Articles & Resources

Many businesses offer their customers subscription or recurring payment models as an option for products or services that they regularly purchase.While they may seem similar business models, critical differences can impact how the two operate and how customers are billed. Understanding the differences between recurring and subscription payments is essential for companies seeking to adopt a suitable payment model for their business.

A high-risk industry refers to a business sector or enterprise with greater financial, operational, or legal risk than more mainstream industries.These industries, often classified as 'high-risk businesses' due to historical data and specific business practices, face stricter regulations, higher fraud rates, more complex payment processing needs, and more significant potential for financial instability.

Accepting recurring payments on your site can offer an array of benefits, from enhancing customer convenience to generating a steady cash flow for your business. Whether you offer subscription boxes or a membership service, recurring payments can help accept payments, streamline transactions and boost customer retention.

A recurring payment is an automated billing system where a customer authorises a business or service provider to charge their credit card, debit card, or bank account regularly for products or services. The payment occurs at consistent intervals for the same amount, often weekly, monthly, or annually, without the need for manual input from the customer each time it is made. Whether it's a monthly subscription to a streaming service, a gym membership, subscription box services, magazine subscriptions, or an insurance premium, the recurring payments business model have become an integral part of modern financial management.In this article, we will explore what recurring payments are, how they work, their benefits and their applications in everyday life.

A payment gateway is a key financial technology that acts as a bridge between a merchant’s online store and the payment service provider processing the customer’s payment.

Real time payment networks differ across the world. Each system has its own unique characteristics, but at the core payments infrastructure involves the same actors and operations within the payments infrastructure.

From April 2017 the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) introduced legalisation for large companies and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) to enforce reporting on payment practices. Each eligible company and LLP has a duty to report on payment policies, practices and performance every six months annually. The reporting requirement was introduced after many voices of concerns to the government about the detrimental impacts of thousands of companies after not being paid on time.

For businesses operating within high risk industries, a high risk merchant account and all of the benefits they provide is essential to accept credit and debit card payments, ensuring safe, secure and efficient business operations.There are many factors for high risk merchants to consider when opening one of these accounts. Each high risk industry has their own set of unique needs, in which some providers may be more accustomed to understanding than others.Cardflo is a merchant account provider offering merchant accounts for high-risk models.

For the ‘every day’ business owner, navigating the payments ecosystem can be a minefield – especially when distinguishing between a payment service provider and a payment processor. Both entities are required to coordinate online transactions, yet their roles and functionalities differ massively. Understanding their key differences and characteristics is essential for merchants who want to optimise their payment systems. This article dives into the nuances of ‘payment service provider vs payment processor', exploring both their unique contributions to the transactional process.

There were 2.05 billion debit and credit card transactions in the UK in April 2024. So, what part does a merchant acquirer play in payments? An acquirer is a financial institution that facilitates card payments for businesses. They act as an intermediary between the business, card networks, and banks. They are also often referred to as a merchant acquirer or an acquiring bank.

If you are business seeking efficient and secure payment solutions then electronic payments are a must. But navigating the roles of merchant acquirers and payment processors can be confusing. While these entities share similarities in facilitating electronic payments, they differ significantly in their regulatory requirements, payment process, relationship with merchants, pricing structures, and more.

Customers' frustration with the payments process in today’s digital economy is palpable, with 87% of consumers expressing dissatisfaction. The discontent highlights the incessant need for more streamlined and efficient payment systems. Payment gateways allow merchants to offer customers secure transactions with an array of choice – but is this enough?

In today’s digital age, merchant accounts are essential in facilitating seamless transactions for businesses across all sectors. But what exactly defines a merchant account and why are some considered to be high risk? Delving into the nuances of payment processing, we explore the intricacies of merchant accounts, shedding light on the factors that elevate their risk status.

In today’s cashless economy, businesses rely heavily on merchant accounts to process customer payments efficiently. These accounts serve as intermediaries between transactions and business bank accounts, accommodating various payment methods including credit & debit card transactions, and electronic transfers. With an increasing number of consumers opting for cashless transactions, the significance of merchant accounts has escalated.

In the ever-bustling world of commerce, the efficiency of payment processing can make or break a business. With the advent of technology, particularly in the realm of card payments, the landscape of financial transactions has undergone a remarkably innovative evolution of convenience.