Many people assume online payment is a button you plug into a site. In reality it is a contract with a payment provider, legal requirements and a technical integration. It is better to think about it at the start of development, not at the end.
What the options are
- Bank online payment (acquiring). The bank lets you accept card payments on your site. The customer pays on the bank's secure page, and you receive the confirmation.
- E-wallets. Local wallets such as Idram and Telcell are widely used in Armenia, and they suit customers who already use them.
- Cash on delivery. Simple and familiar, but it raises the risk of cancellations and uncollected orders.
- Invoice (bank transfer). Suitable when you deal with companies.
Which options and terms are available right now has to be confirmed with the bank or payment provider. They change, and we do not want to hand you out-of-date figures.
What to prepare
- A registered company or sole proprietor. Payment providers usually work only with registered businesses.
- A contract with the bank or provider. It can take days or weeks, so start early.
- The required pages on the site. Payment and delivery terms, a refund policy, contacts and company details. Banks check them before connecting you.
- HTTPS. You cannot take payments without it.
What to check
- What the commission is and when the money reaches your account.
- How refunds are handled.
- Whether the bank requires its own payment page or allows a form embedded in your site.
- What happens if a customer paid but closed the page before confirmation. The site must handle that case correctly.
- Test everything in test mode before real payments.
Security
Card details should not pass through your site: they are entered on the bank's page. That way you neither store them nor answer for them. If you are planning to connect payments to your site, write to us and we will help choose and connect a suitable solution.
