Payment gateway
Online payments for a store
A payment gateway is a service that securely processes an online payment in a store between the customer, their bank, and your account. It handles payment by card, bank button, or wallet and encrypts the sensitive data in the process. It’s an essential part of any store that accepts payments online.
How a payment gateway works
When the customer confirms payment in the cart, the store connects them to the payment gateway. It requests the payment details, verifies them with the customer’s bank, and after approval confirms to the store that the payment went through. The whole process takes a few seconds, and the sensitive card data never passes through your website.
This encrypted intermediation is exactly what protects both the customer and you. The gateway also handles security and payer verification, so you don’t have to manage sensitive banking data yourself or meet all the technical requirements for protecting it.
Which payment methods it supports
A modern payment gateway offers several ways to pay in one place. The more popular methods you offer the customer, the smaller the chance they leave without buying because of a missing option they expected.
- Card payment right in the cart without redirecting away from the store.
- Instant bank transfers via banks’ payment buttons.
- Digital wallets and mobile payments.
- Deferred payments and buy-now-pay-later, depending on the provider.
How to choose a payment gateway
Transaction fees aren’t the only factor. What matters is which methods the gateway supports, how quickly it pays out, how easily it integrates with your store, and how reliable its support is. A smooth payment without unnecessary redirects also directly affects how many carts get completed.
It’s practical to choose a gateway that knows your customers’ local banks and payment habits. During custom e-shop development we wire it straight into your checkout flow, so a well-configured gateway reduces abandoned carts and increases trust at checkout.
Want to accept payments in your store hassle-free?
Explore our e-shop developmentFrequently asked questions
Does my store need a payment gateway?
If you want to accept instant online payments by card or bank transfer, yes. Without one you’re limited to cash on delivery or manual transfers, which are less convenient for the customer and slow down order fulfillment.
Are payments through a payment gateway secure?
Yes. Payment gateways encrypt data transfer and meet strict security standards. Sensitive card data also never passes through your website, which lowers the risk of a leak and shifts responsibility to a specialized provider.
How much does a payment gateway cost?
Most often you pay a commission on each transaction, sometimes a monthly fee as well. The exact terms depend on the provider and your payment volume, so it pays to compare several offers based on how you actually sell.