How to Accept Credit Card Payments Online
Accepting credit card payments online means opening your business up to more customers, even if you operate a brick-and-mortar shop.
Whether your primary storefront is online or in town, understanding how to accept credit card payments online can help you reach more customers, facilitate bookings and reservations, and access data and reports.
And while not every business needs to take online payment, it’s a definite advantage to those that do. Allowing customers to pay online opens up a whole new world of sales.
At New Payment Innovation, we know how much of a difference accepting credit card payments online can make for lots of businesses in Ireland. That’s why we’re dedicated to bringing the best merchant services to Irish businesses of all sizes and sectors.
To learn more about our online payment solutions for retail, hospitality, and hair and beauty, click or tap one of the buttons below.
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Contents
What are Online Payments?
Before you can learn how to accept credit card payments online, you should know what safe online payments actually are.
Online payments are made through an online payment system, a comprehensive solution that empowers businesses to accept card payments over the Internet. A payment gateway facilitates electronic transactions, keeping customer information secure.
Additionally, to accept credit cards online means you get access to an extensive suite of business management tools. Online payment data is recorded for report generation and insights. In turn, this allows you to make data-driven business decisions that will serve your business. Meanwhile, you can manage inventory, secure deposits, and facilitate online check-ins. Before signing up, take the time to understand the advantages and disadvantages of online payment.
Do I Need to Know How to Accept Credit Card Payments Online?
If you’re wondering if you need to know how to accept credit card payments online, the answer is: probably. Indeed, taking card payments online is an easy way to enhance your business and increase revenue.
67% of millennials and 56% of Gen X shoppers prefer shopping online, so don’t underestimate the power of online payments. Not to mention, European shoppers are moving away from cash at a quick rate. Even if your business isn’t strictly an e-commerce shop, allowing your customers to make a payment for products or services online can help bring in a new channel for revenue.
Here are a few business types that could benefit from finding out how to accept credit card payments online:
- E-commerce shops that only operate online
- Hair salons, beauty bars, nail salons, barbershops, and other businesses that take appointments
- Doctors and dentists who wish to take a deposit at the time of appointment booking
- Retail shops that offer delivery or collection
- Sellers of digital-only items, like crafting patterns, sheet music, online courses, and more
- Restaurants and pubs that offer delivery, collection, or reservations
- Hotels and B&Bs that take online reservations
How to Accept Credit Card Payments Online
Letting your customers pay online undoubtedly has a lot of advantages, regardless of the type of business. Understanding how to accept online payment will help you provide the smoothest online purchasing experience for your customers.
Find a Provider
The first step in learning how to take online payment is to find a provider. It’s important not to take this step too lightly – your online payment provider will make all the difference in your experience with taking payment online.
To find a great provider, compare your options. Look at their products, services, and fees to get a feel for their offerings. Don’t forget to have a look at customer support (24/7 is what you want) and training so you can make sure everything runs smoothly.
Of course, we recommend choosing the best merchant service provider in Ireland to take online payment.
Set Up Your Store
If you are new to online payment, you need to set up your online store. Here, you can list your products and services, including deposits and partial payments.
Integration
Whether you are new to online payment or you’re switching providers, now it’s time to integrate. This means connecting your store to the payment gateway. There are different types of online payment integration. The two primary integration types are:
Direct Integration: Through direct integration, your website collects user details and credit card information. This is then sent to the payment gateway for fraud checks and security validation. After clearing the payment with the acquiring bank, the gateway sends a response back to your website, which then provides a response to the customer. With direct integration, the payments page can be enhanced with customisations so your branding is visible from start to finish.
Tip: Direct integration is ideal for established online businesses that want complete control over the online shopping and paying process and have some technical knowledge.
Hosted Integration: Hosted integration streamlines payment processing for taking online payment through a secure payment page. This approach redirects customers to the provider’s payment page, where their payment details are processed. The user is then redirected back to your website. This enables integration with the gateway without needing to collect or store cardholder data.
Tip: Hosted integration is the right choice for businesses who want to minimise security risk and ensure compliance with regulations, without sacrificing convenience or processing speed.
Accept Credit Card Payments Online
After you have integrated your website with the provider’s payment gateway, it’s time to start accepting credit cards online. This is the easy part. Thanks to taking payment through a merchant service provider’s payment gateway, the legwork is done for you. All you have to do is sit back and watch the sales come in.
NPI’s Approach to Accepting Credit Card Payments Online and Other Merchant Services
NPI’s commitment to innovation and customer-centricity means we’re not just another payment provider – we’re the best merchant service provider in Ireland. Whether you’re a business looking for diverse payment methods, integration with your existing systems, or real-time insights, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how we do merchant services:
Face to Face
For businesses that rely on the stability and familiarity of traditional card transactions, NPI offers seamless card reader options, including wired, wireless, and mobile. These methods ensure you can accept payments securely through trusted and established channels.
In an era where speed and convenience are paramount, NPI embraces advanced technology for face-to-face transactions. Our solutions, including contactless payments and customised, complete EPOS systems, enable quick and secure transactions. Customers can simply tap their cards or mobile devices for swift and hassle-free payments, whether they’re shopping in a store or at a vendor’s stall.
Recognising the growing importance of mobile payments, NPI empowers businesses to tap into the mobile-centric world. With our card machines for business, you can offer customers the flexibility to pay with smartphones, digital wallets, and cards, making the payment process both efficient and user-friendly.
Online
NPI understands the importance of streamlining safe online payments for businesses and ensuring a secure and convenient experience for customers.
Our integrated solutions are designed to seamlessly connect with a wide range of e-commerce platforms and payment gateways. This means that whether you’re a business looking to accept online payment or a customer making a purchase, the process is straightforward and secure.
For businesses, NPI’s integration with e-commerce platforms allows for a hassle-free setup, enabling you to accept payments on your website or digital storefront. Not to mention, our system effortlessly manages the flow of transactions, ensuring a smooth experience for your customers.
Over the Phone
Our virtual payment terminals are at the heart of over-the-phone payments. They provide a secure platform where businesses can process transactions remotely. This is especially useful for businesses that offer services or sell products over the phone, through catalogues, or via email. By using virtual terminals, you can efficiently handle card transactions from anywhere, enhancing convenience and accessibility for your customers.
Furthermore, security is paramount in over-the-phone transactions, and NPI takes this responsibility seriously. Our systems are designed to ensure the utmost security for both businesses and customers. Card data is handled with care, and our virtual payment terminals adhere to industry standards for secure payments.
You can learn how to take card payments over the phone here.
Contact NPI Today
Explore the NPI difference by getting in touch with our expert team. We’re here to provide guidance, valuable insights, and tailored solutions that align with your unique needs and goals. Reach out to us at 01 4475299. Or, fill out the contact form, and one of our payment gurus will get back to you.
Want to see our EPOS systems and card machines for yourself? Come down to our Citywest HQ and look around the Experience Suite.
How to Accept Credit Card Payments Online: FAQs
What does it mean to accept credit card payments online?
Accepting credit card payments online involves allowing customers to make payments over the Internet through a secure payment system. This opens up new sales opportunities and provides businesses with essential tools for management.
Why should I consider accepting credit card payments online?
Accepting online payments expands your customer reach, caters to the preferences of online shoppers, and can increase revenue. It’s especially relevant as a significant percentage of consumers, including millennials and Gen X, prefer online shopping.
Do I need to know how to accept credit card payments online?
Yes, learning how to accept credit card payments online is crucial for enhancing your business, irrespective of whether it’s online or brick-and-mortar. Online payments offer convenience and cater to the evolving preferences of customers.
Which businesses can benefit from accepting credit card payments online?
Various businesses, including e-commerce shops, hair salons, doctors, retail shops with delivery services, sellers of digital items, restaurants, pubs, hotels, and more can benefit from accepting credit card payments online.
How do I find a suitable online payment provider?
To find a great online payment provider, compare options based on products, services, fees, customer support, and training. Consider choosing a reliable merchant service provider like New Payment Innovation for the best online payment experience.
What are the two primary types of online payment integration?
The two primary types of online payment integration are direct integration and hosted integration. Direct integration involves collecting user details and credit card information on your website, while hosted integration redirects customers to a secure payment page.
Which businesses is direct integration ideal for?
Direct integration is ideal for established online businesses seeking complete control over the online shopping process. It suits those with technical knowledge and a desire for customizations, ensuring a branded experience from start to finish.
Who should choose hosted integration for online payments?
Hosted integration is suitable for businesses that prioritize security, compliance, and want to minimize security risks. It’s a convenient option ensuring processing speed without the need to collect or store cardholder data on your website.
