The Benefits Of Recurring Payments

Subscription services like content streaming apps, news websites, and even meal kit boxes have experienced significant growth in recent years. And unlike most businesses, the pandemic might have even given the business model a boost.

 

The prolific success of subscription services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime clearly shows that the model is here to stay. From predictable income to personalization and customer engagement, the benefits of adopting this model are just too difficult to pass up.

 

If you’re interested in starting or maybe in the process of improving your subscription business model, one of the most crucial steps is to find a payment partner that would allow for a seamless transition to recurring payment. Finding the right one can potentially spell the difference between your business’ success or failure.

 

What is a Recurring Payment?

 

One of the backbones of the subscription services is the recurring payment agreement between the merchant and its consumers. This agreement entails the consumers allowing merchants to pull funds from their accounts at regular intervals in exchange for goods and services rendered. Typically, the agreement lasts until a predetermined expiry date or until the consumer retracts their permission.

 

Kulturra’s Payment Center offers a payment application with seamless implementation of recurring payments that businesses can quickly and easily deploy. The feature lets businesses automatically generate invoices and process recurring payments.

 

The Benefits of Implementing Kulturra’s Recurring Payments Feature

 

If you’re thinking of getting into a subscription service business, Kulturra’s Payment Center should be an excellent choice as an invoicing and payment processing partner.

 

Payment Center does not only have a wide variety of available payment methods, it also has a recurring payment feature that can help your subscription business succeed.

 

Reduce Late Payments and Collection Time

 

Late payments are not easy to deal with. It can affect both your business’ income and your customer relationships. Recurring payments can help in preventing late payments as it automatically sends your consumers an invoice promptly giving them enough time to pay. 

 

Payment Center’s Recurring Payment feature is even better for customers who choose to pay using credit cards. The feature allows them to pay seamlessly by entering their card details once and automatically pay in the subsequent billing cycle without having to do anything else.

 

Payment Center even automates payment receipt issuance via email. In case there are issues with payment processing such as a failed transaction, the app also automatically sends a notification to your customer about the error. In which case, customers can either fix the issue with their bank or use a new credit card for the transaction.

 

The app also allows businesses to automatically retry failed payments on a customizable time frame. Or, you can simply send reminders to your customers about their outstanding balance.

 

These benefits provide a two-fold benefit to both your business and your consumers. Other than helping reduce late payments and improving collection time for you, it also helps consumers engage with your business easily and seamlessly.

 

Minimize Effort

 

Recurring payments should also help cut on time spent on performing administrative tasks. For one thing, inputting credit card details each billing cycle on a manual payment system can easily add up to quite a lot of productive man-hours. 

 

Manual invoicing is a tedious process as well. A simple input error can cause some serious damage for both you and your customers.

 

With recurring payments, all you need to do is establish a payment plan once and you can let the software do its job for future billing cycles. You only have to intercede if changes need to be made to the original plan. It’s an effortless process that can help you focus on your core business.

 

Improve Customer Relationships

 

Speaking of improving your core business, one of the best benefits of having the time to improve it is that it significantly enhances customer relationships as well. It helps you focus on providing a better service or product which your customers can appreciate.

 

Furthermore, automated recurring payments can also help you focus on customer service tasks. So, if problems do come up, you can easily help your consumers through it instead of having to tend to invoice and payment processing tasks.

 

Secured Transaction Within Salesforce

 

Payment Center has tokenization enabled. With this feature, Payment Center doesn’t store actual credit card details. This prevents potential hackers from obtaining their customer’s details even during data leaks.

 

Additionally, as an AppExchange app, Payment Center has an added layer of Salesforce’s Enhanced Transaction Security making sure payments are secure. This means transactions made through Payment Center have real-time monitoring, threat detection, keys and certificates management, and a whole lot more.

 

Why Get Kulturra’s Payment Center for Your Subscription Business?

 

The subscription business model has proven to be a particularly profitable venture to explore. However,  it’s only going to be a successful endeavor if it’s done with the right  payment partner such as Payment Center.

 

With Kulturra’s leading financial app, you’re sure to experience a reduced late payment and collection time, less administrative work, and improved customer relationships, all while having Salesforce’s Enhanced Transaction Security features.

5-Step Guide to Payment Processor Selection

Choosing a payment processor is a crucial decision for any business looking to securely accept payments from customers – whether you operate in a physical storefront or online. With the growing number of payment processing options available in the market, choosing the best fit for your business needs can be a challenging task, especially if you’re looking to integrate with Salesforce. Luckily, Kulturra currently integrates with 146 payment processors, and that number is always growing, so you’ll likely be able to choose whichever processor best fits your needs.

 

This article will guide you through the five key steps of choosing the payment processor that best fits your business needs. The right payment processor should meet the specific needs of your business, offer competitive fees, provide robust security measures, and be easy to use and integrate with your existing systems. Whether you’re a small business owner, an online seller, or a large enterprise, this article will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision and ensure a smooth payment processing experience for your business.

 

Here are the 5 key steps to choosing the best payment processor for your business:

 

1. Determine your payment processing needs

 

Before you begin your search, it’s important to understand your business’s specific payment processing requirements. Consider factors such as the types of payments you need to accept, your desired processing speed, and your preferred payment methods.

 

2. Review fees and pricing

 

Payment processors charge fees for processing transactions. These can include transaction fees, monthly fees, and setup fees, among others. Review the fee structure of different payment processors to determine which one offers the best value for your business.

 

3. Evaluate security measures

 

Payment security is of the utmost importance, especially in the current climate of increasing cyber threats. Choose a payment processor that has robust security measures in place to protect your business and your customers’ sensitive information.

 

4. Assess ease of use and integration

 

Look for a payment processor that is user-friendly and easy to integrate with your existing systems, such as Salesforce and Accounting Software (Kulturra does both). Consider factors such as the availability of developer APIs and the ease of setting up and managing your account.

 

5. Consider customer support

 

Choose a payment processor that offers excellent customer support. This can include online resources, 24/7 phone support, and a responsive helpdesk. Ensure that the payment processor you choose can provide the support you need when you need it.

 

Now, for those of you looking for a bit more detail, let’s dive into each step.

 

Step 1: Determine your payment processing needs 

 

This is the first and arguably most important step in choosing a payment processor. Understanding your business’s specific payment processing requirements will help you narrow down your options and choose a processor that fits your needs. When determining your payment processing needs, consider the following factors:

 

Types of payments you need to accept

Do you need to accept credit and debit card payments, bank transfers/ach/direct debit, or other payment methods? Consider the payment methods that are most commonly used by your customers and ensure that your payment processor supports them.

 

Processing speed

How quickly do you need transactions to be processed? Some payment processors offer real-time processing, while others may take several days to process transactions. Consider the processing speed that is most appropriate for your business.

 

Volumes and frequency of transactions

Consider the number of transactions you expect to process and how frequently they will occur. This information will help you determine the processor that can handle the volume and frequency of transactions that your business requires.

 

By fully analyzing and defining these needs, you’ll be able to make a much more informed decision. 

 

Step 2: Review fees and pricing

 

Payment processors charge fees for processing transactions. These fees can include transaction fees, monthly fees, setup fees, and others. When reviewing fees and pricing, consider the following factors:

 

Transaction fees

This is the fee charged for processing each transaction. The fee may be a percentage of the transaction value, a flat rate, or a combination of both. The de-facto industry standard rate is 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction for credit card processing. Review the transaction fees charged by different payment processors to determine which one offers the best value for your business.

 

Monthly fees

Some payment processors charge a monthly fee for using their services. Consider whether the monthly fee is reasonable for the services you will receive.

 

Setup fees

Some payment processors charge a one-time fee for setting up your account. Determine whether this fee is reasonable and necessary for the services you will receive.

 

Other fees

Some payment processors may charge additional fees, such as chargeback fees, refund fees, data transfer fees, or gateway fees. Review these fees to determine whether they are reasonable and necessary.

 

Carefully review the fees and pricing of different payment processors. This allows you to determine which one offers the best value for your business. It’s important to keep in mind that the lowest fees may not always be the best option, as some payment processors may have hidden fees or less favorable terms.

 

Step 3: Evaluate security measures

 

Payment security is a critical consideration when choosing a payment processor. With increasing cyber threats, it’s essential to choose a payment processor that has robust security measures in place to protect your business and your customers’ sensitive information. When evaluating security measures, consider the following factors:

 

PCI Compliance

Ensure that the payment processor you choose is PCI DSS compliant. This is an industry-standard security measure that helps protect against cardholder data breaches.

 

Encryption and Tokenization

Ensure that the payment processor uses encryption and tokenization to protect sensitive information. Encryption scrambles data into an unreadable form, while tokenization replaces sensitive information with a unique code. Kulturra is compatible with tokenization, meaning that if your processor supports it, we’ll be able to store tokenized card information, keeping your customers safe.

 

Fraud Detection

Look for a payment processor that has advanced fraud detection and prevention measures in place. This can include 3D Secure, AVS (Address Verification System), and CVV (Card Verification Value) checks. Depending on the processor, Kulturra supports this too!

 

Data Storage

Consider where the payment processor stores sensitive information. Ensure that the data is stored in a secure and encrypted environment.

 

By evaluating the security measures of different payment processors, you can choose one that provides the highest level of security for your business and your customers. It’s important to prioritize security when choosing a payment processor, as the consequences of a data breach can be severe.

 

Step 4: Assess ease of use and integration

 

When selecting a payment processor, it’s important to choose one that is user-friendly and easy to integrate with your existing systems, as well as any others you plan to use. Otherwise, you’re only creating a larger headache for yourself – technology should solve problems, not create them. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the ease of use and integration of a payment processor:

 

Developer APIs

Does the payment processor offer APIs for developers to integrate its services into their own applications or websites? If it’s one of our 140+ supported processors, the answer is yes!

 

Account setup

Is it easy to set up an account with the payment processor, and does the processor provide adequate support throughout the setup process?

 

Integrations

Does the payment processor integrate with your existing systems, such as Salesforce and your accounting software? Kulturra can help!

 

By considering these factors, you can choose a payment processor that is easy to use and integrate, and provides the support you need to manage your account and transactions with confidence.

 

Step 5: Consider customer support

 

Customer support is an important factor to consider when selecting a payment processor, as it can help ensure that you have the support you need when you need it. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating the customer support offered by a payment processor:

 

Online resources

Does the payment processor have a comprehensive online knowledge base, including articles, FAQs, and tutorials, to help you understand its services and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter?

 

Phone support

Does the payment processor offer 24/7 phone support, so you can get the help you need when you need it?

 

Helpdesk

Is the payment processor’s helpdesk responsive and able to resolve any issues you may encounter in a timely manner?

 

Dispute resolution

Does the payment processor have a process for resolving disputes, such as chargebacks, in a timely and fair manner?

 

By considering these customer support  factors, you can choose a payment processor that offers the level of support you need. Adequate customer support can help ensure that you have the resources you need to resolve any issues that may arise.

 

Choosing a payment processor can be a complex and challenging task, but by following these 5 steps, you can make an informed decision that meets your specific payment processing needs:

 

1. Determine your payment processing needs

2. Review fees and pricing

3. Evaluate security measures

4. Assess ease of use and integration

5. Consider customer support

 

When evaluating payment processors, consider factors such as the types of payments you need to accept, processing speed, fees, security measures, ease of use, integration with existing systems, and customer support. By considering these factors, you can choose a payment processor that offers the best functionality and value for your business, protects your customers’ sensitive information, and provides the support you need to manage your business and transactions with confidence. Feel free to reach out to our team if you have any more questions!

5 Reasons To Take Credit Card Payments In Salesforce

 

1. Cash flow is king

 

One of the main advantages of taking credit card payments in Salesforce is the ease of taking payments right after a sale.

 

Imagine a scenario where a salesperson is talking with a customer over the phone and the customer is ready to pay with their credit card. You probably would not want to delay that payment, you would want to take that then. 

 

Or imagine a service company sending their technicians to the field. If, after completing the service, the customer is ready to pay with their credit card, you would want to take that too. That would save you time from having to chase payments afterwards.

 

By arming your sales and service teams the ability to take credit card payments, your payments are on-time, ultimately improving your cash flow.

 

2. Keep your data in one place

 

Salesforce has become the system of record for most companies. Salesforce is where your customer data lives, so it makes sense to do your other business functions there as well, as opposed to using other systems where you have to duplicate your customer data.

 

There’s a lot of manual entry involved in maintaining multiple systems. These systems can be integrated but there’s likely complications involved during and after the integration, not to mention the work involved in dealing with multiple vendors.

 

By taking credit card payments in Salesforce, you’re simplifying your tech stack and you have payment history right where your customer data lives.

 

3. Automation

 

After a business gets paid for their products or services, there’s generally a series of activities that need to be done, whether it’s to fulfill the order, to schedule a project kickoff meeting, or to simply send a thank you email.

 

In Salesforce, automating these activities is possible, if not simple. The Salesforce platform comes with workflow automation tools that are relatively simple to use. And while other systems in general have limited automation capabilities, Salesforce has few limitations, if any.

 

4. Your customers can self-serve

 

Many businesses come to Salesforce for its “portal” capabilities. With this capability, they are able to offer their customers the ability to login to a portal where they can serve themselves, such as create support tickets or view their invoices.

 

Through your portal, you can also have your customers pay or update their credit card information for future payments.

 

5. Security

 

The Salesforce platform comes with state of the art security and the latest encryption technology. They maintain a comprehensive set of compliance certifications and attestations, including PCI Compliance.

 

If you’re taking credit card payments, it is important to protect your customers’ credit card information. Doing so in Salesforce ensures your customers’ payment information is protected. This helps build trust, leading to more business in the long term.

 

How can you take credit cards in Salesforce?

 

The first step is to sign up for a merchant account or a gateway. If you have one existing, you should be able to use that.

 

Once you have the merchant account or the gateway, install an app like Kulturra’s Payment Center in your Salesforce org. Using an app like this gets you up and running quickly and helps you take advantage of the benefits of taking credit card payments in Salesforce!

 

Our website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience while you’re here. Read our privacy policy for more information.