How digital payment solutions are transforming payments experience

In the digital economy, we’ve come a long way, and multi-channel distribution is now a must-have for any company. Customers are now progressing beyond buying stuff and making payments to engaging in seamless customer-driven interactions via mobile devices, which is the next level of interactions.

Major alterations in payment behavior were encouraged by the pandemic: decreased cash usage, shift from in-store to cashless payment solution, and acceptance of instant payments.

These changes open up new possibilities for payment players; however, it is uncertain which are permanent and which are likely to revert—at least partially—to earlier trajectories once economies reopen. Despite this, the long-term patterns appear to be obvious.

The growing digital transformation has caused havoc in the banking and card industries. To put it simply, these financial institutions (FIs) are no longer obligated to conduct financial transactions.

The changes brought about by fintech riding on the wave of enabling rules have resulted in a major erosion of the FIs’ share of the transaction business.

Globally, such innovative business models might affect up to 80% of present banking income by the end of 2020. While the global digital payments industry is predicted to reach $7.6 trillion by 2024, with a CAGR of 13.7 percent between 2019 and 24.

Let’s take a look at the role of digital payment solutions in the small business sector, the benefits and methods of accepting cashless payments. And what business owners need to know in order to stay relevant and competitive in an increasingly cashless environment.

Digital Payments Methods

The rapid speed of digital innovation in payments is resulting in cost reductions that are expected to rise at a double-digit compound annual growth rate. As new players arise, it is resulting in new business models and a more competitive market. Here are a few top digital payment trends:

· Banking Cards

A bank prepaid card is a bank-issued, pre-loaded debit card that is either single-use or reloadable for many usages.

It differs from a traditional debit card in that the latter is permanently connected to your bank account. And may be used several times. A prepaid bank card may or may not be affected.

Any customer with a KYC-compliant account can establish a prepaid card by visiting the bank’s website.

· Mobile Banking

Mobile banking is a digital transaction service provided by banks via their mobile apps for smartphones. Most major banks are creating interactive internet banking systems to make mobile banking payments more common than they are now.

Although NEFT transactions might take up to 7 days to complete, IMPS and RTGS transactions are normally completed within a day.

· Internet Banking

Internet banking is the process of doing banking transactions from the convenience of your own home utilizing a mobile phone, laptop, or desktop computer with an active internet connection. All important transactions can be conducted by this kind of banking.

Internet banking services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, making it a popular alternative for executing digital transactions.

· Mobile Wallets

A payment wallet is usually included with digital payment software. This wallet is a digital wallet that holds your money on an easy-to-use platform rather than your bank account. Allowing you to conduct financial transactions straight from the app wallet. Among the most common choices are:

•  PayPal
•  Google Pay
•  Apple Pay
•  Samsung Pay

· Point of Sale Terminals

PoS terminals are deployed in shops or businesses to accept debit and credit card payments for transactions. There are two types of PoS: physical PoS and mobile PoS. The mobile PoS eliminates the requirement for a physical device.

· Electronic checks

The use of e-checks, an ACH-regulated online payment mechanism, entails pulling funds from a checking account. The user approves the payment straight from his internet bank account, and the procedure is comparable to that of traditional paper checks but much faster.

Electronic checks are popular among American firms with high sales volumes and typical amounts, and they are view as a low-cost online payment option. E-checks were reportedly the first Internet-based payment utilis by the US Treasury for making big online payments, which may explain their appeal among this group of consumers.

Benefits of digital transactions

· Contactless and Convenient

In the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, people have begun to seek ways to minimise human contact in order to prevent being infect by the coronavirus. As a result, there has been a surge in demand for contactless payments solutions.

Online payments are preferr due to their reduced reliance on cash, fast transfer speeds, and ease of use. Traditional payment methods such as cash and cheques add to issues such as risk, steps, and physical presence. You can send and receive money immediately from anywhere on the planet using digital payment solutions.

· Budget discipline

The written record will help you keep track of your expenditures, which will result in better budgeting. Over the next several years, many applications and technologies will assist users analyse their spending habits and provide useful information. Controlled expenditure may also lead to higher investment.

If the same quantity of cash does not circulate again and individuals continue to utilise mobile wallets and cards. Budgetary leaks and unaccounted-for spending are less likely to creep into your budget at the end of the month.

· Economic progress

Customers are more likely to transact online when they witness the ease, convenience, and security of online payments. This means that an increasing number of individuals are comfortable purchasing online, investing digitally, and moving assets via electronic methods.

The increased circulation of money and internet commerce help the economy’s growth. This is why new online businesses are being start regularly, and even more are turning a profit.

· Safety and efficient tracking

One can easily keep their funds secure in an online format using digital payments. Thanks to UPI, netbanking, and mobile wallets, your cell phone is now sufficient to make and receive payments. Furthermore, most digital payment channels include regular updates, notifications. And statements so that a consumer may keep track of his funds.

Summing Up

Cash transactions have started to diminish after the adoption of digital payment solutions in the markets. Digital payments have established themselves as a reality. And they will continue to do so in the future. We’ll also keep an eye on how payment methods transition from cash to digital payment services in the coming years.

However, we will see a host of new trends develop and expire before this transformation, depending on their usage and security. Our future payment methods are being define by current trends and technology, and many of the aforementioned themes will play a vital role in developing payment system innovations.