How can Indian SMEs accept credit and debit card payments securely online?
Choose a Trusted Payment Gateway
- Select RBI-approved gateways like Razorpay, Paytm, Cashfree, CCAvenue, or Instamojo.
- Look for support for domestic and international card types (Visa, Mastercard, RuPay, Amex).
- Ensure the gateway offers fraud detection, tokenization, and secure APIs.
- Opt for platforms that offer quick onboarding and low setup fees.
- Some gateways offer “starter” plans tailored for SMEs and freelancers.
Use Secure Checkout and Tokenization
- Host payment forms on the gateway’s secure domain (hosted checkout) to avoid PCI scope.
- For custom-built sites, use SDKs or iframe integrations that handle sensitive data externally.
- Tokenization ensures card data is encrypted and never stored on your servers.
- OTP-based 3D Secure authentication adds a layer of security for all card transactions.
- Use webhooks to validate transaction responses and trigger order processing.
Set Up Your Website with HTTPS
- SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate is mandatory for enabling secure checkout.
- HTTPS encrypts data between the user’s browser and your server.
- SSL certificates are available free (Let’s Encrypt) or paid via hosting providers.
- Browsers may block or warn against non-HTTPS checkout pages.
- Google also prioritizes HTTPS sites for SEO rankings.
Display Trust and Compliance Information
- Show trust badges such as “Verified by Visa” or “PCI-DSS Compliant Gateway.”
- Clearly display your terms of service, privacy policy, and return/refund policy.
- Add FAQ sections about card payment safety and help users understand the flow.
- Ensure customers know their payment details are encrypted and handled securely.
- Offer customer support via WhatsApp, email, or chatbot for payment-related issues.
Monitor Payments and Reconciliation
- Use the payment gateway dashboard to track settlements, failed payments, and refund requests.
- Match transaction IDs from the gateway with order IDs on your site for accuracy.
- Download reports regularly for accounting and tax purposes.
- Alert users via email/SMS after each transaction with status updates.
- Automate refund processes where possible for fast resolution.
