How to Accept Payments Online with Aeropay

We live in a digital world where consumers are ditching cash for online digital payments. In fact, Onbe found 73% of consumers prefer to shop and pay with digital payment methods. 

This is good news for business owners as there are more online payment options than ever. You can easily add or embed seamless online payment solutions directly to your website in under 48 hours. 

This post explains who needs online payments, available options, and how to accept payments online. 

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Which businesses need online payments? 

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For years, only ecommerce or subscription-based companies needed to accept payments online. Now, virtually every business benefits from online payments. 

Examples of businesses that may need to accept payments on their website include: 

• Ecommerce stores: Online businesses selling goods and services directly to consumers globally need efficient, secure online payment systems to process transactions. No ecommerce platform is complete without embedded online payments at the point of sale. 
• Service providers: Professionals such as consultants, freelancers, legal advisors, and personal trainers can streamline their billing and payment processes, allowing for easy invoicing and quicker payment collection. Check out Payment Links from Aeropay to generate a unique payment link and share directly to your customers via email or text message. 
• Subscription-based businesses: Companies offering subscription services, whether for physical goods (like subscription boxes) or digital services (such as streaming platforms or software as a service - SaaS), rely on recurring online payments.
• Daily Fantasy Sports: Online payments enhance the daily fantasy experience so players can get in the game—and remain most effective—faster and more easily. Learn more about A2A payments for daily fantasy sports.  
• Digital product sellers: Businesses selling digital products like e-books, software, music, and digital art require online payment systems to instantly deliver products upon purchase.
• Educational institutions: Schools, universities, and online course providers can collect tuition and fees more efficiently, providing convenience to both the institution and the students.
• Event organizers: For those organizing conferences, workshops, or entertainment events, online payment systems facilitate easy ticket sales and registration fees collection.
• Dispensaries: Cannabis retailers speed up transactions and attract modern consumers by offering online payment options such as prepayment. 
• Real estate: Online payments streamline transactions for rent, property purchases, or booking holiday rentals, making it convenient for both property managers and clients.
• Healthcare providers: With online payments, patients can pay for consultations, treatments, and prescriptions without the need for physical transactions.
• Transportation and logistics: Companies in the transportation sector, including ride-sharing services and freight logistics, can benefit from the ease and efficiency of online payments.
• Traditional retailers: Physical stores expanding their sales channels online or offering in-person pick-up for online purchases need online payment solutions to compete in the digital marketplace. Learn about prepayment with Aeropay. 

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Each business type has different online payment needs, but they all benefit from effective, safe, user-friendly online payments. 

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Types of online payment processors

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While virtually every business can and should offer online payment options. Choosing the right solution to meet your needs can be a tricky process. 
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There are lots of services offering online payment processing, but most fall into one of these 5 online payment methods: 

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1. Merchant account providers

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Merchant account providers offer businesses the ability to accept credit and debit card payments online by setting up a merchant account—a special type of bank account that allows funds to be held before being transferred into a business bank account. 

Pros:

• Established and secure.
• Capable of handling a high volume of transactions.
• Offer more control over the payment process.

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Cons:

• Can be complex to set up.
• Often involves higher setup fees and monthly charges.
• May require a more rigorous approval process.
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2. Payment Service Providers (PSPs)

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Payment Service Providers, such as PayPal, Stripe, and Square, simplify the online payment process by aggregating merchant accounts. This means businesses don't need to set up a merchant account of their own; instead, they use the PSP's infrastructure to process payments. 

PSPs appeal to small businesses due to their ease of use and (relatively) fast setup.

Pros:

• Quick and easy to set up.
• No need for a direct merchant account.
• Often offers additional features like fraud protection and recurring billing.

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Cons:

• Higher per-transaction fees compared to traditional merchant accounts.
• Less control over the payment process.
• Funds may not be available immediately.
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3. Payment gateways

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A payment gateway is a service that authorizes and processes payments for online and traditional brick-and-mortar stores. It acts as an intermediary between the merchant's website and the payment processor, securely transmitting payment information from the customer to the processor. 

Payment gateways are necessary for businesses that have a merchant account and need to securely process online transactions.

These gateways enable merchants to accept traditional debit and credit payments from card companies like Visa, American Express, Mastercard, etc. 

Pros:

• Securely processes credit card payments online.
• Potential for integrations with online shopping platforms.
• Offers a level of fraud protection.
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Cons:

• Requires a merchant account.
• May involve setup fees and monthly fees.
• Can be complex to integrate without technical help.
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4. Invoicing and billing platforms

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Invoicing and billing platforms are specialized tools designed to automate the creation, dispatch, and management of invoices and bills to clients or customers. 

Pros:

• Streamlines the billing process, saving time and reducing errors.
• Allows for automated recurring billing, ideal for subscription-based models.
• Often includes features for tracking time, expenses, and customizing invoices.
• Enhances professionalism with branded invoices and communication.
• Can provide insights into financial health through reporting and analytics.

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Cons:

• Depending on the solution, there might be additional costs for access to premium features.
• Requires time to set up and integrate into existing financial systems.
• Some platforms may have limitations in terms of customization or scalability.
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5. Direct Bank Transfers (Recommended)

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Also called pay-by-bank or Automated Clearing House (ACH) payments, this method involves the electronic transfer of money directly from the customer's bank account into the business's account. 

Bank transfers happen in real time, so money moves nearly instantly (or instantly if it’s done via Real Time Payment rails). 

See why bank to bank payments are preferable over credit card transactions. 

Direct bank transfers accelerate and simplify the checkout process since shoppers will connect their account once, then pay in one click at every future checkout. ACH also includes considerable security measures to protect both customer and business accounts, 

The simplicity and ease of use of this online payment option makes it perfect for small, medium, and large businesses in every industry. In fact, businesses using Aeropay’s direct bank transfer solution experience: 

• 25% higher customer spend 
• 30% increase in completed online orders
• 70% increase in online customers returning at most locations

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Pros:

• Lower transaction fees + zero consumer-facing processing fees.
• Reduces the need for credit card processing.
• Enable secure payments for online stores.
• Less risk of chargebacks.
• No card information needed.
• Improved cash flow.
• Enable one-click online payments.

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Cons:

• New to some customers, so there may be a learning curve.
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How to accept payments online (with Aeropay)

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The onboarding process looks different depending on the payment processor you choose. In general, the steps involve: 

1. Choosing a payment processor
2. Selecting a payment gateway
3. Determining your pricing model
4. Providing customers a way to pay you online
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However, the Aeropay onboarding process is built so you can start accepting online payments in under 48 hours. All you need is a business bank account with $250.

Here’s how it works: 

1. Complete a demo so our team can find the perfect digital payments solution for your business.
2. Review and sign the Terms of Service, which is sent for digital signature. 
3. Complete our online Compliance and Registration Form.
4. Create your Aeropay account.
5. You're all set! It’s time to start accepting online payments. 
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Additionally, businesses can create a customized payment experience for their online customers. Aeropay’s Payment API enables one-click checkouts and provides a unique and seamless experience for online customers. Learn more here. 

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Give your customers an easy and secure way to pay online

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Aeropay’s digital bank-to-bank payments are trusted by thousands of businesses because they’re built for modern consumers. 

If you’re looking to begin accepting online payments, or want to add another payment option, Aeropay can help. 

‍Schedule a demo to learn more.