Best online payment solution for a start-up?

[milkandhoney]

Hello,

We are in the process of starting a new company that will be providing services to other businesses. We would like to be able to invoice people offering an early bird discount on prompt payment with people able to pay their invoices directly online by credit/debit card if they want. Ideally we would like to be able to produce an invoice where there is a date by which if it hasn't been paid you revert to the original amount (without the discount). It would also be great if this could link in with an accounts system but we haven't got that far yet. Can anyone recommend a good system for this where the fees are reasonable?

Thanks

 

[savmeg]

Basically you only need to set up a payment gateway and merchant account. PayPal is most commonly used, but others largely use Ogone, Stripe and Braintree. Are you from Europe? If you are from Europe, I heard they use PayMill as payment gateway. In Australia, they use Pin.net.au.

 

[pacage]

I would stay away from Stripe having read a previous thread on this forum.

PayPal is probably the easiest and widely trusted.

 

[SDLBiz]

I would stay away from Stripe having read a previous thread on this forum.

PayPal is probably the easiest and widely trusted.

What is wrong with Stripe? I have only heard good things about them so would be interested to find out as I was planning on using them.

 

[Scalloway]

This thread from a few days ago

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/t...c-experience-please-help.348096/#post-2582692

 

[LMDServicesUK]

What is wrong with Stripe? I have only heard good things about them so would be interested to find out as I was planning on using them.

The issue is that of whether they are suitable for your Business, and also their operating costs and settlement times, just because they are loved by Web Developers does not mean that Stripe / PayPal / Braintree is necessarily right for your Business needs.

Review the operating costs / settlement time / and will they take on your type of Business, RESEARCH the Market before you make a decision..

 

[milkandhoney]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think I explained myself very well though! We will be invoicing customers for services so they won't be purchasing through our website, the website doesn't need to have that kind of functionaily necessarily. What I am really looking for is a virtual terminal where I can take payments over the phone and some sort of back office function for people to be able to pay invoice online by debit card - does that make sense? I might not be explaining myself very well. I thought that the solutions offered above might be more relevant to an ecommerce site?

Thanks again.

 

[Scalloway]

Basically you only need to set up a payment gateway and merchant account.

When I read your last comment I thought this is what you need then I checked back and someone has already said it.

A merchant account is a must.

A merchant account is a type of bank account that allows businesses to accept payments by payment cards, typically debit or credit cards. A merchant account is established under an agreement between an acceptor and a merchant acquiring bank for the settlement of payment card transactions. In some cases a payment processor, independent sales organization (ISO), or member service provider (MSP) is also a party to the merchant agreement.

You need a payment gateway to allow people to pay you online. This is what Sagepay but others will be similar

http://www.sagepay.co.uk/getting-started/choosing-a-payment-gateway

 

[LMDServicesUK]

To do what you have requested you will need a conventional Merchant account and Payment gateway as mentioned by others.

If you go for an ecom facility with us for example this would allow you to offer an online payment page and also be able to email your customers a payment link which would then allow them to pay you online via a secure payment page.

It would also allow you to have a Virtual terminal that would allow you to take phone payments. However as these are different services, depending on your monthly card t/o per service you might need to have two accounts active (with a single gateway).

If you would like more information please feel free to PM me.