What does payment API mean, and how can your business use it?

Have you come across the term “API” and felt uncertain of what it means? Perhaps you thought it was something reserved for tech experts and programmers.

However, APIs play a pivotal role in the realm of online shopping and are becoming increasingly common. Found at the core of many web and mobile applications, a payment API lays the groundwork for accepting payments.

It is instrumental for eCommerce sites to manage online transactions effectively, ensuring consistency, improved security and seamless integration across various digital business models.

In essence, APIs are reshaping the way customers shop. That’s why, regardless of how tech-savvy you are, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with them. To help you understand how they work, we’ve created this simplified guide explaining what payment APIs are, how to use them and what benefits they bring to merchants.

What does a payment API mean?

Let’s start with the basics: API stands for an application programming interface. It is a secure payment gateway— a software intermediary facilitating data transmission between two systems. 

In the payments industry, APIs play a crucial role in facilitating communication between various entities, such as the processor, gateway and eCommerce platform. This communication ensures that these components can seamlessly interact with each other. 

In more particular, a payment processor API integrates with your existing software, enhancing it with payment processing capabilities. It enables programs to interface and communicate, allowing merchants to effectively oversee and optimise the online purchase experience.

Employing APIs empowers businesses to streamline data exchange, ultimately boosting overall operational efficiency. Online payment APIs offer extensive customisation, enabling businesses to tailor their own infrastructure for transaction processing according to their specific needs.

Rather than adhering to a predefined setup, they provide the flexibility to design personalised credit or debit card processing configurations that align with the unique requirements of their business.

How does a payment API work?

Understanding how payment APIs work is vital for leveraging their capabilities efficiently. 

Put simply, a payment API connects a retailer’s website/mobile app with the payment processor used at checkout. It facilitates seamless communication between the software/program and the web server, initiating and managing the transaction.

The steps involved in the process include:

1. The process begins when a user initiates an action, such as making an online payment.
2. In response, an API call is triggered, instructing the program to carry out a specific function.
3. An API request is generated, encapsulating the necessary information for the desired transaction.
4. The triggered call acts as a mediator, facilitating communication between the program and the web server.
5. The web server processes the request, executes the necessary transaction and communicates the results back to the application.

APIs can automatically verify that a customer’s data is valid and up-to-date, detect and prevent fraudulent transactions and provide real-time data on transaction status and payment history.

Do you need a payment API for your online shop?

If you are looking to accept payments online, you’re a potential user of payment APIs. They’re not just for big corporations— they’re tools that businesses of all sizes can tap into to simplify online transactions and be more efficient.

Still unsure about the necessity of a payments API for your online store?

Then, explore the numerous benefits of employing such a payment gateway:

• Accept credit and debit card transactions and contactless methods with digital wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay;
• Customise checkout fields with actions and filters to meet your specific business needs;
• Provide flexibility in payment methods by incorporating bank payments and even recurring transactions, catering to a broader audience with diverse preferences;
• Initiate direct online payments to designated accounts based on predefined criteria, enhancing efficiency.
• Back your invoicing processes with the efficiency of APIs, ensuring accurate record-keeping.
• Seamlessly expand into new markets with all legal and compliance obligations taken care of by the payment gateway.

In essence, online payment APIs go beyond just processing transactions— they streamline payments and elevate user satisfaction. Additionally, they simplify the integration of new products and services into existing systems, as well as the expansion to new markets, significantly expediting the entire process for your online business.

How to set up a payment API

Generally, APIs are simple to use and easily accessible. Integrating a payment API into your web or mobile platform involves several steps, and it’s crucial to recognise that the process may vary based on your specific requirements and the chosen payment API provider.

Here are the steps to follow:

1. Choose a reputable payment API provider that aligns with your business needs.
2. Sign up for a business account with the selected payment processor to access necessary tools, documentation and credentials (such as API keys, secret keys, or access tokens).
3. Thoroughly review the documentation, which typically outlines API endpoints, request and response formats, authentication methods, and other crucial details.
4. Integrate the payment gateway software into your platform by writing code that follows the documentation’s specified requests.
5. Implement logic to handle responses from the program, like processing successful payments, managing errors and handling various transaction states.
6. Use the provided testing or sandbox environment to ensure correct transaction processing and to test under different scenarios.
7. Secure your integration by employing HTTPS for communication, safeguarding API keys and validating user inputs.
8. After successful testing, switch to the production environment to process real transactions.

Remember, as API integration involves handling sensitive financial information, prioritising security and compliance is essential. Always refer to the specific documentation provided by your chosen payment provider for accurate and detailed instructions tailored to their API.

How to choose the right payment API

Choosing a suitable payment API might seem overwhelming, especially if you are not tech-savvy, but it can become a doable task with the right considerations. 

Various API payment options are available, so take the time to research. This step can save you time and money and ensure the chosen software works seamlessly with your existing systems and technology.

Key features to look for

When evaluating payment APIs, it’s crucial to consider key features that can significantly impact your experience and the efficiency of your platform.

To make an informed choice, look for the following:

• Technical support: A good payment API should provide ongoing technical support. It includes helpful staff and well-written, regularly updated guides.
• Reliability: Check for reliable uptime to avoid disruptions when you need payment services the most.
• Updates: Ensure the software system receives relevant updates when needed.
• Security measures: Make sure there are strong security features, like using API keys and other protective measures, to keep access safe.
• Testing opportunities: Opt for software that offers testing opportunities, like a sandbox, so you can experiment before committing.

By considering these key features, you ensure that your chosen API not only meets your current needs but also adapts to future requirements, providing a secure, reliable and user-friendly checkout experience.

myPOS payment API

With myPOS Online Checkout, businesses can integrate a user-friendly payment API into their website or mobile app, facilitating the acceptance of online payments from major credit and debit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. 

This hosted payment gateway eliminates the need to navigate complex PCI compliance requirements, allowing merchants to focus on their core business activities. Customers’ data is treated with utmost care and securely stored on servers to prevent exposure to compromise.

When using myPOS Online Checkout, users are temporarily redirected to a secure hosted payment page. The payment gateway handles and guides the customer during the process, checks the card data and processes the transaction through the given card scheme (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay and Bancontact).

Moreover, you have the flexibility to test the software before making it live, ensuring a smooth and secure transition. There are no monthly or hidden fees and no long-term contracts.

Which is the easiest-to-use payment API?

The ease of use and integration are crucial, impacting your user experience and implementation time. Avoiding complex integration processes is vital to prevent unnecessary expenses.

Opt for a user-friendly payment API with clear documentation, sample code and tutorials. It streamlines the setup, facilitates integration with other tools and enables seamless scalability as your business expands.

While payment getaways, in general, are straightforward, our advice is to seek API client libraries with easy-to-understand code in common programming languages, saving time and effort on complex coding structures.

Additionally, your provider should ideally offer an SDK (software development kit) for easy API sandbox setup, commonly a REST API. If it’s simple to set up and integrate with third parties and business tools, your provider can likely scale up with your growing business.

Wrapping up 

A payment API is a software, a form of payment gateway, which facilitates data exchange and helps websites and mobile applications accept payments online. It enhances business efficiency with various benefits like improved customer experience, faster transaction processing and increased security. 

For eCommerce sites aiming to establish a robust payment ecosystem using reliable online payment APIs, it’s crucial to consider several factors when selecting the ideal provider. With some research, finding the right payment API provider for your needs becomes straightforward, allowing your business to grow and scale sustainably.

Frequently asked questions

Do online payment APIs support online recurring payments?

Yes, APIs enable business owners to set up and manage recurring payments for when they need to charge customers regularly, such as for services like subscriptions. Payment gateway software is particularly useful for such cases as it automates the transaction process and saves valuable time and resources for the merchants.

Which types of businesses use payment API?

While APIs can be employed in all business types, they’re particularly common among online retailers or brick-and-mortar businesses with online stores. Even individual business owners, like freelancers or consultants, increasingly use such software tools on their websites for online payments.

Website-building tools often include online payment APIs as optional features, enabling businesses, big or small, to use them. This is thanks to the “plug-and-play” technology, allowing website hosting companies to offer payment options without developing their own solutions.

Can I integrate multiple payment methods with a payment API?

Yes, most payment APIs support integration with a wide range of payment methods, including credit and debit cards, digital wallets and bank transfers. This versatility allows you to cater to diverse customer preferences and expand your market reach by offering the preferred payment method of your customers.