Welcome to

Paywall.app Guide

This guide covers the essentials of online payments and explains the differences for various business models: online retailers, subscription services, and multi-vendor platforms. Start with understanding payment fundamentals and then explore the section that matches your business needs.

We’ve also created a glossary of common industry terms and definitions. If you encounter unfamiliar terms, refer to the glossary for clarity.

  • Payment Fundamentals. Understand how online payments work: from customer transactions to your business account, including the roles of banks and payment processors.
  • Optimizing Checkout Processes. Learn best practices for designing checkout forms that reduce cart abandonment and improve the customer experience.
  • Managing Risk and Fraud. Discover how to protect your business from fraudulent transactions using rules-based logic and machine learning.

By understanding these fundamentals, you’ll be better equipped to handle the nuances of online payments for your specific business model.

How Online Payments Work

Online payments involve four major players: the cardholder, the merchant, the acquirer (a bank processing payments on behalf of the merchant), and the issuing bank (the bank that issued the card). Understanding the flow between these entities is crucial for setting up your payment system.

Designing Effective Checkout Forms

The checkout experience is critical for conversion. Ensure your forms are simple and adaptive, supporting various devices and payment methods. Responsive design and supporting local payment methods can significantly reduce cart abandonment.

Fraud Management

Preventing fraud involves both rules-based and machine learning approaches. Combining these strategies can help you proactively identify and prevent fraudulent transactions, reducing the risk of chargebacks and associated fees.

Global Payment Methods

To cater to a global audience, support various payment methods beyond credit and debit cards. This includes digital wallets, bank transfers, and cash-based payment methods. Adapting to local preferences can expand your customer base significantly.

Simplifying Tax Compliance

Navigating tax compliance is essential for global operations. Understand the requirements for collecting and remitting taxes like VAT, GST, and sales tax. Ensure your system is equipped to handle the complexities of different tax jurisdictions.

For Online Retailers

If you operate both online and in-person, unify your payment systems to provide a seamless experience. Support modern payment methods like chip cards and mobile wallets to enhance security and convenience.

For Subscription Services

Managing recurring payments involves setting flexible subscription logic and minimizing involuntary churn. Automate billing and communication to handle payment failures efficiently.

For Platforms and Marketplaces

Facilitating payments for multiple sellers requires robust onboarding, compliance with regulations, and flexible money movement capabilities. Ensure you can split payments, hold funds, and support various transaction models.

Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our support team for assistance.

    • Does PayWall handle VAT or taxes?

      No, PayWall does not handle VAT or taxes at this time. You will need to manage them on your own.

    • Does PayWall have a monthly fee?

      No, PayWall is free to use. You only pay a transaction fee when you receive a payment.

    • Can I have multiple PayWall accounts?

      Yes, you can have multiple PayWall accounts. You can use different PayWall accounts for different purposes or businesses.

    • What is the maximum amount I can charge using PayWall?

      PayWall does not impose any limits on the amounts you can charge. The maximum amount depends on the limits set by your own payment processor.

    • When will I receive funds in my bank account?

      The timing of funds being deposited into your bank account depends entirely on your payment processor. PayWall does not hold or process funds.

    • What is the maximum amount I can charge per month?

      PayWall does not impose any monthly limits. The maximum amount you can charge is determined by your payment processor's policies.

    • What type of payment methods can I accept?

      PayWall supports integration with payment processors that accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. The specific methods available depend on your payment processor.

    • Can I integrate PayWall with my accounting software?

      If your accounting software has an API, PayWall can integrate with it. Please contact us to discuss the details and requirements.

    • I lost my password. How can I access my account?

      You can reset your password by clicking on the “Forgot Password” link on the login page. Enter your email address, and we will send you an email with a link to reset your password.

    • Do I need a US bank account to use PayWall?

      PayWall works with payment processors in 47 countries. You do not need a US bank account unless required by your payment processor. For the latest list of supported countries, please contact us.

    • Can PayWall work with multiple payment processors at the same time?

      Yes, PayWall can integrate with multiple payment processors, allowing you to manage payments from different providers seamlessly.

    • Does PayWall support recurring payments or subscriptions?

      PayWall integrates with payment processors that support recurring payments. The availability of this feature depends on your processor's capabilities.

    • Can I customize the checkout experience for my website or app?

      Absolutely! PayWall allows you to fully customize the checkout process to match your brand, ensuring a seamless user experience.

    • Can PayWall integrate with my legacy systems?

      Yes, PayWall can integrate with legacy systems using APIs or custom relays, ensuring compatibility across your existing workflows.

    • Does PayWall support order management systems?

      PayWall can integrate with most order management systems, automating order creation and tracking after payment is completed.

    • How does PayWall handle accounting software integration?

      PayWall can integrate with popular accounting tools like QuickBooks or Xero via their APIs, automatically syncing transaction data for accurate bookkeeping.

    • Is PayWall compatible with mobile apps?

      Yes, PayWall can integrate seamlessly into mobile applications through APIs, enabling smooth transactions across platforms.

    • Does PayWall provide APIs for developers?

      Yes, PayWall offers developer-friendly APIs for easy integration with websites, apps, and backend systems.

    • What security measures does PayWall offer?

      PayWall integrates with payment processors that use industry-standard security protocols such as PCI DSS compliance, tokenization, and encryption.

    • What kind of support does PayWall offer?

      Our team provides 24/7 support to assist with integrations, technical issues, and general questions. Contact us at hello@paywall.app.