Once you get a customer to the point where they’re ready to buy something from your website, you know you’ve done a lot of things right. That said, the hardest part of making a sale is still looming: getting through the checkout stage. Due to hidden costs, extra steps, and lack of payment methods, about 70% of customers abandon their shopping carts at checkout.

What can you do to buck this trend? For starters, you should focus on creating an online payment form that makes sense for your business. Here’s what you need to know about online payment forms and how to set one up.

What Is an Online Payment Form?

An online payment form allows your customers to pay invoices or make purchases online at any time and from any device. These forms tend to be more limited than traditional shopping carts, but are robust enough to support both one-time and ongoing service payments.

These days, a payment form is considered to be the most convenient method of payment. It also allows you to collect customer information or store credit card information for recurring payments. If your business doesn’t have a dedicated storefront, a payment form should be a key element of your website.

Using an online payment form can also help you build brand credibility. Studies show that one in three shoppers are worried about the security concerns associated with online payments. Having a secure online payment form and varied payment methods helps establish your business as more reliable and trustworthy in the eyes of customers.

Setting Up an Online Payment Form

Before setting up a payment form, you’ll need to decide between doing it in-house or outsourcing it to professionals. Here’s how both methods work and what you’ll need to do.

In-House Solution

The in-house solution gives you more control over the final result. Start by having an outside developer or your own development team create a unique gateway that connects your website to the payment processor of your choice. Then, obtain an SSL certificate and register your site with a digital authentication service.

When setting up your custom payment form, make sure to include the fields for customer data, payment information, the product they want, and its quantity. Build in a payment button that takes your customers to a secure server where they’ll input their payment information. Finally, open a merchant account and integrate it with your payment form.

Outsourced Solution

The outsourced solution is more convenient for most business owners who aren’t technologically inclined. First, you’ll need to research your options and pick the best service specializing in online payment forms. Then, set up your merchant account. Your provider of choice will likely recommend the best processing package for your needs.

When it comes to building your payment form, your job will be to determine which services, products, and payment types you’ll offer. You’ll also want to incorporate the logo of your business on the form and connect it to your payment processor.