How does online card payment work?
Paying by credit card online has become an everyday occurrence for millions of consumers. But do you really know how this process works?
Between the traditional entry of your card details, using solutions like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or even one-click payment… This payment method now takes several forms.
Entering card numbers
The most common online card payment method involves entering bank card information: card number, expiration date, and cryptogram (CVC).
Once the bank details have been entered, the customer must validate the payment via their banking application to confirm their identity.
Here is the complete process:
- The payment platform integrated into the merchant website sends the data entered by the customer to their bank for verification.
- The consumer must confirm the transaction using strong authentication (double validation):
- Either in 3D Secure (3DS): in your banking application, by entering a confidential code or via biometric validation (fingerprint, facial recognition)
- Or in frictionless mode (with 3DS 2.0 protocol): no action is required from the payer. The issuing bank can decide not to impose it, depending on the results of a risk analysis.
- The payment platform confirms or rejects the transaction based on the bank’s response. This step completes the transaction.
Online card payment: Apple Pay and Google Pay
Online payment solutions have understood that speeding up and simplifying purchase validation are essential to optimizing the customer journey. This is why new forms of card payment have been developed.
Apple Pay and Google Pay allow consumers to pay for their online purchases in seconds. Bank cards are saved in a virtual wallet directly on the smartphone, eliminating the need to manually enter banking information. With mobile devices now the primary e-commerce conversion channel, these solutions perfectly meet the needs of Internet users.
Payment remains completely secure thanks to strong authentication. On iPhones, validation is done using Face ID or Touch ID. On Android, it relies on a fingerprint or password. This combination of simplicity and security makes Apple Pay and Google Pay powerful levers for improving the shopping experience.
One-click card payment
Less well-known but highly effective, one-click card payment further simplifies the purchasing process. This type of card payment is primarily suitable for recurring payments.
Generally, one-click payment works as follows:
- The customer must make an initial purchase on the merchant’s website.
- The payment service provider records and converts the card details into a unique string (token), making them anonymous and therefore tamper-proof.
- When the customer makes a subsequent payment on the same website, they are immediately recognized. They can therefore complete the transaction in one click.
Please note: The one-click payment process may vary from one site to another depending on the payment provider.
Online card payments: what are the benefits for businesses?
Online, bank cards remain the essential payment method. They offer real advantages for both customers and businesses:
- Enhanced security: transactions are encrypted and processed electronically, limiting the risk of identity theft or fraud.
- Simplified purchasing process: online card payments speed up order validation and improve the user experience.
- Optimized cash flow: immediate debit of payments ensures a constant flow of funds.
These advantages make them an essential lever for the development of online businesses.
Which bank cards are available for online payments?
Paying by card online requires a debit or credit card (CB, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). Once the transaction is completed, the amount is debited from the customer’s bank account the following business day or at the end of the month.
Online CB payment: what are the fees?
The cost of an online CB transaction depends on the PSP (payment service provider) and bank fees. They can therefore vary from one provider to another, but the following fees should be considered:
- Interbank transaction fees: These are fees paid by the merchant’s bank (acquirer) to the buyer’s bank (issuing bank) during a card transaction, to cover the costs and risks associated with payment management. They can vary depending on the type of card, transaction, and country.
- Card network fees: Payment card networks (CB, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.) charge fees to banks and payment service providers (PSPs) for processing card payments. These fees cover the network’s technological infrastructure, transaction security, and payment processing and management.
- Variable fees: The bank or payment provider may apply variable fees calculated based on: the number of transactions, the payment source, the company’s fraud risk level, the number of payment rejections, etc.
- Payment provider fees: The provider may charge a monthly or annual fee
The PCI-DSS standard for card payments
The PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) is an international security standard that governs the processing of credit card payments.
It imposes strict rules to protect sensitive cardholder data: encryption, access controls, and transaction monitoring.
Its objective is to reduce the risk of fraud, secure banking information, and strengthen customer confidence when shopping online.
Without this standard, businesses are exposed to cyberattacks, financial penalties, and a loss of credibility.
This is why this standard is mandatory for all payment service providers to guarantee the security of customer data.
Online card payments: the CentralPay offer
CentralPay provides businesses with a comprehensive online card payment solution. It is compatible with all major cards on the market, including CB, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. The offer also allows for the acceptance of digital payment methods such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Businesses have numerous options to optimize their customer journey:
- One-click payment,
- Recurring subscription payments,
- Payment in installments,
- Pre-authorization and card imprint.
The goal is to offer your customers a seamless purchasing experience adapted to all uses.
Integration is flexible thanks to a turnkey hosted payment page or a dedicated modular API. Payments can also be collected via links sent by email, SMS, or QR code.
CentralPay guarantees a high level of security thanks to PCI-DSS certification, strong authentication required by PSD2, and its Electronic Money Institution accreditation. Transactions are thus protected and compliant with regulatory requirements.
CentralPay offers several pricing plans, with competitive commissions tailored to the needs of each business.
