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Accept payments in ways that fit your business
Online payments help businesses accept money over the internet for a product or service. With Authorize.net, businesses can take payments through a website, app, or online store, and choose the setup that fits how they sell.
For many small businesses, that flexibility matters. Some need a full checkout page. Some want a simple payment button. Others take orders through a mobile device, over the phone, or by manual entry. The goal is the same: make it easier to process payments and create a better checkout experience for customers.
What online payments are
Online payments are digital transactions made through connected payment systems. When a customer buys something, they enter payment details and the payment system checks the transaction, returns a result, and starts moving the funds.
This process usually happens in seconds. To the customer, it may feel simple. Behind the scenes, several tools work together to help the business accept the payment safely.
For an ecommerce business, online payments are a basic part of selling. They can support different business models, improve convenience, and give customers their preferred payment method.
Common payment options
Different customers want different ways to pay. Offering more payment options can help businesses serve more people without changing how they sell.
Authorize.net supports several common ways to pay
- Credit card payments
- Debit card payments
- Payments from bank accounts
- eCheck payments
- Digital payments such as Apple Pay and PayPal
- Recurring payments for repeat billing
- Mobile payments
Giving customers more than one way to pay can make checkout feel easier.
Some customers may want to use a card. Others may prefer to pay from their bank account. Some may choose a wallet they already use on their phone.
Credit card payments
Accept credit card payments as part of your checkout experience.
Mobile payments
Offer digital payments like Apple Pay and PayPal as supported payment optio
Preferred payment method
Offering more ways to pay can help customers use their preferred payment method.
Support a better checkout experience
For an eCommerce business or online store, offering more payment options can support a smoother checkout experience and make it easier for customers to complete a purchase.
Built for how businesses sell
Support different sales flows, customer needs, and ways of doing business.
Business models
Different business models may need different ways to accept payments.
Product or service
Whether you sell one product or service or many, flexible payments can support your setup.
Small businesses
These tools can help small businesses choose the payment setup that fits how they sell.
Accept payments on mobile and in person
Authorize.net supports mobile payments, allowing businesses to accept payments using a mobile device. It also offers virtual point of sale for businesses that need to accept payments in person.
More ways to accept payments
Support online, mobile, and in-person payment acceptance with flexible tools.
Virtual point of sale
Virtual point of sale lets users connect compatible card readers to a computer and accept payments in person.
VPOS
Accept eCheck payments from bank accounts
eCheck (ACH) payments let customers pay directly from their bank accounts. The content describes these payments as fast, secure, reliable, and low-cost, and says they offer an alternative to credit card payments.
Payment choice beyond cards
Give customers another option at checkout with eCheck payments.
Credit card payments alternative
The content says eCheck payments offer an alternative to credit card payments.
Grow your eCommerce business
Explore content designed to support growth, loyalty, and customer experience.
Online store
Learn about seamless integration for an online store and related payment setup needs.
Ways to keep customers
Explore ways to keep customers coming back and support long-term growth.
Checkout experience
The right payment gateway can help support a smoother checkout experience.
Customer service and loyalty
Explore ways to help customers feel valued and strengthen relationships over time.
Find payment solutions that fit your business
Authorize.net gives users access to integration partners, making it easier to explore available payment solutions and choose the right payment gateway for their website, software, and checkout flow.
Tools for developers and digital selling
Authorize.net offers APIs, SDKs, and documentation to help developers build and support modern payment systems for websites and apps. These tools can help connect payments to your current setup.
Developer and integration resources
Support payment setup, development, and platform connections with available tools.
Payment systems
Developer tools support modern payment systems for websites and apps.
Payment button
Simple Checkout lets businesses add a payment button for one-time payments.
Right payment gateway
Partners and tools can help businesses choose the right payment gateway.
Get help from a real person
If you need help getting started or want more information, Authorize.net offers customer service by phone for questions about plans, setup, and payments.
Learn more about payment terms
Explore common terms businesses may encounter when comparing payment tools and services.
Businesses may come across terms like payment processor, financial institutions, card networks, and issuing banks.
Payment processor
A payment processor is a company or service that helps move payment information between the customer, the business, and the banks involved in a transaction.
It helps businesses:
- accept card or bank-based payments
- send payment data securely
- help approve or decline transactions
Financial institutions
Financial institutions are organizations that provide financial services, such as banks and credit unions.
In payments, they may:
- hold customer or business accounts
- move funds
- help support payment transactions
Card networks
Card networks are the systems that connect the parties involved in card payments.
They help route transaction information between businesses and banks. Examples commonly include major credit and debit card brands.
Issuing banks
Issuing banks are the banks or financial institutions that give payment cards to customers.
When a customer uses a card, the issuing bank helps determine whether the transaction is approved or declined.
Simple way to think about it
- Payment processor = helps handle the transaction
- Financial institutions = banks or similar organizations involved in moving money
- Card networks = the system connecting card transactions
- Issuing banks = the customer’s card-issuing bank
Recurring payments and subscription billing
Recurring payments made easier
Handle recurring payments and billing cycles more easily, including charges that may change over time, such as usage-based billing.
Account updater
Keep card details up to date
Account Updater helps refresh stored card information automatically, which can help reduce payment interruptions and support ongoing billing.
Customer Information Manager (CIM)
Store payment data more securely
Customer Information Manager (CIM) stores sensitive payment information on secure servers, helping simplify PCI DSS compliance requirements.
Payment systems include tools such as card payments, bank transfer systems, digital wallets, recurring billing tools, and point-of-sale solutions that help businesses accept and manage payments.
Start accepting payments today
Authorize.net offers payment solutions for businesses that want to accept online payments and in-person payments. Businesses can process payments through a website, app, manual transactions, or in person using compatible card readers.