As a new online store, you want your customers to be able to pay easily and securely. But with so many payment providers out there, it can be difficult to choose the one that's right for you. In this article, we explain what to look for, from payment methods and costs to integration and customer service. This will help you make a smart choice for an online payment solution that grows with you.
You've made the decision: you're starting your own webshop! Maybe you already have a product in mind, came up with a catchy name, and you’re playing around with your logo or webshop design. But then comes the inevitable question: how do I handle payments?
Don’t worry. You’re not the only one scratching your head at this stage. Because how do you know which online payment provider – or, to use the official term: Payment Service Provider – fits best with your business plans?
We’ll walk you through it step by step. Nice and practical, without complicated jargon.
An online payment provider (PSP) ensures that customers can pay easily and securely in your webshop. Whether that’s through iDEAL, Bancontact, credit card or Apple Pay. The provider takes care of the technical connection between your webshop and your customers’ banks.
Think of it as a kind of digital checkout – or rather, an all-in-one online cash register. You sell, the PSP takes care of the payments behind the scenes.
There are lots of PSPs out there. You’ve got familiar names like Mollie, Pay., or Buckaroo, but also many smaller or international players. How do you know what’s right for you? Pay attention to these five things:
The first question is simple: how do you want your customers to be able to pay? In the Netherlands, iDEAL is the gold standard. But if you're targeting Belgian customers, Bancontact is a must. Selling digital products or subscriptions? Then credit cards or SEPA Direct Debit are super useful.
A few examples of popular payment methods:
iDEAL – for Dutch customers
Bancontact – for Belgian customers
PayPal – handy for international shoppers (and Dutch ones too)
Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX) – popular internationally, great for recurring payments
Buy now, pay later (Klarna, Riverty, in3) – boosts conversion, especially for bigger baskets
Apple Pay / Google Pay – mobile, fast, and a hit with younger audiences
Not every PSP includes all of these options by default. So check carefully what’s included, and what you can add later.
With payment providers, you’ll often face several types of fees:
Setup fees – some PSPs charge a one-time fee
Monthly fees – others work with subscriptions or packages
Transaction fees – you pay per transaction, usually a fixed amount + a percentage
Extra costs – like chargebacks, payouts, or customer support
Example:
With PSP A, you pay no monthly fees, but €0.35 per iDEAL transaction and 2.50% for credit cards. PSP B charges €10 per month, but only €0.25 per iDEAL and 1.90% for MasterCard/VISA. Depending on your turnover and number of transactions, that can make a big difference.
Tip: Make a simple calculation based on your expected revenue and order volume per month. It quickly shows what’s the most cost-effective.
You want your customers to check out smoothly – and not end up with a tech headache yourself. Luckily, there are several integration options:
Plugins / modules
Using a popular webshop platform like Shopify, WooCommerce or Magento? A plug-and-play module is ideal. You can link the PSP in a few clicks and start accepting payments fast. (Note: you can’t always start right away. The PSP often needs to approve your application first. The wait time varies.)
Hosted Payment Page (HPP)
Customers are redirected to the PSP’s secure payment page after checkout. Pro: you don’t have to worry about security or compliance. Con: customers briefly leave your site (which some brands prefer to avoid).
API integration
Got technical skills (or a developer buddy)? Then you can build your own integration via the PSP’s API. This gives you full control and flexibility over the payment flow in your webshop.
Tip: Start simple with a plugin or hosted page. As your business grows, you can always upgrade to a custom API solution if that brings clear benefits.
Imagine this: a customer paid, but you don’t see the payment. Or there’s an error at checkout. Then you want one thing: fast help.
When choosing your PSP, check:
If they offer support in your language
How you can reach them (chat, email, phone) – some only work with a ticket system
Their support hours (can you get help in the evening or on weekends?)
Reviews from other users
As a starter, you don’t have an IT team yet. So good, accessible customer support is worth its weight in gold.
Maybe you're starting with a few products in the Netherlands. But what if, later on, you:
Want to sell in Denmark or Sweden too?
Plan to offer subscriptions?
Start doing physical sales at fairs or open a shop and need card readers?
Then it’s smart to choose a payment provider that can grow with you. Look for:
Support for multiple currencies and key local payment methods
Extra features like recurring payments or POS (card terminal) options
Easy upgrades or adding new payment methods
Some all-in-one providers also offer tools for invoicing, subscription management or reporting. That can save you time, tools – and costs – down the road.
There’s no one-size-fits-all “best payment provider.” What works great for one webshop might not suit you at all. So take a good look at your goals, your customers, and your future plans.
Want to get started quickly with an easy-to-use online checkout? Or are you looking for a specialist solution with low fees? Whatever you choose, make sure you understand what you’re getting into. A good payment setup makes the difference between frustration and frictionless selling.
Excited to launch, but still want to get a better grip on how it all works? Below are some helpful links to dive deeper into payment methods and PSPs:
Not in the mood to figure it all out yourself? Use our free Provider Selector. Based on your situation (like turnover, integrations, and preferred payment methods), you’ll instantly see which PSPs match.
With one click, you can request quotes or connect with the right provider – a super handy feature if you’ve got questions.
From startup to scale-up – our free tool helps you compare providers based on your current setup and future plans.
Use our free Provider Selector and find the right provider for your business
