Offer the payment methods your customers actually use

For e-commerce merchants, “payment methods” aren’t a settings page—they’re a growth lever. The mix you offer determines whether shoppers trust you, how fast checkout feels, and ultimately whether they convert. The right setup mirrors how your customers already prefer to pay—by region, device, and context—so you reduce drop-offs and boost repeat purchases.

Below is a practical guide by customer segment, plus a quick checklist to get yours right. If you’re unsure which provider covers the methods you need, Take the Test on PaySelect and get a tailored shortlist in minutes.

Why payment methods matter

• Conversion: Familiar options reduce friction at the decisive moment.
• Trust & brand fit: Local rails and wallets signal “we’re for you.”
• Cost & approval rates: Right rails often mean better authorization and lower total cost.
• Mobile UX: One-tap wallets (biometric) beat typing card numbers—especially on phones.

Match methods to your customers

If you have Chinese customers

• Must-haves: UnionPay cards and WeChat Pay.
• Also consider: Alipay (widely used in mainland China).
• Why it matters: Many Chinese shoppers prefer domestic rails and super-app wallets; offering them can materially lift approvals and trust.

If your customers are in Europe and the US

• Frictionless checkout: Apple Pay and Samsung Pay for one-tap, biometric authorization. (Add Google Pay where Android share is high.)
• Keep cards simple: Tokenized cards, stored credentials, and clear support for debit/credit.
• Extras to consider: Pay-by-link, subscriptions, and popular APMs (e.g., PayPal in some niches) if they fit your audience.

If your focus is GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council)

• Saudi Arabia: mada (the national card scheme) is essential for local conversion; enable Apple Pay on mada. Consider STC Pay (wallet) and BNPL where relevant.
• UAE: Strong mobile share—prioritize Apple Pay, Samsung/Google Pay, and local cards; payment links and invoicing are widely used for services.
• Other GCC rails (as relevant): KNET (Kuwait), BenefitPay (Bahrain), NAPS (Qatar), OmanNet (Oman)—add where your demand is concentrated.
• Cross-border: If you pay suppliers abroad or sell regionally, ensure your provider supports multi-currency pricing, FX, and regional settlement.

Beyond geography: align to your model

• Marketplaces / subscriptions / SaaS: Need strong recurring billing, stored credentials, retries, and clear mandate management.
• High-ticket or B2B: Payment links, invoicing, and bank transfer options can lower fees and fit buyer workflows.
• COD replacement: Wallets and BNPL can nudge customers away from cash with faster, confirmed orders.
• Fraud vs. friction: Use 3DS exemptions/smart routing where allowed to keep security high and UX smooth.

Implementation tips (so it actually works)

• Choose providers by coverage, not logos. One gateway rarely wins everywhere—ensure the ones you shortlist truly support your target methods (including testing in your markets).
• Optimize the order of methods. Put your customers’ favorites first and hide rarely used options behind “More methods.”
• Mobile-first checkout. One screen, auto-fill, and wallet buttons at the top.
• Measure what matters. Track authorization rate by method, drop-off step, refund/chargeback rates, and cost per successful order.
• Iterate quarterly. Customer mixes shift; so should your methods and routing.

Quick checklist

• I know my top customer geographies and device mix
• I’ve enabled the must-have local rails/wallets for those regions
• My checkout shows Apple Pay/Samsung/Google Pay prominently on mobile where relevant
• My provider supports the methods I need today and the ones I’ll add next
• I track conversion and approvals by method and review quarterly

Find the right provider—fast

Not every provider supports every rail or wallet—and support can vary by country and use case. Take the Test on PaySelect to answer a few questions about your business; our matching algorithm recommends providers that cover your customers’ preferred payment methods—whether that’s UnionPay/WeChat Pay for Chinese buyers, Apple Pay/Samsung Pay for US/EU shoppers, or mada and local wallets across the GCC.

PaySelect (set up in DIFC) is provider-agnostic and free for merchants. We help you compare options, make introductions to onboarding teams, and get live faster with the right payment methods from day one.

Have questions or want help deciding?
📧 support@payselect.ae | 🌐 payselect.ae

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