Welcome to the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce in the United States.
The only thing changing faster than payment technology is consumer preferences – and it can be disorienting trying to keep up.
One of the most important things to ensure you secure a sale is giving consumers their preferred payment method. Nothing is as frustrating as going through the process of shopping online, selecting a product, adding it to the cart, only to get to the checkout and finding out your payment method isn’t supported.
With ThriveCart, you never need to worry: nearly all of the USA’s favored payment methods are supported, which means you’ll never have to lose a sale.
| TL:DR: ThriveCart lets you accept payments via PayPal and Stripe, which means customers can choose from any supported payment method. |
To succeed in the US ecommerce market, you need to offer a variety of payment options that cater to everyone’s needs and preferences. Some use their PayPal balance, others prefer credit cards. Then there’s the buy now, pay later crowd… the good news is, you can make everyone happy.
Let’s dive into each of these methods and discover key considerations when selling to consumers in the US.
Digital Wallets
Digital wallets have gained immense popularity in recent years. They are mobile applications or online platforms that allow users to store payment information in a secure way, allowing consumers to make transactions without having to enter card details every time.
In the US, digital wallets have become a preferred method for online shopping due to their convenience and security.
How Do Digital Wallets Work?
Digital wallets securely store your payment details, including your credit card number and expiry date, in a digital format. When customers initiate a transaction, they only need to enter a username and password, and the payment data is seamlessly inserted into the payment form. This not only eliminates the necessity of carrying physical credit cards or cash but also provides an additional layer of security by safeguarding personal information from potential fraud.
Leading Digital Wallets in America
PayPal: A truly global payment platform, PayPal remains a top choice in the USA. It supports multiple currencies and allows customers to link their bank accounts or credit cards for seamless payments.
Apple Pay: Apple’s digital wallet is widely used in the US, thanks to the prevalence of iOS devices. It offers secure, contactless payments in physical stores and online, making it a favorite among Apple users on iPhones and Apple Watches.
Google Pay: Google Pay is the next most popular digital wallet in the US. It integrates with Android devices such as smart watches, and gives buyers a streamlined checkout process.
Samsung Pay: Although primarily associated with Samsung smartphones, this digital wallet has gained ground in the US. It supports both NFC (Near Field Communication) and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) technologies.
What You Need to Know About Digital Wallets
Popular With Users: In 2020, there were approximately 2.8 billion mobile wallet users worldwide, and this number is expected to increase to over 4 billion by 2025, according to Juniper Research.
Security: Digital wallets prioritize data security above all else. Most wallets use tokenization – the process of replacing sensitive info with unique identification symbols – to protect sensitive info.
Mobile Optimized: Digital wallets are predominantly used on smartphones, which is why they work so well with ThriveCart’s mobile optimization.
Transaction Fees: Be aware of any transaction fees associated with digital wallet payments, as they can vary depending on the wallet and the region. PayPal is one of the more affordable options in the US.
Card Payments
Card Payments Are Always Popular
For a considerable time now, ecommerce in America has leaned heavily on the reliability and security of credit and debit card payments. Given that these cards have entrenched themselves into the daily lives of consumers all over the States, embracing card payments has become essential for running any online business.
Types of Card Payments
Credit Cards: Think Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. These cards are accepted virtually everywhere nowadays.
Debit Cards: Debit cards, which deduct funds directly from a customer’s bank account, are also commonly used for online shopping.
What You Need to Know About Card Payments
Payment Processors: Use only reliable, trustworthy payment processors for your customers’ transactions. Stripe and PayPal are popular options known for their security as well as their super-simple integration.
Payment Security: Credit and debit cards are widely known as being very safe forms of online payment. In recent years, American banks have upped their online security when it comes to protecting consumers from fraud.
Accepting Multiple Card Types: By using the aforementioned payment processors, your store can accept various card types, no matter where the customer lives.
PayPal
The International Giant
PayPal is one of the most popular payment solutions online, for good reason. It gives customers a secure way to pay for their products online without disclosing any card information to merchants.
Advantages of PayPal
Trust and Familiarity: American consumers trust PayPal, and its logo is synonymous with secure online transactions.
Buyer and Seller Protection: PayPal provides buyer and seller protection programs, which fosters trust for you as well as your customers.
Global Reach: PayPal supports multiple currencies, so you can sell all over the world.
What You Need to Know About PayPal
Fees: Be aware of PayPal’s transaction fees, which can vary based on the specific services you use.
Integration: Integrate PayPal seamlessly into your checkout process to offer a frictionless payment experience for customers.
Account Verification: Ensure that your PayPal account is verified to access advanced features and higher transaction limits.
Other Payment Methods
The Importance of Localization
While global payment methods are essential, don’t underestimate the power of other payment methods that may only be available in the US. Different countries often have unique preferences, and offering these options can significantly boost conversion rates.
Examples of Local Payment Methods
ACH: Automated Clearing House transfers are electronic money transfers that allow you to move money between bank accounts without having to make a deposit into a third-party service first.
Venmo: As a subsidiary of PayPal, Venmo integrates into the platform and helps you make payments from Venmo balances or linked bank accounts.
Crypto: Customers in the U.S. and U.S. Territories (excluding Hawaii) can pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash through PayPal.
| Want to offer different payment methods? PayPal supports Venmo as well as crypto such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, while PayPal and Stripe both support ACH. |
What You Need to Know About Local Payment Methods
Market Research: Identify the local payment methods preferred by your target audience in the USA if you aren’t familiar with them yourself.
Integration Challenges: If you choose to go the self-build route, it can be initially complex to add payment integrations to your platform. (Good news: with ThriveCart, that’s no longer a problem).
Take Crypto: With PayPal, you can accept popular cryptocurrencies as payments on ThriveCart.
Buy Now, Pay Later
The Rise of BNPL Services
There’s never been a better time to buy now, pay later (BNPL). This model allows customers to make purchases and spread the cost over several installments, often with no interest or fees.
Advantages of BNPL
Increased Conversion: BNPL options can lead to higher conversion rates as customers can more readily afford payments when the costs are spread.
Attracting Younger Shoppers: BNPL is popular with younger shoppers, which allows you to more effectively market to this demographic.
Reduced Cart Abandonment: BNPL can reduce cart abandonment rates – customers are more likely to check out if they can see that they can spread the cost.
Key Considerations for BNPL
Integration: Choose a BNPL provider that integrates seamlessly with your e-commerce platform. Buy Later is the BNPL service from PayPal which is popular in America.
Transparency: Clearly communicate the terms and conditions of BNPL options to customers to avoid any confusion. Don’t make your small print too tiny to read!
Apple/Google/Samsung Pay
The Mobile Payment Revolution
Mobile payment solutions like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay mean customers can now pay with a simple tap. These services provide a convenient and secure way to complete transactions online using their smartphones.
Benefits of Mobile Payment Solutions
Ease of Use: Mobile payment solutions mean people can pay while browsing on their phone, increasing the chance of impulse purchases.
Enhanced Security: These services use biometrics and tokenization for secure transactions.
Faster Checkout: Customers can complete purchases quickly without the need to enter card details.
What You Need to Know About Mobile Payment Solutions
Device Compatibility: Ensure that your e-commerce platform supports mobile payment solutions. (Hint: ThriveCart checkouts look amazing on mobile!)
More Sales: According to Statista’s Market Insights, mobile e-commerce sales reached $2.2 trillion in 2023 and now make up 60 percent of all e-commerce sales around the world.
ThriveCart Has PayPal and Stripe Built-In
In order for your business to be a roaring success in the States, you need to figure out how to offer a wide range of payment methods that will be popular with people across diverse regions, as well as include different payment methods to suit everybody’s needs and preferences.
Luckily, Stripe and PayPal have already done that for you.
With these payment platforms, you can provide your customers with multiple payment options that can lead to higher conversion rates and more profits. They are two of the leading payment providers on the globe, and with ThriveCart, you get to take advantage of them with a simple one-click integration.
All you need to do is choose which payment platform you want – or both! – and you’ll be able to take any form of payment listed here. When combined with payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal, ThriveCart is your number one solution to conquer ecommerce in the States.
How ThriveCart Helps Your Customers Pay:
Diverse Payment Options: ThriveCart supports various payment methods via Stripe and PayPal, including digital wallets, card payments, BNPL (buy now, pay later) and even the integration of crypto and local payment methods.
Security: ThriveCart takes security seriously and we ensure that transactions process securely, to help you build trust with your customers.
User-Friendly: We designed our checkouts to provide a seamless and user-friendly journey, reducing cart abandonment rates and increasing the chance that you make a sale.
Customization: You can tailor your ThriveCart themes to your brand’s look, add features and integrations and much more.
The American e-commerce landscape is dynamic and diverse, and consumers have high expectations of a variety of payment options. With ThriveCart, you can provide an assurance that your customers can securely make payments in their preferred way, be it through digital wallets, credit card payments, local payment methods, buy now and pay later services, or mobile payment solutions.
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