New digital payment solutions are emerging almost every day. The pace of innovation in the payments industry makes it difficult to know everything there is to know about the latest trends. In this article, we’ll take you through some of the most important digital payment trends that you need to know right now if you want your business to remain competitive.
1. Smart Payments
The next generation of payments will be “smart” – featuring artificial intelligence (AI), biometrics, and sentiment analysis. Various technology providers are working on new ways to make payments easier, safer, and more convenient.
Amazon, for example, introduced Amazon Cash, which enables customers to fund their digital wallets by depositing cash into virtual accounts. Amazon also partnered with Mastercard to offer a “shopping with Amazon” button that allows customers to use their payment credentials to make online purchases on other websites.
These types of digital banking innovations help make online and mobile shopping more convenient. There has also been a shift to automation, with businesses using bots to make payments on their behalf. This is particularly helpful for businesses that need to make many small payments, such as online advertising companies. You can transform your business with AP automation that will allow you to Send payments in just a few clicks.
2. Decentralization
We’re seeing a major shift toward decentralization in payments. This will likely impact all aspects of payments, including how consumers make and receive payments and how they hold and manage their money. When it comes to payments, decentralization means that the data is not stored on a single server controlled by a single entity. Instead, the data is stored on a network of computers distributed among different entities or individuals.
Decentralized payments systems are built on blockchain technology, enabling real-time, peer-to-peer transfers of value between parties. There is no central authority in decentralized payments, such as a bank, that manages clearing and settlement.
Instead, the transaction is recorded across a distributed network of computers, with the blockchain acting as the “central ledger.” Decentralized payment systems benefit merchants through lower fees and improved security, and will also accelerate as more countries introduce digital currencies.
Embedded payments can be related to decentralized payments, especially considering the broader landscape of payment innovations and technologies. What are embedded payments? They involve integrating payment processing directly into a software platform or application.
Embedded payments streamline the process, reducing the steps required to complete a transaction. A simplified and frictionless payment process makes customers more likely to complete their purchases, leading to higher conversion rates and increased business revenue. Integrated payment systems can also provide valuable customer data and insights, helping businesses better understand customer behavior and preferences.
Some companies are exploring using decentralized payment gateways that operate on blockchain networks. These gateways can be embedded into applications and websites to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions.
Smart contracts can also be used to facilitate embedded payments. These smart contracts can automatically trigger payment transactions based on predefined conditions being met, providing a decentralized payment solution within a software application.
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) applications aim to offer financial services, including lending, borrowing, and payments, without intermediaries. Some DeFi protocols provide embedded payment functionalities within their decentralized applications, enabling users to transact directly on the blockchain.
Embedded payments can be deployed in centralized and decentralized environments, depending on the specific use case and the underlying technologies used.
3. Early-Payment Discounts
The number of consumers who say they would be willing to pay for goods or services early in exchange for a discount has increased to more than 50%. This is an important trend, as it could result in more businesses implementing early payment discounts. Early payment discounts can be a great way for companies to boost cash flow.
Early payment discounts help businesses avoid finance charges from the vendor or payment network. However, not everything you read about early payment discounts is true.
Early payment discounts are most effective when the total price due is not fixed. They work best when the discount is a fixed dollar amount. To maintain a positive customer experience, early payment discounts should not be offered to everyone.
4. Flexible Payment Options
The demand for payment flexibility is increasing. Consumers want to choose how they make payments. To learn more about recurring payments and how businesses can provide flexible payment options, it’s important to consider the growing demand for payment flexibility among consumers. This could include payment methods for recurring subscriptions, as well as for one-time payments.
Customers will make payments in various ways, including credit cards, debit cards, gift cards, and more. This means that businesses need to accept various payment types through their websites and apps.
A wide range of payment service providers have emerged to accommodate this need. These providers offer businesses a single hub for managing different types of digital payments. For example, a business can integrate a payment gateway solution with a POS system to accept payments using cards, mobile wallets, and other payment methods.
Payment service providers are also taking advantage of AI and machine learning to grow their businesses. Some providers use these technologies to make it easier for businesses to accept payments. Others use AI to detect fraud and prevent online payments from being made by mistake.
5. Direct Digital Transfer with Real-Time Payment Options
With increasing digitization, there has been a rise in businesses that now offer direct digital transfer (DDT) payment options. This is particularly true for B2B payments. One reason for this is that businesses are increasingly looking to digitize as many processes as possible.
One of the main goals is to eliminate manual steps wherever possible. DDT payment options allow businesses to transfer funds between accounts electronically. Another trend closely tied to DDT payment options is the rise in real-time payment options.
One of the biggest benefits of direct digital transfer is that it eliminates the need for an intermediary. This means faster settlement times and fewer fees. On the other hand, real-time payment options are about the near-instantaneous transfer of funds. This is especially beneficial for B2B payments, where payment terms vary from one to 30 days.
We’ve covered a lot of ground here, and we’ve also given you a good overview of what’s happening in the payments industry. Now is the time to re-evaluate your payments strategy and make sure it’s keeping up with these important trends.
