Where shopping online has become very common, and having a good payment gateway is important for every business. Whether you are selling clothes, or food, or offering services, you need a safe and smooth way for your customers to pay you online.
This is where a payment gateway in UAE plays a key role. If you own a business in the UAE or are planning to start one, choosing the right payment gateway can help you grow and keep your customers happy.
In this blog, we will talk about the best practices for choosing a payment gateway in UAE and the types of payment gateways available.
What is a Payment Gateway?
Before we move further, let’s understand what a payment gateway is. A payment gateway is an online service that processes credit cards and other electronic payments.
It acts as a bridge between the customer and the bank, ensuring that payments are made safely and smoothly. When a customer buys something online, the payment gateway checks if the customer has enough money in their account and then transfers the money to the seller’s account.
Types of Payment Gateways
There are two main types of payment gateways:
- Hosted Payment Gateway:
A hosted payment gateway in UAE is where the customer is redirected to the payment provider’s website to make the payment. After completing the payment, the customer is then redirected back to the business’s website. Hosted gateways are safe as the payment provider handles the security.
Examples include PayPal, Stripe, and 2Checkout. - Non-Hosted Payment Gateway:
A non-hosted payment gateway in UAE allows customers to enter their payment details directly on your website. This means you are responsible for handling the security and ensuring all payments are processed smoothly. Non-hosted gateways offer a better customer experience since customers don’t leave your site, but they require higher security measures.
Examples include PayFort, Telr, and PayTabs.
Now, let’s look at the best practices for choosing the right payment gateway in UAE.
Understand Your Business Needs
The first step in choosing the best payment gateway in UAE is understanding your business needs. What kind of products or services are you offering? Do you sell locally, internationally, or both? Different gateways offer different features. Some are better suited for local businesses, while others work well for international ones. Think about your business size, the type of customers you have, and the payment methods they prefer.
If your customers are mostly from the UAE, choosing a payment gateway that supports local banks and offers payments in UAE Dirhams (AED) is good. On the other hand, if you are targeting international customers, you should choose a gateway that supports multiple currencies.
Look for Security Features
Security is one of the most important factors when choosing a payment gateway. Online payments come with risks like fraud and data theft. Therefore, you need a payment gateway that is secure and trusted.
Look for gateways that offer features like SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption, 3D Secure, and tokenization. These features protect your customers’ payment information and help reduce fraud.
Make sure the gateway complies with PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), a set of rules to ensure the safe handling of card information.
Check the Fees and Costs
Different payment gateways charge different fees for their services. These fees may include setup fees, transaction fees, and monthly maintenance charges. It’s important to understand all the costs involved before you choose a payment gateway in UAE.
Transaction fees can vary depending on the type of payment method (credit card, debit card, e-wallet) and whether the transaction is local or international. If you have a small business, you may want to choose a payment gateway with lower transaction fees to keep your costs low.
Ensure Smooth Integration with Your Website
Another important factor to consider is how easily the payment gateway in UAE can be integrated with your website. Some payment gateways offer easy integration with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento, while others may require custom development.
Before choosing a payment gateway, check if it works well with your current website platform or if you will need to hire a developer to set it up. A payment gateway that is difficult to integrate can lead to delays and added costs.
Support for Multiple Payment Methods
Customers today like to pay using different methods, such as credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrencies. To ensure that you don’t lose customers because of limited payment options, choose a payment gateway in UAE that supports a wide range of payment methods.
In the UAE, mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Samsung Pay are becoming popular, so it’s a good idea to choose a gateway that supports these as well.
Conclusion
Choosing the best payment gateway in UAE is a key step in running a successful online business. By understanding your business needs, focusing on security, considering costs, and ensuring smooth integration, you can select a payment gateway that helps you serve your customers better.
Make sure to choose a gateway that supports multiple payment methods, has strong customer support, and is scalable for future growth.
With the right payment gateway, you can provide a smooth and secure payment experience to your customers, leading to happier customers and better sales for your business.
PayTabs is a payments infrastructure company providing exceptional solutions that are simple, secure, and scalable to drive local commerce and power financial inclusion across the MENA region.