Accepting Payments Online
Depending on how your site was set up and what plugins or integrations you have, your site can accept payments using a few different services. The solutions we use for client sites can be added with or without SSL, although, customers are more comfortable with giving out card information to sites with SSL or EV Greenbar SSL. We have solutions for that as well, but let’s focus on the payment processors.
PayPal Payments Standard
PayPal offers many solutions for small businesses and online merchants. Payments Standard is their online payment portal that works without SSL by sending customers to a hosted page on PayPal’s site to complete payment then sending the customer back to your site once payment is complete.
To use this service, PayPal takes a small percentage of the total amount and you get the rest.
This option is the easiest way if you’re looking to avoid monthly costs and want something easy to manage.
https://www.paypal.com/webapps/mpp/paypal-payments-standard
PayPal Payments Pro
PayPal Payments Pro offers the same basic features as Payments Standard, but allows a site to process credit card information directly on the site without sending users to a hosted PayPal page. This is great for larger companies that want a consistent online experience for their users. The downside to Payments Pro is that since payment will be processed on the main site, SSL is required. SSL prices range from $4.99 to almost $900 depending on the level of protection, assurance, and domains you need.
Payments Pro is $30/mo and they take the same small percentage from each transaction similar to Payments Standard.
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/paypal-payments-pro
Stripe
Most websites we develop either integrate with PayPal because of it’s ease of use or Stripe because of it’s features and pricing. Stripe allows two configurations: popup modal window or html5 form. Stripe can also be configured to work with or without SSL. The popup option connects to Stripe servers and doesn’t require SSL in several plugins. The form option will require a valid SSL certificate which can be applied to your account in your admin area.
Stripe is free to use, no monthly fees, and they take a small percentage of each transaction.
Accepting Payments In-Person
The services explained above offer solutions for accepting payments in person that will be applied to the same online dashboard and deposited in the same bank as online transactions. These solutions require extra devices that rely on smartphones to work. These devices are free, but more advanced systems exist from $49-$99 depending on what you need.
PayPal HERE
PayPal Here is a mobile card reader that connects to your PayPal account using an app. To process card transactions, plug the Here device into the headphones port on the mobile device and open the app. From there, it’s easy to add a new transaction by entering a total and tax then submitting. The user can sign and swipe and payment will be sent.
PayPal Here is free to sign up and use, but the device is $15 if purchased in-store (the $15 will be refunded to your PayPal balance) and free if you order it during the signup process for PayPal Here. Using this service also takes out the default PayPal fee for each transaction.
Stripe
Stripe doesn’t directly offer in-person solutions or mobile card readers, but they have a growing list of third-party integrations that work flawlessly with your Stripe account. Some third-party services do offer card readers and apps that can process in-person payments.
Be sure to read up on the third-party solution you choose since each one has different requirements, fees, and delays.
https://stripe.com/docs/integrations
Square
Square provides a free card reader that can process MagStripe cards using a mobile device an app. Their payment system is very similar to PayPal, and they offer many add ons such as an iPad-based POS setup, chip card reader, and Apple Pay support. Square also offers custom branded gift cards and offer nice features.
Conclusion
Even if your site is processing payments using Stripe or PayPal, you can still process in-person payments with a completely different service. Find what is right for you and what best fits your budget, and if set up properly, it should function just as smooth as online transactions.
