Ecommerce
The most secure online payment methods for e-commerce
Knowing which are the secure online payment methods is crucial. Below we will give you essential information so that you work with the best.
What makes a payment method ‘secure’?
What makes online payments secure? The technology that allows to protect the transaction data, the means and the devices that have taken part in the payment process.
These are some elements:
How to choose secure methods of payment
1. Universality
It must be a platform that accepts local and international payment methods. This will increase the spectrum of potential customers.
Internet has globalized the market and, consequently, potential customers. Providing payment options to the public that is not in the same city as your physical headquarters is a competitive advantage.
2. Security
It is a priority. The platform should offer reassurance, so it is not enough to be it but it should also look like it.
In this sense, a study by the Baymard Instituteestablished that 19% of the customers do not finish the purchase as they do not trust website.
Another research carried out by the PwC Financial Sector Center and the IE Business School for the financial group BBVA, suggests that payment methods should not only be secure but also transmit that security to the client.
3. Friendly
The payment gateway that you choose should be simple to configure and friendly for the end user or buyer. A complicated interface means that many customers leave their full cart just before paying.
To fulfil this requirement, it is important that the platform deletes procedures that are not strictly necessary. Its functioning should be simple to understand and easy to use, even for non-millennials.
4. Monitorable
Some payment gateways offer stores tools to track the behavior of sales, the most wanted products and the profile of the customer who buys. This will allow you to aim your shelves towards the most wanted products and quickly supply the missing ones.
5. Real-time alerts
Look for payment gateways that provide continuous monitoring of operations and that can warn you when there are suspicious operations. This will allow you to quickly know about possible hacking attempts or intrusion to the page for illegal purposes.
6. Versatility
A good payment method should allow the customer to use different tools such as credit or debit cards, transfers, digital wallets and/or bank consignments.
According to the Baymard Institute, 70 out of 100 customers who place an item in their cart abandon it. Why? Between 8 and 19% of them do so because they are not satisfied with the payment methods provided.
Therefore, by having more payment methods, the abandonment rate can be reduced to 13% and, if you offer the ones your customers prefer, this rate could be reduced to 5%.
7. Mobile version
It is essential that your payment methods are perfectly adapted to cell phones to promote the growth of your business.
The firm Statista, carried out a study that established a growth of 25% to 71% of users who made purchases using their smartphones in Spain, between 2014 and 2020.
Online payment methods to avoid
Sending money
Starting with the easiest part, as a user or buyer you should avoid sending cash for something you have bought online. In these cases, fraud risks always exist.
Sending checks
Another payment method for online shopping that specialists do not recommend is sending checks payable to a supposed supplier. Not only do you run the risk of being scammed, but you are exposing your bank account information to an unknown person.
It is also a risk for the seller. If the product has been sent, by the time the check is cashed at the bank, it is very difficult to solve something if the document is forged or the signature is not correct.
Wire transfer
When you buy online from a supplier that you do not know and do a transfer, it entails a significant fraud risk. The bank procedures to get your money back are usually very tedious and difficult to complete successfully. Of course. This can be avoided if you perform the transaction through a payment gateway.
Money orders
Money orders are usually very common in Latin American countries, especially when sending remittances to relatives. But it is a different story when paying for something that has been bought online. Specialists do not recommend these as an online payment method because, as with sending money, it is very difficult to get it back in case of fraud.
Secure methods of online payments
When you make a purchase, it is inevitable to feel a bit scared when it comes to entering your data. And it is logical, since cybercrime exists, what is the most secure way to pay online?
It is good to know nowadays what the secure methods of online payments are:
- Credit cards: Credit cards are one of the most popular online payment methods. They offer a high level of security, as they are protected by fraud prevention measures such as 3D Secure.
- Debit cards: Debit cards are another popular online payment method. They offer a similar level of security to credit cards, as they are also protected by fraud prevention measures.
- Digital wallets: Digital wallets, such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, are becoming increasingly popular. They offer a high level of convenience, as you can use them to make payments without having to enter your credit or debit card details each time.
- Bank transfers: Bank transfers are a more secure way to make online payments than credit or debit cards. This is because they are not linked to your credit or debit card number, so if your bank account details are stolen, the thief cannot use them to make unauthorized purchases.
- Wire transfers: Wire transfers are the most secure way to make online payments. This is because they are processed immediately and are not subject to the same fraud prevention measures as other online payment methods.
When choosing an online payment method, it is important to consider your needs and preferences. If you are looking for a secure and convenient way to make payments, then a digital wallet or bank transfer may be a good option for you. If you are looking for the most secure way to make payments, then a wire transfer may be the best option for you.
Here are some additional tips for choosing a secure online payment method:
- Look for a payment method that offers fraud protection. Many payment methods offer fraud protection, which can help you get your money back if your card is stolen or used fraudulently.
- Use a payment method that is encrypted. Encrypted payment methods protect your personal and financial information during the transaction process.
- Only shop on secure websites. Secure websites use a secure protocol, such as HTTPS, to encrypt your personal and financial information.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from the risks of online shopping and choose a secure online payment method.
