One of the biggest changes businesses have gone through in recent years is digitization. In addition to setting up an online presence for businesses, accepting payments online has also become normal. Payment portals have become an important asset for businesses worldwide and have benefitted them in numerous ways. The Covid pandemic accelerated this momentum, with more and more customers preferring the more convenient way of transacting online rather than paying cash and risking contact.

Payment gateways are a boon, especially for smaller businesses that might not even have a physical presence and are solely operating digitally. Online shopping has increased significantly in recent years, and not having a payment gateway can mean a substantial loss of business. In 2021 alone, the total market size of global payment gateways was valued at around USD 23 billion  and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.1% by 2030. Are you still wondering if it’s worth investing in a payment gateway? Here are some more reasons that will make a case for payment portals, no matter if you’re a small business or an established brand.

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Benefits of Using Payment Portals for Business

Enhanced User Experience

Payment portals help in improving the payment experience for users. It makes it easier for the customer to pay for your products or services through the payment portal and provides full visibility of their transactional data. Customers have full transparency on their past payments, get instant notifications about successful payments, and have options for completing payments from different channels. Users spend a substantial amount of time searching and deciding on products and will not have a positive experience if it takes forever to complete the payment, even after deciding what to buy. Payment portals also take care of customer service in case any payment falls through or gets stuck in processing for a long time.

Safer and Faster Transactions

One of the most significant advantages of having a payment gateway is the peace of mind it provides to both customers and businesses. Robust payment gateways ensure that every transaction is secured and free from any phishing attempt. They have fraud detection tools in place, high-level data encryption methods, and comply with PCI-DSS standards so that you and your customers get maximum security.

Payment portals process payments quickly as well. The process of adding something to the cart, deciding how to pay, and completing the payment can be done in a matter of seconds and with just a few clicks. Not only does it enable businesses to accept payments quickly, it also allows them to regulate their cash flow seamlessly.

Low Set Up Costs

There is a common misconception among business owners that setting up a payment gateway requires a lot of effort and money upfront and is only suitable for large businesses and enterprises. However, this is not true. While payment gateways require some initial set-up costs and can also incur a small number of chargeback fees and transaction charges from the business, they are worth it in the long run. Payment gateways have become an important and integral part of how organizations conduct business transactions, with more customers preferring to pay for things online rather than using cash. This trend will also remain for the future, so having a payment gateway adequately set up in place will become a necessity for businesses. Hence, it doesn’t matter if you’re running a start-up or a small business. Paying a minimum cost for setting up a payment gateway will help your business grow and reach new heights.

Increased Sales

You might wonder how a payment gateway can help increase the sales of a business. After all, they just accept payments and don’t serve any marketing purposes. Payment gateways help in increasing sales by providing numerous ways of payment to the customer. They can pay for something via debit cards, credit cards, UPI, or any other mode of payment they prefer. This not only makes life easier for customers but this ease of transaction kind of allures them to come back and do more business. Further, it has been found that businesses that accept card payments tend to get a lot of impulse buys from customers. A swipe of the card completes the entire transaction, allowing customers to spend more without overthinking.

Also Read: 4 Ways to Prevent Credit Card Fraud at Your Business

One more way payment gateways help increase sales is by enabling the business to go global. Anyone with an internet connection can access your website and, with a robust payment gateway in place, can pay for products from any corner of the world. You can accept payments in multiple currencies and through several methods to cater to international customers as well without any hassle.

Business Growth

In 2023, the internet will become the best place to set up and grow your business. Digital businesses are easy to set up and free of physical constraints like having a brick-and-mortar store or a cashier to complete payment. With the help of payment gateways, anyone from a big business to an individual artist can reach people worldwide and accept their payments for a product or service. Merchants who accept online payments are trusted by customers more because they have to pass through rigorous compliance checks and various security measures. This instils confidence in users and attracts them to shop from your store more frequently.

Conclusion

Having an online payment gateway in place has transcended from being a good-to-have service to an absolute necessity. Customers look for online modes of payment no matter where they shop, and they are bound to do so because of the different offers and discounts they can score while paying online. A survey done by BI Intelligence found that nearly 25% of customers would leave your website, even after adding things to their cart, if they don’t find their preferred mode of payment available. That’s one out of every four potential customers. If you’re a small business or just starting your enterprise, PayTabs can help you set up a robust payment gateway for your store. It will ensure that the transactions are quick and secure and give you full visibility of the transactions on the platform.

Ever since the pandemic eased out, more and more people have booked tickets to travel abroad, and most of these tickets were booked online. While tourism in the Middle East fell by 73% at the height of Covid-19, it recovered quickly and is expected to see a rise of more than 100% in 2022. Modern infrastructure blended with natural beauty, mesmerizing beaches, historial significance and tons of entertainment options is what attracts tourists the most. With middle eastern countries hosting numerous sporting events like the ICC World T20 tournament and the Fifa World Cup 2022, the number of people booking tickets online will increase exponentially. In fact, nearly 3 million people are expected to arrive in Qatar for the Fifa World Cup alone.

If you’re a travel agency trying to get back on your feet after the pandemic or are just starting out to attract customers, you should know the importance of payment gateways and accepting payments online from customers. Not only does it make life easier for customers, but it also ensures that transactions are completely safe and secure. While payment gateways are important for your travel business, choosing the correct one is also crucial.

In this article, we’ll list some points you can consider when selecting a payment gateway for your travel agency. It is important to understand that several vendors exist, and not every payment portal might suit your business needs and aspirations.

Tips for Choosing the Best Payment Gateway for Your Travel Business

Customer Service

One of the most important and basic features your payment gateway needs to have is efficient customer service. Travel agencies deal with customers from around the world, and they can face many different issues regarding payments, refunds, and more. Coherent customer service becomes necessary so that customers’ issues can be resolved promptly and effectively. Choose a payment gateway that is not only trustworthy but is available round the clock for your customers. They should also provide additional features like an active phone number that customers can contact for quick resolution and a working email address. There should also be support for handling queries online through the help of a chatbot or a voice bot.

Security

Your preferred payment gateway should be secure as well. Customers are always sceptical when transacting online and generally fear losing their money. Partnering up with a payment gateway that ensures safe and secure payments instils a sense of trust among the customers and gives them the confidence to not only do business with you but also come back in the future to do business with you again.

Look for payment gateways that offer bank-grade security features like PCI-DSS compliance, fraud detection, two-step verification, and more. Such features ensure that all your transactions are encrypted, safe, and protected from phishing or fraudulent activities. The fewer payment-related troubles you’ll experience, the more will be the faith of customers in your business.

Ease of Payments

Many of your potential customers leave the website if they don’t find their preferred mode of payment. You can lose a lot of business if your chosen payment gateway doesn’t allow customers to pay for products however they like. The best payment gateway for your travel business will accept payments in a number of different modes, currencies, and options. Along with providing different modes of payment, you need to ensure that paying for products on your platform is straightforward for even the least technically savvy person. Unnecessary complications and too many intermediary steps before a transaction are complete can trigger the customer to leave the payment mid-way and search for a competitor. 

Cost

The next most significant factor you need to consider while choosing a payment gateway for your travel business is how much it will cost you upfront and in the long run. It’s important to understand that payment portals will incur costs in different areas, including the set-up fee, charge for every transaction, and an annual maintenance charge. If you’re a small travel agency or are just setting up your business, it becomes all the more important to analyse your budget and how much you can afford to spend on a new-age payment gateway.

Examine the volume of transactions your business experiences on a daily basis and estimate future trends. If your transaction volume is considerably high, choosing a payment gateway with a higher transaction fee and annual charge might not fit your budget. Similarly, if the transaction volume is low, you can look at some competitive pricing and still be profitable. However, it is vital to have a payment gateway in place in 2023, no matter what it costs, due to its high ROI in the long run.

Timely Payouts

Maintaining cash flow in your business is essential to ensure you don’t run out of funds when needed. Customers can book tickets and pay for services on the same day, but if it takes a lot of time to reach your bank account, then you have some deliberation to do about your payment gateway. While a three-day wait is considered typical for business payouts, anything more than that should be a reason for concern. If your payment partner takes more than three days or even a week to pay you back, it can cause serious cash flow issues, especially when customers ask for refunds or cancel their booking. Choose a payment partner that doesn’t have a history of delayed settlements and goes through with their payments at regular intervals.

Conclusion

An increase in the number of people opting for booking tickets online should be an indication of how important a payment gateway can be for your travel business. Apart from just booking tickets, it will prevent any fraudulent activities from happening with you or your consumer, provide complete visibility on the transactions, and help you increase your business. PayTabs is an excellent payment partner for your travel business. With decades of combined experience among the team and several clients under their belt, PayTabs is one of the best payment gateways for any business.

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Customers are the life and blood of businesses. No matter what you sell, your customers need a few common things: security, quality, and safe payment options. You might be surprised to know that 18% of the customers abandon their cart because they don’t trust the website with their credit card information, and 9% because of a lack of payment options.

Which is why, payment integration in a website is crucial to your business. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a payment gateway that helps you retain your customers by avoiding the above-listed problems. Your payment gateway should both satisfy your and your customers’ needs. Now, before you dive into how to add payment gateway to a website, find out what a gateway is.

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway allows authorisation and processing of payments by transferring data. With the world going digital, payment gateways have become a part of almost all online and offline stores. One of the reasons why they are so popular is that they ensure the safety and security of data while ensuring speedy transactions. A website with a payment gateway typically has a higher chance of sales and profits.

How does it work?

Just like a point-of-sales terminal, a payment gateway ensures quick and smooth transactions. To ensure the safety of the data processed and transferred, payment gateway providers use encryption and security protocols.

A payment gateway follows these steps:

1. The customer clicks on the “pay now” button during checkout.
2. They select the payment method and enter the required card details.
3. The details added are shared with the payment gateway.
4. The payment gateway encrypts the data and shares the details with the payment processor.
5. The bank gets the authorisation request and responds to the payment processor with approval or rejection.
6. The merchant bank receives money from the customer’s bank.
7. The website displays the confirmation/rejection accordingly.

Types of payment gateways

There are two types of payment gateways for a website.

· Hosted

Hosted payment gateways involve redirecting your customers to the website with payment gateway for the payment process. It is a third party where customers complete payment and are redirected back to your website. This type of gateway does not require PCI compliance and the customer data is stored by the vendor. Since they require you to redirect your customers, this type doesn’t help in promoting your business. It is considered best for small businesses, which do not receive high traffic as well.

· Integrated

These types of payment gateways are also called non-hosted payment gateways. Integrated payment gateways help your customer to stay on your website and pay from there only. The best part of these gateways is that you can customise them to match your brand and promote your business. Customers also get a smooth payment process since they are not redirected anywhere. However, since they are integrated into your website, you need to obtain PCI DSS compliance, and the payment gateway integration requires a development team.

Transaction types

One of the reasons why payment gateways are so popular is that they support a variety of transactions. Some of them are:

· Payment/sale

Immediate payment happens under this transaction. It is a combination of authorisation and capture transactions that helps you fulfil instant orders and payments.

· Authorisation

Authorisation is used to check whether the customer can pay the requested amount or not. Funds are not transferred in this transaction, but the availability of funds for future payment is verified. This type of transaction takes a while to complete.

· Capture

This type of transaction allows you to capture the authorised money for settlement. When it takes time for you to ship the product, the payment is first authorised and then captured once the product is shipped.

· Refund

When the customer cancels an order for some reason, the refund transaction is initiated. It happens only for sales and capture transactions.

· Void

This happens between the authorisation and capture transactions. Void transactions are cheaper than refunds and can happen when a payment has been authorised but not captured by the merchant.

Integrating a payment gateway into your website

Before you make a payment gateway integration into your website, you should understand the working and benefits of payment gateways. There are a lot of gateways available in the market. Explore your options and check which ones are compatible with your website.

The steps of integrating a payment gateway into your website will depend on your business needs, the customisation required, and the payment gateway you have chosen. However, the general flow of the steps remains the same.

· For hosted gateways

Hosted gateways are available on the provider’s website. All you need to do is add a payment button on your website and the connection is made through API. Hosted gateways are highly secure and can be easily integrated.

· For non-hosted gateways

Non-hosted gateways require a little more effort to integrate. Since you need to add it to your server, you need a technical team to handle the integration. This method also uses APIs to make the connection with your server.

· Direct post methods

This method ensures you don’t need to get PCI DSS compliance since the data doesn’t get stored on your servers. A vendor can easily set up an API connection between your website and the payment gateway.

Some things to keep in mind while integrating:

• If you choose a hosted payment gateway, you will require an SSL certificate, merchant’s ID, MWS access key, and secret key.
• If you choose an integrated gateway, pay special attention to security and safety measures. You might also require PCI DSS compliance.

Benefits of payment gateways

A payment gateway has several benefits that make them perfect for your website. Some of them include:

• Quick transactions: Payments through payment gateways take mere seconds to process.
• Security: A secure payment method is a key to customer loyalty. Payment gateways use several security protocols and encryption to ensure a safe and secure transaction.
• Wider reach: Due to their availability in all corners of the world, payment gateways increase your customer base and sales.
• Costs: Apart from the initial set-up cost, most payment gateways charge an affordable transaction and chargeback fee.
• Saves time: Since the payment takes only seconds to process, payment gateways save both your and your customers’ time.
• Improves customer experience: A smooth payment process and availability of multiple payment options offer a superior customer experience and enhance customer loyalty.
• Promotes business: This happens in case of a non-hosted payment gateway that allows you to customise it as per your requirements.
• Availability: Your customers can pay anytime and from anywhere in the world using a payment gateway.

Choosing a payment gateway provider

Consider the following factors while choosing a payment gateway provider:

· Pricing

Pricing is one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing a payment gateway provider. All providers typically charge setup fees, monthly fees, merchant account setup fees, and transaction fees. Read the pricing requirements cautiously and check if there are any hidden costs. Choose an affordable payment gateway that also ensures long-term quality.

· Ease of integration

After pricing, it is crucial to check the process of payment integration in website. A simple and inexpensive integration process should be the preference. However, that also depends on the type of gateway you choose. Hosted gateways have a simpler integration process than non-hosted ones.

· Settlement

Check the settlement cycle your gateway offers. A quick settlement cycle is crucial for the smooth functioning of your business. Choose a payment gateway provider that suits your needs the best.

· Number of payment methods

A gateway that offers the maximum payment methods is the most preferable one. More options will ensure that you can reach a wider customer base and reduce the cart abandonment rate.

Begin by listing your requirements before choosing a payment gateway. Consider and compare different options and check their suitability for your business. A gateway is a crucial part of the website and your business. Integrating one into your website is not a lengthy process. Keep the above-listed things in mind before integration.

Or, to be on the safe side, simply choose PayTabs as your payment gateway provider as it comes with excellent customer support and avant-garde technologies to quickly and conveniently integrate into your website or e-store.

The growth of e-commerce has exploded in the past few years in all parts of the world. UAE alone saw a record $3.9 billion in eCommerce sales in 2020. It constituted 10% of the total retail sales of UAE. While this significant growth is attributed to digitization and the pandemic, another integral reason is the emergence of safe and secure payment methods. Whether you have an online start-up or an offline store, both need quick, safe, and no-touch payment methods. This is where eCommerce payment gateways come into the picture. In this blog, we will discuss all about payment gateways, their benefits, the best 7 payment gateways for ecommerce in UAE, and factors to consider while selecting one for your website.

About Payment Gateways

In simple words, a payment gateway is a technology that helps transfer your money to the merchant’s account on the successful purchase of a product/service. This happens with a secure transfer of data from the customer to their bank, card services, and then the merchant. Payment gateways for eCommerce websites are highly secure and available 24*7*365. People from all corners of the world can use them to make payments. This is also why all online stores are integrating one into their websites and apps these days.

Best 7 Payment Gateways in UAE

1. PayTabs

Established in 2014, PayTabs is known for its quick payment processing and stellar fraud prevention system. Its innovative and agile solutions have enabled businesses to process payments securely. PayTabs’ security has been recognized by both Visa and Mastercard and made it a popular payment gateway provider in UAE.

Features

• Omnichannel payment solutions
• Simple onboarding process and documentation
• Stellar merchant dashboard with all the information on one screen
• 360 payment processing capabilities

PayTabs has a straightforward pricing system. It offers 3 plans: a start-up plan, a growth plan, and an enterprise plan. The start-up plan is perfect for early-stage companies and has a fixed monthly service fee. The growth plan helps drive sales and offers great value. The enterprise plan is for businesses looking to expand on a greater scale.

2. Telr

Telr’s state-of-the-art security and real-time monitoring have made it one of the top payment gateways in UAE. You can integrate Telr into your website in 5 different ways. It offers multiple currencies and operates in more than 100 countries.

Features

• Easy payment processing and supports business scaling
• Anti-fraud protection is available
• PCI DSS Level 1 certified
• Highly responsive and customisable

Telr has 3 pricing plans to cater to businesses and people in different stages. All these plans include all its features. The first plan is a start-up plan which is ideal for early-stage businesses and requires only a setup fee. The second plan is SME which is ideal for small and medium enterprises. The third plan is SME plus which is suitable for bigger organisations.

3. Amazon Payment Services

Previously known as Payfort, it was acquired by Amazon in 2020 and renamed as Amazon Payment Services. The platform is reliable, minimises transaction risks, and accelerates the influx of revenue. This payment gateway in UAE is tailored to meet the needs of different businesses and help you in building better relationships with your customers.

Features

• Supports payment acceptance and business growth
• Offers industry insights service
• Available in 8 countries
• Offers pay in instalment service to customers
• Monitors business performance

Amazon payment services offer a standard plan and customised plan. The standard plan has a fixed monthly account management fee and requires no setup fee. The customised plan is tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients, and prices differ accordingly.

4. CCAvenue

Based in India, CCAvenue is one of the popular payment gateway providers in UAE. What makes CCAvenue an attractive option for businesses of all sizes is its 24*7 on-call support and fraud prevention.

Features

• Omnichannel payment platform
• Multiple currency processing
• Smart dynamic routing
• Easy integration and customisation

CCAvenue charges no setup fee for its basic plan, and the maintenance fee varies as per the plan chosen by the client. The start-up pro plan is suitable for new and small businesses as it charges no setup fee and minimal maintenance and transaction fee. The privilege plan is customisable, and charges vary as per your requirements.

5. Checkout

Popular for its seamless transactions, Checkout is an eCommerce payment gateway that provides a variety of customisable plans to support specific markets. It is a leading international payment gateway because of its stellar user experience, simple setup, and multiple integration methods.

Features

• Multiple integration methods
• Exceptional user experience
• Efficient management of risk and fraud
• Performance monitoring

Checkout offers highly customisable payment solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. You can get in touch through their website for specific details.

6. Stripe

Stripe is known for its innovative solutions for payment processing, fraud prevention, and finance management. It supports more than 135+ currencies and supports revenue optimisation.

Features

• More than 135+ currencies
• Supports increasing authorisation rates
• Multiple integration options

Stripe offers 2 pricing plans: integrated and customised. The integrated plan has no setup and monthly fee and has pay-as-you-go pricing.

7. 2Checkout

Established in 2006, 2Checkout is another popular eCommerce payment processor with presence in over 200 countries. Apart from processing payments in multiple currencies, the platform supports business and revenue growth.

Features

• Supports almost all eCommerce platforms
• Risk management and compliance
• Accelerates time-to-market

2Checkout offers 3 pricing plans: 2Sell, 2Subscribe, and 2Monetize. All three plans offer the option of paying only when sales begin. The setup cost is slightly higher than other platforms, but the multiple benefits are worth it.

Factors to Consider While Selecting a Payment Gateway

Before selecting a payment gateway, ask the following questions.

• Is your gateway internationally accepted?

An internationally accepted eCommerce payment gateway supports your expansion plans and helps you reach a wider customer base. However, if you plan on keeping your business local, a local payment gateway is ideal.

• Does it offer the payment options your users prefer?

Define your target audience before looking for payment gateways. Research their preferred payment methods and then select the gateway that offers them.

• What kind of user experience does it offer?

Using a payment gateway in UAE is essential to building customer experience and loyalty. Test the user experience well before integrating a gateway into your business.

• Is it cost-effective?

A cost-effective payment gateway will help you stay in business longer and manage even when sales are rough. Determine the setup, maintenance, and transaction fee and check for hidden costs.

• Is the integration process smooth?

Payment gateways for eCommerce websites that offer a hassle-free and simple integration process should be preferred over others. However, remember that customized plans require more effort and resources than normal ones.

• What other services does it offer?

Payment gateway providers generally provide several other services, such as business growth, customer insights, and fraud prevention. Determine your requirements and see if your preferred gateway offers them.

The eCommerce payment gateways we have listed in this blog are all popular in UAE and each comes with its own sets of benefits. So, do a bit of research, weigh the pros and cons of each, compare and then choose the one that fulfils your criteria and suits your needs the best.