Accept Online Payments with a Payment Gateway

How a Payment Gateway Works

When a customer enters their card details on your checkout page, the payment gateway encrypts the data, sends it to the processor for authorization, and returns an approval or decline in under two seconds. The gateway handles tokenization, fraud screening, and PCI compliance behind the scenes.

Modern gateways support multiple payment methods through a single API: credit cards, ACH, Apple Pay and Google Pay, and cryptocurrency.

Hosted vs. Integrated Checkout

Hosted checkout pages redirect customers to a processor-branded page to enter their card details. This simplifies PCI compliance because card data never touches your servers. The downside is reduced control over the checkout experience.

Integrated checkout embeds the payment form directly into your website using JavaScript or iframes. You control the design and user experience while the gateway handles data security through tokenization. Most merchants prefer integrated checkout for higher conversion rates.

Gateway Features That Matter

• Tokenization: store customer payment methods securely for repeat purchases
• Level 2/3 data: lower interchange rates on B2B and government transactions
• 3D Secure 2.0: reduce fraud and liability on online transactions
• Webhooks: receive real-time notifications for payment events
• Multi-currency: accept payments in 135+ currencies

The Payment Gods Partner Network provides gateways with all of these features on interchange-plus pricing. No gateway fees, no batch fees, no hidden charges.

Getting Started

Integration time depends on your platform. Pre-built plugins for WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, and other e-commerce platforms take minutes. Custom API integrations typically take 1 to 3 days for a developer.

Get a free quote with gateway access and developer documentation included.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a payment gateway?

A payment gateway is software that connects your website to the payment processing network. It encrypts card data, sends authorization requests, and returns approvals or declines in real time.

How much does a payment gateway cost?

Through the Payment Gods Partner Network, gateway access is included at no additional monthly fee. You pay interchange-plus processing rates on each transaction with no gateway markup.

What is the difference between a payment gateway and a payment processor?

A payment gateway handles the technology (encryption, tokenization, authorization). A payment processor handles the financial transaction (moving money between banks). Most providers bundle both services.

Do I need a payment gateway for my online store?

Yes. Any website that accepts online payments needs a payment gateway. E-commerce platforms like Shopify include a basic gateway, but switching to interchange-plus pricing saves money at scale.

Is a payment gateway PCI compliant?

Reputable payment gateways are PCI Level 1 compliant (the highest level). Using a compliant gateway significantly reduces your own PCI compliance requirements.