What’s the point of having an ordering website if it doesn’t accept payments? We’re not asking. That’s the question that goes through a consumer’s mind as they move on to the next website. From ordering take out to shopping for toilet paper, customers not only want to buy online, they want to pay that way, too.
The benefits of an online ordering site are different for merchants than they are for customers. That’s why, if we asked you that question, you’d have plenty of ready answers. And heck, we don’t even have to ask. We know. We get it! It’s a more efficient way to receive and manage orders that streamlines your business, improving accuracy and customer satisfaction (among many other things).
But for consumers, an ordering site without online payment is like an ATM that doesn’t dispense cash. Sure, members can manage their accounts, check balances, and transfer money, but they still have to go inside the bank to get a twenty dollar bill.
For years now, every business from the mom-and-pop corner store to the super-mega mart accepts credit and debit cards. To be competitive and stay that way, businesses have to offer the same convenience online. It’s one more element of the customer experience online.
Offering online payment options is not without its cost—there are fees involved—but it’s just the cost of doing business in today’s world. Think of it this way: If you receive more orders because you offer more payment options, it won’t be long until it pays for itself. And there are more than just customer benefits; it’s helpful for merchants as well. For one, merchants can make sure they get paid before delivering goods and services.
What is the point of having an ordering site without online payment options? It’s best to leave that question unasked. The good news is, next week we’ll be announcing a new solution coming out of R&D that will make providing online payment options both easier and more cost effective than ever. Stay Tuned!