Guidance for offering digital payments amidst increased demand for contactless options

Worldwide consumer demand for contactless payments has skyrocketed, and recent research indicates that nearly one in three U.S. consumers select contactless payments as their preferred method of payment.

The dramatic increase in contactless payments throughout the U.S. economy presents an opportunity for service providers and other businesses to not only meet customer demand, but to take advantage of the many benefits of adopting digital payment solutions, including providing a safe, secure payment experience for their customers.

The following guidelines are key aspects of omni-channel payments management that will provide security, convenience and flexibility in offering contactless and other digital payments.

• Functionality across multiple platforms. A variety of payment options provide customers with the flexibility they have come to expect in all aspects of their life. While contactless payments are the growing trend, the solution should have options for collecting payments via online payment forms, ecommerce, electronic invoicing, mobile apps and in-person point-of-sale.
• Dual ACH and credit card acceptance. Despite the prevalence of credit card transactions, businesses should ensure they meet customer demand for their preferred payment type. Payment solutions should enable processing of both credit card and ACH (Automated Clearing House).
• Security of customer and payment information. Payments solutions need to be Payment Card Industry (PCI) complaint to ensure all customer information and payment details are secured. Additionally, it is advisable to look for a solution that has roles and permissions functionality. This allows businesses to control who among their staff has access to customer information and what each employee is able to do within the software, a valuable function that can prevent a data breach.
• Ease of use. The payment solution should be easy for both customers to use and on the backend for businesses to use. A difficult, buggy or time-consuming check-out experience may lead to a customer cancelling their purchase or being less likely to return.
• Experience working with your type of business. A solution provider should have experience and a track record working similar businesses. For example, service-based businesses usually need to securely store credentials on file (or card on-file) and recurring billing options.
• Invoice generation and payment tracking. Automated solutions can generate professional, accurate and detailed invoices. They can also be programmed to charge late fees, itemize invoice details and auto-calculate taxes and discounts. Automated payment reminders and confirmations eliminate having to manually follow up with customers on their owed amounts or received payments.
• Customer service capability. A payment solution should entail more than simply processing transactions. Offering an online self-service portal for customers to manage their account and payment details delivers added convenience.

By simplifying the process of finding and implementing a robust payment solution, businesses can better serve and retain their customers and manage their own cash flow while providing a safe and secure experience.

Nadine Pyter, Vice President of Marketing, oversees PaySimple‘s brand, product marketing and growth strategies. Nadine is passionate about connecting people with products and services that will transform their lives for the better. With over 15 years of experience marketing technology products, Nadine brings her expertise in high-growth strategies and won numerous marketing awards including the BMA Best in Show and Best B2B Marketing Strategy 2013 and Deloitte Technology Fast 500 in 2012 and 2013. Nadine has a B.A. in Sociology and Journalism from  and is Pragmatic Marketing certified.