What payment solutions should I offer on my online store?

Have you ever considered the importance of choosing the right payment method for your business, which is also convenient for your customers?

Before you start thinking about how to create your online store, i.e. the modules you're going to install, how you're going to categorize your products and other tasks, it's important to think about what forms of online payment you are going to offer.

Choosing the right solution will greatly contribute the long-term success or failure of your business.

The aim of any online store is first and foremost to sell.

And for this reason, it is vitally important that the last step of the purchasing process be effective, convenient and affordable for your customers.

Here are some suggestions on how to request online payment for your products through your online store:

What are the best available payment methods you can use?

Take good note of this.

Maybe you haven't thought about any of them:

1) Payment methods with a DS contract

With a distance sales contract, your bank protects all client-supplier transactions.

The bank acts as an online payment terminal for each transaction made.

Many DS contract payment modules are available on the Addons Marketplace.

2) Payment methods without a DS contract

There are online payment systems which are PrestaShop partners, such as PayPal, Stripe or Hipay, which allow you to accept payments without a DS contract:

You will only pay commissions based on the volume of your transactions.

3) Third-party payment methods

Recently, new methods have emerged, such as Amazon Pay, which allows Amazon customers to retrieve their login information in order to make purchases on other online stores.

Payment, shipping and customer data are synchronized with the Amazon personal account.

What are the important criteria to consider when choosing your payment method?

Despite these suggestions, you should not make this decision lightly.

Calmly consider all these prerequisites:

> An opening on the international market

Why limit yourself to one country when you have great sales potential at your fingertips?
Don't miss out on conquering foreign markets, and choose an appropriate online payment method.

PrestaShop is here to help you in your internationalisation by offering you all the local languages, currencies and payment methods that you need.

> Consider the different channels

Users now switch from one channel to another very easily and require the same level of service and security from each of them.

So listen to new uses for your visitors and offer them an intuitive payment method on all channels.

You will no longer lose sales, which will make it easier for your customers to pay.

> Easier and more intuitive integration

It is important to ensure that your payment method is well integrated into the PrestaShop environment.

It is often preferable to opt for a payment solution in the form of a module, in order to easily connect your data to your payment method.

> Managing returns and refunds

As a seller, you will have to deal with returns for refunds, damaged goods, lost or delayed packages, etc.

Therefore, good customer service management is crucial.

You must therefore ensure that you are accompanied by an effective method that can meet all your customers' expectations, as well as yours.

> Choose a 100% responsive solution

According to FEVAD 2019 figures for certain wesites, more than 50% of the sales are made by mobile phone.

As a result, your online store ought to be compatible witho all mobile screens, including your payment page.

With PrestaShop, take advantage of our adapted methods which are as simple and as fast as possible, increasing your conversion rate.

If a customer has a good user experience and is able to complete easily complete the purchase, they are more likely to return to your site.

> Diverse and adaptive payment methods

The world of payments is constantly evolving, and sellers are keen to offer all means of payment adapted to geographical and consumer trends.

Your method should be innovative, and be able to cope with the growth of your business, the volume of transactions and should be able to constantly adapt to the new regulatory payment requirements.

Payments and PSD2: what changed on September 14, 2019?

As of this autumn, you will have to apply the strict new authentication rules of the European Payment Services Directive (PSD2).

This includes the evolution of the 3D Secure authentication protocol, which is to be extended to all online stores by the end of the first quarter of 2020.

For more information on this directive and the measures to be taken, here is a summary of the situation.

Our advice: start using the PrestaShop Checkout!

As previously mentioned in the European Payment Services Directive (PSD2) article, this form of online payment offered by PrestaShop has many advantages:

1) Simple online payment management

• Benefit from a fully integrated payment interface.
• Keep your customers in the same commercial tunnel without having to redirect to external pages.
• Manage all your payments in the same module via a single interface.

2) Stimulate your growth as a company

• You can benefit from different payment methods which can be quickly activated.
• Maximize your revenues with a solution which helps protect your site against fraud and non-payment.

3) Accept and manage payments anywhere in the world

• Attract a global customer base with a wide range of currencies and payment methods at your disposal.
• Offer the most popular payment methods adapted to your customers' online purchasing activities.

Conclusion

Finally, I must stress the importance of choosing a payment system which is tailored to the type of customers who visit your online store.

Of course, the easier this step is, the more likely people are to purchase from you.

Take advantage of these tips and apply them to your company today ;)