This blog covers the roles of merchant acquirers vs. payment gateways, their differences, and how they work together to process secure transactions.

If you want to accept electronic payments, then you are going to need a merchant account - but how do you open one? Here’s our guide on how to open one up.

A merchant account is a specialised business account that allows companies to accept electronic payments, primarily through credit and debit cards.

Accepting online payments is essential for businesses of all sizes, whether that be an eCommerce store, digital services, products sold through social media, or something else entirely. Providing seamless payment options can enhance customer experience and boost sales. In this article, we take a look at the different ways to accept online payments and how to choose the best solution for your business.

Integrating a payment gateway is important for any business wishing to conduct online transactions securely and efficiently. Whether you’re operating an eCommerce store or providing other online services, a payment gateway integration means you can streamline payment processing, reduce transaction fees, and offer multiple payment methods, beyond just credit or debit cards, ensuring that your customers enjoy a smooth and secure transaction experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through what a payment gateway is and how to integrate a payment gateway into your website. It will also look at selecting the optimal payment gateway provider to execute a seamless implementation - ensuring you can process payments online with confidence.

The CBD industry is booming, but businesses operating in this space often face significant payment processing challenges. Due to regulatory uncertainties and the industry's classification as high-risk, many traditional banks and payment processors refuse to work with CBD merchants. That's where Cardflo comes in.

Accepting card payments is a must for small businesses in today’s cashless economy. Not only does it provide convenience to customers, but it can also boost sales by making transactions smoother and more accessible. For small business owners who are new to taking credit card payments, this comprehensive guide covers the essential steps to get started, from carefully choosing the right payment processor to gaining an in-depth understanding of costs and security requirements.

The subscription model powers industries from streaming to SaaS, offering stability but with challenges like high acquisition costs. Here’s a breakdown.

Many businesses offer their customers subscription or recurring payment models as an option for products or services that they regularly purchase.While they may seem similar business models, critical differences can impact how the two operate and how customers are billed. Understanding the differences between recurring and subscription payments is essential for companies seeking to adopt a suitable payment model for their business.

A high-risk industry refers to a business sector or enterprise with greater financial, operational, or legal risk than more mainstream industries.These industries, often classified as 'high-risk businesses' due to historical data and specific business practices, face stricter regulations, higher fraud rates, more complex payment processing needs, and more significant potential for financial instability.

Accepting recurring payments on your site can offer an array of benefits, from enhancing customer convenience to generating a steady cash flow for your business. Whether you offer subscription boxes or a membership service, recurring payments can help accept payments, streamline transactions and boost customer retention.

A recurring payment is an automated billing system where a customer authorises a business or service provider to charge their credit card, debit card, or bank account regularly for products or services. The payment occurs at consistent intervals for the same amount, often weekly, monthly, or annually, without the need for manual input from the customer each time it is made. Whether it's a monthly subscription to a streaming service, a gym membership, subscription box services, magazine subscriptions, or an insurance premium, the recurring payments business model have become an integral part of modern financial management.In this article, we will explore what recurring payments are, how they work, their benefits and their applications in everyday life.

A payment gateway is a key financial technology that acts as a bridge between a merchant’s online store and the payment service provider processing the customer’s payment.

Real time payment networks differ across the world. Each system has its own unique characteristics, but at the core payments infrastructure involves the same actors and operations within the payments infrastructure.

From April 2017 the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) introduced legalisation for large companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) to enforce reporting on payment practices. Each eligible company and LLP has a duty to report on payment policies, practices and performance every six months annually. The reporting requirement was introduced after many voices of concerns to the government about the detrimental impacts of thousands of companies after not being paid on time.

For businesses operating within high risk industries, a high risk merchant account and all of the benefits they provide is essential to accept credit and debit card payments, ensuring safe, secure and efficient business operations.There are many factors for high risk merchants to consider when opening one of these accounts. Each high risk industry has their own set of unique needs, in which some providers may be more accustomed to understanding than others.Cardflo is a merchant account provider offering merchant accounts for high-risk models.

For the ‘every day’ business owner, navigating the payments ecosystem can be a minefield – especially when distinguishing between a payment service provider and a payment processor. Both entities are required to coordinate online transactions, yet their roles and functionalities differ massively. Understanding their key differences and characteristics is essential for merchants who want to optimise their payment systems. This article dives into the nuances of ‘payment service provider vs payment processor', exploring both their unique contributions to the transactional process.

There were 2.05 billion debit and credit card transactions in the UK in April 2024. So, what part does a merchant acquirer play in payments? An acquirer is a financial institution that facilitates card payments for businesses. They act as an intermediary between the business, card networks, and banks. They are also often referred to as a merchant acquirer or an acquiring bank.

If you are business seeking efficient and secure payment solutions then electronic payments are a must. But navigating the roles of merchant acquirers and payment processors can be confusing. While these entities share similarities in facilitating electronic payments, they differ significantly in their regulatory requirements, payment process, relationship with merchants, pricing structures, and more.

Customers' frustration with the payments process in today’s digital economy is palpable, with 87% of consumers expressing dissatisfaction. The discontent highlights the incessant need for more streamlined and efficient payment systems. Payment gateways allow merchants to offer customers secure transactions with an array of choice – but is this enough?

In today’s digital age, merchant accounts are essential in facilitating seamless transactions for businesses across all sectors. But what exactly defines a merchant account and why are some considered to be high risk? Delving into the nuances of payment processing, we explore the intricacies of merchant accounts, shedding light on the factors that elevate their risk status.

In today’s cashless economy, businesses rely heavily on merchant accounts to process customer payments efficiently. These accounts serve as intermediaries between transactions and business bank accounts, accommodating various payment methods including credit & debit card transactions, and electronic transfers. With an increasing number of consumers opting for cashless transactions, the significance of merchant accounts has escalated.

In the ever-bustling world of commerce, the efficiency of payment processing can make or break a business. With the advent of technology, particularly in the realm of card payments, the landscape of financial transactions has undergone a remarkably innovative evolution of convenience.