Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

If you have any queries not listed, feel free to e-mail us at [email protected] and our dedicated team will be happy to assist you.

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01. About senangPay ▾

Founded by local entrepreneurs, senangPay began as a simple solution to facilitate online payment transactions for Malaysians. Over the years, it has established itself as a comprehensive payment hub, going beyond the typical offerings of a payment gateway provider. Today, senangPay continues to embody a commitment to excellence and continuous innovation in the dynamic landscape of online payments.

On a mission to empower small and medium enterprises, senangPay has revolutionised payment methods for countless local merchants of all scales. It provides comprehensive solutions that resonate with modern consumers by offering a diverse range of payment options, from cutting-edge FPX transfers and e-wallets to Buy Now Pay Later and retail payment solutions.

Garnering international recognition, in 2022, senangPay joined forces with DOKU, a prominent payment gateway in Indonesia. This signalled the enhancement of accessible, flexible and feature-rich payment platforms in the Malaysian market, particularly for SMEs. Following the acquisition, it is now embarking on a journey to facilitate cross-border transactions.

02. Registration ▾

Complete your sign up through the registration page and proceed with the payment. Once done, head over to senangPay’s dashboard to complete and upload your required documents. After submitted, your account will be processed for verification by senangPay and our acquiring bank. We will notify you once your account has been successfully verified.

Age Requirement:
You must be at least 18 years old to register with senangPay.

Business Registration:
Your business must be officially registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). This ensures that your business is legally recognised and compliant with local regulations. Please be advised that the solutions and services provided by senangPay are not applicable to businesses that are currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings.

KYB (Know Your Business) Verification:
You are required to provide identification documents and business records to verify the identity of the business owner and the legitimacy of the business.

Additional Checks:
Depending on the payment provider’s policies, additional checks or qualifications may be required to approve your application. This can include assessing the business’s financial stability, transaction history, or compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.

We require the following documents for verification purposes:

  • A soft copy of your company’s SSM certification
  • A soft copy of the director’s identification card
  • A soft copy of your latest bank statement

Subject to certain payment providers’ policies, additional checks or documents may be required. Please review the possible list of other documents here.

We offer instant approval for certain payment methods. Once your registration is complete and all your documents have been fully submitted, senangPay will verify your account and approve it if all information is accurate. Please note that some payment options may require additional approval from third parties, such as banks or BNPL providers, which could result in a longer approval period.

Once your application is approved and all required verifications are completed, you can start using senangPay right away. This means you’ll be able to begin accepting payments through the approved methods as soon as your account is fully set up. Ensure that all documents are submitted and any additional requirements are met to avoid delays. Once everything is in order, you’ll gain immediate access to senangPay’s payment solutions to streamline your transactions and manage payments efficiently.

03. Fees and Other Charges ▾

Depending on your subscription package, an annual subscription fee may apply, along with transaction rates based on the payment methods you choose. If you choose our custom Enterprise package, you can enjoy the lowest customised transaction rates. For more details, please refer to our pricing page.

We offer two standard subscription packages—Starter and Advance, as well as a custom Enterprise package tailored to different business needs and requirements. For more details, please refer to our pricing page.

Certain charges may apply for add-on services, advanced features or customisations. For more information, our customer support team is available 24/7. Please call 03-2771 2707 or contact [email protected] for further assistance.

To view your charges, go to the Charges > List section on your senangPay dashboard. To make a payment, click the Action button and follow the instructions provided to proceed with the payment. Alternatively, you can email us at [email protected] for further assistance.

Non-profit organizations can access our payment solutions at standard rates. If you’d like to explore specific rates or discuss details further, please submit your inquiry here and one of our representatives will get in touch with you.

To upgrade your package, log into your senangPay dashboard, go to Settings and find the Subscription section. Under it, click on “Upgrade Subscription” and select your preferred plan to upgrade. The applicable fees will be displayed on the checkout page. After completing the payment, your package will be updated. For further details, read more here.

Yes, you can start with the lowest package and upgrade to a higher one as needed. Our flexible plans allow you to scale up as your business grows or as your needs change. Simply contact our support team at [email protected] when you’re ready to upgrade, and we’ll guide you through the process.

We currently offer yearly subscription options that provide better rates. By choosing our yearly package, you can start using the senangPay payment gateway inclusive of both popular e-wallet and FPX payment options for your online business for as low as RM199/year.

Yes, based on your subscription package, you can select and enable only the payment options you want to offer. Our customisable settings allow you to tailor the payment methods to best suit your business needs and customer preferences.

However, there are no customised packages where you subscribe only to specific payment options. You will need to subscribe to all options included in the package, but you can choose which ones to enable as needed.

For more details, please refer to our senangGuide, for step-by-step to customise your payment options.

04. Payment Solutions and Features ▾

Yes, we offer test accounts for you to explore our platform and features before making a commitment. The test accounts allow you to perform trial runs and fully test our services, ensuring they meet your needs. This way, you can evaluate all functionalities and integrations in a risk-free environment. Get started with a trial run of our services through our Sandbox portal.

Selling with a website:
If you have a website, senangPay provides seamless integration options to add payment processing capabilities directly to your online store. You can integrate our payment gateway with popular e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, Adobe Magento, and more. This allows you to accept payments from your customers directly on your website with minimal setup. Please visit our online stores page for further information or to find the right solution for your business.

Selling without a website:
If you don’t have a website, you can still use senangPay’s payment solutions. We offer options such as payment links and invoicing. You can generate payment links and send them to your customers via e-mail or messaging apps, or create invoices with embedded payment options. This allows you to collect payments even without an online storefront. Please visit our social selling page for further information or to find the right solution for your business.

Enterprise solutions:
Designed for large-scale businesses that require tailored payment solutions to manage high transaction volumes and complex business operations, our enterprise solutions offer extensive flexibility, including advanced payment features, the lowest transaction rates, multi-currency support, payout APIs, and seamless integration with your existing systems. This provides the scalability and customisation needed to streamline your payment processes. Please visit our enterprise solutions page for more information and find the right solution for your business.

senangPay offers a range of payment features to help you manage and optimise your transactions. Visit our solutions page to find the features tailored to each solution.

  • For online store solutions, click here.
  • For social selling solutions, click here.
  • For enterprise solutions, click here.

To view more features and their respective charges, visit our pricing page for details.

Fees may apply depending on the payment features you use and your subscription package. For detailed information on fees and charges, please refer to our pricing page or contact our support team at [email protected].

Yes, senangPay offers customisation options for certain features based on on your subscription package. For enterprises with high transaction volumes, consider our custom Enterprise package, which provides more extensive customisation, including features, transaction rates, API integration, and more. Schedule a meeting with our Enterprise team now to discuss your specific requirements.

  • For social sellers or micro SMEs: If you prefer to sell without a website or operate a micro-scale online store, consider our Starter package. This package includes FPX and e-wallet payment options with basic payment features, suitable for your needs.
  • For small to medium-scale online stores or e-commerce businesses: If you run a small to medium-scale online store or e-commerce business, our Advance package is ideal. It enables all payment options and provides advanced payment features to support your growing business.
  • For large enterprises with over RM1 million in monthly transactions: For large enterprises with high transaction volumes, the custom Enterprise package is the best choice. This package offers extensive customisation options, including the lowest transaction rates, payout APIs, advanced integration features, and more.

For further details to choose the right package for your business, please visit our pricing page.

No, senangPay currently only supports payments in Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). However, overseas customers can still make payments through senangPay as long as they are using Visa or Mastercard. While we do not support other international currencies, our platform is fully capable of facilitating transactions for international businesses.

For more details on overseas payments, please visit our overseas payment guide.

For large-scale or multinational companies, our custom Enterprise package offers additional features tailored to meet the specific needs of high-volume or international transactions.

To discuss your requirements and explore how our solutions can fit your international business needs, please schedule a meeting with our Enterprise team.

senangPay offers several key advantages over free entry payment gateways:

  • Instant approval: Get started quickly with fast approval for your payment gateway.
  • Enhanced security: We follow strict security protocols, including PCI DSS and Bank Negara Malaysia regulations, to ensure your transactions and data are fully protected.
  • Comprehensive support: Our dedicated support team is available 24/7 to help with setup, troubleshooting, and ongoing assistance, providing a more personalised service than free gateways.
  • Advanced features: Enjoy a range of advanced features and customisation options to tailor the payment experience to your specific business needs, which may not be available with free alternatives.
  • Affordable rates: Benefit from competitive pricing that offers great value for your business, starting at RM199/year for our standard packages, with the lowest transaction rates available in our Enterprise package.

By choosing senangPay, you’re investing in a secure, feature-packed and professionally supported payment gateway that grows with your business.

05. My Account and Dashboard ▾

To log in, visit our website and click the login button in the menu on our website, or click here. Enter your registered email and password to access your account.

Please contact our customer support team at [email protected] for assistance. We will require the updated SSM registration for verification purposes.

Each business requires a separate senangPay account. You are required to register a separate account for a different business. For more information, please contact our support team at [email protected].

Yes, you can grant access to team members, enabling them to help manage your senangPay dashboard and account.

For more information, visit our multi-users access guide.

Simply click “Forgot Password” on the login page and follow the instructions sent to your registered email to reset your password.

Please be informed that changing your access email may incur additional charges. For assistance or further clarification, please contact our customer support team at [email protected].

To update your account details, navigate to the “Settings” page in your senangPay dashboard, then select the “Profile” section. Make the necessary edits and save your changes.

Yes, you can deactivate your senangPay account. We will require some clarification from you before proceeding with the deactivation. Please send your inquiry to [email protected] for further assistance.

Yes, you can set up multiple senangPay payment accounts for different stores under the same registered business. Our senangPay payment gateway is designed for large-scale businesses that may have multiple branches or stores. For assistance, please contact our customer support team at [email protected].

06. Payments and Settlements ▾

If your account is deactivated or terminated, we will need additional information to clarify the situation. Please send your inquiry to [email protected].

Your settlement will be credited to your registered bank account with senangPay. Please ensure your bank account details are up to date. You can find your bank account details in the Settings > Profile section of the senangPay dashboard.

The initial bank account details submitted during registration cannot be changed by merchants themselves. If you wish to update your bank account information, please contact our customer support team at [email protected]

Kindly note that changing your access email or bank account details may incur additional charges.

The minimum amount for cash out is RM100. Amounts less than this cannot be cashed out. It will be automatically processed and your funds will be credited to you accordingly to the settlement schedule.

The settlement schedule varies based on payment methods, provider policies and the criteria set by your subscription package. Please visit our senangGuide for more details.

  • Settlement timing: Your settlement might be processed in the next batch or it might not be a settlement day yet, such as a public holiday. Please refer to the settlement schedule for more details.
  • Incomplete documents: Your documents may be incomplete for account verification purposes. Please log in to your dashboard and complete the required documents to proceed with settlement.
  • Minimum amount: You may not have reached the minimum settlement amount of RM100.
  • Verification hold: Your settlement might be on hold for verification. Please email us at [email protected] for assistance.

07. Transaction Refunds ▾

To issue a refund, click on the “Request Refund” button located in the row of the specific transaction. A payment form will appear, and you can follow the instructions to complete the process.

Please note that refunds are only available for card and eWallet transactions:

  • Card refunds can be processed as per your needs. For detailed instructions, visit our card refund guide.
  • eWallet refunds must be made on the same day the transaction was processed. For more information, visit our eWallet refund guide.

Refunds typically take up to 14 working days to process.

Please advise the customer or cardholder to contact their card-issuing bank for further assistance.

Please note that senangPay is a payment gateway that enables merchants to collect payments from their customers. For refund requests, the responsibility lies with the merchant (seller). Therefore, please contact the merchant directly for any refund requests.

Please note that this notification may have been automatically generated by the merchant’s (seller’s) senangPay system upon transaction. If you’re unsure about the origin of the transaction or it doesn’t match any recent purchases, please send us an inquiry along with the SMS or email proof showing that your card was charged by Simplepay Gateway Sdn Bhd (also known as ‘senangPay’). Our team will investigate the matter and get back to you as soon as possible.

08. Dispute & Fraud ▾

If you prefer not to accept non-local cards for your transactions, please contact our customer support at [email protected] or open a support ticket explaining your reasons. Our Compliance & Risk team will review your request based on any potential risks associated with accepting non-local card payments for your business.

When a customer disputes a payment, it’s essential to act quickly and provide as much information as possible. Here’s what you should do:
1. Review the details of the dispute carefully and gather all relevant transaction information.
2. Respond promptly with a clear explanation of the transaction and provide any supporting documents (eg: receipts, proof of delivery, or communication with the customer). A timely response helps your case and shows you’re engaged in resolving the issue.
3. Suggest a resolution when appropriate, whether it’s a refund or an alternative way to settle the dispute. Quick, proactive steps may help resolve the situation without escalating the issue further.

If you have a chargeback request (where you dispute a purchase to get your money back), it’s handled by your card issuer, not senangPay. senangPay can assist with required information but does not control the outcome. We facilitate communication to help resolve the issue.

Learn more about the process here.

09. Privacy and Security ▾

senangPay is committed to safeguarding your personal data in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). We implement robust data protection measures to ensure that your personal information is collected, stored and processed securely. We only use your data for the purposes specified and have respective protocols to prevent unauthorised access.

Yes, senangPay is compliant with several important regulations:
1. PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): We adhere to PCI DSS requirements to ensure the secure handling of payment card information and to protect against data breaches.

2. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Regulations: senangPay follows the guidelines set by Bank Negara Malaysia to ensure our operations are secure, transparent, and aligned with the regulatory standards for financial institutions.

We are committed to upholding high standards of privacy and security in compliance through these regulations.

PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) regulations are designed to protect payment card information and ensure secure transactions. For your online store or website, PCI DSS compliance with senangPay means:

  • Secure data transmission: We use encryption to protect payment card information during transmission, ensuring that data sent between your customers and our systems is secure.
  • Data protection: PCI DSS regulations require us to store payment data securely and limit access to authorised personnel only. This helps protect against unauthorised access or data breaches.
  • Regular security audits: We conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address any vulnerabilities, ensuring our systems remain secure and up-to-date.
  • Compliance measures: We adhere to all PCI DSS requirements, which include maintaining firewalls, secure servers, and other security measures to protect cardholder data.

By partnering with senangPay, you can be confident that we are following industry-standard practices to keep your customers’ payment information safe and secure.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) regulations are designed to ensure the safety, integrity, and transparency of financial transactions. For your online store or website, BNM regulations with senangPay mean:

  • Secure payment processing: We adhere to BNM’s guidelines to ensure secure and reliable payment processing, protecting your customers’ financial information from fraud and unauthorised access.
  • Transparency and compliance: We follow BNM’s requirements for transparency in our operations, including clear disclosure of fees and terms, to ensure that you and your customers are well-informed.
  • Anti-money laundering measures: We implement measures to prevent and detect money laundering and terrorist financing, in line with BNM’s regulations, to maintain the integrity of financial transactions.
  • Consumer protection: BNM’s regulations include provisions for consumer protection, ensuring that your customers’ rights are safeguarded throughout their transaction experience with your online store.

By complying with Bank Negara Malaysia’s regulations, senangPay helps to ensure that your online store operates within a secure and regulated financial environment, providing peace of mind for both you and your customers.

senangPay is proud to hold several important certifications and memberships:

  • PayNet member: We are a member of PayNet, Malaysia’s national payment network, ensuring our services integrate seamlessly with the country’s payment infrastructure.
  • Malaysia Digital status: senangPay holds the Malaysia Digital Status (formerly MSC Status), reflecting our commitment to digital innovation and our role in advancing Malaysia’s digital economy.
  • Payment facilitator: We are an authorised payment facilitator for Visa and MasterCard, which allows us to process transactions efficiently and securely for these major credit card networks.
  • Collaboration with acquiring banks and fnancial institutions: senangPay works closely with various acquiring banks and financial institutions to provide a reliable and secure payment processing experience for our users.

If you suspect any security issues with your senangPay account, please contact our support team immediately at [email protected] or WhatsApp us at 017-8244534. We have dedicated personnel to assist with security concerns and will take swift action to address any potential threats.

For tips on staying safe online and recognising common scams, please visit our Scam Awareness Tips page.

Your security is our priority, and we’re committed to providing you with the assistance you need to protect your senangPay account.

10. Customer Support ▾

To contact our customer support team, you can e-mail us at [email protected], call our support line at 03-2771 2707, or WhatsApp us at 017-8244534.

Yes, our customer support team is available all around the clock to assist with your online business. You can contact us through the channels listed above or submit your enquiry here.

What is a Payment Gateway

A Payment Gateway is a payment facilitiy that processes Credit / Debit Card payments and FPX Internet Online Banking for online businesses and traditional brick mortar stores. Simply put, a business can accept payment from anywhere in the world, through internet or mobile apps.

A Payment Gateway is a third party that validates, authorises the payment transactions between the merchant ( business owner ) and its customers. Payment Gateway facilitates this secured transactions by transferring key information between the payment portals ( online store / shopping cart / mobile apps owned by business owners ) and the front end processor / bank. Any disputes on the payment or purchased goods and services can be verified through a payment gateway, which gives an ease of mind to both merchant and customers.

How Payment Gateway works?

Below is a step by step overview on how Payment Gateway works.

Related Party :

There are 4 parties.

  1. The merchant ( business owner ) with payment portals ( online store / shopping cart / mobile apps owned by business owner )
  2.  The customer with Debit / Credit Card and Online Banking Account
  3.  The bank
  4.  The payment gateway

 

The Process :

  1.  Merchant ( business owner ) integrate their payment portals ( online store / shopping cart / mobile apps ) with payment gateway. Hence, their payment portals is now ready and able to receive payments for purchases.
  2. A customer makes an order on the online store / shopping cart / mobile apps. This is either using the checkout button or by making a purchase using the payment form.
  3. Via Payment Gateway, the purchasing data from the merchant site will be transferred to the routing / issuing bank or the 3D secure page for authentication.
  4.  Next, either the transaction is approved or declined ( depending on the customer bank account status ), the status of the purchasing data will be sent to the merchant to acknowledge.
  5. The bank will then settle the money from the customer to the payment gateway, and payment gateway will settle the money to the merchant. The merchant can release the purchased item to the customer.

Which is the best Payment Gateway in Malaysia?

Why do you need a Payment Gateway?

Below are 13 reasons why a business owner especially online business need a Payment Gateway.

1. To avoid a photoshop receipt fraud

One of the main factor of having a payment gateway is to avoid fraud such as receiving an edited photoshop receipt from customer. The only way to handle this issue is to check every receipt received, with the bank transaction.

With payment gateway, every transactions has a transaction summary which contains the status of the transaction either approved or declined. This transaction summary is emailed from the dashboard to both merchant and customers as references, real time.

 

2. To receive payment 24/7

By having a Payment Gateway, your business can receive purchase and payment, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There is no such things as “We are closed, please come tomorrow”. Business is ongoing, even while you are sleeping.

 

3. Solves the issue of customers’ database storage

Some business owner that keep their customer database in emails or sometimes in WhatsApp. Imagine if the phone is stolen and all the data is lost?

With payment gateway, the customer’s data is stored on the dashboard. This includes the name, email address, delivery address, transaction and purchase details. The data can be retrieved at any time, and can be exported out as a single spreadsheet.

Another plus point of having a secured and safe storage centre for customer data is that, you can repurpose the data easily for example, convert the data to mailing list for future campaign and promotions.

 

4. To give alternatives payment options for customers with no online banking account

Online banking such Maybank2u or CIMBCliks is definitely a trending among Malaysian minus the senior citizen. However, we cannot disregard this category of purchasers as they have the spending capacity as well. Sell your item online to them if they don’t even have any online banking?

Good news is, with Payment Gateway, payment can be made to purchases using their ATM card, using the Debit option. They can simply insert their atm card number and CVV number to proceed with payment to purchase.

 

5. To entertain customers who only want to purchase with their Credit Card

Some customers would rather purchase with their Credit Card than cash as they prefer collecting points from their credit cards. This points can later be exchanged or redeemed with rewards like items or services, cashback or even travel miles.

There is also a category of customers who are spontaneous or impulse buyers. They simply make purchases on a whim therefore Credit on Credit Card is the only way to materialise this impulse.

Even, on a market research perspective, 1 of 3 Malaysians nowadays own a Credit Card. Which means, out of 31.62 millions of the population (2017), 10.54 millions people have the ability to purchase with credit. A statistic from Bank Negara says that, the Credit Card transactions keep increasing yearly. The value of the transactions have increased from 79.8 billion (2010) to 125.6 billion (2017), which has doubled in 2018.

 

6. To solve issues on cost of shopping cart set up or unreliable website developer

Of course, for a startup business, costing is a big issue. The new company may initially think it can attract and gain new customers’ trust with fancy online payment methods However this requires a lot of investment. And the start up company may delay or want to postpone their Payment Gateway subscription.

Some Payment Gateway offers Payment Form option, which is a simple form that includes your items to start selling. This Payment Form can be shared through WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and so on. This Payment Form can be shared on blogs like WordPress, Wix or Blogspot. In a way, starting business with Payment Gateway, is now a cheaper option than starting a business with websites as it also maximises your social media influence.

 

7. To solve issue on managing drop ship business and commission

If you are a master drop shipper, managing your dropship agent commission can be a difficult process, using Payment Gateway can minimise your time on this and help you concentrate on your preferred area of business like marketing or business development.

Payment Gateway also has “Split Payment” facilities which distribute the sales money directly in real time. This “Split Payment” feature is to be set by you in terms of sharing the percentage.

 

8. To solve issue on recurring payment

Follow up a payments from customers is also another issue to deal with, as  time and resources are lost initiating this. Moreover, a periodic request for weekly or monthly payment, can surely test one’s patience.

A Payment Gateway with a “Recurring” feature is the answer. You just need to setup the the recurring frequency and amount, and proceed for the first payment. The subsequent payment will be charge automatically by the Payment Gateway based on the agreed date of transaction.

 

9. To solve issue on instalment payment

Another issue for business owners is obtaining instalment payment facility. This is true in relation to high ticket items or expensive sales of purchase.

A Payment Gateway can solved this. No worries.

 

10. Where do Malaysian lives?

Malaysian live in the mobile world today. They eat, play, read, communicate and rant online even shop online.

In 2013, the turnover for e-commerce was RM380 million in Malaysia. An average of RM2,000 was spent online in a year by Malaysians. Surprisingly 91% of Malaysians connected online, shop.

E commerce is the biggest business today as it creates convenience with just the touch of a few keypads. So it is not surprising that online shopping is the way to go today.

 

11. To solve issue on accepting international buyers

Having a Payment Gateway, goes beyond borders, which makes selling to even Hollywood stars not impossible.

Online business is to get more customers compared to what a brick and mortar shop can do. Why limit the borders only to Malaysian if you can sell your items all over the world.

 

12. Issue on power branding

A startup business will initially struggle with branding. Some business owners choose to buy Facebook Likes or Instagram Followers to build their brand by reaching to a bigger market.

Basically, engaging Payment Gateway as a payment facilitator to cater to sales and transactions is one of the easiest ways to score marks for branding. This is because, to get a Payment Gateway, a business must be legitimate, registered with SSM and has been gone through background checks with banks and relevant authorities.

By accepting payment from Credit / Debit Card, you can include MasterCard and Visa logos on your website. By doing so, you are create the same standards as Lazada or 11 Street, the giant marketplace in Malaysia currently.

 

13. 100% Online

What is a business online, that is not 100% online, because when it comes to receiving payment for purchase, you says, “PM tepi?”

things to know before choosing
a Payment Gateway

1. Choose the one with Bank Negara approval

There are lots of new payment gateways currently but not every payment gateway in Malaysia is registered with BANK NEGARA. Why do payment gateways need an approval from BANK NEGARA? Well, the one with BANK NEGARA approval is is of course, qualified, verified, trusted and is serious about business. BANK NEGARA governs the payment industry in this country, so to eliminate between the original player and the unreliable new comer (even worst, scammers), you need to check and verify with them.

To know which payment gateway is listed with BANK NEGARA, kindly visit their page for the listing.

 

2. Choose the one with reasonable sign up fees

Simple rules of life. There is no free lunch in this world. There are lot of payment gateways that offers free sign up. It’s good but remember to do more research on this because when it comes to free things, there must be some hidden cost. Free sign up is just to lure people in therefore  how does this to cover the cost in the long run? There are secured servers to maintain, a customer support team to attend complaints and comments, banks deposits and so on. Payment Gateway is not a small business to run. As the wise man says, if you throw peanuts you get monkeys. So imagine when you pay nothing, what is the catch behind it.

Then there is the ridiculous sign up or start up fees offered by some payment gateways which is unreasonable for you to commit. Some payment gateways choose to do so to eliminate small business owners and just want to focus on the “big fish” merchants.

So, what is a reasonable sign up fees? RM500 per year is about RM1.36 a day. RM2,000 per year is about RM5.47 a day. So it is up to you to choose whichever suits your business.

 

3. Choose one with an average transaction fees

A sign up fees is a fee charged to register on a payment gateway, while a transaction fees is a fee that charged on every single successful transaction. Normal transaction fees for credit cards vary from 2.5% to 3.5% depending on the payment gateway.

If you choose the cheapest then you save more. Of course, say you have 300 transactions per month but a 1% difference is a lot. But do take note that cheap doesn’t guarantee value so, choose the average to be safer and get better value.

 

4. Choose one that offers both Credit / Debit Card and FPX online banking

If you choose payment gateway that only offers FPX online banking, than you are neglecting the credit / debit card customer segment. Not everyone wants to buy using online banking as they may want to use their credit card to collect points for rewards.

At the end of the day, having a payment gateway is to give your customer an option on making a payment via FPX online banking, or debit/credit card and hassle free.

 

5. Choose one with a free and frequent settlement

A settlement is a process in which the payment gateway transfers your money (your sales transaction) to your account. Some payment gateways may require a settlement charge every time you make a settlement but some offer free settlement.

Charges on settlement is quite standard but it is important to know why you are being charged for payment transfer.

You also need to check on how frequent is the settlement process is. Is it once a month, or once a week, or twice a week or every day. The longer the settlement, the longer the payment gateway holds your money.

 

6. Choose the one with a good customer support

Customer support is crucial in the payment gateway business. It is because it deals with people’s money. Check if the payment gateway support  is 24 hours, or at least, their customer support replies your inquiries or comments within 1 – 2 working days.

Logically, payment gateways works similarly like a bank. If they cannot attend to your issues within 1 – 2 working days, then there must be something wrong. It’s either they don’t have customer support, or their customer support is busy with large number of customers.

Another way to evaluate payment gateway is to check whether :

  • Can I call them during office hours?
  • Can I send them a message through social media like Facebook?
  • Can I send them emails?
  • Do they at least use ticketing system to manage their customer support?
  • Can I set a meeting with them at their office?

And most importantly, would they even care to reply?

 

7. Choose the one that has been verified, secured by third party

There are some standard and verification needed from a third party organisations to evaluate and to assess the security level of a payment gateway. Look for word like “PCIDSS” or “Geotrust” on their website. Like banking industry, all of their website start with “https://“ which mean is another level of security compared to other ordinary websites.

A “PCIDSS” standard or “Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard” is a must to handle credit cards transaction and administered by the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council.

 

8. Choose the one that at least, already 3 years in the market

In business it said that you need, wait until the 3rd year to see success. If you manage to achieve success in 3 years, then your business has survived the worst.

In a startup business there are bound to be many challenges.As such best not to support a startup payment gateway, as you may not get what you want.

 

9. Choose the one that keep improving their services

It is normal for a business to have hiccups and sometimes it may not be an easy road, but most importantly is that the services and their products are always improving for the better. Payment gateway is a long lasting relationship, with lot of effort and discipline to maintain the ups and downs an keep improving.

Now, how to keep track whether their services are improving or otherwise? Constantly check on their social media and see how frequently they post on their new updates.

 

10. By Malaysian, for Malaysian

If it is not us as Malaysians supporting our local products or services, who else will? But of course, do check whether the payment gateway is owned by a Malaysian company as some startups are by Malaysians initially but could be sold to a foreigner. As we build our business, let’s build our country as well by supporting each other.

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We can’t wait to help you and your business ! Get in touch for a one-on-one video appointment and we’ll answer all of your questions.