What payment options are available on these platforms

I’m building an online store, and I’m trying to decide between using Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace. I’m mainly selling handmade jewelry, so I’m not dealing with huge volumes of inventory. One of my biggest concerns is payment processing. I need to know exactly what payment options each platform supports, including the transaction fees associated with each. I also need to know if I’m locked into using their specific processors or if I can connect my own merchant account (I already have one with Chase).
Specifically, for each platform, I want to understand:
* What payment gateways are natively integrated?
* Can I use third-party payment gateways, and if so, which ones? (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, etc.)
* What are the platform’s transaction fees in addition to the payment gateway’s fees? Are these fees lower on higher-tiered plans?
* Can I use my existing Chase merchant account?
* Are there any specific restrictions regarding what types of payments I can accept (e.g., international payments, recurring subscriptions, etc.)?
This information is crucial for me to accurately estimate my costs and choose the right platform for my business. Thanks!

Answer

Okay, here’s a detailed breakdown of payment options available on several popular platforms, broken down by category for clarity:

E-commerce Platforms (Selling Goods)

• Shopify:

  • Shopify Payments: This is Shopify’s own payment gateway and is often the most integrated and cost-effective option if available in your country. It typically supports:
    • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover (and others depending on region).
    • Shop Pay: Shopify’s accelerated checkout option, allowing customers to save their payment information for faster future purchases on any Shopify store.
    • Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Options like Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna are frequently integrated.
    • Local Payment Methods: Depending on the region, options like iDEAL (Netherlands), Bancontact (Belgium), Sofort (Germany), and others are available.
  • Third-Party Payment Gateways: Shopify integrates with a vast number of external payment gateways, providing flexibility:
    • PayPal: Standard PayPal, PayPal Express Checkout, PayPal Pay Later.
    • Authorize.net: Widely used in the US.
    • Stripe: Popular for its developer-friendly API and support for a wide range of payment methods.
    • Many more: Dozens of other gateways specific to different countries and regions.
  • Manual Payment Methods:
    • Bank Deposit/Transfer: Customers can make a direct bank transfer to the seller.
    • Cash on Delivery: (If offered by the seller)
    • Money Order

• Etsy:

  • Etsy Payments: Etsy’s primary payment system. Sellers are generally required to use it if it’s available in their location. Etsy Payments typically supports:
    • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover (and others).
    • PayPal: In some regions, PayPal may be a standalone option, even if Etsy Payments is enabled.
    • Etsy Gift Cards and Etsy Credits.
    • Apple Pay.
    • Google Pay.
    • Klarna (Buy Now, Pay Later – in select regions).
    • iDEAL (Netherlands).
    • Sofort (Germany, Austria).
  • PayPal (Standalone): In certain countries where Etsy Payments isn’t fully supported, PayPal might be the only available payment option.

• Amazon:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, China UnionPay (and others depending on the buyer’s location).
  • Amazon Pay: Allows customers to use the payment information stored in their Amazon account on third-party websites that accept Amazon Pay.
  • Amazon Store Card: A credit card specifically for Amazon purchases (in eligible regions).
  • Gift Cards: Amazon Gift Cards.
  • Buy Now, Pay Later: Options like Affirm are sometimes available for eligible products.
  • Checking Account (Direct Debit): In some regions.

• eBay:

  • Managed Payments: eBay’s primary payment processing system.
    • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover (and others).
    • PayPal: While eBay has transitioned to Managed Payments, PayPal is still often accepted.
    • Apple Pay.
    • Google Pay.
    • eBay Gift Cards.
    • Buy Now, Pay Later: Options like Afterpay and Klarna may be available.

Social Media/Creator Platforms

• YouTube:

  • YouTube Premium Subscription:
    • Credit or Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and others, depending on the region.
    • PayPal (in some regions).
    • Google Play balance (if you have funds in your Google Play account).
    • YouTube Gift Cards (where available).
  • Super Chat/Super Stickers (During Live Streams):
    • Credit or Debit Cards (linked to your Google account).
    • Google Play balance.
  • Channel Memberships:
    • Same as Super Chat/Super Stickers.

• Twitch:

  • Subscriptions (to individual channels):
    • Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and others.
    • PayPal.
    • Twitch Gift Cards.
    • Amazon Pay.
    • Paysafe Card (in some regions).
  • Bits (virtual currency to support streamers):
    • Amazon Pay.
    • Credit/Debit Cards.
    • PayPal.

• Patreon:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
  • PayPal.

• Facebook/Meta:

  • In-App Purchases (Games, etc.):
    • Credit/Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and others.
    • PayPal.
    • Facebook Credits (legacy system, being phased out).
    • Mobile Carrier Billing (in some regions).
    • Facebook Pay (for transactions within the Meta ecosystem).
  • Advertising:
    • Credit/Debit Cards.
    • PayPal.
    • Facebook Pay.
  • Marketplace (for buying items from individuals): Payment methods vary greatly depending on the seller and region. Options include:
    • Cash (in person).
    • PayPal.
    • Facebook Pay (where enabled).
    • Other payment apps (Venmo, Zelle, etc.).
    • Shipping with tracking and buyer/seller protection (where available).

Service-Based Platforms (Freelancing, etc.)

• Upwork:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover.
  • PayPal.
  • Bank Transfer (Direct to Local Bank – availability varies).
  • Payoneer.

• Fiverr:

  • Credit and Debit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express.
  • PayPal.
  • Fiverr Credits (earned on the platform).
  • iDEAL (Netherlands).
  • Sofort (Germany).

Important Considerations:

• Regional Availability: Payment options can vary significantly depending on the buyer’s and seller’s geographic locations. Not all methods are available in all countries.
• Fees: Each payment method has its own associated fees (transaction fees, processing fees, currency conversion fees, etc.). These fees are usually borne by the seller, but sometimes there may be additional cost to the buyer.
• Security: Always use secure payment methods and be cautious about sharing sensitive financial information. Look for SSL certificates ("https" in the website address) and reputable payment processors.
• Platform Policies: Each platform has its own policies regarding payment methods, refunds, and dispute resolution. Review these policies carefully before buying or selling.
• Seller Preferences: Even if a platform supports a certain payment method, individual sellers may choose not to accept it.
• Buyer Protection: Some payment methods (like credit cards and PayPal) offer buyer protection policies that can help you get a refund if you have a problem with a purchase.

This information is intended to be a general overview and may not be completely exhaustive. Always refer to the specific platform’s website or help documentation for the most up-to-date and accurate information.