In today’s society, making a purchase using a digital payment method is so routine that most people automatically use their phones to buy anything and everything.
In reality, with the improvements in usability and convenience of digital payment apps in reporting and reconciliation, all businesses must incorporate a payment service provider into their service repertoire!
Understanding Payment Service Provider
To facilitate the acceptance of various forms of electronic payment (e.g., credit/debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, etc.), businesses often partner with a payment service provider (PSP).
PSPs guarantee a trouble-free and safe A to B transaction experience for their customers during every phase of their online shopping experience. Payment service providers, who are an integral part of the digital payment ecosystem, do the grunt work that ensures businesses can handle payments without a hitch. It is the main reason why you must know how to select a payment service provider.
The Process of Payment Service Provider
Payment service providers (PSPs) oversee the entire transaction, from the customer’s authorization to settle into the merchant’s account. To better understand the importance of PSPs in modern commerce, consider the following example of a typical online purchase:
- A customer pays with their credit card online by entering their card details. A payment request is sent to the gateway when a customer submits the payment information and clicks the “Pay” button.
- Next, examine the customer’s account balance and credit card information. Payment processors help PSPs.
- With the use of a confirmation—in the form of an OTP
- After the PSP has confirmed that the customer’s information is correct and that there is enough money in the account to cover the cost of the transaction, it will begin transferring money from the customer’s account to the merchant’s account.
- A confirmation message is delivered to the merchant and the customer after completing the transaction.
Top Questions to Ask When Choosing a Payment Service Provider
Suppose you have gathered enough information from within your organization and have defined your needs precisely.
In that case, you should be ready to conduct a well-informed selection process with the help of the right questions. And while your company will undoubtedly have its list of inquiries, here’s the list of most important ones that any company should pose to potential payment processing partners.
- Which markets do the payment processors focus on, if any?
Find out the applicants’ level of expertise in different markets. Your company will benefit from a payment processing provider with industry knowledge that can advise you on how to effectively fulfill your clients’ payment, security, and usability needs (s).
Metrics should be used to demonstrate this. You should go elsewhere if a potential service provider cannot give approval rates broken down by nation and MCC or if they provide insufficient or fictitious data.
- What kinds of payment options are accepted?
Find out about the different payment options that service providers offer and evaluate how well they fit the demands of your company. It consists of the various methods of payment they accept.
Offering various payment options that are widespread in your target markets helps improve customer experience, lowers barriers to buying, and enhances your reputation.
Modern customers want to utilize numerous forms of payment, and the convenience of the transaction is vital. However, think about who you’re trying to sell to and what payment options you’d like to give them.
- What options do suppliers have for modifying the purchasing procedure?
The retailer can typically modify the checkout procedure with the help of most payment gateways. Find out from potential payment providers how adaptable the system is, as this will affect the efficiency and satisfaction of your customers. The more flexible and personalized a trip is, the better it will meet your organization’s and its customers’ requirements.
- How long does the onboarding procedure typically take?
Potential payment service providers should be asked to detail their onboarding procedures. The following factors are included in this analysis:
- If so, when can we expect these events to occur?
- How much paperwork is expected, exactly?
- What kind of education is needed?
- How much assistance is offered?
Try requesting an onboarding plan from your service providers. As minimal downtime as feasible should be experienced during the onboarding procedure. Verify that the onboarding procedure satisfies your needs. To ensure a smooth launch, you should also enquire about the time required for payment processing following onboarding.
