advantages:
- Speed and ease: You can get your store online quickly, without needing to understand coding or hire additional help.
- Security and maintenance: These platforms handle security updates and ongoing maintenance for you, reducing the burden of managing those technical aspects.
- Lower upfront costs: There’s no need to pay for custom development, making it a more affordable option initially.
Challenges:
- Limited customization: No-code platforms offer pre-built templates and tools, which may restrict how much you can customize the design or functionality of your website.
- Scalability: As your business grows, you may find that a no-code solution doesn’t fully meet your evolving needs, leading to additional costs or limitations.
Custom Development
On the other hand, hiring developers to build a custom solution offers far more flexibility and control over your online store. This approach is ideal for businesses with unique needs or those looking for features beyond what an off-the-shelf platform can provide.
Advantages:
- Tailored functionality: A custom-built website allows for unlimited design and functionality options, giving you the ability to create exactly what your business needs.
- Scalability and growth: Custom solutions can be built to scale with your business, ensuring that as you grow, your website can handle increased traffic and additional features.
- Integration with other systems: Custom development makes it easier to integrate your online store with existing systems, such as inventory management, CRM, or other tools specific to your business.
Challenges:
- Higher upfront costs: Custom development is often more expensive upfront due to the cost of hiring skilled developers and designers.
- Ongoing maintenance: With a custom site, you’re responsible for maintaining the website’s security and functionality, which may require ongoing support from a developer or IT team.
- Longer development time: Building a custom solution from scratch takes more time than setting up an all-in-one platform, potentially delaying your ability to start selling online.
Finding the Right Balance
Ultimately, the decision between an all-in-one solution and custom development depends on your specific business goals. If you need a quick, affordable way to start selling online, a no-code platform may be your best bet. However, if you anticipate needing highly customized features or plan to scale your business significantly in the future, investing in custom development might be worth the initial cost and effort.
Many businesses also choose a hybrid approach: starting with a no-code platform and gradually transitioning to a custom solution as their needs evolve. By carefully evaluating your current and future needs, you can make an informed decision that balances convenience, cost, and long-term growth.
How to Select E-Commerce Credit Card Processors
When selecting a credit card processor for an E-commerce business, there are a few factors that should be considered.
The Importance of Payment Security
E-commerce businesses must prioritize payment security when selecting a credit card processor. Ensure that the processor is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) to protect your business from fraud, data breaches, and other security risks. All of the processors below are PCI Compliant and utilize modern data protection standards.
Ensuring Low Credit Card Processing Fees
Look for a credit card processor that offers low, transparent fees for transactions. One of the best options to consider is a provider that uses interchange-plus pricing. With this model, you’ll pay the direct wholesale rates set by the card networks, plus a fixed markup, which provides a pure view into your processing costs. This helps ensure you’re not overpaying for ecommerce credit card processing services.
In addition to transaction fees, make sure the provider doesn’t hide extra costs for services like refunds or account maintenance. Clear, straightforward pricing allows you to understand exactly what you’re paying, making it easier to budget and avoid unexpected costs. All of the processors below provide easy to understand, low cost payment processing.
Checking Compatibility
If you are already accepting credit cards online, ensure that a new credit card processor is compatible with your currently e-commerce platform and shopping cart. Most processors work with major e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce, but it’s important to confirm compatibility before signing up.
Considering Desirable Integrations
Choose a credit card processor that integrates with your other business systems, such as Quickbooks payment processing integration, inventory management systems, and shipping solutions. This will streamline your business processes and reduce manual data entry. Many processors offer direct connections with third-party systems or can facilitate it via custom integration through an API.
Vetting Customer Support
Choose a credit card processor that provides reliable and helpful customer support. It’s important to know that if you run into issues, you’ll be able to get assistance quickly. Look for providers that offer multiple support channels, such as phone, email, and live chat. Ideally, support should be available 24/7, especially if you run a business with extended hours or operate online.
Check for Customer Complaints
Before committing, take some time to research what other clients are saying. Pay close attention to any complaints about support issues. These might include problems like long hold times, slow responses to emails, or difficulty getting in touch with the right person. Unhelpful or unresponsive customer support can lead to major headaches down the road, so it’s important to choose a provider with a reputation for resolving issues quickly and efficiently.
Test Support if Possible
If you’re unsure, test out the support before you sign up. Send an email, call their help line, or start a chat to see how fast they respond and how knowledgeable the staff is. This will give you a better sense of how the company handles real-world problems.
Take a Deep Dive on Reputation
Finally, choose a credit card processor with a good reputation in the industry. Look for reviews and feedback from other e-commerce businesses to gauge the processor’s reliability, security, and customer service.
Our Editor Picks
Over 10 Years of Observation
We’ve been closely monitoring the eCommerce payment services on this list for over a decade, ensuring they only make our lists if they maintain high ratings in key areas that matter most to businesses. Throughout this time, these providers have consistently offered excellent performance, reliable service, and positive customer feedback. Their ability to sustain high levels of satisfaction over many years is a testament to their dedication to providing top-notch services. We chose them because they stand out for their strong reputation and ability to meet the ever-evolving needs of eCommerce businesses.
Superior Services at Low Costs
In addition to their track record of excellence, these payment processors offer competitive pricing that helps businesses keep transaction costs low. They also excel in customer support, ensuring that merchants can get timely assistance when they need it most. Their comprehensive range of services covers most eCommerce processing needs, from payment gateways to fraud protection and seamless integration with various platforms. This balance of affordability, support, and functionality makes them top choices for businesses looking to start or grow their online business.
The Top Rated E-Commerce Payment Processors
Helcim
Best Pick for E-Commerce Merchant Services
Helcim is a merchant account provider headquartered in Alberta, Canada, and Seattle, Washington. The company provides merchant services and credit card processing to both U.S. and Canadian businesses. Helcim offers traditional payment processing equipment as well as a feature suite called “Helcim Commerce,” which is intended to serve as an all-in-one business management solution for merchants across all of their sales channels.
Helcim: A Top Choice for E-Commerce Payment Processing
When it comes to accepting credit card payments for e-commerce businesses, Helcim is a standout choice. As a payment processor that specializes in small business solutions, Helcim offers a variety of features that make it an ideal option for e-commerce merchants.
Streamlined Payment Processing
Helcim offers a user-friendly and customizable checkout experience that seamlessly integrates with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. This means that business owners can accept credit card payments directly through their website, without the need for a third-party payment gateway. This not only streamlines the checkout process for customers but also helps businesses maintain control over their brand and customer experience.
Robust Security
Helcim provides robust security measures to protect e-commerce businesses and their customers from fraudulent activity. This includes features like advanced fraud detection and prevention tools, as well as PCI compliance certification. With Helcim, e-commerce merchants can rest easy knowing that their transactions are secure and their customers’ data is protected.
Transparent Pricing Model
Another key advantage of Helcim for e-commerce businesses is its transparent pricing model. Unlike many other payment processors that charge hidden fees or have complex pricing structures, Helcim offers simple and competitive pricing with no hidden costs. This makes it easy for small business owners to understand their payment processing costs and manage their cash flow.
Helcim is a great option for e-commerce businesses that need a reliable, secure, and affordable payment processing solution. With its user-friendly checkout experience, robust security features, and transparent pricing model, Helcim makes it easy for small businesses to accept credit card payments and grow their online sales.
For more details, visit Helcim or call (888) 506-7812
Host Merchant Services
Top Pick for E-Commerce Credit Card Processing
Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that specializes in payment solutions for e-commerce businesses. The company’s products and services include web hosting, online marketing tools, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, online shopping cart integration, gift and loyalty programs, and mobile payment solutions. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses but is able to serve retail businesses just as well.
Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company’s customer service for praise. The company offers interchange-plus pricing with no early termination fees to all of its merchants, meaning that users will enjoy the most transparent pricing model and can cancel service without penalty. The BBB gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”
Secure and Reliable E-commerce Payment Processing with Host Merchant Services
As a business owner selling e-commerce products, accepting credit card payments from customers is a crucial part of your business. That’s why you need a reliable and secure payment processing service to ensure that your transactions are processed smoothly and securely. Host Merchant Services (HMS) is a top-rated credit card processing service that specializes in providing e-commerce payment processing solutions for small businesses. Here are some reasons why HMS is a good option for your e-commerce business.
Seamless Integration with E-commerce Platforms
HMS offers seamless integration with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and more. This means that you can easily integrate HMS payment processing into your online store without any technical hassle. HMS provides a user-friendly dashboard that allows you to manage your payments, view transaction history, and generate reports.
High Security and Fraud Protection
E-commerce businesses are vulnerable to fraudulent transactions and data breaches, which can result in significant financial losses. HMS offers high-security measures to protect your business from fraud, chargebacks, and other forms of cybercrime. HMS uses advanced encryption technology and PCI-compliant processing to ensure that your customers’ sensitive information is protected. With HMS, you can be sure that your business is protected from potential threats.
Competitive Rates and Fees
As an e-commerce business owner, you need to keep your costs low while ensuring high-quality service. HMS offers competitive rates and fees that are transparent and easy to understand. You won’t be hit with hidden fees or unexpected charges with HMS. Additionally, HMS provides excellent customer support to help you resolve any issues or concerns quickly.
Host Merchant Services is a reliable and secure e-commerce payment processing option for small business owners. With seamless integration, high-security measures, and competitive rates and fees, HMS can help your e-commerce business thrive.
For more information, see Host Merchant Services or call (888) 727-4538
PaymentCloud
Top Rated E-Commerce Merchant Services
Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving e-commerce businesses of nearly any type. This includes “high-risk” online industries such as CBD and Kratom businesses. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account.
The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant’s business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A+.”
Why PaymentCloud is a Top Choice for E-commerce Payment Processing
Payment processing is a crucial aspect of any e-commerce business, and choosing the right payment processor is essential for a smooth and secure transaction process. PaymentCloud is a top choice for business owners who sell e-commerce products and need to accept credit card payments from customers. Here are some reasons why PaymentCloud is an excellent option for e-commerce payment processing.
High Approval Rate
PaymentCloud has a high approval rate, even for businesses that may be considered high-risk. Many payment processors refuse to work with high-risk businesses, but PaymentCloud specializes in providing payment processing solutions for businesses in various industries, including e-commerce. With PaymentCloud, you can enjoy a smooth and seamless payment processing experience, regardless of your business type.
Secure Transactions
E-commerce businesses need to ensure that their customers’ payment information is secure during transactions. PaymentCloud offers a secure payment processing system that complies with industry standards, including PCI DSS. This ensures that sensitive information such as credit card details are encrypted and protected from fraudsters and hackers.
Multiple Payment Options
With PaymentCloud, you can accept various payment options, including credit and debit cards, e-checks, and ACH payments. This means you can offer your customers different payment options to choose from, making it easier for them to pay for your products or services.
Affordable Rates
PaymentCloud offers competitive pricing for its payment processing services, with no hidden fees. You can easily budget for your payment processing costs and avoid any surprise charges. Additionally, PaymentCloud provides transparent pricing, making it easier for businesses to understand the cost of their payment processing services.
PaymentCloud is an excellent option for business owners who sell e-commerce products and need to accept credit card payments from customers. With a high approval rate, secure transactions, multiple payment options, and affordable rates, PaymentCloud provides a reliable and efficient payment processing solution for your e-commerce business.
For more information, see PaymentCloud or call (888) 506-7859
CDG Commerce
Top Rated for E-Commerce Merchant Accounts
Located in Chesapeake, Virginia, CDG Commerce is another ideal option for e-commerce businesses offices of all sizes and types. CDG has been privately owned since 1998 and offers a proprietary payment gateway (as well as a discount on Authorize.Net’s payment gateway), a virtual terminal, QuickBooks integration, mobile phone processing, sales reporting, security breach protection, and vulnerability scanning. CDG Commerce is ideal for e-commerce businesses that require a simple, low-cost, integrated method for accepting online and in-person payments.
CDG Commerce only charges a low, fixed fee per transaction and offers competitive contractual terms, including no annual fees, monthly minimums, or termination fees. CDG also offers next-day funding to most business types. CDG has earned an “A+” rating in our review as well as an “A+” rating with the BBB.
CDG Commerce: A Trusted Name in E-Commerce Payment Processing
Looking for an efficient and secure way to process credit card payments for your e-commerce business? Look no further than CDG Commerce! Here are some of the top reasons why CDG Commerce is an excellent option for business owners selling e-commerce products:
Seamless Integration
CDG Commerce offers seamless integration with a wide range of popular e-commerce platforms, including WooCommerce, Magento, Shopify, and BigCommerce. This makes it easy to set up and start accepting credit card payments from customers who are buying e-commerce products.
Affordable Rates
CDG Commerce offers competitive rates for credit card processing, with no hidden fees or long-term contracts. This makes it easy for small business owners to manage their expenses and keep costs under control.
Secure Transactions
CDG Commerce prioritizes the security of their clients’ transactions, using the latest encryption and fraud prevention tools to protect sensitive data. This means that you can rest easy knowing that your customers’ payment information is safe and secure.
Expert Support
CDG Commerce offers expert support and guidance to their clients, with a dedicated account manager assigned to each business. This means that you can get personalized help and advice whenever you need it, whether you have a question about your account or need assistance with a technical issue.
CDG Commerce is an excellent option for small business owners who sell e-commerce products and need a reliable, affordable, and secure way to accept credit card payments. With seamless integration, competitive rates, secure transactions, and expert support, CDG Commerce is a top choice for e-commerce payment processing.
For more information, see CDG Commerce or call (888) 393-1079
Shopify
Shopify is primarily known as an e-commerce platform for online merchants, but the company also offers a point-of-sale software solution for iPad and iPhone. The Shopify POS app can accept cards via a headphone jack card swiper, or a $129 EMV reader and includes features like inventory syncing with a web store, emailed receipts, automatic tax calculations, basic email marketing, and in-store refunds. These online payment options and the familiarity of the Shopify brand are great for merchants, whose clients will feel safe and comfortable using the service.
The Shopify payment service can also be paired with a Shopify online store, which comes with numerous customization options. Shopify POS is a great fit for e-commerce businesses who would like to accept payments on-site using their phones as well as through online billing. Shopify has an “A+” rating with the BBB, and we give it an “A+” rating as well.
Shopify – The Ultimate E-commerce Payment Processing Solution for Small Business Owners
If you’re a small business owner who sells e-commerce products, you understand the importance of providing customers with a seamless payment processing experience. Shopify, an all-in-one e-commerce platform, is an excellent option for business owners looking to accept credit card payments from customers buying e-commerce products. Here are a few reasons why Shopify stands out as the ultimate e-commerce payment processing solution.
Incredibly Secure and Reliable Payment Processing
Shopify’s payment processing system is incredibly secure and reliable. The platform is PCI DSS compliant, which means that it adheres to the highest level of payment security standards. This compliance ensures that your customers’ payment information is safe and secure, which is crucial for building trust with your customers.
Customizable Payment Options
Shopify offers a range of payment options that can be customized to meet your business’s specific needs. The platform accepts all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as alternative payment options like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. This flexibility ensures that your customers can pay for their purchases in a way that’s convenient and familiar to them.
Seamless Integration to your E-Commerce Store
Shopify’s payment processing system is easy to use and can be seamlessly integrated into your e-commerce store. The platform offers a variety of payment processing solutions, including Shopify Payments, which simplifies the payment process by eliminating the need for a third-party payment provider. Shopify also offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees, making it easy to understand and budget for your payment processing expenses.
Shopify is a comprehensive e-commerce platform that offers secure, reliable, and flexible payment processing options for small business owners. With its easy integration and transparent pricing, Shopify is an excellent choice for any business owner looking to streamline their payment processing and provide their customers with a seamless payment experience.
For more information, visit Shopify
Bottom Line
Choosing the right eCommerce payment processor is a key step in building a successful online business. The providers listed here have been carefully reviewed for their strong performance, fair pricing, and ability to meet the needs of online merchants. But how do you decide which one is the best fit for your business?
Start by considering your specific needs. Think about your transaction volume, the types of payments you accept, and any special features like fraud protection or subscription billing. It’s also important to compare pricing models, especially if you want to avoid hidden fees. Look for providers that offer clear, transparent pricing like interchange-plus.
Next, customer support is crucial. Make sure you choose a provider known for responsive and helpful service. Test their support if possible, so you can be confident they’ll be there when you need help.
By taking the time to compare your options and choosing a provider that aligns with your business goals, you’ll set yourself up for smooth payment processing and long-term growth.
