Online Payment Processing: How to Choose the Right Payment Processor!

As a business owner, you prioritize managing customer payments efficiently and securely. A reliable payment processor can be the best option to manage your multiple sales channels. They facilitate credit card processing, eChecks, mobile payments, and online transactions. The services provided by payment processors make them an essential part of any business. But the question is, which payment processor is the best for your business? Choosing the right online payment processor is one of those decisions you don’t want to make while walking in a park, especially if you’re a business owner in the growing landscape of the U.S. 

Payment processors are not only there to handle transactions. They also create a good customer experience. If a customer comes to your store or online store and cannot complete a purchase due to transaction failures or inconvenience, that can lead to losing a customer. Payment processors offer valuable sales insights, prevent fraud, and help you comply with payment data regulations. As your business grows, your payment processor becomes the most essential part that enables you to expand your business globally. 

Numerous payment processors offer various services, fee structures, and features in the market. Choosing between them becomes a headache. However, with the correct information about the payment processor, you’ll be able to find a reliable one that delivers an excellent payment service, back-end efficiency, and fraud protection. With this guide, we’re here to help you choose a reliable payment processor for your business. 

What is Payment Processing? 

Payment processing has various steps. These steps occur after a customer is done making a transaction. The payment processing step only happens when the customer makes a payment with a credit or debit card, eChecks, or another form of electronic payment. They use a point-of-sale (POS) system, either online or mobile. Transferring funds from a customer’s account to a business’s bank account is compulsory to purchase goods or services. 

Let’s go through the steps of payment processing: 

Step-1 Initiation of Transaction: 

A customer makes a transaction using payment methods such as a credit card or digital wallet at the point of sale or by entering their payment details online or in a mobile application. 

Step-2 Authorization of Transaction:

The payment gateway or processor receives payment information electronically. After receiving the payment information, they forward the transaction details to the issuer (the financial institution that issued the payment method, also called the “issuing bank” or “card issuer”) or the appropriate card network (all major credit card companies operate their card networks) for authorization. 

Step-3 Verification: 

The issuer checks the customer’s account for sufficient funds or credit and verifies the transaction. If the customer’s account has adequate funds, the issuer sends an authorization code back to the payment processor via the card network. And, if the funds are insufficient, the transaction is declined. This verification process ensures the customer has enough funds to complete the transaction, reducing the risk of bounced payments and fraudulent transactions. 

Step-4 Settlement: 

After the transaction gets authorized, it is queued for settlement. When the day ends, issuers send a batch of authorized transactions to the card network for settlement. The customer’s bank transfers the money to the business’s bank. After this step, the funds get deposited into the merchant account. 

Step-5 Reporting:

After settling the transaction, the business receives a detailed report of the day’s transactions. The information provided can be used for record-keeping, accounting, and analysis. 

Step-6 Fraud monitoring and chargebacks:

With transaction checks and authorizations, they also monitor for fraudulent transactions and assist with handling chargebacks. Payment processors only handle chargebacks when a customer disputes a charge. 

What is a Payment Processor? 

Payment processors are service providers facilitating the information of transactions among the various parties involved. They are often invisible to the end user but play a crucial role in e-commerce. E-commerce businesses handle payment data securely and efficiently. Payment processors work with card networks, merchant service providers, and banks. Payment processors connect the issuing bank with the acquiring bank and enable businesses to accept and manage different forms of electronic payments that help in increasing sales. 

Why does choosing the right payment processor matter? 

Online payment processing isn’t just about transactions. It’s about trust, convenience, and the long-term efficiency of your business operations. According to a 2023 Statista Report, over 80% of U.S. consumers made an online purchase in the past year. This report also showcases that digital payments are expected to grow annually by 11.8% through 2027. That means your payment system isn’t just infrastructure; it’s part of the customer experience. 

But what happens when the choice goes wrong? You lose more than a sale; you lose a customer’s trust. You risk chargebacks, data breaches, and customer churn. 

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Payment Processor: –

There are various factors that you should consider when choosing a payment processor. 

1. Transaction Fees and Transparent Pricing:

Let’s start this discussion with the most obvious question: “How much will it cost?” Well, Payment processors typically charge: 

• A flat rate per transaction 
• Monthly fees for access to the platform 
• Additional charges for things like chargebacks or international payments 

These costs vary widely. For example, PayPal charges 3.49% for some merchant services, while Stripe sticks closer to 2.9% + $0.30 for most domestic transactions. But if you’re processing large volumes, some providers offer customer pricing. 

What you should look for:

• Clear, published fee structures 
• No hidden fees or long-term lock-ins
• Volume discounts if your business is scaling 

2. Security and Compliance: 

According to a Nilson Report, over $12.5 billion was lost globally to payment fraud in 2022 alone, with a sizable chunk occurring in the U.S. A reliable and secure payment processor will help protect your business and your customers. 

Always look for these essentials 

• PCI-DSS compliance (standard compliance for payment data protection)
• Tokenization and end-to-end encryption
• Fraud detection tools and real-time alerts

If your business operates in a high-risk category (like CBD, supplements, or adult services), security measures become even more critical for safety and regulatory compliance. 

3. Payment Method Variety:

Today’s consumers expect choices. According to a 2023 Deloitte survey, 42% of U.S. shoppers abandon their carts if their preferred payment method isn’t available.

• At a minimum, your payment processor should support:
• Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover).
• ACH and eCheck payments.
• Digital wallets.
• Buy now, Pay Later options.

4. Integration and Ease of Use:

You shouldn’t need an entire development team just to accept payments. Choose a payment processor that integrates seamlessly with your existing tech—Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom-built backend.

You should also consider:

• API documentation (well-written guides make a big difference)
  
• No-code or low-code options
  
• Mobile compatibility for on-the-go access

5. Customer Support and Dispute Resolution:

It’s easy to overlook until something breaks—and then it becomes everything. When payments fail or chargebacks happen, who picks up the phone?

Some of the red flags you should avoid:

• Chatbots only (no real people) 
• Poor reviews on complaint-handling 
• 24/7 support (email, chat, phone) 
• Dedicated account reps for high-volume businesses
• Chargeback assistance or management tools

6. Scalability and Reporting Tools: 

Your processor should grow with you and not hold you back. Your payment processor should scale according to your expansion plan (more locations, international sales, or mobile apps). You should also keep an eye on analytics. The best platforms can provide you with a detailed breakdown on: 

• Payment volume and trends
• Customer demographics
• Failed transactions and reasons

Final Thoughts: –

Choosing a payment processor isn’t about finding the “best” one—it’s about finding the one that fits your business. Prioritize transparency, security, and flexibility. Don’t be afraid to test providers or even run two in parallel for a short time.

Ask yourself:

• Will this scale with my business?
• Does it give my customers the payment options they expect?
• Can I get help when something goes wrong?

Because when your payments run smoothly, everything else gets easier.

Still unsure which payment processor fits your business? Talk to our experts at eCheckplan to find the perfect match for your growth.