Best way to accept recurring payments

If you're looking to boost your business and streamline your cash flow, accepting recurring payments might just be the key. Whether you're running a subscription-based service, selling membership plans or offering monthly services, setting up recurring payments can make your life a whole lot easier. Let's dive into the world of recurring payments and learn how to implement them effectively.

What’s in this article:

• Recurring payments overview
• Things to consider when implementing recurring payments
• What you need to accept recurring payments
• Best practices for accepting recurring payments
• How to set up recurring payments with Total Processing

Recurring payments overview

First things first, let’s quickly recap what we mean by recurring payments. Simply put, they're payments that occur on a regular basis, like weekly, monthly or annually. Instead of your customers having to manually make a payment each time, recurring payments automate the process, saving time for both you and your customers.

For a more in-depth explaining, you can check out our ‘What is a recurring payment?’ blog.

Things to consider when implementing recurring payments

Before you accept recurring payments online, there are a few important things to consider:

• Business needs: Before setting up recurring payments, assess your business model and determine how recurring payments align with your revenue goals and customer base.
• Compliance: Is your business capable of staying up to date with the latest regulations to ensure you’re not only compliant, but also keeping your customers and business protected?
• Payment options: What alternative payment methods do you need to offer? Each generation and region will have a preferred method and if you ignore these preferences you could lose business.
• Payment gateway: Choose a reliable payment gateway that supports recurring payments and provides robust security features to safeguard sensitive financial information.
• Failed payments: Are you ready for when things don’t go to plan? Develop a strategy to manage recurring payments and handle failed payments promptly, whether through automated re-billing, updating card details or sending pay by links as a reminder.
• Customer support: Provide responsive and accessible customer support channels to assist customers with billing inquiries, failed payment issues and subscription management, fostering trust and loyalty.

Before adding a payment solution, it’s important to consider all these factors to make sure you offer the most effective and seamless plan for your business and your customers.

Do you think this solution is right for your business? Let’s move on to how to take recurring payments including best practices and set up tips.

What you need to accept recurring payments

If you’re already accepting online payments, then you’ll already have these in place. But, if you’re a new business, to accept recurring payments online, you'll need a:

1. Payment gateway: A reliable payment gateway that supports recurring payments and integrates seamlessly with your website or platform.
2. Merchant account: Set up a merchant account to receive payments.
3. Website or platform: A platform where customers can sign up for your services or products.

Once you have these setup, it’s time to start accepting recurring payments.

Best practices for accepting recurring payments

On top of the fundamentals that you need, there are some best practices to efficiently accept recurring payments to ensure seamless transactions and customer satisfaction.

Transparency is key

Clearly communicate the frequency, amount, duration of the payments and any relevant terms and conditions. One of the biggest reasons for churn is hidden costs. Lack of communication to begin with can cost you customer retention and loyalty.

Customers appreciate knowing exactly what to expect upfront, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings, followed by dissatisfaction. Highlighting potential changes or fluctuations in charges can also bolster transparency and customer trust.

Prioritise security

Protecting sensitive customer data should be a top priority. Utilising reputable payment processors that adhere to strict security standards, such as PCI-DSS compliance, helps safeguard against data breaches and fraud. Investing in robust encryption technologies will enhance the security of payment transactions, instilling confidence in customers and mitigating potential risks.

Utilise your data

Leveraging your data can produce valuable insights into customer behaviour, payment trends and potential areas for optimisation. Regularly analysing this data and reviewing billing processes will allow you to identify and address any issues promptly, minimising disruptions and maximising customer satisfaction. Automation tools that also utilise your transaction data can help to streamline billing procedures, reducing manual errors and enhancing efficiency.

Be flexible

Offering flexibility in billing options empowers customers to manage their subscriptions according to their preferences and needs. Providing easy-to-use interfaces for updating payment methods, adjusting subscription plans or pausing/cancelling services fosters a positive user experience and reinforces trust in your brand. Flexibility also includes accommodating various payment methods to cater to diverse customer preferences and global markets.

By adhering to these best practices, businesses can effectively manage recurring payments while prioritising customer trust and satisfaction. This approach not only enhances the overall customer experience but also strengthens customer retention and loyalty in the long run.

How to set up recurring payments with Total Processing

Now that we’ve covered the best practices for accepting recurring payments, next it’s all about the setup. If you're looking for a hassle-free way to set up recurring payments, Total Processing has got you covered. Here's how you can do it:

1. Get in touch: It all starts with a conversation; our payment experts are on hand to explain the whole process and see how our solutions can benefit your business.
2. Onboard with us: As soon as we’ve come up with a plan together, we’ll conduct a standard KYC and get you onboarded in no time.
3. Integrate Total Processing: Integrate our solutions into your website or platform with the aid of our integrations team and 24/7 support.
4. Start accepting recurring payments: Once everything is set up, sit back and watch as recurring payments start rolling in effortlessly.

Accepting recurring payments is a game-changer for merchants looking to streamline their revenue flows and provide convenience to their customers. By following these simple steps and choosing the right payment partner like Total Processing, you'll be well on your way to success. So, are you ready to start a conversation?