The new e-commerce payment trends in 2022 (and why you need to know about them)

Until a few years ago, many customers didn’t feel comfortable buying on the Internet and it was their last choice if they didn’t find what they were looking for in a physical store.

Nowadays, however, with the advent of e-commerce, this sector has grown exponentially. In addition, online payment methods have also evolved to make shopping safer and to facilitate user experience.

This is why it’s important for you to be aware of the new payment trends in 2021.

You know what they say: “adapt or die.”

Do you want to know about the new online payment methods?

Here; don’t drop behind. 😉

👉 What are the main payment methods nowadays?

Let’s start with a definition.

Payment methods —also known as payment gateways— are different ways in which buyers can have their money delivered to us when making a purchase.

A customer is fascinated by your product and wants to acquire it. They add it to their kart, go through the checkout and reach the ‘payment method’ screen. The ideal thing here is to offer several options and have the customer choose the most convenient one for them.

The more options they have, the easiest it will be to select the method they like the most and so, the chances of them ending up buying the product increase. 

Nowadays, payment methods have diversified (and this trend keeps on the rise). Before we get into it, though, it wouldn’t hurt to go over the existing payment methods that will still be used for a few more years. 

✅ 1. Paypal

Users demanded safe payment methods on the Internet and, because of that, PayPal emerged; a platform that allows you to pay and get paid without having to share banking details.

How is it inconvenient for e-commerce?

You need to pay PayPal a commission fee every time a payment is made using this method. However, how many potential clients would you lose if it weren’t for this payment method? 

In fact, many users buy exclusively from stores that offer this payment method because it is the only one they know and trust.

✅ 2. Debit and credit card

According to a research study conducted in 2020 on online payment methods, 51% of users preferred using their credit or debit card as payment method while 41% went for methods such as PayPal. Only 3% of the surveyed participants opted for cash-on-delivery payments. 

Debit or credit card payments are processed with a virtual POS (Point of Sale) that enables remote payments using a bank card.

Similar to what happens with PayPal, you are charged a commission fee for every payment you receive when using this method.

✅ 3. Bank Transfer

Although it is by now a bit outdated, this payment method is still used, especially in e-commerce startups that don’t have a defined payment method yet. Even if your store has gone big, it’s convenient to offer bank transfers for those who still don’t trust online payment.

Unlike the above-mentioned cases, in which payment is carried out immediately, this method slows down the purchase process, since these transfers can take several days to reach the receiver’s account.

On the other hand, the bright side is the seller doesn’t have to pay any commission fees.

✅ 4. Other Payment Methods

There are other payment methods such as:

• Stripe: an alternative to PayPal. A growing payment method with lower commission fees than PayPal and equally as safe. This platform is becoming popular among consumers.
• Cash on Delivery: this payment method is still popular among older members of the population who still don’t trust payments on the Internet. So, even if it tends to disappear, there’s still a part of the population that uses it as their online payment method exclusively.

As you can see, it’s convenient having different payment methods so that the buyer can choose.

For example, the possibility of paying with PayPal could put an end to a customer’s rejection of inserting their bank card details and encourage them to buy.

👉 What are the new e-commerce payment trends in 2021?

You already know the most common payment gateways nowadays.

But payment methods keep evolving and diversifying so that they can:

• Offer the customer a comfortable and accessible experience.
• Guarantee safe online transactions.
• Save time by making the purchase process faster.

The trends you will learn next have arisen taking into account one or more of the following premises.

Let’s see them!

✅ 1. Mobile Shopping

Nowadays, we use our cell phones for nearly everything, including online shopping.

Cell phones now work as “bank cards” too.

https://bizum.es/en/An example of this king of payment is Bizum, an app that has positioned itself as a widely used payment method, especially among the youngsters. This type of payment gateway allows you to shop in a safe and fast way by simply using your phone and your Bizum’s account PIN code, which is linked to your bank account.

This kind of transaction will become more common in e-commerce.

✅ 2. Invisible Payments

This means paying without any contact; in other words, you won’t even need a card.

An example of this is Amazon Prime, where you can purchase in a single click (having stored your banking details previously). You only need to push the Buy Now button and you will have skipped all those previous steps that are annoying for many customers.

The goal is clear: to simplify the purchase process.

Another example is the “click and collect” method. You pay online and then you only need to drop by the store to pick it up without having to use cash or a card when you get there.

That’s why these are called “invisible payments”; ultimately, we don’t feel like we are spending any money.

✅ 3. BNPL (Buy Now Pay Later) Solutions

 BNPL stands for “buy now, pay later”.

It’s a new payment method that little by little has made its way in the market.

BNLP platforms allow you to buy immediately and pay for the product later.

An example of a BNPL payment method is Afterpay.

This platform contains different e-commerce businesses, including renowned brands such as Reebok, Adidas or Pandora.

Once you access any given store through Afterpay, the purchase process will be the same and the only thing that changes is that when going through the checkout, you’ll see the option of not paying while making the purchase. This platform’s conditions are:

• The first payment takes place 2 weeks after the purchase.
• Then you make 3 more payments with a margin of 2 weeks in between each.

The platform presents itself as an interest-free payment method, as long as you don’t lag behind with payment deadlines.

✅ 4. Split Payment

Interest-free installments, very popular back in the day, are now being used in online shopping. 

Many e-commerce and marketplaces have incorporated installment payments. In fact, it is proven that such a system increases conversion rates, especially in expensive products that would otherwise be inaccessible for many users.

Amazon, for instance, enables this payment method in purchases between €75 and €1,000, paying in 4 installments and charging for the first one of them one day after the product has been shipped. 

But how does this system work?

There are other platforms financing the purchase. In Amazon’s case, that’s COFIDIS, but there are many other financing platforms for e-commerce businesses. Decathlon UK, for instance, offers you the option of paying in 3 installments through Klarna.

You, as an e-commerce, receive the product’s cost instantly, and the financing platform will then manage payments with the customer.

✅ 5. Biometric Systems

What’s with the weird name?

Biometric systems are digital readers that are capable of identifying people through specific physical traits.

Among the emerging technologies in this field there are:

• Fingerprint identification.
• Face recognition.
• Speech recognition.
• Iris recognition.

Naturally, you have heard of some of them. For example, fingerprint biometrics are pretty common to “sign” for certain online payments, thus proving your identity.

Beyond PIN-code systems or passwords, biometric technologies take it up a notch in terms of security. Also, they allow you to buy in a faster way.

✅ 6. Social Commerce

Social networks are increasingly allowing you to sell through them. It is the so-called social commerce.

What’s new about it?

Until recently, you could direct potential customers through social media to your store in order to close the sale over there. Now you can skip this step and make customers buy directly on platforms such as Facebook or Instagram, by simply clicking “buy”. 

👉 Did you know these payment methods?

Were you aware of these new payment trends?

As you can see, all these trends aim at making the purchase process shorter and safer.

What’s more, the final goal of these payment methods is to make the payment phase “invisible”, completely changing the shopping experience.

So, no matter whether you have a small or big e-commerce, be on the lookout for upcoming trends so you can adapt to changes and don’t lag behind. 😉