{"id":3866,"date":"2018-03-08T10:00:49","date_gmt":"2018-03-08T10:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/?p=3866"},"modified":"2026-01-29T10:40:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T10:40:17","slug":"accept-online-payments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-gb\/blog\/accept-online-payments\/","title":{"rendered":"How to accept online payments for your business"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMoney Matters<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow to accept online payments for your business\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\tNeil Martin<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Most businesses these days have websites. If you do and you want to be able to accept online payments, it\u2019s never been easier to set up a basic operation. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability to trade online has given companies a superb opportunity to expand their businesses across borders, both national and international. Literally, the world can be your oyster these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An ecommerce strategy might sound rather grand but it just comes down to being able to offer your products or services online. And as part of your ecommerce package, usually provided by your website builder or host, you need to be able to take online payments, a seamless operation where your customers can pay via credit or debit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It used to be that you would need a merchant account (a business account that allows you to accept card payments) and then an online payment gateway that acts as a go-between, between the various parties involved in such transactions (for example your bank and your customer\u2019s bank).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All-in-one solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays, you can great all-in-one solutions that are far easier for you. They are offered by online companies who have developed systems that are seamless for you and your customer, and are usually quick. The costs for running such systems are minimal and if you use these, there is no need for a merchant account or a payment gateway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The customer enters the payment and it is instantly processed \u2013 it\u2019s as quick as that, no fuss and no pain. This not only helps your clients pay quickly (it\u2019s amazing how many people change their minds if they cannot access the payment system with the minimum of fuss) and it gives your business a professional feeling that should translate into increased sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Offering
When it comes to online payments, make sure your website is secure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fraudulent transactions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Two words of caution, though \u2013 firstly, if you are thinking about online sales, ensure you use a system that helps spot fraudulent transactions<\/a>. These are on the increase and there is always someone out there who is determined to get your products without paying for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key here is to work with your online payment provider and ensure you use their anti-fraud and checking systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, be careful what you do with people\u2019s card details. Use a system that doesn\u2019t put the onus on you regarding the collection of payment and address details. Shift this to your provider, because there are stringent rules about the use and collection of a person\u2019s data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short, you must be extremely careful and vigilant<\/a> when it comes to online payments \u2013 one careless error could at best bring you a nasty fine, or at worst mean your business gets closed down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The internet has brought us new freedoms but it has also brought new worries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accepting online payments<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We spoke to Paul Hyman, founder of Active360, a paddle boarding business and general sports business. His business looks at sport from every angle, from participation right through to equipment and staff training. Uppermost in his mind is how to give his customers the best possible sporting experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for he how approaches the subject of online payments, he said: \u201cWe have an online booking system which allows you to go in, register yourself and then pay online for your activity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul makes the point that their online system has given them a great deal of flexibility and allows their customers to use their cards to pay for activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does your business accept online payments or is that something you’re planning to add in the future? Let us know in the comments below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tried and tested ways to take your business from start-up to scale-up.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet your free guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Join more than 500,000 UK readers and get the best business admin strategies and tactics, as well as actionable advice to help your company thrive, in your inbox every month.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSubscribe now<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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