Finding a payment processor - Why is it so hard?

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omega1

Free Member
Jan 13, 2017
4
1
  • #1
    Hi all, new here!

    I have a service that requires people to pay a (fixed) monthly fee while they use my (web-based) service, it's essentially a SaaS (Software as a Service).

    I started using Paypal as they have very easy integration and all has been absolutely fine like this, but as the business grows, more and more people either cannot or do not wish to use Paypal to create a monthly subscription and want to use their credit/debit card instead (and rightly so).

    As I do not currently have the time or resource to invest (and develop) a secure server and get involved in all kinds of compliance and storing/processing customers credit card details, I have been looking for a hosted (not on my infrastructure) payment solution for this. I have very limited requirements, but I just cannot find the right company to help.

    I am hoping that someone here may be able to point me in the right direction from experience of using a particular company given my requirements :

    - Recurring payments via credit/debit card (not just UK, but worldwide).
    - Hosted solution (not hosted on my servers).
    - Ability to redirect back to my site after successful (or not) transaction.

    In more detail, I'd like the customer to decide which package they want on my site (I have three tiers), pass this (via a 'Pay Now' link) onto the payment processor, they enter their details there, make payment, and are returned back to my site following a successful transaction. Surely that's not too hard? Paypal make it so easy, but of course have the limitations of them having to have a Paypal account, which is the whole reason I'm looking to take credit/debit cards.

    I've found some providers can so some bits, others can do other bits, others have down right lied about what they can do to get a sale...

    At this stage, I'm looking for a provider that charges a lower monthly fee (as I'm starting out) but am happy to pay slightly more per transaction, even though my monthly charges are low, just so that I do not have to turn away any business.

    I just can't believe how hard it is proving to find someone to partner with to get this off the ground OR I've been looking in the wrong place.

    Would appreciate and suggestions, feedback, comments, etc...

    Thank you!
     
    A

    arnydnxluk

  • #2
    The answer to your problem is tokenization.

    You can use a payment processor such as Stripe or Braintree. The customer enters their card details on your website. However, before the form is submitted, the card details are sent directly to the card processor using JavaScript and they respond with a "token". It's this token which is sent to your backend (rather than the customer's card details) and the token can then be passed to your payment processor's API to charge the customer's card or create a subscription.

    In this case, you don't need to worry about PCI Compliance so much because, if setup correctly, your server will never receive any customer's card details. These payment processors do require that you're using HTTPS for any payment pages but I'm guessing this is already sorted if you have a registration/login system in place?

    I would personally recommend Stripe. Loads of SaaS startups have built their business around Stripe subscriptions.

    If you really want a hosted payment page, then I know PayPal Payments Pro offers this but I don't know if you can combine their hosted page with recurring payments.

    I hope this helps!
     
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    A

    arnydnxluk

  • #5
    Miriam Terry said:
    You can try using a company called Izettle they can take card payments online in your shop and you can go mobile with them so can take payments anywhere. Like a mobile barber for instance.
    Click to expand...

    Right, but the OP wants to take payments online and hasn't mentioned a shop.

    What's your experience with iZettle? Are you a customer of theirs?

    P.S. There's an "Edit" option on your post if you want to append extra text after posting.
     
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    O

    omega1

    Free Member
    Jan 13, 2017
    4
    1
  • #7
    Hi all, thanks for your replies.

    No, I do not have a shop. This is online only so iZettle is not a solution, thank you.

    I may end up going with PayPal Pro as I already deal with them but the Pro solution is £20 per month, plus another £20 for the recurring payment solution which is initially a little more than I wanted to pay. THough for ease of use and integration, I may end up doing this.

    I'll contact Total Web Solutions to see what they offer. Any reviews on them?

    Thank so far!
     
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    Richard Edwards

    Richard Edwards

    Free Member
    Jun 25, 2015
    30
    9
    Bristol
  • #14
    Another vote for Stripe.

    I've worked in e-commerce for a decade, and seen a lot of processors come and go. The key players we all know like WorldPay, SagePay, Paypal etc. all work fine. But I have never had as good and simple experience as I have with Stripe. Getting a SagePay account approved and configured is a nightmare or easy, it all depends on your contact there. Stripe, an account is set up and taking payments in literally minutes.

    They also boast the lowest fee's, if not one of the very lowest (not sure what FirstData charge these days, they used to be very cheap)
     
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    Richard Edwards

    Richard Edwards

    Free Member
    Jun 25, 2015
    30
    9
    Bristol
  • #15
    UrbanRetail said:
    Another vote for Stripe from me. The integration couldn't be easier and meeting the SSL requirement is not really an issue as certificates are pennies. Their support team are great as well.
    Click to expand...

    SSL Certificates are free if you have the ability to get them. We get all ours for free, so give them out for free on every site we host. LetsEncrypt.
     
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    mtools

    mtools

    Free Member
    Mar 27, 2013
    405
    42
    Bridgend
  • #16
    Worldpay. It does everything you want and it will be cheaper than stripe. There's a pay as you go and also a monthly option, I'm on the latter it's £19.99 +VAT debit transactions are 0.6%, I think credit card varies between 1-2% depending on if it's business or personal. I worked out I will pay half as much as PayPal and I'm on the 2.4% + 20p PayPal rate
     
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    mtools

    mtools

    Free Member
    Mar 27, 2013
    405
    42
    Bridgend
  • #18
    japancool said:
    We use Worldpay's payment gateway, but our merchant account is with Lloyd Cardnet..
    Click to expand...

    What are the fees like with Lloyds? I'm using Barclays, I think it's about £6.50 per month (it's the epayment account) and for that i can accept payments for free but i have to pay if i pay in cash or cheques (I never have cheques and rarely cash as my business is all online).

    EDIT: It would seem that barclays are my bank account rather than my merchant account. I am not sure who my merchant account is with, how would I find out? All i use is worldpay and a barclays business account...
     
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