Alternative payment processors

[Darren Olander]

So, PayPal is obviously the big one that most sites use to accept payments, but what other alternatives do you like? I've been using Stripe and been quite happy with it so far.

[Matt Koshko]

Back 6-8 years ago people were really only using Paypal for payments because, in reality, it was one of the only trusted solutions. This applied to sellers and buyers in countless markets where online purchasing was acceptible. We're now in a much different position technology-wise where options are certainly in our favor.

 

Gone are the days where we have to rely on Paypal for all of our transactions. In fact, after being introduced to Stripe nearly a year ago, it's hard to want to use anything else. Paypal is convenient but Stripe has less restrictions and is certainly more appealing for us (on-site Payments, especially) when it comes to accepting Credit Cards.

 

I don't typically trust payment gateways unless they have a history, and a positive history at that. New solutions are much harder to accept, and even more so if they are headquartered in a country that raises from red flags.

[Maria McCarthy]

Has anyone ever heard of a company called, Pro Pay? I had never heard of them before... but I guess they've been around since at least 2008 or before... I made a purchase on Ebay a couple of days ago and was not paying attention to the payment options (lesson learned) so after I made the purchase I was slightly shocked when I was not directed to pay through Paypal but was instead directed to pay through Pro Pay. My fear at the time was that I didn't have an account with them or a bank account attached to an account with them... what if I couldn't pay for my purchase in time (how long would it take to set that up?)... but no fear, I was able to use a credit card to pay via Pro Pay, without even having to sign up for an account.

 

They are approved for use by Ebay...they seem to have the approval of so many other big names... the transaction was easy, easy, easy... so it made me wonder... why haven't I heard of them before? Since 2008 I've completed about 800 transactions or so on Ebay alone... has anyone ever heard of them or might you know why they haven't caught on? If I took credit cards at one of my sites again... I would heavily consider using them over who I've used in the past (Authorize.net) because it seems so much easier... 

 

I've never heard of Stripe before... I will have to look that up

[Darren Olander]

I have not heard of ProPay, but looking at them they look to handle transactions the same way Authorize does.  

[Maria McCarthy]

I'll be taking a closer look when I get the chance too Authorize.net was a bit of a hassle because you had to set up a secure certificate...etc... I'm wondering if you don't have to do that with Pro pay. Would love to hear if you learn more

[Matt Koshko]

Any processor/merchant where payment data (such as Credit Card numbers) are entered in a form directly on your website will/should require an SSL certificate. Without the SSL there's no security measure to inform the buyer on the security of the data they're submitting. The SSL helps to ensure the data is going directly to the processor/merchant rather than being sent through open airways.

 

Stripe requires an SSL certificate, but again the consumer can simply enter their credit card info directly on the website (unlike being redirected to Paypal). In fact, Paypal allows the same process when using some of their optional services, which requires an SSL. In this case consumers wouldn't be redirected to Paypal to complete the payment.

[Maria McCarthy]

I know what an SSL certificate is for... definitely need one if you are going to process payments on your own site I'm just wondering if there are enough other great options now to not require that anymore (having to process them on your own site)... I haven't used Authorize.net in a few years... before Paypal was accepting CC's directly... Glad Paypal does that now, too

[Matt Koshko]

The nice thing about using services like Stripe is your eliminate steps for customers to make a purchase. Yes, they need to have a Credit Card ready but sometimes they also need that with Paypal anyway. There are fewer necessary clicks allowing someone to checkout directly on your website than redirecting them elsewhere. Not everyone is willing to trust using their Credit Card directly, and that's okay, but if you think back a short 5 years ago...online purchases have flourished; consumes are getting very comfortable with the process...and trusting options besides Paypal. I can say that there is certainly a percentage of buyers who, when faced with Paypal or Credit Card options, they choose Credit Card.

 

Remember the days of processing being a massive hassle? Gone are those days!

[Maria McCarthy]

The nice thing about using services like Stripe is your eliminate steps for customers to make a purchase. Yes, they need to have a Credit Card ready but sometimes they also need that with Paypal anyway. There are fewer necessary clicks allowing someone to checkout directly on your website than redirecting them elsewhere. Not everyone is willing to trust using their Credit Card directly, and that's okay, but if you think back a short 5 years ago...online purchases have flourished; consumes are getting very comfortable with the process...and trusting options besides Paypal. I can say that there is certainly a percentage of buyers who, when faced with Paypal or Credit Card options, they choose Credit Card.

 

Remember the days of processing being a massive hassle? Gone are those days!

 

Agreed! And not only that... but I think purchasing from small online shops is almost safer these days. The online criminals seem to target (no pun intended!) the larger retail establishments... I do remember

[Maria McCarthy]

I just read over what I wrote before and realized that what I wrote might be kind of confusing... I'm picturing readers saying to themselves, "Well, if Paypal is already doing what Pro Pay does, why would she want to consider Pro Pay?" and the answer to that is that I don't believe it's a good idea to put all of your eggs in one basket... especially when it comes to payment processors. I've never had any issues with Paypal... but it's scary to think that if one business stopped doing business or just stopped doing business with YOU that it could sink your own business and everything you've worked hard for... It's always good to know what your options are and to have redundancies in place if you can

[Matt Koshko]

Yes, it is indeed a little scary when all your processing is through one source, such as Payza which recently stopped nearly all transactions for US customers. Paypal is one of the biggest with the longest standing history in it's class - I trust the issues will always be few and far between.

[hamayooon4u]

Hi

How are you, I am from Pakistan and here is no credit card and Paypal facility so there should be somthing alternative for us.

Skype

macliteriint

[Federico]

Yes, there are some more...

[johnmcclure]

Have you seen this?         Dear john mcclure,

                                        Due to the current United States laws, all EgoPay accounts that belong to U.S. Citizens/Residents/U.S. Companies will be locked on              the 28th of March. You can still implement your operations the same as before until 14th of March. Please note, that after 14th of March you will not be able to receive any funds and will only have an option to send or withdraw your funds.

Please manage your payments and withdraws in time.

[Darren Olander]

Have you seen this?         Dear john mcclure,

                                        Due to the current United States laws, all EgoPay accounts that belong to U.S. Citizens/Residents/U.S. Companies will be locked on              the 28th of March. You can still implement your operations the same as before until 14th of March. Please note, that after 14th of March you will not be able to receive any funds and will only have an option to send or withdraw your funds.

Please manage your payments and withdraws in time.

 

I don't use them, but sounds like they are under scrutiny.. at least you can get your money out now.

[xiqual]

Do some of you have tried cryptocoins (Bitcoin and the same)?

 

I'm actually conducting some split-test with these payment/donation option...

[Lee1390335936]

So, PayPal is obviously the big one that most sites use to accept payments, but what other alternatives do you like? I've been using Stripe and been quite happy with it so far.

Thanks for sharing the info about Stripe my friend, I have been using PayPal seems like forever so it is good to find one more resource. I just went onto the Stripe website and I like the fact that mobile is also integrated into their payment system!

[Pradeep Joshi]

It is good to have alternatives like stripe. Thanks for info.

[John Priestley]

Hi there!

 

I am sorry, but I just don't see the problem with Payza. Could someone please outline what they have had for difficulties in case it hits us over here in Germany?

 

Best regards and looking forward to hearing from you soon, John.