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Accepting credit card payments isn't a milestone. It's table stakes. For enterprises expanding across borders and SMEs stepping into digital markets, card payments remain a common request from customers—and a source of missed revenue when not handled well.
Still, the process can seem fraught with complexity. There are fees, rules, providers, and technical hurdles to clear. But the right setup doesn't just process transactions. It improves reach, reduces friction, and keeps financial teams in control.
A primer on credit card acceptance
Credit card payments run on a familiar framework: the customer uses a card, the transaction flows through a processor or acquiring bank, and the merchant receives the funds.
But beyond that simplicity are considerations that matter:
- What types of cards will you accept? (Visa, Mastercard, local methods?)
- Do you need to support recurring charges, cross-border settlements, or mobile checkouts?
- What do customers in each market expect when they pay?
These questions shape how you choose your partners and platforms.
How to accept credit card payments: Key elements
To start accepting card payments, you'll need:
1. A Payment Service Provider (PSP)
A PSP handles the technical and financial flow of payments. Providers like Antom offer a single point of access to card networks, local payment methods, mobile payments, and back-end tools for reporting, reconciliation, and compliance.
This simplifies your setup. Instead of managing different vendors in different regions, you work with one partner who supports varied customer expectations—from digital wallets in Southeast Asia to Amex in the US.
2. Merchant account or aggregated setup
Some PSPs bundle this. Others help you set it up. Either way, you'll need a way to receive funds from each successful card transaction.
3. Checkout experience
You can embed credit card forms into your website or app, redirect customers to a hosted page, or integrate via API. Prioritize ease of use, especially on mobile.
Accepting mobile credit card payments is now standard. Optimising for speed, security, and familiarity (saved cards, one-click reorders) can help keep drop-off rates low.
4. Security and regulatory compliance
PCI DSS is non-negotiable. Tokenisation, 3DS, and encryption are all standard elements that your provider should offer.
Ways to accept credit card payments
Different use cases call for different setups:
|
Approach |
Suitable For |
|
Hosted online checkout |
E-commerce, subscriptions |
|
Embedded forms |
Marketplaces, direct-to-consumer apps |
|
Mobile POS or card readers |
Retail, field sales, in-person events |
|
Virtual terminal |
Remote billing, phone orders |
Common questions from finance and payments teams
Whether you're adding new markets or handling higher volumes, Antom's infrastructure is built to adjust—without you needing to re-architect payments from scratch.
Final thought
Understanding how to accept credit card payments is more than a checklist. It's a strategic capability that impacts revenue, customer trust, and financial clarity.
Start with a clear view of your needs. Choose tools that adapt to your markets, rather than forcing you to compromise. And don't settle for complexity when simplicity is possible.
