How the main options compare
| Provider | Best fit | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe | Custom websites, subscriptions and online checkout | Strong developer tools and flexible checkout |
| Square | Businesses that also take payments in person | One system for the counter and the website |
| PayPal | Customers who prefer to pay with a PayPal account | Widely recognized at checkout |
Pricing changes, so check each provider's current page. Stripe's standard rate is 2.9% plus 30 cents per successful domestic card payment, with extra fees for international cards and currency conversion.
Questions to ask before choosing
- Do you also take payments in person or by invoice?
- Do you need deposits, subscriptions or payment plans?
- Does it connect to your booking tool and your CRM?
- How fast do payouts reach your bank account?
- What does it charge for refunds and disputes?
The provider handles most of the security
Card payments fall under the PCI DSS security standard. When you use the provider's hosted checkout or its secure payment fields, card numbers go straight to the provider. Your website never stores them, which keeps your compliance work light. Avoid any setup where card numbers pass through your own forms or emails.
Good example. A contractor sends invoices through Square, takes deposits on the website through Square's checkout and sees every payment in one dashboard.
Bad example. The same contractor asks customers to email card numbers to the office. That puts customers at risk and breaks card network rules.
Make checkout feel trustworthy
Show the total before payment, list accepted cards and wallets and keep the checkout on your branded page or a clearly linked provider page. Confirm every payment by email right away.
Read how to add booking, payments and memberships. Our web design team sets up the provider that fits your business.