On my previous post, I gave a bit of an explanation about what happens when you give out your credit card details online. Today I’m gonna tell you why I use Stripe as a payment gateway.
Stripe is our new love. Why? It’s simple, its really easy to use from both a user perspective and for me as a developer, and it’s really easy to integrate with almost any eCommerce system. Founded in 2011, Stripe became a very prominent payment gateway that should definitely be considered.
Let’s begin with how to create an account. You only need to enter your email and password, that’s it! Then you can start to play with it. There is no need to wait months, preparing a tonne of paperwork all for one simple account – an even better feature is that you don’t have to have an existing website to start. The backend interface is solid and straightforward, even the least tech-savvy would struggle to get lost here.
We know many people choose payment gateways for several reasons. It offers low fees, security, integration and support. Stripe have transparent fees 1.75% + $0.3 for domestic cards and 2.9% + $0.3 for international cards, no setup, monthly, or hidden fees. Just pay as you go.
For security, Stripe uses a direct transfer method, meaning your customer credit card details never touch your server and go directly to the Stripe servers. No more headaches trying to configure PCI Compliance requirement server which cost lots of $$$.
If you are using WordPress, like us here at Digital Noir, there are many plugins available that accept payments while supporting Stripe. This is because of the easy integration. Even WooCommerce suggests that you install Stripe on their setup flow. If you have a complex system and want to get your hands dirty, Stripe API has fully detailed documentation for its integration.
Why don’t you need Stripe?
If you already run a business with complex cash management flow, like a marketplace which connects to your merchant bank account or if you feel that you are comfortable with your current gateway, then you don’t need to move to Stripe. But if you start feeling a bit annoyed with your current payment gateway issues and fees, Stripe is here for you.
