Payment GatewayThe Mechanism That Helps Protect Merchants from Expired Cards & Closed Accounts

February 22, 2023 | 11 min read

This image was created by artificial intelligence using the following prompts:

A stairway ending at large ornate gates made entirely out of gold, rubies and credit cards, colored red and teal, all other colors muted, wide angle shot; Prompt 2 (the dollar sign added to gate image): A golden dollar sign, straight on, plain white background

Payment Gateway

In a Nutshell

What is a payment gateway? Think of it as a credit card reader for online purchases. In five seconds or less, it encrypts payment card data, transmits it through the payment network, and lets the merchant know the card is cleared to make a purchase. There’s a little more to it than that, though. In this post, we talk about what gateways are, why they’re important, and a few pros and cons of using one.

How Payment Gateways Work & Why Merchants Need Them

According to recent estimates, US credit card transaction volume was primed to top $3 trillion in 2022. That doesn’t count sales involving debit and prepaid cards, which add nearly $2 billion more to the total.

That’s a lot of money moving around… but how exactly does it happen? How does a dollar get from a cardholder’s account to the merchant?

Swiping or dipping a credit card is a casual, automatic action for consumers. It seems like a straightforward process, but each card transaction involves multiple parties and actions going on behind the scenes. One link in this chain is what’s called a payment gateway.

What is a Payment Gateway?

Payment Gateway

[noun]/pā • mənt • ɡāt • wā/

Payment gateways are software applications that encrypt and transmit customer and bank information between the merchant, the bank, and the payment processor.

Payment gateways are software applications that serve as conduits to allow cardholder data to pass securely between parties. Gateways are primarily used for eCommerce; for all practical purposes, online stores can’t accept credit card payments without one.

While brick-and-mortar stores can use a gateway, they typically rely on their physical card readers to transmit payment data from the cardholder to the acquiring bank. Obviously, online stores don’t have that advantage, so they require a different solution. 

Gateways help secure cardholder data, but cybercriminals have other tricks. Talk to us about a truly comprehensive fraud prevention strategy.REQUEST A DEMO

Having a gateway eliminates your need for manual input of credit card numbers. This speeds up the checkout process and increases accuracy. Customers are actually interacting with the gateway when they key in card data on your checkout page. The gateway encrypts the information so it isn’t accessed and misused by cyber criminals, then transmits it to the processor. 

The application will also tell you whether a transaction has been authorized or declined by the issuer. More sophisticated gateways may provide additional functions, such as screening transactions for potential fraud.

How Do Payment Gateways Work? 

There are two types of payment gateways. First, we have integrated gateways, which are built directly into a merchant’s eCommerce platform. In contrast, third-party systems send customers to an external site for checkout.

The payment gateway’s role in this process is primarily to ensure that the transaction is routed through a secure connection. It encrypts cardholder information, and also performs fraud checks before sending the card data to the processor.

The process typically follows the same basic flow:

  • Cardholder places an order through merchant's checkout page. Transaction details are forwarded to payment gateway.
  • Gateway submits this information to merchant’s acquiring bank. This is often done through a third-party processor.
  • Transaction information goes to the card network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), which routes it to issuing bank.
  • The bank checks available funds or credit, then informs the network whether the transaction is approved or declined.
IMPORTANT!

Approving a transaction is not the same as authorizing one. This initial check only looks for signs of fraud, and makes sure the cardholder has the necessary funds or credit available. 

Up to this point, the information has been flowing primarily in one direction. Now, though, the data does an about-face and travels the same course, but in reverse:

  • Issuer’s response is sent back to the card network, who routes it to the merchant’s payment processor.
  • Payment processor forwards the information to the payment gateway, which forwards it to the merchant.
  • Merchant informs cardholder that the transaction has either been approved or declined, as per bank response.
  • If everything checks out, merchant completes the transaction and receives the funds after finalizing and batching.

The entire process is usually completed within 5 seconds, which is why it seems so uncomplicated to the end user.

Why Do I Need a Payment Gateway?

A payment gateway protects your customers’ data. It also helps ensure your funds and all transaction information get sent to the right place.

Strictly speaking, you don’t absolutely need to have one. There are ways of skirting the issue, such as only accepting payments through a service provider like PayPal. That could limit your options substantially, though. For most entities that accept online payments — regardless whether you’re a retailer, a service provider, a nonprofit organization, etc. — you probably don’t have much of a choice. 

With no access to the customer’s actual card, the risk posed by payment fraud is considerably higher for online stores. If personal cardholder data is compromised, your business may get the blame. Payment gateways safeguard your shopper’s payment data, and in the process, protect you from fraud and chargebacks. They follow strict procedures for securing data, as defined by the PCI-DSS compliance standard.

Gateways offer other benefits, as well. They simplify the payment process for your online store and help you receive payments faster. At the same time, your gateway shields your business from expired cards or accounts with insufficient credit.

Payment Gateways vs. Payment Processors

While the terms are often used interchangeably, “payment gateways” and “payment processors” are not the same thing. Any merchant who wishes to accept credit cards must have a payment processor. As we mentioned above, though, the need for a payment gateway is primarily for online commerce. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the two services.

Payment ProcessorPayment Gateway
Facilitates communication between the merchant and bank for fund transferCollects and verifies the buyer’s credit card information; encrypts data for transmission
Validates card information for card-present salesValidates card information for card-not-present sales
Necessary for any merchant accepting credit cardsNecessary for online merchants
Can function as a stand-alone serviceStill requires a payment processor

Complicating the issue even further, a number of payment processor gateway providers, such as PayPal and Stripe, fulfill a dual function. They offer payment processing and acquiring services, as well as a built-in payment gateway on the platform. These services are a “one-stop shop” for merchant services.

Are There Down Sides to Using a Payment Gateway?

While payment gateways are crucial to online sales, there are some challenges to consider. 

Like any other service, not all gateways are created equal. Some only work with certain issuers. Some may not integrate easily into your website, and some aren’t equipped to deal with alternate payment methods like cryptocurrency.

Security is also a huge consideration. One of the main tasks of a gateway is protecting sensitive data, but that doesn’t mean they’re all 100% secure. Less reputable companies may not have as many safeguards in place.

Need a fraud and chargeback gatekeeper? Request your free demo and get started today.REQUEST A DEMO

Then there’s the price. Gateway providers charge a fee, which is to be expected, but the costs can vary greatly. Most involve a set-up fee, a fixed monthly charge, and per-transaction fees. Others have hidden charges that aren’t revealed pre-purchase. This means that the cheapest solution isn’t necessarily going to be a good fit. For example, merchants with a global audience need to consider whether the provider charges more for international transactions. 

Finally, payment gateways aren’t always known for their flexibility. Rigid systems may require reprogramming to meet your needs. That could be costly and potentially lock you into a service that limits your ability to scale. 

While there are limitations, however, none of these are deal breakers. It really comes down to studying your options, researching what’s available, and partnering with the right provider.

How to Choose a Gateway Provider

So how should a merchant go about choosing a payment gateway? Part of it is understanding both your needs and the capabilities of your provider. There’s no magic formula, but here are some factors to consider:

Pricing Options

Every payment gateway provider has its own fees and terms of use. Costs can be percentage-based or per transaction. Some payment solutions also have a setup fee and monthly usage charges. 

Set-Up & Integration

You need a merchant account to accept credit card payments. If you don’t currently have one, some providers will help you set one up. The best solutions also offer streamlined integration to get you up and running quickly. Also, be sure your service will be available after the sale to correct minor issues that may arise.

Multiple Payment Methods

Payment services such as Apple Pay, and even alt payment methods like cryptocurrency, are growing in popularity. Will your gateway be equipped to handle them? Another thing to consider is support for automatic recurring payments. If your business uses a subscription-based model, be sure your gateway partner can accommodate that.

User Experience

Integration is important, but the real deciding factor should be the user experience. Is checkout overly complicated on some devices? Is the process too slow? Do you ask for too much information? If so, it could lead to cart abandonment.

Multiple Currencies

Along the same lines, businesses who wish to accept cross-border payments may need a gateway that supports multiple currencies and/or Dynamic Currency Conversion. This might also involve additional fees.

Permitted Products 

Some verticals may pose a greater threat than others. Some gateway providers won't work with sellers who deal in certain products (adult materials, gaming, etc.). Make sure to choose a service that permits your products.

Amount Limits

Gateway providers often set minimum and maximum amounts per transaction limits. Having a $5.00 minimum, for example, might be fine for most eCommerce, but many digital products sell for lower than that. Ensure your gateway limits will work for everything you sell.

Security

The payment gateway you choose must adhere to the PCI security regulations. This mandate protects your customers — and your business — by safeguarding sensitive cardholder information. 

How Much Does a Payment Gateway Cost?

Pricing on a gateway system can be hard to determine because there are so many moving pieces. Multiple parties are involved, and most add their own fees to the mix. While merchants may not pay these fees directly, they will be added to the cost of the gateway.

Each provider has their own terms of use and their own way of calculating pricing. Some typical fees involved include:

Merchant Account Setup

As we mentioned, you’ll need a merchant account to accept credit cards. This usually comes with a one-time setup fee, but you’ll also be charged ongoing fees, which will be discussed below.

Gateway Setup and Integration

Some providers include set-up at no extra cost, while others charge $1,000 or more.

Monthly Service Fees

Although some providers may not assess these fees, monthly fees usually fall somewhere in the $10-25 range.

Per-Transaction Fee

This is normally a set amount, plus a percentage of the sale. The set amount commonly runs $0.05 to $0.50, and the percentage will be 2.5 - 4.5%. This is on top of the transaction cost of your merchant account.

Additional Fees 

Some may charge extra for certain services such as cross-border transactions or for accepting less-widely used card brands.

Payment Gateways: One Small Step in the Payment Process

Payment gateways play a vital role in the payment process, particularly for eCommerce. This software helps merchants streamline their operations and – more importantly – protect cardholder information in transit. Because each transaction is reviewed prior to authorization, gateways also have a role in preventing card fraud.

Pre-transaction fraud screening may not significantly impact customer disputes and chargebacks, though. Many disputes are the result of first-party fraud, which happens after the fact. True fraud prevention and risk mitigation requires a more comprehensive approach. 

To learn about chargeback management help that goes beyond the minimal assistance offered through PayPal and other processors, talk to Chargebacks911® about a free chargeback analysis today.

Like What You're Reading? Join our newsletter and stay up to date on the latest in payments and eCommerce trends.
Newsletter Signup
We’ll run the numbers; You’ll see the savings.
Please share a few details and we'll connect with you!
Over 18,000 companies recovered revenue with products from Chargebacks911
Close Form
Embed code has been copied to clipboard