What is Virtual Payment Processing?
Virtual payment processing is a secure and efficient way to process payments for products or services without the need for a physical credit or debit card. Instead, businesses can generate a unique, one-time-use virtual card number that is linked to their customer’s actual payment method. This virtual card number is then used to complete the transaction, protecting sensitive payment details and minimizing the risk of fraud or data breaches.
Virtual credit card processing allow users to make payments while protecting their privacy and preventing them from having to connect directly to their bank accounts. Processing software also lets merchants see transactions, fees, and other important financial information, often from a single dashboard. E-commerce sellers can especially benefit from virtual payment processing platforms and services, as they make it easier for them to accept various forms of payments online.
AvidXchange is an accounts payable solution that automates bill payments to suppliers on behalf of users upon approval. That way, users don’t have to enter the system and manually make payments every time a bill is due. Software like AvidXchange can save you time and allow you to take a step back from your AP process and focus on other aspects of your business. You can monitor your workflow and gain full visibility into your accounting process without having to perform the same repetitive tasks day after day, promoting greater efficiency with your team.
What is a Virtual Terminal?
A virtual terminal can allow you to make and accept online payments. When registering with a virtual processing platform, you will likely receive a virtual terminal login through which you can access the software. Some virtual terminal online platforms have certain procedures and protocols that must be followed to ensure user security. For example, one virtual terminal protocol might require a multifactor authentication system for login. This can ensure that only approved users can access and make changes to the system. Knowing the ins and outs of your virtual terminal software can set you up for greater success and enable you to make payments more easily.
Virtual terminal credit card processing has paved the way for more innovative payment solutions. Today, individual consumers and businesses alike have more payment options than ever, with new solutions entering the landscape every day. Virtual terminals have made it possible for users to make quick, secure payments without needing to mail paper checks, pay in cash, or swipe a physical card. They have fundamentally transformed the payments world and paved the way for even better solutions down the road. Virtual, touchless payments are the future, and businesses from all industries are taking advantage of this trend.
Virtual Terminal Credit Card Processing
Accessing a credit card terminal for payment is easy. As long as you’re connected to the internet, you can log onto the platform and make a payment with the click of a button. But what is a virtual terminal? In terms of payment processing, a virtual terminal refers to the platform through which users make digital payments and businesses collect those payments. With virtual terminal software you can accept different types of digital payments for customers, removing the barrier of needing to pay with some sort of physical card or cash. The more payment options you provide customers, the more business you can attract. Virtual terminal credit card processing makes it possible for consumers, wherever they happen to be shopping from, to purchase your products and services.
AvidXchange’s supplier network makes it easy for users to pay vendors via their preferred method, improving buyer-supplier relationships across the board. Additionally, you can improve your financial security by leveraging different e-payment options. AvidXchange supports multiple payment options and offers total flexibility with your workflow, allowing you to not only make payments the way you—and your suppliers—want but schedule and automate them according to your unique needs and circumstances.
Online Payment Processing
Online payment processing has several advantages over traditional processing. First and most obviously, it allows consumers to make purchases wherever they’re located in the world, as long as they’re connected to the internet. It’s also much faster than other types of payment processing. Making payments through an online processing portal is a great way to stay on top of your finances, as these platforms often provide detailed dashboards that display transactions and inform you of any changes to your account. For this reason, online payment processing platforms are typically preferred by accounts payable and receivable managers.
There are several different online payment methods. Mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Venmo are among the most popular, and for good reason. Users can make quick, touchless payments without having to pull out their physical credit and debit cards. Traditional cards are still widely used, however, and they can support straightforward seamless payments. Online payment methods are especially useful for online shoppers and those working in the digital B2B space. Although it’s unlikely that cash and other forms of traditional payments will be totally phased out any time soon, the rise in online payment processing demonstrates the extent to which users are seeking improved solutions.
Benefits of Virtual Payment Processing
- Enhanced Security– By eliminating the need to handle and store actual card numbers, virtual payment processing significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and fraud, providing peace of mind for both businesses and their customers.
- Streamlined Recurring Billing– For companies that offer subscription-based services or recurring billing, virtual payment processing simplifies the process, ensuring seamless and secure transactions without the need to re-enter payment information each time.
- Improved Customer Experience– Customers appreciate the added security and convenience of not having to share their payment details repeatedly, fostering trust and enhancing the overall customer experience.
- Cost Savings– Virtual payment processing can help businesses save money on processing fees, as some providers offer lower rates compared to traditional payment methods.
Payment Processing Software
Payment processing software, sometimes referred to as payment management software, enables businesses to process payments quickly and efficiently. It’s important to find the right payment processing platform for your business to achieve the greatest success. For instance, what types of payments are you hoping to accept? How important is automation to your process? It can also be good to consider whether or not your current systems will be able to integrate with your new payment processing platform. You can get the most out of your process by connecting all of your tools.
AvidXchange’s bill payment software, AvidPay, allows users to make all of their bill payments electronically. By doing so, you can completely eliminate paper checks from your workflow. This can save you money on processing costs. AvidPay offers several benefits to users, including reduced costs and increased efficiency. You can also scale for growth so that, regardless of what your workload looks like today, you can make adjustments to the software as needed in order to keep up with the evolving demands of your workflow. Because AvidPay is a cloud-based system, it allows for round-the-clock online access, making it a great choice for remote workers.
Payment Process Example
There are many different payment methods for business, and viewing a payment process example can give you an idea of what’s involved in virtual payments. In some cases, vendors send invoices before payment is required. Other times, companies make purchases up front. Either way, if they’re doing business online, some type of virtual payment process is involved, and it can be helpful to see how things work with a digital system, as it can vary quite a bit from traditional payment processing.
Of course, your online payment process might look drastically different from someone else’s. There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong way to structure your payments, as long as you maintain alignment with your supplier’s process. Staying on the same page is crucial when it comes to accounts payable, and a payment processing system can help you make timely, accurate payments to your vendors. This can, in turn, allow you to foster better business relationships with them. Solutions like AvidXchange make it easy for vendors and buyers alike to communicate on desired outcomes.
Virtual Payment Methods
Understanding the difference between virtual payment methods is key to choosing the right payment processing system for your business or individual needs. There are many benefits of virtual cards, which is why they have become such a popular form of digital payment. But how does virtual card processing work? A virtual card contains a randomly generated, unique code that can be used to make online payments. They work just like traditional cards, with the main difference being that they exist solely in the virtual space and are never issued to users as physical cards. They can be stored in your digital wallet or any other place you keep your digital payment methods.
Virtual card processing is often much easier than traditional payment processing. As such, many businesses rely on this form of payment. Individual consumers are also catching on to the usefulness of these payments and are ditching their physical debit and credit cards in favor of virtual cards. Whether you’re running a large business or doing some personal shopping online, having access to a seamless payment processing method can make all the difference in the world in terms of user experience.
Accounts payable managers value solutions like AvidXchange, which offers multiple payment methods so that users can pay vendors according to their needs and preferences. With more people doing business online than ever before, the demand for virtual payment methods has increased and is likely to continue growing in the future.
