The Wall Street Journal recently reported that 70 percent of online shoppers surveyed in February of 2013 indicated that they preferred to do their shopping at their favorite stores online, rather than at the brick-and-mortar location, and that’s just one type of business.
More and more, people are expecting businesses to offer the option to pay via the Internet. Whether they are paying a medical bill, their water bill or a credit card account from their favorite retailer, consumers want to do it online.
Modern businesses of all types, not just retail establishments, are answering by adding payment processing options to their websites. This allows the business to accept credit cards or debit cards more easily, improves the chances that the company will actually receive payments on outstanding bills and makes the payment process much easier for the consumer.
For businesses considering adding online payment services, deciding on the right one is one of the first hurdles to overcome. With so many options out there, how can you be certain that you’ve found the right one? You want a program that offers flexibility, security and ease-of-use for both your business and your customers. Here are the top five online payment services, and a little bit about each one, to help you make your decision.
1. PayPal
PayPal is, perhaps, one of the most recognized online payment services. It allows any type of business to accept payment from a customer with an email address and either a checking account or a credit card. While it works well, the fees associated with credit card processing via PayPal can be quite high.
As a result, it’s preferred by companies that make many small transactions and do not have an option to process card payments directly.
2. iPayX
With iPayX, businesses can have a standardized payment system completed online. It offers Internet-based billing and payments and can accept many different types of payments. The company is known for its high level of security in every aspect of their payment portals. It’s widely used in the healthcare industry, but can be adapted to businesses of all types.
3. MyCheckFree.com
MyCheckFree.com allows consumers to receive an emailed version of their bill from affiliate companies. Then, MyCheckFree.com will pay that bill, without a fee to the consumer, drawing the money from the individual’s checking account. This secure and popular payment gateway is only available for businesses that send regular bills, not for one-time payments.
4. GoEmerchant
GoEmerchant allows businesses to process credit card payments, and because they bill month-to-month, companies have no worries about cancellation fees. The system is basic, but effective, and for some businesses the simplicity is a benefit. The pre-configured website storefronts are a bit more basic than today’s consumer wants, but when used with an existing storefront, it’s an effective option.
5. Authorize.net
Authorize.net‘s flexibly allows it to work for everything from government entities to religious organizations. The electronic payment system is owned by CypberSource Corp and has highly competitive costs for businesses. It’s also quite compatible with most shopping carts and can be configured easily to match different types of storefronts.
The Web is changing the face of modern businesses. If yours isn’t accepting online payments, now’s the time to start. With options like these five, implementing online payment processing can be quite simple.
