How to Accept Secure Online Payments with Wix
This post was last updated on November 29, 2023.
Every successful eCommerce website needs easy, secure ways for customers to pay. With Wix, you can accept online payments using 50+ trusted payment gateways worldwide.
Follow this guide to choose the best payment solution for your business:
01. Find the Right Online Payment Gateway
To accept payments online, you need to connect at least one payment gateway to your site. However, it’s generally considered best practice to give customers multiple payment options at checkout.
Payment gateways (AKA payment providers) process every transaction for your business, like payments you receive from customers, then transfer funds to your bank account so you can get paid.
Payment methods are the way your customers pay for your products or services. There’s a variety of payment methods out there, including cash, debit/credit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, unique local payment methods and more. Keep in mind that available payment methods depend on your location and payment provider.
When choosing a payment gateway, consider the payment methods they support. In many cases, a payment gateway supports more than one payment method. On Wix, you can only use one payment gateway for credit card payments, but you can and should add alternative payment methods that fit your business. For example, you can offer both debit/credit cards and PayPal in one checkout.
Payment gateways vary by location and support different business types. The following are some of the most popular online payment solutions on Wix for U.S.-based small business owners:
Wix Payments. Our native payment provider gives you the most efficient way to accept debit/credit card payments for your business without setting up a third-party payment gateway. Manage your entire business, payments and so much more—right from your Wix dashboard. Select Wix Merchants can also sell online and in person using our own provider for Wix Point of Sale (POS).
PayPal. Accept PayPal at checkout. You can use PayPal with debit/credit cards. If customers choose PayPal at checkout, they’ll be directed to PayPal’s website to complete the purchase. Once they’ve paid, they’ll be sent back to your online store.
Stripe. If you decide not to use Wix Payments, you can select Stripe for debit/credit card transactions.
Square. Connect your Square account to accept debit/credit card payments on your site. You can also use Wix and Square’s point of sale (POS) mobile apps to accept payments on your phone.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Get paid in full while letting your customers buy now and split their costs into affordable payments over time. Add popular BNPL solutions like Affirm, Afterpay, Sezzle and more.
Lastly, review your payment gateway’s terms and conditions in depth. Seriously, read them—your business is at stake. Take note of anything that can impact your business and profit, including the setup process, transaction fees and information required to verify your account.
Pay close attention to the business types supported by this provider. Every provider has their own restrictions and may not process transactions for certain products or services. If this is the case, simply select a different provider that supports what you’re selling. For example, if you’re based in the U.S. and wish to sell hemp-derived CBD products online, you can use Square to sell CBD on Wix.
02. Set up Wix Payments
Streamline your business with our native payment solution, Wix Payments. Accept debit/credit cards and other popular payment methods, like Pay Now by Klarna and Boleto (depending on your location). Manage everything in one
place—from payments to orders, bookings, events, services, classes, subscriptions and more.
Follow these steps to create your Wix Payments account:
1. Make sure we’re the right fit for you. Before you get started, check that Wix Payments is available in your region and that your business type is supported.
2. Complete your account setup. Fill in your business info to set up your account. Follow our ultimate Wix Payments checklist and check items off as you go.
3. Accept payments instantly. Start taking online payments from customers. Once your account is verified, you’ll be able to receive payouts.
4. Get paid. Approved for payouts? Great—your money can now be sent directly to your bank account.
03. Accept In-Person Payments
Sell your goods or services in person. Whether you’re selling from your physical store, at a pop-up or festival, give your customers a way to pay on the spot.
Try these in-person payment solutions for your business:
Point of sale. Sell online and in person seamlessly with Wix POS. Manage your entire inventory, all sales, orders, payments, payouts, customer profiles, analytics and more—wherever you sell. You can also integrate Square and SumUp POS with Wix. For more details on POS system costs, check out our guide.
Manual payments. Allow customers to make a purchase on your site and pay in person. Simply connect manual payments at checkout and add instructions so your customers know how to pay you offline. They’ll see this info at checkout.
Pay via a link. If a customer prefers to pay securely via your site, send them a branded invoice with how much they need to pay. Wix Invoices lets you include direct links to products for faster checkout.
04. Manage Your Payments
We’ll venture a guess and say that when it comes to payment management, most businesses are well past manual spreadsheets.
Simplify how you manage your business even more with Wix’s all-in-one dashboard. You’ll be able to review every purchase made on your site, regardless of the payment provider or method. Plus, you’ll get an overview of your payment activity, including gross income and number of successful payments.
For each transaction, you’ll see the date, customer name, products/services purchased, payment method, amount due and payment status. You can download the entire spreadsheet as a CSV file to conveniently manage your business offline.
If you choose Wix Payments as your payment gateway when starting a business, you’ll be able to manage your payments and payouts in one place. Bonus: you get to monitor and handle all refunds and chargebacks quickly and efficiently in one place. Refund your customers directly from your dashboard, and track and dispute your chargebacks with our built-in tool.
Types of online payment methods
Online payment methods have revolutionized the way businesses and individuals conduct transactions, offering convenience, security, and efficiency. Here are some of the most popular online payment methods:
Credit Cards: Credit cards are one of the most widely accepted online payment methods, allowing customers to make purchases using their credit line. Credit card transactions are protected by fraud protection mechanisms, offering security for both businesses and cardholders.
Debit Cards: Debit cards are linked to a customer's bank account, enabling them to make purchases directly from their available funds. Debit card transactions are processed immediately, reducing the risk of fraud compared to credit cards.
Electronic Wallets (e-Wallets): E-wallets, such as PayPal, Venmo, and Apple Pay, provide a secure platform for storing and transferring funds. Customers can link their bank accounts or credit cards to their e-wallets to make online payments.
Mobile Payments: Mobile payment solutions, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay, allow customers to make payments using their smartphones. These methods utilize near-field communication (NFC) technology for contactless payments.
Bank Transfers: Bank transfers involve transferring funds directly from a customer's bank account to the merchant's account. This method is often used for larger transactions or when other payment options are unavailable.
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): BNPL services allow customers to make purchases and spread out the payments over time. This method is gaining popularity due to its flexibility and affordability.
Cryptocurrencies: Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, are emerging as an alternative online payment method. While still in their early stages of adoption, cryptocurrencies offer decentralized and secure transactions.
Direct Carrier Billing (DCB): DCB allows customers to make purchases through their mobile phone bills, simplifying the payment process for digital goods and services.
Cash on Delivery (COD): COD involves paying for goods upon delivery, often used for items with higher value or when online payment options are limited.
International Payments: International payment methods, such as Wire Transfers and SWIFT transfers, facilitate transactions between individuals and businesses across borders.
These diverse online payment methods cater to various customer preferences and business needs, enabling seamless and secure transactions in today's digital economy.
Benefits of accepting online payments
Accepting online payments offers a multitude of benefits for businesses of all sizes, enhancing convenience, security, efficiency, and overall growth potential. Here's a comprehensive overview of the advantages of embracing online payment solutions:
Convenience for Customers: Online payments provide customers with seamless and convenient transaction experiences. They can make purchases from anywhere, anytime, using their preferred devices, eliminating the need to carry cash or visit physical stores. This enhanced convenience can significantly improve customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Faster Payment Processing: Online payment platforms enable businesses to receive payments almost instantaneously, accelerating cash flow and improving financial management. This rapid processing can also reduce the risk of payment disputes and chargebacks.
Reduced Costs: Online payments eliminate the need for handling physical cash, checks, or credit cards, saving businesses money on processing fees, bank charges, and fraud prevention costs. Additionally, online payments streamline administrative tasks, reducing labor costs.
Enhanced Security: Reputable online payment gateways employ advanced security measures to protect both businesses and customers' financial information. These measures include data encryption, fraud detection systems, and tokenization, safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access.
Global Reach and Expansion: Accepting online payments opens up businesses to a global customer base, enabling them to reach and serve customers worldwide. This expansion potential can significantly boost sales, revenue, and market share.
Improved Sales and Conversion Rates: Online payments can increase sales conversion rates by simplifying the checkout process and reducing cart abandonment. Customers are more likely to complete purchases when they can pay conveniently and securely online.
Valuable Customer Data: Online payment transactions provide businesses with valuable customer data, including purchasing patterns, preferences, and demographic information. This data can be analyzed to better understand customer behavior, tailor marketing campaigns, and enhance customer engagement.
Real-time Sales Tracking: Online payment systems offer real-time sales tracking, enabling businesses to monitor their financial performance and make informed decisions about inventory management, staffing, and marketing strategies.
Increased Flexibility and Scalability: Online payment solutions accommodate various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, and mobile payments, catering to diverse customer preferences. This flexibility also allows businesses to scale their operations effortlessly as their customer base grows.
Competitive Advantage: In today's digital landscape, accepting online payments is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses to remain competitive and relevant. Offering convenient and secure online payment options can set businesses apart from competitors and attract a wider range of customers.
Learn More about Online Payments
Daniella Dukes
Payments Team Lead
Daniella leads the Payments Marketing Team for Wix.com. Since 2019, she's been crafting sharp content that helps over 700K Wix Merchants get paid, wherever they sell—online, in person and on the go.
