Importance of Multiple Payment Processors
Introduction
Businesses in today’s post pandemic world should not rely on a sole payment processor for a number of reasons. Depending on a sole payment processor may lead to a number of problems such as unscheduled downtime of a payment processor due to over congestion may affect payments on your site. Familiarity and reliability are other factors to keep in mind while selecting a payment processor. Below is an elaborate list of reasons why businesses should opt for multiple payment processors:
- Payment reliability: Having multiple payment processors can reduce the risk of payment downtime or failure due to technical issues or fraud. If one processor is down or unstable, the business can switch to another processor as a backup and avoid losing revenue or customers. According to a report by CyberSource, US businesses use an average of 4.1 payment partners (gateways, processors, etc.), and Europe businesses use an average of 3.7 payment partners.
- Freedom and flexibility: Having multiple payment processors can give the business more control and choice over their payment options and experience. They can negotiate better terms and fees, customize their payment flow and features, and avoid vendor lock-in. For example, SeatGeek has evolved its model over time from directing purchasers of event tickets to ticket brokers sites for purchase to delivering a complete customer experience within their own solution.
- Payment diversity: Having multiple payment processors can enable the business to support different payment methods that suit their customers’ preferences and needs. For instance, PayPal is not available in Stripe, and global processors may not have good support for local payment methods. By adding more payment processors, the business can cater to a wider range of customers and markets.
- Success rate (payment conversion): Having multiple payment processors can improve the payment conversion rate by reducing false declines, cutting latency, and offering more payment options. For example, Spreedly found that using multiple gateways can reduce false declines by 17%. False declines occur when a valid transaction is rejected due to various reasons such as fraud detection, network issues, or authorization failures.
- Payment Processing Cost: Having multiple payment processors can help the business save money on payment processing cost by routing transactions through the most cost-effective gateway. Different processors may charge different fees depending on factors such as transaction volume, currency, location, risk level, and payment method. By comparing and switching between processors, the business can optimize their payment costs.
- Payment innovation: Employing multiple payment processors can assist enterprises in staying abreast of the rapid developments occurring within the payments sector. As reported by PYMNTS, in 2022, a significant 52% of consumers in the United States experimented with fresh payment modalities, and the array of payment choices is poised for further expansion. By integrating with more processors, the business can offer new and emerging payment methods to their customers and stay ahead of the competition.
- Payment future-proofing: Having multiple payment processors can help the business prepare for future changes and challenges in the payments landscape. For example, regulatory changes such as PSD2 in Europe or new security standards such as 3D Secure 2.0 may require businesses to update their payment systems or comply with new rules. By having multiple processors, the business can have more flexibility and resilience to adapt to these changes.
Conclusion
Currently, a variety of payment processors exist within the market. When making a decision as a business, it’s advisable to conduct your own thorough investigation prior to settling on a specific payment processor. This should take into consideration the factors we’ve previously outlined. For many businesses, particularly small ones, the pivotal consideration revolves around the cost associated with payment processing. However, certain enterprises prioritize the dependability of their chosen payment processor above all else. Ultimately, you should assess what would be the most important factor for your line of business and thereafter choose a payment processor.
