If you’re selling anything online – products, services, appointments, memberships – you need a way to accept payment. That means a payment gateway. And if you’re a small business that doesn’t already have one set up, the options can feel more complicated than they need to be.
Yellowfin Development is an authorized reseller partner for Authorize.Net, one of the most established payment gateway providers in the industry. We recommend them for clients who need a reliable, PCI-compliant gateway that integrates cleanly with WordPress, WooCommerce, and most major e-commerce platforms.
What a Payment Gateway Actually Does
A payment gateway is the infrastructure that sits between your website and the banking networks. When a customer enters their credit card information and hits “pay,” the gateway encrypts that data, routes it to the card network for authorization, and returns an approval or decline – all in a few seconds.
It’s essentially a credit card terminal for the internet. Instead of a physical machine and a phone line, it’s software and an API. The mechanics are the same – your customer pays, the funds move through the network, and the money lands in your merchant account within a day or two.
Without a payment gateway, you can’t accept credit cards or e-checks online. With one, you can sell anything from your site, take phone orders through a virtual terminal, and handle recurring billing for subscription-based services.
Why Authorize.Net
Authorize.Net has been processing payments since 1996. They’re one of the largest and most widely integrated gateways available, which matters practically – if you’re using WooCommerce, a CRM, QuickBooks, or most other business software, there’s a good chance Authorize.Net already has a native integration.
What makes them worth recommending for small businesses:
- PCI DSS compliant: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard compliance is required for any business accepting card payments. Authorize.Net handles this at the gateway level so you don’t have to store sensitive card data on your own servers.
- All major payment types: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club, JCB, and electronic checks.
- Fraud prevention tools: Address Verification Service (AVS), Card Code Verification (CVV2), and an optional Advanced Fraud Detection Suite for businesses that need additional protection.
- Virtual Terminal: Accept phone and mail orders manually through a browser-based interface – no card reader required.
- Recurring billing: Automated Recurring Billing (ARB) for subscription services or payment plans, without storing card data on your end.
- QuickBooks sync: Settled transactions can import directly into QuickBooks automatically – useful for businesses that are already running their books there.
- Fast deposits: Funds typically deposited into your merchant bank account within two business days.
- Seven-day support: Phone, chat, and email support available seven days a week.
Plans and Pricing
We offer two options depending on whether you already have a merchant account:
- Payment Gateway + Merchant Account: Don’t have a merchant account yet? We can set you up with one. Monthly gateway fee: $25. Per transaction: 2.9% + 30 cents.
- Payment Gateway Only: Already have a merchant account through your bank? We can add the gateway on top. Monthly gateway fee: $25. Per transaction (gateway only): 10 cents.
Setup is always free. No long-term contracts.
Need Help?
Not sure which option fits your situation, or want help getting it integrated with your existing site? Reach out anytime and we’ll walk you through it.
Worth Knowing
Global e-commerce sales are projected to exceed $6.3 trillion in 2024, with small businesses accounting for a growing share of online transactions. Businesses that accept online payments report significantly higher conversion rates than those that require phone or in-person payment – reducing friction at the point of purchase directly impacts whether a sale completes.
Source: Statista – E-Commerce Worldwide
