How to Connect Payment Systems to Your Online Store?

Every online store needs a secure and efficient way for customers to pay for their products or services online.

What are Payment Systems?

A digital method of handling money transactions. It’s a technology that facilitates the transfer of money between the customer and the online store. The most common payment systems include credit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets, and others.

At the end of this article, we've provided several examples of payment platforms. Check them out by clicking HERE.

Besides ease of use, payment platforms also ensure:

• secure payments,

• data encryption,

• transaction verification... In short, they do everything possible to prevent fraud.

Connecting (or integrating) payment systems with your online store might seem complicated at first, but with the right guidance, it’s manageable even for those without extensive technical knowledge.

Here are the main steps for connecting payment systems to your online store.

1. Decide Which Payment System You Will Use

When choosing, don’t forget to also consider transaction fees.

The most versatile and popular payment systems are:

▶ Stripe

Diversity: Stripe allows payments via credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express), digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay), bank transfers (SEPA, ACH), and supports installment payments through Klarna.

Popularity: Stripe is extremely popular among online businesses worldwide because of its easy integration and wide support for various payment methods.

▶ PayPal

Diversity: PayPal offers payments via credit and debit cards, direct payments through PayPal accounts (digital wallet), and support for mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay).

Popularity: PayPal is one of the most recognizable and widely used payment platforms globally, favored by both merchants and customers.

2. Create an Account with the Chosen Provider

Once you’ve selected a payment system, create a user account with the provider. This account will be linked to your online store and will enable receiving payments. You’ll need to enter basic information about your business and bank details.

Make sure to check all terms and requirements set by the provider in advance.
Also, don't forget about tax invoice validation.

3. Connect the Payment System to Your Online Store

You can do this:

▶ via API

The Application Programming Interface (API) allows communication between your online store and the payment system. This means that payment data is securely transmitted from your site to the provider and back. Setting up an API connection usually requires adding a few lines of code to your website.

▶ via Plugin

Most major platforms (WordPress, Shopify, Magento, etc.) already have plugins (modules for easy connection of both systems) prepared. This allows for simple integration without the need for coding.

4. Ensure Security with a Certificate

It's essential that the data you handle is protected! Use an SSL certificate (Secure Sockets Layer – a protocol that encrypts data between the browser and server) and ensure that the payment provider supports security standards like PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard). This will protect your customers' sensitive information.

5. Test to Make Sure Everything Works

Before you officially start charging for your services or products, put the payment system to the test. Most payment service providers offer a sandbox environment (test place), where you can simulate transactions without actual money transfers.

This lets you check:

• if the system works correctly,

• if payments are successfully processed,

• if all customer and transaction details are properly stored..

6. Regularly Monitor What’s Happening with Payments

Once the payment system is in place, it’s important to regularly monitor:

• received payments,

• refunds,

• complaints.

Most payment systems provide transparent tools where you can easily access all transaction information.
Also, organize customer support to resolve any potential issues, such as failed payments or refund inquiries. As they say, "money matters can end things quickly."

7. Classification of Different Payment Platforms Based on Payment Categories

Credit and Debit Cards:

• Stripe (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

• PayPal (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

• Authorize.net (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)

• Braintree (Visa, MasterCard, American Express)

• Square (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express)

Digital Wallets:

• PayPal (international digital wallet)

• Skrill (international digital wallet)

• Neteller (international digital wallet)

• Apple Pay (digital wallet for Apple devices)

• Google Pay (digital wallet for Android devices)

• Amazon Pay (connection to Amazon account for payments)

Mobile Payments:

• Apple Pay (available for iPhone and other Apple devices)

• Google Pay (available for Android devices)

• Samsung Pay (for Samsung devices)

• WeChat Pay (popular in China)

Bank Transfers and Direct Debit:

• Stripe (supports SEPA, ACH, Giropay)

• Mollie (supports SEPA, iDEAL, Bancontact)

• Sofort (supports direct bank transfers, popular in Europe)

• GoCardless (specialized in direct debit - SEPA, ACH)

Installment Payments and Pay Later:

• Klarna (buy now, pay later or in installments)

• Afterpay (interest-free installment payments)

• Affirm (credit options for installment payments)

• Sezzle (interest-free installment payments)

Cryptocurrencies:

• Coinbase Commerce (accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin)

• BitPay (accepts Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies)

• CoinGate (supports various cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum)

Region-Specific Payment Systems:

• Alipay (China)

• WeChat Pay (China)

• iDEAL (Netherlands)

• Giropay (Germany)

• Przelewy24 (Poland)

• Bancontact (Belgium)

Prepaid Cards:

• Paysafecard (international prepaid card)

• Neosurf (prepaid card for online payments)

Payment Buttons:

• Amazon Pay (connected to Amazon account data)

• Facebook Pay (allows users to make payments via Facebook)

Cash on Delivery:

• COD (customers pay upon receiving the product, either with cash or card)

Connecting a payment system to your online store will simplify the payment process for your customers, allowing you to start accepting payments and build a successful online business.