India’s e-commerce has grown exponentially in the past few years. The market is expected to touch $150 billion by 2026 from the current $83 billion in 2022. With more and more Indians opting to shop online, it has become increasingly important for businesses to offer customers quick and secure payment options. This is where merchant solutions can help.
Merchant solutions are specialized products or services that enable businesses to accept and process customer payments quickly. They include a variety of tools and technologies that help improve the accuracy and security of transactions.
This blog will explore the various merchant solutions that simplify e-commerce payments for Indian merchants.
Merchant solutions to simplify e-Commerce payments in India
Merchant solutions include several components and payment methods that streamline e-commerce payments for businesses and customers. Here are the various merchant solutions available for Indian companies:
Mobile payments
Customers today prefer making payments through their smartphones or tablets, and Indian merchants can make that possible by offering mobile payment options.
Customers must first link their payment information, such as bank accounts or credit cards, to a mobile payment app or digital wallet to make mobile payments. After that, they can easily make payments by scanning the QR code or using contactless payment technology.
E-Commerce platforms
E-commerce platforms are digital stores that enable businesses to sell their products and services online. These platforms typically include a payment processing facility that allows companies to accept payment via debit and credit cards, e-wallets, or mobile payments.
Businesses can also integrate third-party payment gateways and processors into their e-commerce platforms.
Payment gateways
Payment gateways act as intermediaries between the customers and the company. It collects customer payment information, verifies and approves the payment, and transfers funds from the customer’s bank to the business’s bank.
Leading payment gateways such as Plural offer multiple payment modes to customers, from cards, net banking, UPI, and mobile wallets to EMI and subscriptions.
Virtual terminals
A virtual terminal allows businesses to process card payments without a physical card reader. Companies can log into the virtual card terminal website, manually enter customers’ payment information and collect payment. This payment solution is mainly used by service providers or freelancers who do not have a physical storefront.
Subscription billing solutions
Subscription billing solutions allow businesses to deduct automatic payments from customers’ bank accounts at regular intervals for recurring subscriptions or services.
UPI Autopay is a popular feature to automate subscription-based payment using UPI ID. By offering this feature, businesses can make recurring payments effortless for customers while reducing their risk of late payments.
Payment links
A payment link is another convenient way for Indian merchants to collect payment using a mobile device or tablet. It is essentially a unique URL directing customers to a secure payment page where they can enter payment information and complete a transaction.
You can create a payment link using a payment gateway and send it to your customers via email, WhatsApp, or text. When customers click on the link, we will be provided with a variety of payment options to choose from.
Payment pages
Some online payments, such as card payments or bank transfers, cannot complete without a payment page. It is basically a form where customers enter their payment information, such as their credit card number, expiration date, security code, etc.
Most payment gateways and online payment solutions host their payment pages. Businesses can customize these pages to match their brand and website design.
UPI
UPI is a real-time mobile payment system that facilitates instant money transfers between banks. Businesses can use UPI to collect customer payments, even if they do not have a business website or app. This is why it has been widely adopted by small businesses in India.
To start using UPI, you must first create a UPI ID and link it to your bank account. Then share the ID with your customers to receive funds directly to your bank account. UPI is one of India’s most popular online payment methods today, thanks to its ease and convenience.
Together with Setu, Plural has built a powerful UPI universe to provide a complete UPI stack for your online business. Enter your details and get early access to:
- UPI Autopay
- UPI Intent Flow
- UPI Switch
- UPI DeepLinks
Setu’s UPI DeepLinks
Do you often wish that you could collect payments from the same messaging app you use to communicate with customers? You can do that now with Setu’s UPI DeepLinks.
This solution enables businesses to embed UPI payments on WhatsApp and other social platforms so customers can directly make payments without switching to a separate payment app or website.
Benefits of using merchant solutions to simplify payments
By now, it must be evident that merchant solutions can improve the overall payment experience for both Indian merchants and customers. Here are some of their other benefits:
Provide multiple payment options
From card to mobile payments, UPI to subscription billing, merchant solutions enable businesses to offer multiple payment options to their customers. When customers are offered their preferred option, they are more likely to complete the transaction.
Reduce transaction time
Many merchant solutions offer real-time payment processing, enabling customers to complete transactions in minutes. It helps businesses to manage high transaction volumes more efficiently and improve customer experience.
Automate billing and invoicing
Features such as recurring billing and automatic invoicing reduce the hassle of managing e-commerce payments manually. Customers can make payments seamlessly without manual intervention, and companies can lessen their administrative burden.
Provide real-time reporting and analytics
Many merchant solutions provide real-time data on transaction volumes, revenue, and customer behaviour. The insights can help businesses identify trends, track customer preferences and optimize and improve payment processes.
Enhance security for e-commerce payments
Merchant payment solutions offer robust security features such as multi-factor authentication, data encryption, fraud detection, etc. These security features protect against fraud and increase users’ confidence in online payments.
Integrate with other systems
Many merchant solutions integrate with other systems, such as business accounting or CRM software. Multiple integrations allow an easy data flow between the systems, bringing efficiency to several business operations.
Final words
Merchant payment solutions provide the convenience, security, and flexibility required to succeed in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape. All companies, big or small, can enhance customer satisfaction by offering them multiple options for seamless payments.
With payment solutions taking care of their e-commerce payments, businesses can focus on bettering their products and services. Plural offers a comprehensive range of payment solutions to help businesses thrive in the digital world.
You can access a complete UPI stack and other advanced payment options, including EMIs and pay-later choices, to streamline their payment process and improve customer experience. Our products will integrate seamlessly into your website and help you expand your digital reach. Reach out to us to get started.
Amrita Konaiagari is a Marketing Manager at Plural by Pine Labs and Editor of the Plural blog. She has over 10 years of marketing experience across Media & Tech industries and holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism. She has a passion for home décor and is most definitely a dog person.
