Understanding BigCommerce Payment Gateways
BigCommerce payment gateways are the backbone of any eCommerce store, serving as the online services or software that process payments for BigCommerce stores. They play a crucial role in ensuring secure payment processing and connecting customer payment information with the vendor’s bank account. These gateways ensure smooth transactions, making it easier to run your BigCommerce store efficiently.
BigCommerce payment gateways offer convenience, security, and a variety of payment options crucial for successful eCommerce transactions. They ensure that payments are processed securely and enhance customer satisfaction by providing a smooth transaction experience.
Reliable security measures, such as encryption and fraud detection, protect customers’ personal and financial information, further building trust and confidence in your online store.
Top BigCommerce Payment Gateway Options
Selecting the best payment gateways for your BigCommerce store is a critical decision that can significantly impact your business’s success. Five widely used BigCommerce payment gateways are PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Pay, Authorize.Net, and Square. Each of these options brings unique features and benefits that cater to different business needs and customer preferences.
Selecting the right payment gateway enables smooth transactions and enhances customer satisfaction. A flexible payment gateway can cater to a wider customer base, building smoother transactions as your business grows and allows you to accept payments.
Let’s dig into the specifics of each of these top payment gateways.
PayPal
PayPal is a household name in online payments, recognized for its global reach, security, and reliability. It also powers BigCommerce Payments, which BigCommerce recommends for new US stores. Its easy-to-use interface and fast transaction handling make it a preferred choice among eCommerce businesses.
One of the significant advantages of PayPal is its support for payments in 130+ currencies, enabling global transactions with an international payment gateway. In the US, PayPal Checkout costs 3.49% + $0.49 per transaction and standard card processing 2.99% + $0.49 (PayPal's merchant fees page, October 2026). PayPal offers a secure and efficient payment processing solution, enhancing the overall checkout experience for customers.
Stripe
Stripe stands out due to its flexibility and extensive customization options, making it a favorite among developers and businesses alike. Its user-friendly interface and developer-friendly tools allow for easy configuration of features like credit card autofill and eCommerce cart integrations.
The transaction fee for Stripe is 2.9% + $0.30 per successful card charge, which aligns with industry standards. Stripe’s reliable API enables businesses to tailor the payment gateway to their specific needs, ensuring a smooth checkout experience for customers.
Amazon Pay
Amazon Pay simplifies the payment process by allowing customers to use their Amazon account to complete transactions. The convenience of Amazon Pay simplifies the checkout experience, making it both user-friendly and efficient.
The credibility and trust associated with Amazon as a leading online retailer make Amazon Pay an attractive payment option for BigCommerce merchants. Integrating Amazon Pay enhances the checkout process, providing customers with a familiar payment method.
Authorize.Net
Authorize.Net is a reliable payment gateway known for its reliable transaction services and advanced security features. Its fraud detection suite includes velocity and IP address filters, and its hosted payment form (Accept Hosted) can keep a store eligible for the shortest PCI questionnaire, SAQ A.
Moreover, Authorize.Net supports a variety of payment methods, including card payments and e-checks online, plus contactless payments in person.
Square
Square offers a versatile payment solution that caters to both online and in-person sales. It is especially well-suited for small businesses with low volume sales. Online payments cost 2.9% + 30¢ on its paid plans and through its API, and 3.3% + 30¢ on the free plan.
Square also incorporates reliable security measures such as PCI compliance and end-to-end encryption. These features make it a secure and reliable payment gateway option for eCommerce businesses.
Clarity Payment Hub
Clarity Payment Hub is not a gateway: it connects the gateway you choose to your ERP. It works with 19+ gateways and processors, including Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, Authorize.Net, Square and Amazon Pay, so payments from your BigCommerce store and from invoices post to the right records in the ERP. It adds a customer payment portal, ACH and Level 3 card data; see payment gateway integration.
How BigCommerce Payment Gateways Work
BigCommerce payment gateways act as intermediaries that enable the transfer of payment data from customers to the payment processor. These gateways authorize transactions, process payments, and ensure data security throughout the process.
The payment gateway encrypts customer payment information before transmitting it to the processor for verification. Upon successful verification, the funds are temporarily held before being transferred to the merchant’s account. This efficient process ensures fast and secure transactions, enhancing the overall customer experience.
Working out how this fits your setup?
Tell us how you take payments today and which gateway and ERP you run. We'll walk through what Payment Hub would change end-to-end, against a sandbox of your own system.
Key Considerations for Choosing a BigCommerce Payment Gateway
Choosing the appropriate payment gateway is essential for your BigCommerce store’s success. It plays a significant role in how effectively you can process transactions. Factors such as processing fees, security features, supported payment methods, ease of integration, and customer support play a significant role in this decision.
Understanding your payment processing needs will help you choose the most suitable payment gateway for your business.
Processing Fees
When choosing a payment gateway, it’s essential to consider transaction, monthly, and setup fees. Check each provider's current pricing page: some add a cross-border fee for cards issued abroad (2Checkout adds 2%, for example).
Understanding these fees is crucial for making informed decisions and ensuring the profitability of your online store. Comparing processing fees among different payment gateways can help you select the most cost-effective option for your business.
Security Features
Security is a top priority for any payment gateway. Meeting PCI compliance standards is crucial to protect sensitive customer data. Incorporating trust signals like SSL certificates can further enhance customer confidence during checkout.
Payment gateways like PayPal and Authorize.Net offer advanced fraud detection mechanisms to enhance transaction security. These reliable security features build trust, leading to increased customer satisfaction and reduced chargebacks.
Supported Payment Methods
An ideal BigCommerce payment gateway supports various payment methods such as credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. Offering multiple payment options can significantly improve the shopping experience for your customers.
Additionally, providing multi-language and multi-currency options can attract international shoppers and broaden your market reach. This flexibility ensures that customers can use their preferred payment method, enhancing their overall shopping experience.
Integration Ease
Integration ease is a critical factor when choosing a payment gateway. A user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process ensure smooth integration. Custom integrations may require additional work and financial investments, so it’s important to consider these factors.
Ensuring a smooth integration can improve conversion rates and enhance the overall checkout experience.
Customer Support
Reliable customer support is crucial for resolving issues quickly and maintaining operational efficiency. Effective customer support helps merchants troubleshoot issues as they arise, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth payment processing.
Maintaining operational efficiency by providing necessary assistance and prompt solutions to payment gateway-related problems is vital for the success of your online store.
Steps to Add a Payment Gateway to Your BigCommerce Store
Adding a payment gateway to your BigCommerce store involves a few straightforward steps. First, access the Settings menu, navigate to Payments, and click on Online Payment Methods. From there, you can select from over 65 payment gateway integrations to enable online payments.
After selecting your desired gateway, you will be redirected to its setup page to enter the necessary credentials. Once configured, you can test the payment gateway setup by running a test order to ensure everything is working correctly.
The checkout page can display payment gateways in alphabetical order based on their type.
Enhancing Checkout Experience with BigCommerce Payment Gateways
Using BigCommerce payment gateways can significantly enhance customer convenience by ensuring fast and easy checkouts. Integrating multiple payment options, including digital wallets, can cater to diverse shopper preferences.
Mobile optimization is essential, as a poor mobile experience can lead to higher abandonment rates. Simplifying the checkout flow by minimizing steps and offering a single-page checkout can significantly reduce cart abandonment and improve the overall user experience.
Make the Most of Available Payment Gateways
Choosing the right BigCommerce payment gateway is vital for providing a smooth and secure checkout experience. PayPal, Stripe, Amazon Pay, Authorize.Net, and Square are among the most widely used options, each offering unique benefits to suit different business needs.
By understanding how these gateways work, considering key factors such as processing fees and security features, and following the steps to integrate them into your store, you can optimize your payment processing. Enhance your checkout experience and ensure customer satisfaction by selecting the right payment gateway for your BigCommerce store.
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FAQ
What is a BigCommerce payment gateway?
A BigCommerce payment gateway is an online service that enables secure payment processing for BigCommerce stores, linking payment transactions to the vendor's bank account. This ensures a smooth and secure payment experience for both merchants and customers.
Why is PayPal a popular choice for BigCommerce stores?
PayPal's global reach, reliable security features, and ease of use make it a preferred payment option for BigCommerce stores. Its support for 130+ currencies further strengthens its appeal to online retailers.
What should I consider when choosing a payment gateway for my BigCommerce store?
When selecting a payment gateway for your BigCommerce store, prioritize processing fees, security features, supported payment methods, ease of integration, and the quality of customer support. These factors will significantly impact your overall business efficiency and customer satisfaction.
How do payment gateways enhance the checkout experience?
Payment gateways significantly enhance the checkout experience by enabling fast transactions and integrating various payment options, which simplifies the process. This ensures a more efficient and user-friendly experience, which is particularly beneficial for mobile users.
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Stephen Beer
Stephen Beer is a Content Writer at Clarity Ventures and has written about various tech industries for nearly a decade. He is determined to demystify HIPAA, integration, enterprise SEO, and eCommerce with easy-to-read, easy-to-understand articles to help businesses make the best decisions.