What makes the online shop future-proof?

Seamless integration of the payment site

 The seamless integration of payment into the existing shop system is essential for avoiding interruptions during purchases. This means that customers need to be able to complete the purchase in just a few clicks – without feeling like they are leaving the online shop. This is particularly crucial when they are making payments on mobile devices, as they would otherwise quickly lose patience and trust. Additionally, the payment solutions should be flexibly adapted for the retailers. It is important to be able to add individual payment options or languages, for example if the shop expands to a foreign country.

 The right mix of payment options

 Whether credit card, invoice or paydirekt – customers have different preferences. It is therefore pivotal to put together the right selection of options tailored to the business. Not every online retailer needs to offer all available payment methods. If business is done internationally, then country-specific payment options – for example iDeal in the Netherlands – should also be offered in addition to international credit card brands such as Mastercard and Visa. With the right mix and practical functions like one-click shopping, which enables customers to store their payment data once and pay with just one click, you can create the perfect conditions for successful online retail business.

 Innovative shop solutions

 It is also possible to offer products online without having to maintain an expensive conventional online shop. With the innovative Payengine One Page Shop, for example, merchants can set up a web shop with little effort and without special IT knowledge. For this option, the technology is already completely set up and payment is integrated – the design only needs to be customised. Solutions like these make it possible for any merchant to enter into the world of e-commerce.

 Mobile first

 Mobile commerce is indispensable in business today. More and more frequently, people shop in apps on their smartphones – and make payments in the same manner. Thanks to integrated payment options, users no longer have to go through complicated payment processes or switch from the app to the mobile browser. So anyone wanting to benefit from mobile commerce over the long term should invest in their own app. For this, in-app payment can be easily integrated via the corresponding interfaces.

 Future: omnichannel

 The lines separating retail sales channels are becoming increasingly blurred. Consumers expect to be able to order and return goods in various ways. So merchants should get ready for the future with omnichannel sales. Payment service providers offer complete solutions that make it simple. One example: Concardis Payengine already combines e-commerce and m-commerce into one invoice channel. Additionally, the entire software architecture of the payment platform is designed to completely reproduce omnichannel retail in future.

 Success in online retail can be significantly increased using these types of modern payment solutions. Without significant investment, small and large retailers alike can tap into the full potential of their business and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by digitisation.

This is how they are preparing for the future!

by Christoph Jung, Vice President eCommerce Competence Center at Concardis