How to integrate payment systems on your website: A step-by-step guide

Artyom Dovgopol

Integrating payment systems is like building a secure bridge to your customers — without it, your online business is isolated😉

Key takeaways 👌

Introduction

Think about the most unpleasant part of being in a big shopping mall – the check-out. For some reason, only three (out of 20) cash registers are operational, and the cashier looks like the most overworked and underpaid person in the world. Once you’re finally done and through, would you return to this mall, or try something more modernized, with conventional auto check-out machines and functional card readers that don’t require 10-minute-long fiddling with your debit card? We all know the answer.

Practically the same happens on your website. If the purchase process is lengthy and generally discomforting, then clients won’t feel all that inclined to return to your website later, and we don’t want that. Digital payment systems make the entire process smooth from start to finish, making you a lot of profit in the long run.

Preparation stage

Let’s start with the basics first and foremost. What you should understand before even beginning the integration of the payment system? Let’s take a look:

Access your business needs:

• Understand your audience. Determine which payment methods your customers prefer. Is it credit, debit, e-wallets, mobile payments? Maybe even crypto? 
• Estimate the average transaction volume. What’s the average check? How many purchases will be made on the website daily, ideally? 
• Make sure that it’s legal. Check local regulations regarding online payments. Some countries require additional verification such as ID or the very basic “how old are you” questionnaire at the check-out.

Choose a payment provider:

• Ensure that the provider of your choice is reputable and reliable. Read reviews and try to understand their general market standing.
• Compare cost and fees. Check the average price tag on payment system integration and correspond it across the market – there may be a better option waiting just around the corner.
• Get technical. Robust technical support and clear API documentation can significantly simplify the process of integration and further support, so it’s a good idea to check if your provider has exactly that.

Integrating a digital payment system is like building a bridge between you and your clients. It should not only be structurally stable for security but also symbolize trust, reassuring clients that their transactions are safe.

Step-by-step integration process

Now let’s proceed to the integration itself, there are quite a few steps to cover:

Collect all the necessary documentation:

• Legal documents. Your business registration, tax identification, and all other required legal documents.
• Prepare a dedicated bank account. Prepare your bank account information for internet acquiring setup.
• Technical guidelines. Obtain API documentation and integration guides from your payment provider.

Start integrating:

• Set up API. Connect your website to the provider’s payment gateway. Might get tricky, so follow the guidelines thoroughly.
• Deal with module/plugin installation. This is especially important for businesses with integrated CMS systems like WordPress or Magento. Install and configure the appropriate modules.
• Ensure that things are fine on the bank side. Your system must be able to process credit/debit card transactions seamlessly.

Review, test, and adjust (if necessary):

• Try out the transaction system. Run through a couple of phantom purchases just to make sure that everything is in order and secure.
• Provide security. SSL certificates, encryption, and other industry standards must be met. Remember, your client’s personal information will flow through these channels, so it’s your brand’s reputation at stake here.
• Monitor and analyze. Set up instruments to track transaction performance and quickly adapt if changes are necessary.

And a bit more about websites…

Care to get familiar with the process of web development? Our What is an API and how is it used in web development? article might help you with that

Practical tips for a successful integration

Received your first digital payment? Congratulations! Now, let’s ensure that your freshly installed system will run smoothly for some time without any issues:

• Keep your software updated. That includes payment modules and plugins.
• Make sure your team knows what they’re doing. Do an onboarding session and introduce everyone to their new, digital coworker. Your team must know how to use the new software to resolve issues fast.
• Collect feedback. Make sure to ask the customers that have already used the system, what they think. Maybe there are areas to improve UX-wise.
• Expand and scale. Keep improving your payment systems with features like automated receipts, loyalty programs, or cashback capabilities to keep enhancing customer experience.

Recommended reading🤓

"Payments Systems in the U.S.", Carol Coye Benson

A comprehensive guide to payment systems in the U.S., including various methods and technologies used in financial transactions.

On Amazon

"Securing Transactions and Payment Systems for M-Commerce", Man Ho Au

Methods for securing mobile payment systems and transactions in mobile commerce.

On Amazon

"Payment Systems and Other Financial Transactions", Ronald J. Mann

A practical guide to the legal and operational aspects of payment systems, including case studies and problems to solve.

On Amazon

Conclusion

Integrating payment systems on your website is crucial for a seamless, secure shopping experience. By assessing your business needs, choosing a reliable provider, and following an integration process, you can improve customer satisfaction and boost performance. These best practices will help you stay competitive and ensure safe, efficient transactions.

Start integrating today to unlock growth and enhance the customer experience. Happy integrating!