A Guide to Mobile Payment Integration
Payment processing is the backbone of every modern business. In the previous century, consumers used to pay using cash, credit cards, and checks. Today, consumers are presented with several ways to pay for products and services including through their mobile phones.
Mobile payments are continuing to change how merchants do business, so let’s try and see how they’ve gotten so popular and how you can add one to your business.
How Does a Mobile Payment Gateway Work?
Mobile payment gateways can be described as services that authorize and process payments in applications. In brick-and-mortar stores, these gateways can be integrated into POS systems or smartphones and tablets. They can also be used for E-commerce businesses to help accept online payments.
It takes just a few seconds for a payment to be processed through mobile devices and here are the four major steps.
- Customers begin by adding the product to their cart or physically presenting themselves at the checkout counter.
- The customer enters their credit card information.
- They click the ‘checkout’ icon or tap on the smartphone or tablet that’s acting as the merchant’s POS.
- The gateway captures the request and sends it to the card-issuing bank for approval.
Once the request is approved, the funds are transferred to the merchant’s account and a successful purchase is recorded.
Do You Need a Mobile Payment Gateway for Your Business?
As a merchant, it may be time to level up and add a mobile payment gateway to your business. But do you need it? The answer is maybe. If your business is small, and on the move, a mobile gateway will work better than a normal cash register, and make it easier for your customers to shop. Additionally, if you have an E-commerce store, getting a mobile payment gateway may also be a good idea as it will help your customers make online payments faster.
Your customers can also tell you if they need a mobile payment integration. Some may be vocal about it and if they’re not, take some time to research the most popular types of mobile payments in your region. In the US, Stripe, Square, and PayPal are some of the top payment processing companies that can make it easier for your customers to shop.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Payments Integration
Advantages:
- Speed and convenience. Customers can quickly pay for their items without queuing for hours or worrying about not having enough cash.
- Variety of payment choices and currencies. Mobile payment processors can accept online payments and act as a POS system. Customers can use digital wallets, electronic checks, credit cards, gift cards, and other types of payments to shop.
- Safety. A mobile payment integration offers a safer environment for people to shop. Your customers don’t have to carry cash or credit cards in their wallets. Just a simple tap on their phones will do.
- Better business management. Mobile payment integration makes it easier to receive and store money. There are other tools available as well that’ll help you keep track of your finances.
Disadvantages:
- Requires technological literacy. Setting up and running a mobile payment gateway will require both you and your staff to be knowledgeable in how credit card processing, merchant accounts, and digital wallets work.
- Can be expensive. Not all mobile payment gateways are affordable. Some have a ton of service fees plus other costs that may be too much for a small business.
How to Choose the Right Mobile Payment Gateway for You
When choosing a mobile payment gateway, consider the type of business you’re running. They are perfect for small businesses, especially businesses that move from one place to another. A few good examples of such businesses include plumbing services, restaurants, food stalls, and Auto-repair services.
Also, take into consideration the types of merchant accounts the gateway offers and the contract terms. As a business owner, you need a merchant account with features such as invoicing and recurring billing. The contract terms should also be flexible and reasonable in terms of cost, length, and fees.
Another factor you should take into account is the number of payment methods the gateway can process. Modern customers don’t just use their credit cards to shop. Prepaid cards, loyalty cards, and cryptocurrencies are also used by many shoppers. Electronic checks are a thing too, so the gateway should have the necessary infrastructure for ACH processing.
Conclusion
Successfully running a business can only be made possible through positive customer experience. No one wants to wait in line or walk around with change in their pocket. This is among the reasons why you should invest in mobile payment integration.
A mobile payment gateway will help you accept both in-store and online payments while safeguarding your customers’ data. There’s no limit to what you can achieve with a mobile device in the 21st Century.