How do you process credit cards online? The standard that many business owners use is PayPal. You can use PayPal Payments Standard with no monthly fee, you can accept credit and debit cards without someone needing a PayPal account, and they even offer a card swiper for mobile payments. PayPal also allows you to avoid the pain and headache of after the rules of PCI Compliance (you don’t want to piss these people off). It all sounds like a no-brainer for a cash conscious business, right?
Right – unless you are an insider. Read on to learn what web developers recommend and prefer.
Process Credit Cards Online Like a Pro with Stripe
If you haven’t heard of Stripe – it is a payment processor that works like a dream. The reporting is clear, it connects to all areas of your business you may need, and the pricing is outstanding. It also handles PCI Compliance for you. The only real “extra” that you need is an SSL certificate on your website. This certificate turns your website from http:// into https:// – it creates a secure connection and is becoming the web standard.
If you are using a good web hosting company, you can even install a ‘Let’s Encrypt’ SSL certificate for free. This should be a 1-click installation, not a cumbersome process to start.
How much does it cost to set up? $0
How much do I pay monthly? $0
What is the charge per transaction? 2.9% + 30 cents whether the card is a VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and more
If your business offers a subscription it includes recurring billing, right out of the box. You can also use Apple or Android Pay, and Amex Express Checkout.
Nonprofits? Yes, and if you have 501c(3) status there are discount pricing options.
I have implemented Stripe on multiple websites, and I use it myself to process invoice payments. If you would like to learn more about this please reach out.