The world has changed thanks to technology. One of the most important changes is how people pay for goods and services. With the rise of e-commerce, there are more different ways to buy things than ever before. Payment service Providers (PSPs) make it easier for customers to order products and pay for them with one simple step on a website or mobile app.
This is why payment service providers have become so popular in recent years, as they offer an affordable alternative to merchant account providers while still giving businesses all the tools they need to handle their finances effectively. Keep reading to learn more about what is an online payment services provider, their pros and cons, as well as things to consider when choosing the service for your needs.
Payment Service Providers Vs. Merchant Account Providers
For businesses looking to accept payments in their e-commerce or mobile commerce websites or applications, the terms payment service provider (“PSP”) and merchant account provider can be confusing. Both make it possible for businesses to accept online payments, but PSPs combine multiple companies under a single account and MID umbrella, while merchant account providers assign a separate account and MID for each business they serve.
A payment provider is an organization that helps individuals and businesses receive and process credit card transactions directly from banks within one umbrella organization. This universal payment processing platform provides no fuss online purchases and enables local card schemes payment, card acquiring, and more payment options globally.
Pros Of Payment Service Providers
There are many reasons why payments solutions provider can be beneficial for your business:
A Comprehensive Suite Of Tools
PSPs acquire and validate credit card information, approve the transaction and then contact the bank to process the payment. PSPs work with banks to set up rules and policies customized to your business. This means you will have more options when it comes to processing payments, ranging from monthly pricing and minimal transaction minimums to no monthly fees or fraud liability.
Affordable Price
The most important aspect of establishing your PSP is finding a payment processing company that charges reasonable monthly billing. These providers offer affordable payment processing with no monthly minimum and no setup fee, which makes them even more attractive for small and mid-sized businesses.
Faster Setup
Unlike many merchant account options, PSP doesn’t have to worry about setting up or maintaining a merchant account. You can start working without waiting for the long and complicated approval process.
No Additional Security Fees
One of the most frustrating things about using a merchant account is learning about the additional PCI security compliance charges. While the initial setup fee is usually low, most merchant account providers charge extra security fees. With PSPs, there are no other fees, just one monthly bill.
Simplified Accounting
Since your transactions are processed by one organization, you will also have to deal with only one accounting statement instead of multiple ones from various merchant companies. This can simplify your accounting workload and reduce operating costs significantly over time.
No Monthly Minimum Transactions
A lot of merchant account providers require monthly sales volume minimums. The financial services provider is more lenient when it comes to required transaction volume because they combine different businesses under their umbrella, thus reducing their costs and risk.
Accept Multiple Currencies And Payment Methods
Payment service providers allow you to accept different payments, streamlining the ordering process for international customers and accepting multiple currencies. Moreover, various payment methods may include debit or credit cards, e-wallets, online banking, etc. This can be very helpful if your business is looking to expand globally and appeal to new customers from different countries who will appreciate the ease of using your website or mobile app when shopping online.
Cons Of Payment Service Providers
The following are some of the drawbacks to using a payment service provider:
Volume Limits
Payment service providers may also impose volume limits due to the nature of their business. These limits can prove to be very restrictive if you’re going to become a high-volume merchant looking to generate high sales.
Less Account Stability
If you are looking for an account that offers stability, a payment service provider cannot guarantee stability. Payment service providers pool risk and will only keep your account open if you meet their volume requirements. As a result, your account can be canceled or frozen. In that case, it could need much time to check and start your account again.
These additional checking may be stressful, but you should understand it helps your account stay in a row for a long time.
The Bottom Line
Of the many payment processors available, PSPs and merchant account providers can work for businesses of all sizes, from small eСommerce stores to large enterprises. There are many advantages and benefits to using a payment service provider, like simplicity, faster setup times, attracting global customers, and reduced costs; however, it may not be suitable for businesses that have higher transaction volumes or want more stability.
However, this is a great opportunity for small and large businesses to grow their revenue, receive different payments in different countries, and expand their companies all over the world.
