Best Online Payment Systems for Small Business Websites

Payment Systems for (WordPress, Drupal, Wix & Square)

If you run a small business, your website needs to do more than just look good—it should make it easy for your customers to buy from you, donate, or book your services online. That’s where a good online payment system comes in.

Whether your site is built on WordPress, Drupal, Wix, or Square, here’s what to look for when picking the right payment setup.

1. Keep It Safe and Secure 🔐

First things first—your customers need to trust your website. That means their credit card info needs to be protected. Look for a payment system that:

Follows security standards (like PCI compliance)
Offers fraud protection
Uses encryption (think: scrambled data)

If you’re using something like Stripe, PayPal, or Square, you’re already off to a solid start. 👉 Tip: Add “Secure Checkout” badges near your buy buttons—it builds trust.

2. Make Sure It Works With Your Website Platform 🔌

Not all payment systems work with every website. Here’s a quick guide:

WordPress: Use plugins like WooCommerce, WP Simple Pay, or PayPal Buttons.
Drupal: Look for payment add-ons that support Stripe or Authorize.net.
Wix: You can use Wix Payments, or connect Stripe or PayPal easily.
Square: Best if you already use Square in person—you can connect it to your website for online sales too.

You don’t have to be techy to set these up—many of them walk you through it step by step.

3. Make Checkout Easy for Your Customers 🛒

A slow or confusing checkout process can make people give up before finishing their purchase. Your payment system should:

Work on phones and tablets
Let people pay with cards, PayPal, or even Apple Pay
Be fast—fewer clicks, better sales

👉 If it’s easy, people are more likely to follow through.

4. Know What You’re Paying For 💵

Every payment system charges fees—usually a small percentage per sale. Some also charge monthly fees or extras for subscriptions or donations. Before you decide, ask:

What’s the fee per transaction?
Are there monthly costs?
Can I offer discounts, subscriptions, or take donations?

This is where platforms like Stripe and PayPal shine—they’re flexible and transparent.

5. Get Reports and Invoices Without the Headache 📊

Good payment systems should help you stay organized. Look for:

Simple sales reports
Easy invoicing (especially if you do service-based work)
Connection to bookkeeping tools like QuickBooks

This will save you time when tax season rolls around—or when you just want to see how your business is doing.

6. Look for Support That Has Your Back 💬

When you’re running a small business, you don’t have time to deal with tech issues. Make sure your payment provider offers:

Helpful customer support
Clear instructions and tutorials
Good reviews from other small businesses

In a Nutshell…

The best online payment system for your small business is one that:

Keeps your customers’ data safe
Works smoothly with your website
Makes checkout easy
Doesn’t surprise you with fees
Helps you stay organized
Offers great support

Whether you’re selling products, offering services, or taking donations, having the right payment system in place makes it easier for customers to say yes—and that’s good for your bottom line.

Need help setting up payments? Check out our Website Support Services.

Online Payment System Questions Answered

Q: What’s the easiest way to accept payments on my small business website?

A: Platforms like Wix and WordPress offer plugins and built-in tools to quickly add payment options without needing to code.

Q: Do I need a merchant account to accept payments online?

A: Not always. Services like Stripe, PayPal, and Square let you accept payments without setting up a traditional merchant account.

Q: What is the easiest payment system to set up for a small business website?

A: For many small businesses, platforms like PayPal, Stripe, and Square are the easiest to set up. They offer simple integration with website builders like WordPress, Wix, and Drupal, and don’t require a separate merchant account.

Q: Can I accept recurring payments or subscriptions through my website?

A: Yes! Many payment systems like Stripe, PayPal, and WooCommerce Subscriptions (for WordPress) support recurring billing. This is great for memberships, donations, or subscription services—and can be set up without much technical know-how.