In the past, credit card processing was something only large businesses could afford. These businesses were also the only ones who had the time and resources to deal with the associated headaches. However, today there are many different ways to accept credit card payments and even small businesses can take advantage of them.
PayPal is one of the leading providers of credit card processing solutions, offering options for companies of all sizes and types. And while it’s great that PayPal offers products to suit every business, it can be confusing to navigate all of them. But don’t you worry! To help you out, we’ve put together a list of options for accepting credit card payments with PayPal so you can decide which one best meets your needs.
PayPal Payments Standard
PayPal Payments Standard is the simple way to accept credit card payments online through a website. This option adds a payment button to your website (e.g. “Pay Here” or “Buy Now”) so you can accept payments securely.
This is a basic, straightforward way to begin accepting payments, which may be a good solution for businesses with very few items for sale. One of the best things about the PayPal Payments program is that you can get started in less than 15 minutes. PayPal Payments Standard has a flat fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 for each transaction within the United States.
PayPal Payments Pro
This is the professional version of the standard option discussed above. In addition to allowing you to add a payment button, you can customize the online payment experience for your customers. This makes it possible to create a full checkout or shopping cart-style system for multiple items.
In addition to accepting US funds, you can accept funds in multiple other currencies. Similar to the Standard option, PayPal Payments Pro has a flat fee of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction, but there is a $30.00 monthly subscription fee which gives you access to the additional features.
PayPal Checkout
PayPal Checkout is designed to allow buyers to pay for goods and services without leaving the “host” website. Customers who are already using PayPal will log into their account and can make a purchase without leaving your site. This is a great way to improve conversion rates and keep buyers on your page.
PayPal Checkout can be used by itself or alongside other forms of online payment. There are no setup or monthly fees, only a charge of 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.
PayPal Chip Card Reader
For businesses operating in person as well as online, a point of sale (POS) solution is a must. Luckily, PayPal has you covered with their Chip Card Reader. The card reader can be used with a number of POS solutions designed for different businesses, including retail and restaurants.
Rates start as low as 2.7% per transaction and are always clearly defined. In addition, there is no commitment so you can stop using the service at any time. Plus, with the latest technology and fraud monitoring support, your business is protected from the “bad side” of eCommerce.
PayPal Here
A business that takes payments “on the go” may benefit from PayPal Here. This is a card reader that can be used as a point of sale terminal but can also be easily moved from location to location. This option is ideal for vendors that travel or a small business with multiple locations.
The rates for each purchase start at just 2.7% per card swipe, making it an affordable way for a small business to begin accepting credit card payments in person. One business can also have multiple devices, allowing more than one person to “check out” customers during busy periods.
Payflow Payment Gateway
PayPal’s Payflow Payment Gateway works with your existing merchant account. Two gateway options are available: Payflow Link and Payflow Pro. The payment gateway handles the upfront acceptance of credit and debit cards, sending the details to the payment processor and assuring you are compliant with all security regulations. Payflow Payment Gateway works with all major shopping cart programs and can be programmed to work with your website too.
The gateway also allows you to accept PayPal and PayPal Credit payments, giving your customers additional easy payment options. The transaction fees are quite reasonable — at only $0.10 per credit card payment, the rate is lower than similar products. The Payflow Link gateway is free to set up, while the Payflow Pro option has a $99.00 setup fee and a $25.00 monthly fee.
Bonus tip for Method CRM users: Did you know that you can integrate your Payflow Pro Payment Gateway with your Method CRM account? This allows you to process payments within Method and sync them directly to QuickBooks — talk about convenient. Your customers can also make payments through Method’s built-in customer portals.
As you can see, PayPal offers a number of great options for processing credit card payments. From the simple “Pay Now” button to the fully integrated payment gateway, PayPal is always working to make payment processing easier for both customers and business owners. Choosing the right PayPal service makes it much easier for customers to shop with your company without hassle. This, in turn, will help your business grow.
