Taking payments online means connecting a payment processor that handles cards securely so sensitive data never touches your server. Stripe and PayPal cover most U.S. businesses; the right choice depends on fees, payout speed and the checkout experience you want.
How online payments work
When a customer pays, the processor (Stripe, PayPal, Square) securely captures the card, runs fraud checks, charges it and pays out to your bank. You never store card numbers — that keeps you out of most PCI-compliance burden.
The main providers
| Provider | Good for |
|---|---|
| Stripe | Developers, subscriptions, global cards |
| PayPal | Buyer trust, quick setup |
| Square | Businesses with in-person sales too |
| Apple/Google Pay | One-tap mobile checkout |
What you need to start
- A registered business and bank account for payouts.
- A processor account (Stripe/PayPal) — fast to open.
- An SSL certificate on your site (standard today).
- Clear refund and terms pages.
Offer the methods your buyers use: adding Apple Pay and Google Pay measurably lifts mobile conversion.
Don't forget sales tax
U.S. sales tax depends on where you and your buyers are. Tools like TaxJar or Avalara automate the calculation at checkout. We wire this in so tax is correct from day one rather than a year-end scramble.