Our quick payment gateway integration guide will walk you through the process of adding a payment gateway to your online business.
Filipinos have grown to love online shopping. Whether you’re looking for clothes, gadgets, appliances, pet care, or groceries, there seems to be no shortage of websites or online sellers ready to meet this growing demand.
However, one big problem remains: many online merchants are still unable to accept a wide range of payment methods, limiting options for customers.
This is where online payment gateways come in. By the end of this guide, you should feel confident about adding this process to your small business.
To enable online payments, businesses often integrate their invoicing systems (e.g., Mochi) with payment gateways (like Paymongo). It acts as an intermediary, securely transferring monetary information between customers and merchants for online transactions.
Imagine shopping at your favorite store, but instead of just cash, you have a variety of options. Beyond traditional methods like credit or debit cards and checks, many stores now accept digital wallets like GCash or PayMaya. However, this convenience depends on the store's capabilities.
Without the proper Point of Sale (POS) terminal or digital infrastructure, customers may be limited to cash-only transactions. This can be inconvenient and even deter potential sales.
There are plenty of benefits to using this service for your small business. By offering various modes of payment, you can cater to more customers and simplify your collection process. Meanwhile, real-time reporting gives valuable insights into sales and financial performance.
1. Pick a Reliable Payment Gateway
Look for services that are compatible with your business needs. Consider factors like transaction fees, supported payment methods, customer service, security features, and ease of integration. Make sure it supports any of the platforms and software (i.e., Google Sheets, Asana, WooCommerce, etc.) you’re already using.
2. Create a Merchant Account
Register for an account. This will be where your funds are deposited after transactions are processed. Most of these solutions require business verification to prevent fraud. Prepare documents like your business license, tax information, and bank details.
3. Set Up Your Payment Gateway Account
Log in to your account and arrange your business settings. This includes adding your bank account details, setting up notifications, and configuring security settings. Choose which payment methods you want to accept (credit/debit cards, digital wallets, etc.) and activate them in your account.
4. Obtain API Keys or Integration Credentials
An API (Application Programming Interface) is required for integration. Obtain your API keys or other necessary credentials (such as a client ID and secret) from the gateway’s developer dashboard.
By integrating a single API from one payment service provider (PSP), you can provide your customers with a wider range of payment possibilities. For instance, PayMongo provides a straightforward integration process for accepting GCash transactions through their API. Simply sign up to PayMongo and obtain your API keys.
This part can be technical so reach out to your in-house IT personnel or a third-party professional for assistance in case you encounter a problem.
5. Integrate the Payment Gateway with Your System
Most PSPs have extensive documentation available online. Just follow these instructions carefully to ensure the correct setup. This might involve adding code snippets to your site or app to handle payment forms, processing, and callbacks.
If you’re using a comprehensive billing platform like Mochi, payment integration is already available through its partners Xendit and Paymongo.
6. Implement Payment Forms and Security Measures
For those building a custom integration, create secure payment forms. Ensure that these forms comply with PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) requirements to protect sensitive info. Use SSL certificates to encrypt data transmitted between your site and the system so all details are securely managed.
7. Test the Integration
Verify that payments are processed correctly, funds are deposited into your merchant account, and notifications are sent as configured.
Check how your system handles failed transactions or errors. Confirm that customers receive clear error messages and that no sensitive information is exposed.
8. Go Live
When testing is complete and you're satisfied with the results, switch your integration to the production environment for real-world use. Update your API keys and credentials to the live ones. Do a few live transactions as a final assessment.
And that should be it! Don’t forget to regularly check your dashboard for any errors or unusual activity.
Remember: A well-integrated payment gateway not only simplifies the checkout process for your customers but also enhances your business's overall performance. Don’t hesitate to put your newfound knowledge to good use. By investing time and effort, you’re laying the grounds for long-term growth in the competitive online marketplace.
With Mochi, you can accept payments from multiple sources, including credit and debit cards, bank transfers, and even popular e-wallets like GCash. It’s fast, easy, and automated.
Now you can manage invoices and customer accounts all in one place. The 60-day FREE trial gives you access to all the best features, plus reliable customer support. Try out Mochi today!
Mochi Solutions is a billing and collections platform designed to help Filipino businesses get paid on time, every time. By digitalizing the invoicing process and automating repetitive tasks, we empower businesses to focus on growth.
