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Anatolli Iakimets

Director, Product Marketing

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Radical Shift Towards Digital Payment Methods

Over the past decade, the evolution of payment methods has been characterized by a remarkable shift towards a diverse and technologically advanced landscape. The traditional stronghold of cash has experienced a steady decline, dropping from representing 55% of all payments in 2013 to just 35% in 2023. This decline can be attributed to the increasing convenience offered by alternative methods, particularly the rise of digital wallets and mobile payments. These modern solutions have captured the attention of consumers who seek seamless, instantaneous transactions that free them from the constraints of physical currency.

Checks, once a prevalent method of payment, have followed a similar trend of decreasing relevance, plummeting from 15% of all payments in 2013 to a mere 5% in 2023. The diminished use of checks is a result of the risks associated with fraud and the inherent inconvenience of writing, mailing, and waiting for checks to clear. In contrast, the stability of credit card usage has been notable, maintaining a consistent share of around 25% of all payments throughout the decade. Nevertheless, credit cards have experienced a transformation in their application, with a significant increase in online transactions, jumping from 10% in 2013 to 20% in 2023.

The remarkable growth story, however, belongs to digital wallets, mobile payments, and contactless payments. Digital wallets have witnessed rapid adoption, growing from a mere 1% of payments in 2013 to a substantial 10% in 2023. The allure of digital wallets lies in their convenience, offering users the ability to store multiple payment methods in one place and make transactions with ease. Simultaneously, the proliferation of smartphones has propelled mobile payments into the spotlight, surging from 0.5% in 2013 to 5% in 2023, as consumers increasingly embrace the convenience of making payments with a single tap. Finally, the emergence of contactless payments has reshaped the payment landscape, growing from 1% of payments in 2013 to 5% in 2023, as more merchants offer this secure and swift payment option. The dynamic interplay of these trends underscores a fundamental transformation in how individuals and businesses exchange value, paving the way for a more interconnected and digitized financial future.

You can do anything with Magento 2. Until it breaks

Magento 2 emerged as a dynamic commerce platform renowned for its exceptional flexibility with robust extensibility capabilities. The realm of possibilities that opens up through Magento 2 extensions is virtually boundless, granting merchants the ability to finely craft their ecommerce environments to their precise specifications. The platform's adaptability makes it an ideal choice for businesses seeking to create unique, feature-rich online stores tailored to their individual needs. However, amidst this expansiveness lies a potential challenge – the intricate nature of extensions can give rise to issues in the realm of maintenance. This includes integrations with payment gateways and payment solutions.

The trade-off for Magento 2's extensive customization options is the management complexity introduced by these very extensions. Challenges surface when these extensions interact, leading to conflicts that can compromise the stability and functionality of the online store. Furthermore, the fragility of extensions in the face of platform upgrades poses another hurdle. In the context of payment methods, where seamless transactions are paramount, this issue becomes particularly critical. Businesses often need the flexibility to adapt their payment methods to evolving customer preferences and market trends.

Not being able to update your payment methods quickly enough or having them broken because of a major upgrade can create tangible economical damage for your commerce business.

What if you could have all the problems go away

Having a unified point of ownership over all payment methods presents a range of compelling advantages that can significantly bolster the brand's operations and strategic capabilities:

Cost Savings and Efficiency: Centralizing payment ownership enables the brand to streamline and economize the costs linked to integrating new payment methods. Instead of expending resources on multiple integration efforts, a consolidated approach minimizes expenses associated with development, testing, and maintenance. This financial efficiency is particularly pronounced as the brand avoids redundant expenditures often required for disparate integrations.

Accelerated Time-to-Market: A singular point of ownership can prove instrumental in expediting the deployment of new payment methods. By maintaining a standardized integration process and avoiding the complexities of navigating different integration requirements for diverse methods, the brand can considerably reduce the time needed to bring new payment options to market. This agility is crucial in seizing emerging opportunities and catering to evolving consumer preferences promptly.

Enhanced Flexibility: Centralized ownership provides the brand with the agility to swiftly direct payments to multiple payment partners as dictated by specific business needs. In a dynamic market landscape, where partnerships and operational requirements may vary, this ability to seamlessly route payments optimizes the brand's ability to adapt its strategies, while still ensuring a consistent, efficient payment experience for customers.

Streamlined Customer Experience: A singular point of ownership translates to a unified and coherent customer experience. Customers are presented with a consistent interface regardless of the chosen payment method, reducing confusion and enhancing their trust in the brand. Moreover, troubleshooting and customer support become more efficient, as a single ownership entity can swiftly address issues and provide solutions across the entire payment spectrum.

In essence, the benefits of consolidating payment ownership extend beyond mere financial efficiency, encompassing strategic advantages that empower the brand to innovate, respond rapidly to market dynamics, and optimize the payment journey for customers and partners alike.

Adding PayPal Commerce Platform to the mix

The PayPal Commerce Platform emerged as a future-proof solution for brands payment needs:


Flexible Payment Methods: With this platform, customers have the freedom to choose how they want to be paid, whether it's through traditional methods like credit cards or the burgeoning popularity of digital wallets. This flexibility ensures that the brand can seamlessly accommodate various payment options, enhancing customer satisfaction and expanding the potential customer base.

Global Reach: The PayPal Commerce Platform facilitates seamless transactions regardless of geographical boundaries. Businesses can send and receive payments anywhere they operate, whether it's within their home country or across international markets. This capability is invaluable for brands seeking to tap into the global market and extend their reach beyond local confines.

Risk Management: In the ever-evolving landscape of online transactions, managing payment risks is paramount. The PayPal Commerce Platform equips brands with tools and features to navigate this landscape effectively. It offers robust security measures, fraud detection, and dispute resolution mechanisms, allowing businesses to manage potential risks while maintaining a secure and trustworthy payment environment.

Expanded Sales Channels: With the PayPal Commerce Platform, brands can effortlessly explore new sales channels and broaden their market presence. The platform's integration with various e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and online channels opens up avenues for increased visibility, driving higher conversion rates and fostering growth. Additionally, its capabilities enable businesses to access working capital to fuel expansion efforts.

Operational Focus: By entrusting payment operations to the PayPal Commerce Platform, brands can direct their energies towards core business activities. The platform's comprehensive suite of features, from payment processing to risk management, streamlines these vital processes, allowing businesses to focus on innovation, customer engagement, and growth strategies.

Don’t miss the opportunity

Bold Payment Booster is the comprehensive solution to fulfill all your payment needs. It seamlessly integrates the formidable capabilities of the PayPal Commerce Platform, and multitude of other payment providers presenting itself as the ultimate destination to fulfill all your payment requirements.

Stay ahead of your competitors by partnering with the industry-leading solution for payments.


Watch Bold Payment Booster in Action

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About the author
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Anatolli Iakimets

Director, Product Marketing

Anatolli Iakimets is a Director, Product Marketing at Bold Commerce

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