Setting up a payment gateway integration is not the most difficult task in the world to accomplish, but will take some technical prowess on your part. Before you even get started inquiring about the set-up process, there are some other aspects of this that you will want to tackle first.
To proceed, it is best to be educated. A payment gateway integration is a software integration – one that utilizes various coding formats – that plugs into your website’s backend. The code facilitates a secure software communication portal between you and your processor.
A payment gateway takes the information that your customers enter when tendering a payment – their credit card information – and encrypts it. It then transmits that information securely to the banks for processing. Once the available funds are verified, the banks provide an approval code.
All approval codes are settled come the end of your billing period (typically set by you), at which point the funds are deposited into your business bank account. Now that you are better educated about a payment gateway integration, just use these simple steps to get one set-up.
Choose a Provider
First things first, you are going to need a provider. You have two popular options here: hosted or non-hosted. It’s usually best to choose a non-hosted. This is because a hosted gateway will redirect customers to a third-party payment page, which can disrupt or alter the shopping experience.
When shopping for a non-hosted gateway provider, bear these simple facts in mind. Consider the history of the provider. Ascertain any fees and compare them to other providers. Make sure you understand any integration steps and costs on your end, so there are not any surprises after the fact.
Assess Integration Needs
What will you need to integrate your gateway? The best answer for this is that your elected provider will be able to inform you. Since all gateways will require a unique integration process, decided by the provider, make sure you have any documentation regarding this in order beforehand. Typically, a special code will be added to the shopping cart page of your website and then tested for functionality.
Contract Your Developer
You may require a developer for your payment gateway integration. If you contracted a service to build your website, it’s best to contact them to arrange for integration. They’ll be well aware of any necessary technical steps that need to be taken along the way. Be sure to get a quote for the cost of using their services, so you can allocate any necessary funds.
Test & Integrate
Once your payment gateway integration is complete, you will need to test it several times. Create mock orders and process real transactions to assure that your gateway is fully functional. By assuring that you fully test your solution, you can avoid any negative customer experiences after the fact.
When looking for a solution, check out Base Commerce, which offers feature-rich payment gateway integration with enhanced security.
