Simple Payment Gateway Integration

Payment gateways are essential for any online business, as well as facilitating some in-store payments, offering seamless transactions using a variety of checkout methods. Understanding how payment gateways are integrated into your business can help new merchants or those looking to upgrade their existing systems with a simple payment gateway.

Here we look at the different ways for easy payment gateway integration, including the pros and cons of each option.

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is an interface or technology which allows businesses to accept and process various electronic payments, including credit or debit card, digital wallets and bank transfers. They are predominantly used for online transactions but can also be integrated with in-store payment processing systems like physical card-reading machines or other digital contactless payments like QR codes.

Essentially, payment gateways securely and efficiently connect the dots between business, customer and their respective financial institutions.

How do payment gateways work?

For in-person payments, clients insert, swipe or tap their debit/credit card or digital wallet at a card reader, which then sends the data to the payment gateway. Mobile-based payments utilise Near Field Communication technology (NFC), which enables two devices – i.e. a smartphone and a payment terminal – to talk to each other when they’re close together.

Merchants can also use QR codes for a simple payment gateway set-up in-store, where customers scan the code to complete the purchase–no terminals are needed.

For online payments, information is transferred to the payment gateway when users enter their card details on a checkout page or initiate the payment through their digital wallets, payment apps, crypto wallets, or banking apps. Security protocols are then implemented, including encryption, tokenisation and fraud management in order to securely share the data with a payment processor.

The payment processor connects the customer and merchant accounts, then verifies transaction details, ensures funds are available and if the payment is authorised, debits one account and credits the other. The online payment page shows the result of the payment, giving clients the option of paying another way if the transaction fails. The acquirer (merchant) assumes the risk of chargebacks, fraud and disputes.

Direct bank payments bypass the card networks and facilitate instant account-to-account payments, authorised directly by the customers. It is the fastest, most efficient checkout method behind any payment gateway.

Good to know: Payment gateways collect customer payment information and encrypt it for processing. A payment processor uses that information to charge the customers' bank, credit card provider, crypto wallet etc.

Types of payment gateways

There are different types of payment gateways, which include:

• Hosted Gateways: Provided by third-party services.
• Self-Hosted Payment Gateways: The business collects all transaction data itself and then forwards it to the payment gateway for processing.
• API-Hosted Gateways: Transaction details are collected by the API.
• Local Bank Integration: Payment details are sent to the business's bank payment system.

Here’s a quick guide on what’s best for what business:

Whichever payment gateway you chose to work with, how easily they can be integrated into your business payment ecosystem is key.

How to integrate payment gateways into a website

Integrating a payment gateway can be a straightforward, no-tech-skill-needed process or it can involve a more complex set-up – it mostly depends on the payment service provider (PSP), your website platform and your specific payment needs.

Integration Without Developers

Plugins

A simple payment gateway plugin is an excellent option for merchants who want to integrate a payment gateway without the need for developers. The software add-ons, that act as a bridge between website and payment processor, are easy to install and configure, making them ideal for those with limited technical expertise.

Plugins ensure sensitive data is protected through encryption, while providing an optimised checkout experience.

Pros:

• Easy to install and configure, with no need for technical expertise or IT professionals.
• Businesses can use as many plugins as required, therefore multiple payment methods can be offered at relatively low costs.
• Payment gateway plugins can help with other tasks like automation of transaction processes and management of revenues and sales.

Cons:

• Limited customisation options
• Limited choice of PSPs – less popular e-commerce platforms, or smaller markets, might not be supported by every PSP.
• Dependent on plugin updates and support

WordPress payment gateway plugins are some of the most common; Noda also offers plugins for most popular e-commerce platforms, allowing merchants to effortlessly add open banking payments to their websites.

Find out more about Noda’s plugins that can be seamlessly integrated and offer the security and efficiency of open banking, whatever e-commerce platform you use:

• Noda’s simple PrestaShop payment gateway plugin
• Noda’s simple payment gateway for WordPress and WooCommerce
• Noda’s simple payment gateway for Magento
• Noda’s simple payment gateway plugin for OpenCart
• Noda’s simple BigCommerce payment gateway plugin (coming soon)

No-Code Solutions

No-code solutions are perfect for merchants who want to start using payment gateways without writing any code. These solutions typically use branded payment pages, often with visual interfaces, drag-and-drop tools and pre-built components, making them accessible to individuals with little to no technical expertise.

Payment links and QR codes are also a great option for bringing a simple payment gateway to your business, with no integration and no-coding required. They can be easily shared and enable customers to check out across various media types, both online and in-person.

Read more about How to Set Up a QR Code for Payment.

Pros:

• No coding required
• Customisable payment pages
• Quick and easy setup

Cons:

• Limited flexibility compared to custom integrations
• May not support all payment methods

Noda offers a powerful no-code payment page that allows merchants to create custom payment experiences in minutes using AI, as well as instant no-code payment links. Both offer ideal solutions for selling digital and physical goods and services without the hassle of lengthy development and setup.

Key Features of Noda’s no-code payment page:

• Smart Payment Page Builder: Create custom payment pages using a simple AI chat interface. Automatically generate text and images based on your product details.
• Instant, Secure Transactions: Real-time payments with payer authorisation via bank, ensuring a seamless customer experience.
• Omnichannel Commerce: Turn any channel into your online marketplace. Share payment page links across email, messengers, social media, live streams, and more.
• No Website Required: Sell anything without needing a website. Noda handles the entire payment flow.

Integration With Developers

API Integrations

A payment API (Application Programming Interfaces) is a set of protocols and tools that enable e-commerce platforms and applications to process payments. Implemented by developers, APIs are integrated into existing software and mobile applications and act as an intermediary that facilitates communication between different entities involved in payment processing; payment gateways, payment processors, banks.

They offer a highly customisable and flexible way to connect a payment gateway to your website, allowing merchants to tailor the payment process to their specific needs. In the realm of open banking, APIs play a crucial role in securely sharing financial data between banks and authorised third-party service providers.

Only authorised organisations, such as a Payment Service Provider (PSP) like Noda, are permitted to offer open banking APIs to merchants.

Pros:

• Highly customisable, with greater control over the payment process
• Frictionless checkout experience
• Supports a wide range of payment methods, both locally and globally
• Seamless, secure and efficient data sharing
• Access to new services and financial data, promoting innovation and improved UX

Cons:

• Requires developer expertise
• Longer setup time

Noda offers robust and frictionless API integrations and front-end components, enabling merchants to connect their payment systems directly to Noda's platform for an effortless transaction experience. Our quick set-up and smooth merge into your platform can have you offering better payment solutions to your customers in a matter of hours, not weeks.

Noda’s open banking API good bits, at a glance:

• Secure and reliable gateway
• Over 90% payment acceptance
• All types of tech platforms supported
• Easy API key management

Third-Party E-Commerce Developer Agencies

Many companies turn to third-party e-commerce developer agencies who can handle anything from back-end web development to UX design, mobile app design and other ecommerce services, including payment gateway integrations.

These agencies offer expertise and can manage the entire integration process, ensuring everything works smoothly.

Pros:

• Professional expertise
• Comprehensive integration services
• Saves time and effort

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Dependent on the agency's availability and support

Many PSPs, including Noda, have made it super-simple to add or integrate payment gateways to your website without the need for an agency, and at a fraction of the cost.

Process payments your way

A simple payment gateway for your website can transform user experience, prevent loss of sales due to poor or untrustworthy checkouts and help you to manage business cashflow.

Whether you opt for ultra-quick solutions like payment links or QR codes, customisable no-code pages, zero-developer-needed plugins or full API payment gateway integration, Noda offers a comprehensive and hassle-free payment solution tailored for small and medium sized businesses. We also offer sleek and easy card payments, and effortless bank or card payout options. 

With our open banking payments, you can enjoy low-cost, instant transactions that simplify the user experience and reduce cart abandonment. Plus, we’re fully PDS2 compliant, FCA registered and employ a multi-layered approach to security and data handling.

Benefit from our extensive global coverage (28 countries and counting), with over 2000 banks connected, as well as your own Noda manager – who can have your payment systems launched within days, not weeks.

Save money, save time, enhance sales processes and boost your business with Noda – speak to the team today for a free consultation.