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Explaining Frictionless Payment And Its Impact on Digital Business

Explaining Frictionless Payment And Its Impact on Digital Business

In the digital age, customers expect a smooth and stress-free payment experience. 

Unfortunately, too many businesses get it wrong regarding the checkout process, often leading to cart abandonment.

Explaining Frictionless Payment And Its Impact on Digital Business

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Recent research suggests that average cart abandonment across all industries is 69.82%. However, adopting a frictionless payment strategy could be the key to decreasing cart abandonment and boosting conversions. 

This short guide will explain frictionless payment and its impact on digital business. 

What exactly is frictionless payment? 

Frictionless payments simplify the buying process so that minimal effort is required during transactions. In other words, there’s less potential friction involved. 

A frictionless payment process should fulfill these criteria: 

  • Reduce checkout waiting times. 
  • Optimized checkout process with minimal steps required for completion. 
  • Intuitive experience that’s easy for the customer and seller to use. 
  • Reduces frustrating aspects such as remembering pin codes. 

Frictionless payments are on the rise; common uses include mobile payments (mobile can also be used for mobile invoicing), digital wallet payments, contactless payments, one-click payments, and auto-renew subscription payments. 

What is the impact of frictionless payment on digital business?

The digital transformation has improved many business processes by making them efficient and stress-free. From ad hoc testing in software development to API legacy systems in insurance industry, there’s a tech solution for most processes. 

Frictionless payments are the same. Keeping customers satisfied with an optimized payment process could lead to increased conversions and lower cart abandonment. It’s a win-win for everyone involved– the buyer and the seller. 

Here are some ways frictionless payments help businesses. 

Decrease cart abandonment

In 2021, 81.08% of website users abandoned their carts in retail, fashion, travel, and utilities. A time-consuming and complicated checkout process is often the reason customers get frustrated and leave. 

Luckily, frictionless payments keep the whole process smooth and hiccup-free to prevent cart abandonment. 

Increase customer satisfaction

Frictionless payments help keep customers satisfied throughout the checkout process by reducing the input required. 

No one wants to be asked repeatedly to input their details for a repeat order. Have customers who need to renew their subscription? These things shouldn’t slow the customer down. Frictionless payment methods like auto-renew and auto-fill make it light work for both parties.  

Greater Security

Protecting yourself online is important, and digital payments can help. 

Not only do online sellers no longer need access to your bank card, digital frictionless payments come with a unique digital signature making them more secure. 

This goes one further for iOS and Android users who have the option to use a fingerprint for added security. 

PayTabs frictionless payment service

PayTabs’ SwitchOn® platform offers unrivaled capabilities, value, and flexibility to established financial institutions, Fintech’s and merchants in the MENA region.

Find out how PayTabs can help you here

Emily RollwitzEmily Rollwitz – Content Marketing Executive, Global App Testing
Emily Rollwitz is a Content Marketing Executive at Global App Testing, a remote and on-demand app testing company helping top app teams deliver high-quality software and get good app store ratings anywhere in the world. She has 5 years of experience as a marketer, spearheading lead generation campaigns and events that propel top-notch brand performance. Handling marketing of various brands, Emily has also developed a great pulse in creating fresh and engaging content. She’s written for great websites like Airdroid and SME News. You can find her on LinkedIn.

7 Best Payment Gateways for eCommerce Websites in UAE

7 Best Payment Gateways for eCommerce Websites in UAE

The growth of e-commerce has exploded in the past few years in all parts of the world. UAE alone saw a record $3.9 billion in eCommerce sales in 2020. It constituted 10% of the total retail sales of UAE. While this significant growth is attributed to digitization and the pandemic, another integral reason is the emergence of safe and secure payment methods. Whether you have an online start-up or an offline store, both need quick, safe, and no-touch payment methods. This is where eCommerce payment gateways come into the picture. In this blog, we will discuss all about payment gateways, their benefits, the best 7 payment gateways for ecommerce in UAE, and factors to consider while selecting one for your website.

About Payment Gateways

In simple words, a payment gateway is a technology that helps transfer your money to the merchant’s account on the successful purchase of a product/service. This happens with a secure transfer of data from the customer to their bank, card services, and then the merchant. Payment gateways for eCommerce websites are highly secure and available 24*7*365. People from all corners of the world can use them to make payments. This is also why all online stores are integrating one into their websites and apps these days.

Best 7 Payment Gateways in UAE

1. PayTabs

Established in 2014, PayTabs is known for its quick payment processing and stellar fraud prevention system. Its innovative and agile solutions have enabled businesses to process payments securely. PayTabs’ security has been recognized by both Visa and Mastercard and made it a popular payment gateway provider in UAE.

Features

  • Omnichannel payment solutions
  • Simple onboarding process and documentation
  • Stellar merchant dashboard with all the information on one screen
  • 360 payment processing capabilities

PayTabs has a straightforward pricing system. It offers 3 plans: a start-up plan, a growth plan, and an enterprise plan. The start-up plan is perfect for early-stage companies and has a fixed monthly service fee. The growth plan helps drive sales and offers great value. The enterprise plan is for businesses looking to expand on a greater scale.

2. Telr

Telr’s state-of-the-art security and real-time monitoring have made it one of the top payment gateways in UAE. You can integrate Telr into your website in 5 different ways. It offers multiple currencies and operates in more than 100 countries.

Features

  • Easy payment processing and supports business scaling
  • Anti-fraud protection is available
  • PCI DSS Level 1 certified
  • Highly responsive and customisable

Telr has 3 pricing plans to cater to businesses and people in different stages. All these plans include all its features. The first plan is a start-up plan which is ideal for early-stage businesses and requires only a setup fee. The second plan is SME which is ideal for small and medium enterprises. The third plan is SME plus which is suitable for bigger organisations.

3. Amazon Payment Services

Previously known as Payfort, it was acquired by Amazon in 2020 and renamed as Amazon Payment Services. The platform is reliable, minimises transaction risks, and accelerates the influx of revenue. This payment gateway in UAE is tailored to meet the needs of different businesses and help you in building better relationships with your customers.

Features

  • Supports payment acceptance and business growth
  • Offers industry insights service
  • Available in 8 countries
  • Offers pay in instalment service to customers
  • Monitors business performance

Amazon payment services offer a standard plan and customised plan. The standard plan has a fixed monthly account management fee and requires no setup fee. The customised plan is tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients, and prices differ accordingly.

4. CCAvenue

Based in India, CCAvenue is one of the popular payment gateway providers in UAE. What makes CCAvenue an attractive option for businesses of all sizes is its 24*7 on-call support and fraud prevention.

Features

  • Omnichannel payment platform
  • Multiple currency processing
  • Smart dynamic routing
  • Easy integration and customisation

CCAvenue charges no setup fee for its basic plan, and the maintenance fee varies as per the plan chosen by the client. The start-up pro plan is suitable for new and small businesses as it charges no setup fee and minimal maintenance and transaction fee. The privilege plan is customisable, and charges vary as per your requirements.

5. Checkout

Popular for its seamless transactions, Checkout is an eCommerce payment gateway that provides a variety of customisable plans to support specific markets. It is a leading international payment gateway because of its stellar user experience, simple setup, and multiple integration methods.

Features

  • Multiple integration methods
  • Exceptional user experience
  • Efficient management of risk and fraud
  • Performance monitoring

Checkout offers highly customisable payment solutions tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. You can get in touch through their website for specific details.

6. Stripe

Stripe is known for its innovative solutions for payment processing, fraud prevention, and finance management. It supports more than 135+ currencies and supports revenue optimisation.

Features

  • More than 135+ currencies
  • Supports increasing authorisation rates
  • Multiple integration options

Stripe offers 2 pricing plans: integrated and customised. The integrated plan has no setup and monthly fee and has pay-as-you-go pricing.

7. 2Checkout

Established in 2006, 2Checkout is another popular eCommerce payment processor with presence in over 200 countries. Apart from processing payments in multiple currencies, the platform supports business and revenue growth.

Features

  • Supports almost all eCommerce platforms
  • Risk management and compliance
  • Accelerates time-to-market

2Checkout offers 3 pricing plans: 2Sell, 2Subscribe, and 2Monetize. All three plans offer the option of paying only when sales begin. The setup cost is slightly higher than other platforms, but the multiple benefits are worth it.

Factors to Consider While Selecting a Payment Gateway

Before selecting a payment gateway, ask the following questions.

  • Is your gateway internationally accepted?

An internationally accepted eCommerce payment gateway supports your expansion plans and helps you reach a wider customer base. However, if you plan on keeping your business local, a local payment gateway is ideal.

  • Does it offer the payment options your users prefer?

Define your target audience before looking for payment gateways. Research their preferred payment methods and then select the gateway that offers them.

  • What kind of user experience does it offer?

Using a payment gateway in UAE is essential to building customer experience and loyalty. Test the user experience well before integrating a gateway into your business.

  • Is it cost-effective?

A cost-effective payment gateway will help you stay in business longer and manage even when sales are rough. Determine the setup, maintenance, and transaction fee and check for hidden costs.

  • Is the integration process smooth?

Payment gateways for eCommerce websites that offer a hassle-free and simple integration process should be preferred over others. However, remember that customized plans require more effort and resources than normal ones.

  • What other services does it offer?

Payment gateway providers generally provide several other services, such as business growth, customer insights, and fraud prevention. Determine your requirements and see if your preferred gateway offers them.

The eCommerce payment gateways we have listed in this blog are all popular in UAE and each comes with its own sets of benefits. So, do a bit of research, weigh the pros and cons of each, compare and then choose the one that fulfils your criteria and suits your needs the best.

Paymes: The Best Social Commerce Platform For Freelancers

Paymes is a one-stop platform for freelancers from where you can process your payment transactions for any product or service you sell. Paymes not only process your payment transactions but provides freelancers with an option to create a customized shop where you can showcase your products and services.

According to studies, the most common issues freelancers and small businesses face are representing their services and receiving payments from clients. About 82 percent of small businesses suffer from cash flow issues. With Paymes, freelancers can overcome both of their challenges.

Let’s look at some of the amazing features of Paymes, which make it one of the best social commerce platforms for freelancers.

1.  Easy Access

About 90 percent of freelancers work from home and often deal with clients at odd times. According to a survey, 56 percent of freelancers face challenges while accessing their laptops when their clients contact them in urgency. They are unable to send them payment links and cannot represent their product details right at the moment.

Paymes can be accessed through your mobile and are available on the store for Android and iOS users. Simply download the App, and you can enjoy similar features as on the desktop. The App guarantees complete security of your data, and the data is encrypted in transit.

Furthermore, you can analyze your sales with a user-friendly dashboard, and payment links can be easily shared across social media networks.

Paymes: The Best Social Commerce Platform For Freelancers

You can download mobile apps using the below links:

For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.paymes.app

For IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/paymes/id1612045979

2.  Customized Product Options

With customized options, Paymes offer a variety of features with its shop. You can simply create your own shop with a few simple steps. Customize the theme according to your services and products and share it with the clients.

Paymes is supported by Facebook, and you can promote your shop products on more than ten social media platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp.

Paymes: The Best Social Commerce Platform For Freelancers

Simply set up your shop, add product pictures and details, set up the background of your shop and share it with the clients.

3.  Zero Set Up Fees & No Hidden Charges

As rightly said by hbr.org, it’s time to ban hidden charges. Another major concern freelancers suffer from is hidden charges and huge transaction fees charged by payment processing companies. Freelancers are unable to make the proper calculations, and often they sell their services without earning the profit they deserve.

However, this is not the case with Paymes. There are no registration fees. It is completely free with zero hidden charges. Paymes know what freelancers have to suffer from. Hence they have kept a transparent transaction fee of 2.9 percent in Suadi Arabia and UAE and 2.5 percent + 2EGP in Egypt.

Paymes: The Best Social Commerce Platform For Freelancers

We will explore some more features of Paymes in the next part of this article.

Claudia JeffreyClaudia Jeffrey
Claudia Jeffrey is currently a Manager of R&D at Crowd Writer UK She has been working as a Freelancer for the past 11 years and has served several clients worldwide. In her leisure time, she tries new recipes and travels across the globe to explore the nature of Earth.

Payment Process Improvements: A Freelancer's Guide to Invoicing And Digital Payments

The digital revolution has seen millions of people become freelancers. 

In a recent study of over 4,000 professionals from across the MENA region 9 out of 10 said they are either already working freelance or plan to do so.

Once fantasy but now a reality, escaping the 9-5 seems accessible to anyone. With the population increasingly becoming computer whizzes who know the difference between spectre vs specter, the freelance world is ready for a change. 

The problem is, not all freelancers have experience managing their own income, especially when it comes to invoicing and digital payments. 

Let’s now explore invoicing and digital payments so you can feel confident freelancing in the digital world. 

Invoicing for freelancers

Invoicing can be stressful. You’ve done all the hard work, but your client still hasn’t sent the money. Sound familiar? 

Often, a gentle reminder is enough, but sometimes the problem lies with missing details on the invoice itself. Include the following to avoid giving clients an excuse to pay late: 

  • Issue date and due date. 
  • An invoice number. 
  • Your name/name of your business. 
  • Your contact details. 
  • Your client’s name and address. 
  • Method of payment. 
  • Payment details. 
  • Detailed line items. 
  • Make sure the invoice fulfills your quote, Pandadoc quoting software is useful here. 
  • Payment terms and conditions, including late payment stipulations. 

A digital invoicing service like PayTabs helps you build the perfect invoice and set up recurring invoices to save hassle. 

Not only does this make life easy for you and your client, it displays professionalism and gives you a digital record of all previous invoices in one place. 

Digital payments for freelancers

Digital payments are cashless, contactless, and paperless, and are usually made over the internet. For freelancers and clients, the security, convenience, and speed of digital payments can make them the perfect solution. 

Although most banks allow digital payments, the process is usually slow and frustrating. Why should you have to wait ‘up to 10 days’ for your money? A better option that gives you greater control is a digital payment gateway like PayTabs. 

The benefits and features include of a digital gateway service include: 

  • 24-hour onboarding. 
  • Pay over social media using PayLinks. 
  • Customized reports. 
  • Enhanced customer experience. 
  • Integration with Shopify, Magneto, and more.
  • 24/7 support. 
  • Funds in your account within 24 hours.
  • Access to invoicing, accounting, and logistics services. 
  • Mobile friendly. 

These features offer greater control and functionality compared to traditional banking methods. It’s why digital gateway services are ideal for freelancers. 

PayTabs: invoicing and digital payments made easy 

PayTabs is the perfect all-in-one digital payment solution for freelancers. Find out more about PayTabs Social Commerce platform for freelancers here.

Emily RollwitzEmily Rollwitz – Content Marketing Executive, Global App Testing
Emily Rollwitz is a Content Marketing Executive at Global App Testing, a remote and on-demand app testing company helping top app teams with continuous integration (CI) and deliver high-quality software, anywhere in the world. She has 5 years of experience as a marketer, spearheading lead generation campaigns and events that propel top-notch brand performance. Handling marketing of various brands, Emily has also developed a great pulse in creating fresh and engaging content. She’s written for great websites like Airdroid and SME News. You can find her on LinkedIn.

Fintech's Emerging Role in The Gig Economy: What You Need to Know

With the increasing digitization of business, the freelance gig economy has seen considerable growth over recent years. 

In Egypt alone there are some 14 million gig workers and numbers are rising across the MENA region.

Unfortunately, traditional financial methods aren’t tailored for the modern digital gig economy. Banks are often unwilling to provide services for freelancers, even high earners with different and sporadic income streams. This makes it difficult for freelancers to open accounts and apply for loans, insurance, and other financial services. Launching your very first online store or freelancing career shouldn’t be this hard.  

But luckily, with the rise of Fintech, a new financial solution for the digital era is here. 

The emergence of Fintech in the gig economy 

Fintech solutions bridge the gap and provide workers in the gig economy an alternative financial system. 

Gig workers can earn more than 9-5 ‘traditional’ workers, making it seem unfair that banks view them as a risk. 

Why should a hard-working freelancer have trouble finding medical cover, obtaining a mortgage, or setting up a bank account to pay their bills just because they prefer to freelance?

Banks fail to acknowledge key data about the activities of freelancers and their true potential. But that’s where Fintech solutions come in. 

Fintech businesses are uniquely positioned to provide a vital service to millions of gig workers while closing the gap on traditional payment services. Ultimately, both gig workers and Fintech businesses benefit from this arrangement. Gig workers gain access to flexible payment solutions, cheaper fees, optimization, and application integration, while Fintech businesses gain a client base of low-risk freelancers. It’s a win-win. 

AI and machine learning are revolutionizing the Fintech financial game by giving insights into gig workers and calculating the risks involved. Unlike brick-and-mortar stores of the past, financial software also goes through constant tests, like a regression test, to ensure you’re always getting the best service. 

By using pools of data to make smarter decisions, Fintech businesses can provide a more tailored and optimized service that puts users first. Furthermore, by providing a solid service, they spend less on customer acquisition as their reputation grows.  

PayTabs social commerce platform

Paymes serves as PayTabs social commerce platform across the MENA region. Members of the gig economy will be able to receive instant payments over social media platforms, for any services they render.
The micro merchant community will benefit from being able to turn their talent and creativity into payments instantly. Countries Currently Supported include UAE, KSA & Egypt
Find out how PayTabs social commerce platform can help you: here

Emily RollwitzEmily Rollwitz – Content Marketing Executive, Global App Testing
Emily Rollwitz is a Content Marketing Executive at Global App Testing, a remote and on-demand app testing company helping top app teams on how to build an android app from scratch and deliver high-quality software, anywhere in the world. She has 5 years of experience as a marketer, spearheading lead generation campaigns and events that propel top-notch brand performance. Handling marketing of various brands, Emily has also developed a great pulse in creating fresh and engaging content. She’s written for great websites like Airdroid and SME News. You can find her on LinkedIn.