Interswitch’s Payment Gateway (IPG)]offers a unified, end-to-end solution for both online and in-store transactions designed to meet the needs of technically savvy developers as well as non-technical business owners / merchants. Irrespective of who you are - a fintech founder building a custom checkout flow or a merchant looking for a simple, easy-to-use plug and play, IPG delivers reliability, security and flexibility.
Throughout this blog post, we’ll refer to Interswitch payment gateway as simply, IPG.
Two Approaches To Integrating With Interswitch Payment Gateway
There are 2 main ways to integrating with IPG; online payments and in-store payments.
Let’s explore these options
1. Online payments:
This method of integration into IPG is easy for both developers who are technically savvy and non-developers who simply want plug and play. Developers and Merchants have the options of taking the technical path for online payments (card APIs & hosted fields) and the non-technical options (web checkout & technical fields).
A. Technical Integration Options For Online Payments
- Card APIs:
Direct RESTful APIs let you control every aspect of the payment flow. A PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) certification and PSSP (Payment Solution Service Provider License) is needed, but with this integration method, you have — complete control over UI & UX and a faster processing time.
This method is best for businesses with in-house technical teams who need full control
- Hosted Fields:
This is a customizable payment form elements that live within a website while maintaining security. This type of integration offers benefits such as customization options (colors, typography, borders and responsiveness) and secure integration (PCI compliance without burden). This is best for businesses that want brand consistency while maintaining PCI compliance without redirecting customers off-site.
It is important to note that both card APIs and hosted fields require technical expertise but offer different levels of control and PCI compliance requirements.
B. Non-technical Integration Options For Online Payments
- Web Checkout:
This is a ready-to-use payment page hosted by Interswitch. This option requires no technical expertise; just configure your branding, and you’re ready to accept payments in minutes. Interswitch handles all PCI compliance.
- Hosted Fields:
Customizable form elements that live within your website while maintaining security. Key benefits include — full Customization (match your website’s design seamlessly), secure Integration (PCI compliance without technical burden) and seamless UX (your customer stays on your website throughout).
Note that the web checkout and hosted field options both require minimal technical knowledge and can be set up quickly through the Interswitch merchant portal or with simple embed codes.
2. Instore Payments:
A. For Technically Savvy Users:
- POS Purchase APIs:
Integrate directly with payment processing for real-time, customizable in-store transactions. This method requires PCI DSS compliance, a PSSP license, and technical expertise.
- Android POS SDK:
Use ready-made components for card-present transactions, lifecycle management, and error handling.
Benefits: Full UX control, custom integrations, enterprise-grade security, and optimized performance.
B. For Non-Technical Users:
- POS Terminals:
Plug-and-play devices pre-installed with Interswitch software. Benefits include: no technical setup, automated settlement, instant reporting and lifetime maintenance.
IPG Supported Payment Methods
Interswitch Payment Gateway offers comprehensive online and offline payment options. These include card payments, pay with transfer, USSD and digital wallets.
Key benefits of using these payment available through IPG include but are not limited to pan African coverage, enhanced security, a unified integration process and a robust, consolidated reporting.
IPG-supported payment options and benefits.
Beyond the robust online and offline payment methods, Interswitch also offers POS devices for in-store payment hardware solutions. Benefits include, 24/7 technical support, multi-currency support, remote updates and devices are PCI PTS certified.
There are also in person payment solutions for businesses with IT resources and technically-savvy personnel as well as in person solutions for non-technical users.
Requirements for the POS purchase APIs are PCI DSS compliance, a PSSP license and tech expertise. The documentation for the Android POS SDK can be accessed on the quickteller business website. These devices offers these benefits to businesses — complete UX control, custom integration paths, enterprise-grade security and optimized performance.
To get started with POS terminals simply signup, request for POS, choose the devices you need, receive your terminal and begin to use it!
B. In-person Payment Solutions (For Non-Technical Users)
Non-technical users can maximize Interswitch’s ready-to-use POS terminals with pre-installed Interswitch software. For this in-person payment option, no technical setup or integration is required. Merchants also get automatic settlement (funds in your account the next day) and transaction reports, instant reporting (so they can track sales in real time), fraud protection and a lifetime maintenance (both hardware and software support).
Beyond this, onboarding is super easy! To get started, contact our sales team then select your preferred terminal model, go on to complete your merchant application and receive configured terminal within days.
Payment types accepted for this option are credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, QR payments, contactless and apply pay.
The terminal options for the in-person payment solutions include - countertop (fixed -location terminals), mobile POS (wireless connectivity), smart POS (android-based system) and integrated (POS + cash register).
In the next blog post, I’ll take a deep dive into IPG advanced features like split settlements, recurring billing, and analytics, as well as the resources for merchants and developers.
Get started with Interswitch Payment Gateway, here.
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