Payment Gateway Integration on E-Commerce Websites (Guide)

Many businesses own an e-commerce platform to generate online sales. Online payments have made online shopping more convenient than ever. Nowadays, many e-commerce businesses prefer accepting online payments to maintain trust, transparency, and cost-efficiency (COD can be slightly more expensive). However, simply mentioning your account or UPI details isn’t a professional way to accept online payments. As a professional online business, you should provide a complete checkout with an integrated payment system, which can be done with payment gateway integration.

What is Payment Gateway Integration?

Connecting an online payment system to an app, website, or software is known as payment gateway integration. So, customers can securely make online payments. A payment gateway is a tool that can be integrated into a website to accept online payments.

After being integrated, it acts as a medium between the customer, bank, and merchant. It encrypts sensitive details (like credit card numbers), verifies transactions with banks, and confirms the payment status (approved or declined). The entire process takes place in real time, making online shopping quick and convenient.

Common Types of Payment Gateways

1. Hosted Payment Gateways: With such gateways, customers are redirected to the payment service provider’s page. They offer easy setup, but control over design and user experience is limited.

2. Self-Hosted Payment Gateways: With such gateways, you can accept payments by collecting details on your website. Here, the setup is comparatively complex, but you can have more branding control.

3. API/Non-Hosted Payment Gateways: With such gateways, you can let customers pay on your website without any third-party redirection. Here, payments are processed via APIs. Here, you can have complete control over the checkout process, but you have to use strong security measures.

4. Local Bank Integration Gateways: With such gateways, you can integrate a specific bank’s payment system directly into your website. Here, features may be limited compared to global service providers

5. Cryptocurrency Payment Gateways: With such gateways, you can accept payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, etc. These gateways are ideal for cross-border payments, as there are lower fees and no chargebacks.

Importance of Payment Gateway Integration

Secure Transactions

Payment gateways ensure secure online transactions by encrypting sensitive details like credit card numbers. As no third party can access customers’ details, you can build trust with them and reduce the risk of fraud.

Better Customer Experience

Most payment gateways focus on providing a smooth and fast checkout. Such a user-friendly payment process can convince customers to complete the purchase. A good payment gateway helps you reduce cart abandonment and improve overall satisfaction.

Multiple Payment Options

By connecting a payment gateway to your platform, you can provide multiple online payment options to your customers. You can accept cards, UPI, wallets, net banking, or even crypto. More payment options can result in a higher number of potential customers.

Global Reach

Many payment gateways support international payments. So, you can let your international consumers pay without worrying about local banking issues or currency conversion.

Business Growth & Automation

If you integrate a payment gateway into your website, you don’t have to worry about payment processing. Once the customer makes a payment, the gateway automatically processes and confirms it, and updates the records. This saves time, reduces errors, and supports business scaling.

Payment Gateway Integration Cost and Timeline

Cost of Payment Gateway Integration

1. Setup Fees: Some payment gateways may charge a one-time setup fee, while others let you use their services for free. The setup cost may range between $0 - $500 based on the service provider.

2. Transaction Fees: Most payment gateways charge transaction fees + platform fees. The cost may be decided in percentage or a fixed amount. The total fee ranges between 2%-5%. You can use cryptocurrency payment gateways to reduce transaction fees.

3. Monthly/Annual Fees: Some payment gateways have subscription plans for premium services. However, you only need to pay this fee if you want to use extra/advanced features. For example, CoinRemitter provides its premium services for $99/month.

4. Integration & Development Costs: Most payment gateways charge nothing to provide their tools for integration. However, you may have to spend around $1000 on crypto payment integration, based on complexity. If you want to cut down this cost, you can purchase Theme Bitrix’s payment gateway integration for $250.

5. Hidden Costs: Chargebacks, refunds, or international payments can sometimes incur extra costs.

Timeline for Payment Gateway Integration

1. Basic Integration (Hosted Checkout): If you want to integrate redirect-based gateways, you can do it using plugins or SDKs.

2. API-Based Integration (Custom Checkout): This requires coding skills, security compliance, and thorough testing, which may take 1-2 weeks or more.

3. Advanced Integration (Recurring, Multi-Currency, Crypto): If you want to include features like subscriptions, wallets, and global currencies, the integration process may take 3-4 weeks due to high complexity. You can also try third-party services like Presale Widget Integration for quicker and more professional output.

How to Integrate a Payment Gateway into an E-commerce Website

1. Choose the Right Payment Gateway

Identify whether you want to accept payments in fiat or crypto, then select a gateway based on fees, features, and supported payment methods. Some popular options are Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, Authorize.Net, and Coinremitter (for crypto).

2. Set Up a Merchant Account

Some payment gateways require a merchant account to hold your funds before settling them. If your preferred payment gateway requires one, then you’ll have to create it.

3. Get API Keys or Plugins

Many payment gateways provide API keys or ready-made plugins. API keys are ideal for custom websites, while plugins are ideal for CMS-based stores like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento, so choose your integration method accordingly.

4. Install and Configure the Gateway

You can upload and activate the plugin, then add your API credentials for CMS-based platforms. On the other hand, you can integrate the API into the checkout system for custom platforms.

5. Enable Payment Methods

Configure available payment options (i.e., credit/debit cards, net banking, wallets, UPI, or crypto). You can enable global payments and set currency preferences if required.

6. Test in Sandbox Mode

Test transactions without real money using the gateway’s sandbox environment. Here, you have to check for success, failed payments, refunds, and error handling.

7. Go Live and Monitor

If everything goes perfectly in the sandbox mode, you can switch to the live mode. After that, you have to continuously monitor transactions, fraud alerts, and customer payment experience.

How to Skip Step-3 to Step-7

Theme Bitrix provides reliable payment gateway integration for just $250. So, you just need to choose a payment gateway and set up a merchant account (if required). Rest, you can leave it to us. You will get a thoroughly tested and error-free integration into your e-commerce platform.

Explore Payment Gateway Integration Service

FAQs

Is payment gateway integration safe for my customers?

Yes, most payment gateways use encryption and follow PCI DSS compliance to protect sensitive data like card details, ensuring safe and secure transactions.

What are the advantages of a payment gateway over UPI or bank transfer?

Unlike sharing UPI details or bank accounts, a gateway offers professional checkout, encryption, multiple payment options, global reach, and automated transaction updates.

Can I integrate both fiat and crypto payment gateways?

Yes, many businesses integrate both traditional gateways and crypto gateways to provide customers with multiple payment options.

Will integrating a payment gateway slow down my website?

No, modern gateways use APIs and plugins optimized for speed. If integrated properly, they work seamlessly without affecting your website’s performance.

Can I accept international payments through a gateway?

Yes, if your provider supports multi-currency or crypto transactions. International gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Coinremitter allow cross-border payments.