Choosing a payment system is one of the most important technical decisions for a business. It affects checkout conversion, payout speed, tax risks, and operational costs. A mistake at this stage can cost thousands of dollars in lost revenue.

Let’s break down three payment acceptance models and the selection criteria.

Three Payment Acceptance Models

1. Payment Gateway

You integrate a payment gateway directly. Money flows from the buyer through the gateway to your bank account. You’re responsible for everything: taxes, refunds, security, payer support.