Making an online payment is not that different from purchasing at a point of sale. Both work the same way: exchanging a good or service for payment. But in the case of an online sale, unlike a physical transaction, the two protagonists are not in contact. This specificity requires specific operating rules to ensure the smooth running of the payment. What are the prerequisites for the consumer and the merchant to know so that the exchange works properly?
Online payment – Consumer Side
How does the moment of the online transaction take place? The customer designates the product(s) of his choice, selects a payment method, then is redirected to the corresponding payment platform. To ensure that this scenario unfolds properly, a few checks should be carried out beforehand:
Does the company look serious? To answer this question, one can, for example, check that the contact details given are the correct ones (telephone, email, address), or read the general conditions of sale. A good way to complete this step is to check if there are user reviews, and if they are positive,
Is the site secure? The moment of payment is sensitive, it is essential to ensure that the exchanges are protected. To do this, make sure that the payment platform has a padlock icon visible on your browser. You can also check the site address. It must imperatively begin with the letters “HTTPS”. This is a security standard that guarantees the user that the data on the page is encrypted,
In any case, systematically keep the proof of payment after each online transaction. Also, avoid pre-registering your bank details as are sometimes offered by merchant sites.
Online Payment – Company Side
For the merchant, it is essential to offer online payment solutions adapted to its customers. The most widely used option is the bank card.
If the merchant wishes to offer more advanced payment functionalities, there are many programming interfaces (or APIs) made available by different providers. This means that it is possible to personalize the online payment solutions offered, for example by allowing consumers to pay in installments.
To ensure the smooth running of online payments, the company is responsible for providing its customers with appropriate solutions, combining security and simplicity!
Online Payment – Rights And Duties
When paying online, the total price must be indicated, taking into account taxes, any additional costs, and delivery,
Once the payment has been made, the company has a maximum period of 30 days to deliver the order,
The consumer has a right of withdrawal of 14 days from receipt of his purchase. This can therefore be canceled without justification during this period, and must be reimbursed in full by the company,
When purchasing by credit card, the merchant site may legitimately ask you for your card number, and its expiry date.
Today, making an online payment is no riskier than a physical purchase. At the same time, the platforms are becoming simpler, both for companies and consumers. These payment methods are now integrated into the daily life of Internet users!
