How to choose a payment gateway for your online shop? A practical guide

1. Introduction

In the rapidly growing world of e-commerce, providing customers with convenient and secure payment methods is key to success. That is why choosing the right payment gateway is one of the most important aspects that every online shop owner must take care of.

Payment gateways are systems that mediate online transactions between the customer, the shop and the financial institution, e.g. a bank or payment card operator. Thanks to them, the process of paying for products and services is fast, automatic and compliant with the highest security standards. In the UK, the online payment market offers many solutions, the most popular of which are PayPal, Stripe, and Blue Media.

Why is the choice of payment gateway so important?

A well-chosen payment gateway not only provides convenience for the user, but also increases customer confidence in the shop, which can translate into higher conversion rates and sales. Here are the key reasons why choosing the right solution is so important:

1. Customer satisfaction: Customers increasingly value fast and simple payment methods such as BLIK, Apple Pay and card payments. Offering a wide range of payment methods creates a positive shopping experience.
2. Transaction security: Compliance with legal regulations (e.g. PSD2) and security standards such as PCI DSS protects both customers and shop owners from the risk of fraud.
3. Cost optimisation: Depending on the type of payment gateway and its commission policy, choosing the right solution can significantly reduce transaction costs.

Adaptation to the scale of operations: Small local shops will have different requirements than dynamically growing e-commerce platforms that handle hundreds of transactions per day.

Overview of popular payment gateways in Poland

There are many payment gateways on the Polish market, which differ in terms of available features, costs, integration methods and customer reviews. Here is a brief overview of the most popular solutions:

• PayU: The leader in Poland, particularly popular with large online shops. It supports a wide range of payment methods, such as BLIK, payment cards and fast transfers. PayU is known for its simple integration with platforms such as WordPress and PrestaShop.
• Przelewy24: One of the most versatile gateways, offering integration with banks and payment card operators. Appreciated for its intuitive user panel and support for modern payment methods.
• Tpay: An ideal solution for small and medium-sized enterprises, especially for local online shops. It supports BLIK and traditional bank transfers.
• Stripe: An international solution aimed at developers, enabling the creation of advanced payment systems thanks to extensive API documentation.
• Blue Media: Often chosen in the B2B segment, it offers broad functionality and a flexible approach to business customer requirements.

Purpose of the article

This guide aims to provide online shop owners and developers with comprehensive knowledge on the selection and implementation of payment gateways. You will learn:

• What criteria are most important when choosing a payment gateway.
• What are the implementation costs and commissions of the most popular solutions.
• Which payment gateways are easiest to integrate with popular e-commerce platforms such as WordPress and PrestaShop.
• What challenges developers face when implementing dedicated payment solutions.

2. Key criteria for choosing a payment gateway

Choosing the right payment gateway is one of the key steps in the process of creating and running an online shop. The right solution can significantly facilitate transactions, increase conversion rates and optimise sales service costs. Below, we discuss the most important criteria to consider when choosing a payment gateway.

2.1. Ease of implementation

The implementation of a payment gateway should be as simple as possible to save time and avoid potential technical problems. Here are the key aspects to consider:

• Integration with popular platforms: Most payment gateways offer ready-made plugins or modules for integration with e-commerce platforms such as WordPress (WooCommerce), PrestaShop, Magento, and Shopify. This makes installation and configuration quick and intuitive, often requiring no advanced technical knowledge.
• API support: For shops using custom solutions, it is important that the payment gateway has a well-documented API that allows for integration at the code level.
• Example: PayU and Przelewy24 offer ready-made modules for WooCommerce that can be installed in a few minutes, while Stripe provides detailed API documentation for more advanced implementations.

2.2. Customisation options

Some payment gateways allow you to customise the payment interface to match the look and feel of your online shop, which improves visual consistency and professionalism:

• Interface branding: The option to customise the appearance of the gateway (e.g. logo, colours) helps build customer trust. For example, Stripe allows for full personalisation of payment processes.
• Payment options: It is worth paying attention to the payment methods supported by a given gateway (e.g. BLIK, payment cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, traditional transfers). A greater variety of methods increases the chances of completing a transaction.

2.3. Costs

Costs are one of the most important factors influencing the choice of a payment gateway. It is worth carefully analysing the fees associated with the use of individual solutions:

• Transaction commissions: The most common are percentage fees (e.g. 1.5-2.5% of the transaction value) or a fixed fee for each transaction.
• Implementation and maintenance costs: Some gateways require an initial setup fee, while others operate on a subscription model.
• Example:
  • PayU: Commission of 2% to 3% per transaction, depending on turnover.
  • Przelewy24: Average commission is 1.9%, with no fixed monthly costs.
  • Stripe: Commission of 1.4% + PLN 1.2 per card transaction.

2.4. Security

The security of online transactions is crucial for both shop owners and their customers. It is important that the chosen payment gateway complies with applicable regulations and best practices:

• PSD2 and SCA (Strong Customer Authentication) compliance: All payment gateways in Poland must comply with PSD2 regulations, including the use of multi-factor authentication.
• Certificates and security standards: Ensure that the gateway is PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certified and uses SSL/TLS encryption.
• Example: All of the payment gateways listed (PayU, Przelewy24, Tpay, Stripe) meet PCI DSS security standards and support PSD2 requirements.

2.5. Customer service and technical support

Reliable technical support is crucial in case of problems with the integration or functioning of the payment gateway:

• Support availability: The best payment gateways offer 24/7 customer service, including support in Polish.
• Response speed: The response time to technical requests is of great importance, especially for shops handling a large number of transactions.
• Example:
  • PayU offers dedicated support for business customers.
  • Stripe provides an extensive knowledge base and fast support via email and chat.

3. Popular payment gateways on the Polish market – a detailed comparison

There are many payment gateways on the Polish market, which differ in terms of costs, available features, integration with popular platforms and user reviews. Below you will find a detailed analysis of the five most popular solutions: PayU, Przelewy24, Tpay, Stripe and Blue Media.

3.1. PayU

PayU is one of the most popular payment gateways in Poland, particularly valued for its versatility and ease of integration.

• Available payment methods:
  • BLIK, credit and debit cards, fast transfers, digital wallets (Google Pay, Apple Pay).
  • Option of instalment and deferred payments.
• Ease of integration:
  • Ready-made modules for WordPress (WooCommerce), PrestaShop, Magento.
  • Easy-to-configure API, allowing for the creation of dedicated solutions.
• Costs:
  • Commission from 2% to 3% per transaction (negotiable depending on the store’s turnover).
  • No implementation fees.
• Advantages:
  • High security and PSD2 compliance.
  • Fast payment processing and technical support in Polish.
• Disadvantages:
  • Higher commission costs compared to some competitors.
  • Lack of full customisation of the payment interface.

3.2. Przelewy24

Przelewy24 is a gateway known for its wide range of supported payment methods and flexibility.

• Available payment methods:
  • BLIK, instant transfers, payment cards, e-wallets, instalment payments.
  • Support for transactions in multiple currencies.
• Ease of integration:
  • Ready-made plugins for WooCommerce, PrestaShop and other platforms.
  • Detailed API documentation for creating custom solutions.
• Costs:
  • Average commission: 1.9% per transaction.
  • No fixed subscription fees.
• Advantages:
  • Transparent administration panel.
  • Fast payment posting to the shop account.
• Disadvantages:
  • User reviews indicate occasional issues with customer service.

3.3. Tpay

Tpay is a solution particularly popular among small and medium-sized online shops.

• Available payment methods:
  • BLIK, bank transfers, payment cards, QR payments.
  • Subscription and recurring payment support.
• Ease of integration:
  • Easy implementation of ready-made modules for WooCommerce, PrestaShop and other platforms.
  • API documentation enabling integration with dedicated systems.
• Costs:
  • Commission: from 1.5% to 2.5% depending on turnover.
  • No account activation fees.
• Advantages:
  • Flexible approach to customers and competitive commission rates.
  • Intuitive user interface.
• Disadvantages:
  • Less recognisable compared to PayU or Przelewy24.

3.4. Stripe

Stripe is an international payment gateway, particularly valued by developers for its extensive integration capabilities.

• Available payment methods:
  • Payment cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, instalment payments.
  • Support for foreign and local currencies.
• Ease of integration:
  • Dedicated solution for developers – top-level API documentation.
  • Ready-made plugins for WooCommerce and other platforms.
• Costs:
  • Commission: 1.4% + PLN 1.2 per card transaction in Europe.
  • Additional costs for handling international currencies.
• Advantages:
  • Advanced tools for developers.
  • Support for subscriptions and recurring payments.
• Disadvantages:
  • No technical support in Polish.
  • Less user-friendly interface for non-technical users.

3.5. Blue Media

Blue Media is a Polish payment gateway often chosen by B2B companies and shops with specific requirements.

• Available payment methods:
  • Fast transfers, payment cards, BLIK, deferred payments.
  • Solutions dedicated to larger enterprises.
• Ease of integration:
  • Ready-made modules for popular e-commerce platforms.
  • Possibility to order dedicated implementations.
• Costs:
  • Costs determined individually, depending on the scale of operations.
• Advantages:
  • Flexibility in tailoring services to customer needs.
  • High security standards.
• Disadvantages:
  • Higher costs for smaller online shops.

4. Implementing a payment gateway in practice

Implementing a payment gateway in an online shop is a key step that allows for efficient handling of online transactions. The process varies depending on the solution chosen and the e-commerce platform used. Below, we will discuss how to implement ready-made payment gateway modules on popular platforms such as WordPress (WooCommerce) and PrestaShop, and we will also look at the implementation of dedicated solutions using APIs.

4.1. Ready-made modules for WordPress (WooCommerce) and PrestaShop

Most popular payment gateways offer ready-made plugins and modules that allow for quick implementation of a payment system without the need for advanced programming. This is an ideal solution for online shop owners who use platforms such as WordPress or PrestaShop.

4.1.1. Implementing a payment gateway in WooCommerce

1. Module installation:
   • Go to the WordPress admin panel.
   • Select the “Plugins” tab and click “Add New”.
   • Search for a payment gateway plugin, e.g. “PayU WooCommerce” or “Przelewy24 WooCommerce”.
   • Click “Install” and “Activate”.
2. Configuration:
   • Go to WooCommerce settings (the “Payments” tab).
   • Select the installed payment gateway from the list.
   • Enter the authorisation data (e.g. customer ID, API key) that you will receive after registering in the panel of the selected gateway.
   • Save your changes and proceed to testing.
3. Testing:
   • Ensure that test mode (sandbox) is enabled.
   • Perform a few test transactions to check if the gateway is working properly.
4. Switching to production mode:
   • Once testing is complete, switch the gateway to production mode.
   • Check that all payment methods are visible to customers.

4.1.2. Implementing the payment gateway in PrestaShop

1. Module installation:
   • Log in to the PrestaShop administration panel.
   • Go to the “Modules and Services” tab and click “Add New Module”.
   • Upload the module file downloaded from the payment gateway website (e.g. PayU or Przelewy24).
   • Click “Install”.
2. Configuration:
   • Enter your authorisation details (ID, API key).
   • Set the available payment methods and currencies.
   • Configure redirect pages after payment completion.
3. Testing:
   • Enable test mode and perform test transactions to ensure that the gateway is working correctly.
4. Launch:
   • Disable test mode and enable the gateway for customers.

4.2. Implementing a dedicated solution using the API

Dedicated solutions are essential for more advanced shops or systems that require greater control over the payment process. Most payment gateways, such as Stripe, PayU, and Przelewy24, offer detailed API documentation that facilitates integration.

4.2.1. Steps for integration using API

1. Account registration and configuration:
   • Create an account with your chosen payment gateway.
   • Obtain API keys (public and private) and access tokens.
2. Connect to the API:
   • Use the API documentation provided by the payment gateway.
   • Select the appropriate libraries for your programming language, e.g. PHP, Python, or JavaScript.
   • Example of integration in PHP (PayU):

$apiUrl = “https://secure.snd.payu.com/api/v2_1/orders”;

$authToken = “Your_API_token”;

 

$orderData = [

‘notifyUrl’ => ‘https://twojsklep.pl/notify’,

‘customerIp’ => ‘127.0.0.1’,

‘merchantPosId’ => ‘Your_Merchant_Pos_ID’,

‘description’ => ‘In-store purchase’,

‘currencyCode’ => ‘PLN’,

‘totalAmount’ => ‘10000’, // in groszy

‘buyer’ => [

’email’ => ‘klient@example.com’,

‘phone’ => ‘123456789’,

‘firstName’ => ‘John’,

‘surname’ => ‘Kowalski’

],

‘products’ => [

[

‘name’ => ‘Product 1’,

‘unitPrice’ => ‘10000’,

‘quantity’ => ‘1’

]

]

];

 

$options = [

CURLOPT_URL => $apiUrl,

CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER => true,

CURLOPT_HTTPHEADER => [

“Content-Type: application/json”,

“Authorisation: Bearer $authToken”

],

CURLOPT_POST => true,

CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS => json_encode($orderData)

];

 

$curl = curl_init();

curl_setopt_array($curl, $options);

$response = curl_exec($curl);

curl_close($curl);

 

echo $response;

Testing:

• Perform test transactions in the sandbox environment to ensure that the system is working correctly.

Switching to the production environment:

• Once testing is complete, switch to the production environment using the appropriate API keys.

4.3. Tips for testing and optimisation

• Test scenarios:
  • Test different payment methods (BLIK, card, bank transfer).
  • Check how the system responds to incorrect data (e.g. incorrect card number).
  • Analyse whether the customer is correctly informed about the payment status.
• Monitoring and optimisation:
  • Regularly check transaction reports in the payment gateway administration panel.
  • Monitor payment processing times and ensure there are no delays.

5. Cost analysis and return on investment (ROI)

The costs associated with implementing and using payment gateways are one of the most important factors to consider when choosing them. In this section, we will take a detailed look at implementation costs, transaction fees, and the impact of these expenses on online shop profits. We will also discuss how to estimate return on investment (ROI) and when it is worth considering more advanced or expensive solutions.

5.1. Types of costs associated with payment gateways

Payment gateway costs can be divided into several main categories:

1. Transaction fees:
   • Most payment gateways charge a percentage of the transaction value, often with an additional fixed amount for each transaction.
   • Examples:
     • PayU: 2–3% per transaction, no fixed additional fee.
     • Stripe: 1.4% + PLN 1.2 per card transaction in Europe.
     • Przelewy24: 1.9% per transaction.
2. Implementation costs:
   • For most gateways offering ready-made modules (e.g. WooCommerce, PrestaShop), implementation does not involve any additional fees. However, in the case of dedicated solutions, these costs can be significantly higher, depending on the scale of integration.
   • Examples:
     • Ready-made modules: Usually free or priced from PLN 0 to PLN 500 one-off.
     • Dedicated solutions: The cost can range from a few to several thousand PLN.
3. Monthly or subscription fees:
   • Some payment gateways use a subscription model, where the customer pays a fixed monthly fee regardless of the number of transactions.
   • Example: For large shops, Blue Media may offer a model based on monthly fees.
4. Additional fees:
   • Fees for chargebacks (refunds), international payment processing or non-standard features such as instalment payments.
   • Example: Stripe charges an additional 2% for payments in currencies other than the local currency.

5.3. Return on investment (ROI) in payment gateways

Return on investment (ROI) can be calculated by considering the impact of the payment gateway on conversion growth, customer trust and shop profits.

ROI formula:

ROI example for a small shop:

• Net profit from the payment gateway: PLN 10,000 per year (increase in conversion and sales thanks to customer trust).
• Costs: £400 per month × 12 months = £4,800 per year.
• ROI:

5.4. When is it worth investing in a more expensive solution?

1. Shops with high turnover:
   • For shops with a large number of transactions, it is worth negotiating individual commission terms. It is also worth considering gateways with lower percentage fees, even at the cost of higher monthly fees.
2. International service:
   • If your shop operates on the international market, solutions such as Stripe may be more cost-effective, thanks to their support for multiple currencies and international payment cards.
3. Implementation of dedicated features:
   • Shops with specific requirements (e.g. subscriptions, recurring payments) can benefit from dedicated solutions that offer greater flexibility, despite higher initial costs.

5.5. Optimising payment gateway costs

1. Negotiations with the provider:
   • With higher turnover, you can negotiate lower commissions or additional benefits, such as no chargeback fees.
2. Using multiple payment gateways:
   • It is worth considering implementing more than one payment gateway to reduce costs depending on customer preferences.
3. Promotions and discounts:
   • Some gateways offer lower commissions for the first few months of operation or special terms for new customers.

6. Customer and user reviews

Customer and user reviews are one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a payment gateway. Their experiences provide a better understanding of the actual advantages and disadvantages of each solution. In this section, we will analyse reviews from online forums, e-commerce groups and popular portals such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews. We will also present examples of both positive and negative opinions to give a complete picture of the situation.

6.1. PayU – the leader in trust on the Polish market

PayU enjoys a high level of trust among online shop owners, mainly due to its simplicity of implementation and wide range of payment methods. Here is what users say:

• Advantages indicated by customers:
  • Wide availability of payment methods: Customers emphasise that the support for BLIK, payment cards and bank transfers means that PayU meets the needs of most consumers.
  • Simplicity of integration: Shop owners using WooCommerce and PrestaShop praise the ease of configuration of ready-made modules.
  • Security: Many users note that high-quality security (PSD2 and PCI DSS compliance) builds customer trust in their shops.
• Disadvantages reported by customers:
  • Commission costs: Some users point out that commissions of 2-3% are higher than those of competitors.
  • Technical support: Several reviews suggest that response times to requests could be shorter during peak hours.

Sample user review:
“PayU is a great solution for my WooCommerce shop. The integration was seamless, and my customers are happy to use BLIK. It’s just a shame that the commission fees are quite high.” – Anna, clothing shop owner.

6.2. Przelewy24 – flexibility and support for modern payments

Przelewy24 is one of the most versatile payment gateways on the market, as confirmed by user reviews:

• Advantages indicated by customers:
  • Wide range of payment methods: Customers appreciate the support for BLIK, payment cards and instant transfers.
  • Competitive costs: The commission of 1.9% is often mentioned as an advantage over PayU.
  • Intuitive interface: The admin panel is praised for its clarity and ease of use.
• Disadvantages reported by customers:
  • Customer service: Several people have reported issues with response times to technical queries.
  • Implementation issues: Some users note that configuration on less popular platforms may take more time.

Sample user review:
“Przelewy24 is ideal for a small shop like mine. The costs are lower than PayU, and customers often use BLIK. However, they could respond to technical questions more quickly.” – Michał, owner of an electronics shop.

6.3. Tpay – a solution for small and medium-sized businesses

Tpay is valued by shop owners looking for simple and inexpensive solutions.

• Advantages pointed out by customers:
  • Low commissions: Shop owners note that commissions starting at 1.5% are attractive, especially for small businesses.
  • Support for recurring payments: This feature is cited as one of the biggest advantages by companies offering subscriptions.
• Disadvantages reported by customers:
  • Limited recognition: Some users note that customers are less willing to use Tpay compared to more well-known brands.
  • Lack of advanced features: For larger stores, Tpay may not offer enough customisation options.

Sample user review:
“Tpay works great for my small handicraft shop. The costs are low and my customers can complete their transactions without any problems. With a larger number of orders, I would probably have to look for a more advanced solution.” – Karolina, owner of a handmade shop.

6.4. Stripe – an advanced solution for large shops

Stripe, although less popular in Poland, is gaining recognition among shops operating internationally.

• Advantages pointed out by customers:
  • International support: Stripe enables payments in multiple currencies, which is crucial for shops selling abroad.
  • Advanced API: Developers praise the detailed documentation, which allows for the creation of custom solutions.
• Disadvantages reported by customers:
  • No support in Polish: This limitation is cited as a significant problem for local businesses.
  • International payment costs: Additional fees for foreign currency transactions can be high.

Sample user review:
“Stripe is great if you want to run an international shop. The API is fantastic, but the lack of support in Polish is a big minus.” – Marek, owner of a sports accessories shop.

6.5. Blue Media – a flexible solution for large businesses

Blue Media is gaining recognition among B2B companies and shops requiring advanced features.

• Advantages pointed out by customers:
  • Flexibility in customising services: Large companies praise the ability to negotiate individual terms and personalisation.
  • Deferred transaction support: This feature is appreciated in industries such as household appliance sales.
• Disadvantages reported by customers:
  • Costs: Smaller companies note that implementation costs and commissions are too high compared to the competition.

Sample user review:
“Thanks to Blue Media, I can offer my customers deferred payments, which is a big advantage in the household appliances industry. For small businesses, however, the costs can be prohibitive.” – Tomasz, owner of an electronics store.

6.6. Comparison of user opinions

Payment gateway	Main advantages	Most frequently reported disadvantages
PayU	Ease of integration, security, BLIK support	High commissions
Przelewy24	Competitive commissions, intuitive interface	Technical support response time
Tpay	Low costs, support for recurring payments	Less recognition among customers
Stripe	International support, advanced API	No support in Polish
Blue Media	Flexibility of services, deferred payments	High costs for small businesses

7. Summary and recommendations

Choosing the right payment gateway for an online shop is a decision that can significantly affect the functioning of the business, customer satisfaction and sales profitability. In summary, the payment gateway should be tailored to the specific nature of the shop, customer preferences and financial capabilities. In this section, we will present the most important conclusions and recommendations for different types of online shops.

7.1. Key conclusions

1. Ease of implementation:
   • PayU and Przelewy24 offer intuitive ready-made modules for the most popular platforms, such as WooCommerce and PrestaShop.
   • Stripe and Tpay require more advanced integration, but provide extensive API documentation, which is a big advantage for developers.
2. Costs:
   • Przelewy24 and Tpay stand out with competitive commissions (around 1.5–1.9%).
   • PayU and Blue Media may incur higher costs, but they offer additional features such as deferred payments.
3. Security:
   • All of the payment gateways analysed meet security standards such as PCI DSS and PSD2 requirements, ensuring protection for both shops and customers.
4. Customer reviews:
   • PayU and Przelewy24 are the most recognisable on the Polish market and enjoy the trust of consumers.
   • Stripe is preferred by international shops, while Blue Media is valued for its flexibility in personalising services.

7.2. Recommendations for different types of online shops

For small online shops (up to PLN 50,000 in monthly turnover):

• Recommended gateways: Tpay, Przelewy24.
• Reason:
  • Low implementation and commission costs.
  • Wide range of payment methods, including BLIK and fast transfers.
• Why not other solutions?
  • PayU may be too expensive for shops with low turnover.

For medium-sized online shops (PLN 50,000–500,000 monthly turnover):

• Recommended gateways: PayU, Przelewy24, Blue Media.
• Reason:
  • Extensive customisation options and support for recurring payments.
  • Access to more advanced features, such as instalment payments.
• Why is it worth it?
  • PayU offers dedicated technical support, and Blue Media allows for individual rate negotiations.

For large online stores (over PLN 500,000 in monthly turnover):

• Recommended gateways: Stripe, Blue Media.
• Reason:
  • Stripe offers excellent international payment and subscription services.
  • Blue Media allows for advanced customisation and solutions dedicated to corporate clients.
• Why not other solutions?
  • Tpay may be too limited in terms of functionality for large stores, while Przelewy24 and PayU have less advanced global payment options.

7.3. Long-term strategies for choosing a payment gateway

1. Considering multiple payment gateways:
   • Implementing more than one payment gateway allows for flexibility and greater customer satisfaction.
   • Example: Combining Przelewy24 with Stripe, where one serves local customers and the other serves international customers.
2. Cost analysis from a growth perspective:
   • In the initial stage, it is worth focusing on gateways with low commission costs.
   • As turnover grows, you can negotiate better terms with suppliers or invest in dedicated solutions.
3. Monitoring and optimisation:
   • Regularly analyse transaction reports and customer feedback to assess the effectiveness of the payment gateway.
   • Test new payment methods, such as BLIK or mobile payments, which are growing in popularity.

7.4. Benefits of choosing the right payment gateway

• Higher conversion rates: Customers are more likely to complete their purchases when they have access to their preferred payment methods.
• Better user experience: Simplicity and security of transactions build customer trust.
• Cost optimisation: Choosing a gateway tailored to the needs of your shop allows you to minimise commissions and other fees.
• Scalability: Advanced gateways, such as Stripe and Blue Media, allow you to easily scale your business to international markets.

7.5. Final recommendation

For most Polish online shops, PayU or Przelewy24 will be the optimal choice due to their simplicity of implementation, wide availability of payment methods, and recognition among customers. Shops with greater international ambitions should consider integrating with Stripe, while B2B companies and those in the premium sector can take advantage of Blue Media’s flexible services.

Remember that the decision to choose a payment gateway should be tailored to the specifics of your business and customer expectations. Regular analysis of costs and customer satisfaction will allow you to maximise the potential of your chosen payment gateway.

8. FAQ – Frequently asked questions

Finally, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about payment gateways. We will try to dispel any doubts that may arise among online shop owners and programmers responsible for implementing payment systems

1. Can I use more than one payment gateway in my online shop?

Yes, many online shops decide to implement several payment gateways at the same time. This approach increases flexibility and allows you to meet the needs of different customer groups. For example:

• Local customers may prefer Przelewy24 or PayU with BLIK support.
• International customers may use Stripe, which supports payments in multiple currencies.

Benefits of implementing several payment gateways:

• Increase conversion rates by offering preferred payment methods.
• Minimise the risk of technical problems – if one gateway fails, the other can serve as a backup.

2. How long does it take to implement a payment gateway?

The implementation time depends on the type of gateway selected and the platform on which the shop operates:

• Ready-made modules (e.g. for WooCommerce, PrestaShop):
  • Installation and configuration usually takes between 30 minutes and several hours.
  • Most payment gateways, such as PayU or Przelewy24, offer intuitive plugins that can be quickly installed.
• Dedicated solutions:
  • Integration using an API can take from a few days to several weeks, depending on the complexity of the technical requirements.
  • Example: Implementing Stripe with full customisation requires advanced coding and testing.

3. Does every payment gateway support BLIK?

Not every payment gateway supports BLIK, but most popular solutions in Poland provide support for this payment method. Gateways that support BLIK include:

• PayU
• Przelewy24
• Tpay
• Blue Media

Why is it worth offering BLIK?

• BLIK is one of the fastest growing payment methods in Poland, valued for its speed and convenience. In 2024, over 90% of customers using online banking in Poland will have access to BLIK.

4. What are the minimum technical requirements for payment gateway integration?

The minimum technical requirements depend on the solution you choose. Here’s what you need to consider:

1. Ready-made modules:
   • They work on most popular platforms, such as WordPress, PrestaShop and Magento.
   • They require active hosting and a correctly configured e-commerce platform.
2. API integration:
   • You must have access to a server that supports HTTPS (SSL/TLS).
   • Knowledge of the programming language used in integration (e.g. PHP, Python, JavaScript).
   • Ability to test the gateway in a sandbox environment.

5. Do payment gateways support payments in foreign currencies?

Yes, most payment gateways support foreign currency payments, but their availability and costs may vary:

• Stripe: Enables payments in over 135 currencies and is ideal for international shops.
• PayU and Przelewy24: Support payments in EUR, USD and several other currencies, but the offer is limited compared to Stripe.
• Tpay: Focuses mainly on the Polish market, so support for international currencies is limited.

Additional costs:

• For payments in foreign currencies, gateways often add additional commissions (e.g. Stripe – 2% for international transactions).

6. What technical support do payment gateways offer?

Technical support varies depending on the provider:

• PayU and Przelewy24: They offer support in Polish, available by e-mail and telephone.
• Stripe: Provides an extensive knowledge base and support via email, but no support in Polish.
• Blue Media: Individual technical support with a dedicated account manager is available for larger customers.

7. What are the most common mistakes when implementing payment gateways?

When implementing payment gateways, the following mistakes should be avoided:

• Lack of testing in a sandbox environment: Failure to test the gateway before launch can lead to problems with transaction completion.
• Outdated SSL certificates: Not having a valid SSL/TLS certificate makes it impossible to process payments.
• Incomplete documentation: Ensure that all authentication data (API, keys) is configured correctly.
• Not mobile-friendly: More and more customers are making payments on mobile devices, so the payment gateway must be responsive.

8. What are the benefits of regularly monitoring the payment gateway?

Regular monitoring allows you to:

• Detect errors in the payment process.
• Analyse which payment methods are most frequently chosen by customers.
• Optimise the payment process, e.g. by introducing new methods such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.