How Customers of Your Business can make payments to you using cryptocurrency

Feb 18, 2023

It is essential to be mindful of your customers' perspective particularly at crucial times that require transformation, such as the checkout. An essential aspect of an effective checkout experience is to provide an easy, safe method for your customers to pay using the option of payment they would like to pay.

In this post will help you comprehend the process of making a transaction from a client's point of view. Understanding this can help you to identify possibilities to improve the rate that you can convert your customers, provide direct assistance as well as educate your customers and clients.

Crypto vocab check

There is a way to look into the categories of these terms little more through this link. Here's a brief overview of the terms which are the most pertinent:

Public Key: Essentially it is the data that someone requires for sending you cryptocurrency.

Public address The hashed (basically short) version of an open key. It is the kind of address that you can give to someone to send you cash. Think of it as a Venmo username or a PayPal.me link. (e.g., 0x12B0aD31f483Cdf4741de8f5679A472E5fe3345G)

Keys that are private: permits the user access to money that has already been transferred onto the key that is public. It is not recommended to share this information with another party.

Web3: Defined by AP Stylebook, Web3 is a catchall term for the prospect of a new stage of the internet driven by the cryptocurrency-related technology, blockchain.

Web3-based wallet (crypto wallet): Stores public and private keys to facilitate blockchain transactions.

Seed phrase: A group composed of 12-24 random-generated terms that allow access to a wallet on Wweb3. It can be utilized to regain access to wallets that holds cryptocurrency. It is not recommended to be divulged to any third-party.

Non-custodial wallet: Users own the keys to their private wallets, and they have all access to their wallets through Wweb3. (e.g., Metamask, Trust Wallet. )

Custodial wallet private keys are owned by third-party companies. (e.g., Coinbase, OpenNode. )

Peer-to-peer payments

You might be contemplating "Isn't an important benefit of crypto currencies the fact that they're peer to peer and don't rely on third party services?"

Absolutely, it is feasible for you to get the money of your client without the need to utilize any tool or service from an outside party.

This isn't realistic for the average consumer. It's impossible for consumers to build a node for themselves, create transactions via a command line, and then keep their private keys. In addition that the vast majority of merchants are happy to accept small fees for transactions to offer customers a simple service while saving plenty of energy and time reconciling transactions with orders.

This article is focusing on the most common transactions performed via e-commerce that involve products and services that are likely to be adopted by novice and intermediate users.

Overview of making a crypto payment

From the perspective of a prospective customer From the perspective of a buyer, there are three steps:

  1. Access a fully funded cryptocurrency wallet.
  2. Connect their wallets.
  3. You will be able to pay the balance and will be notified.

The exact experience will depend upon the processor and wallets that are used. Let's go through several examples and describe what's happening each step to your client.

1. It is possible to access a fundable cryptocurrency wallet

There are a variety of options available to those who are looking for an online wallet which supports crypto. Each has its own attributes, features, and benefits, in addition to the ability to support various kinds of chains, cryptocurrencies as well as payment experiences.

"Traditional" digital wallets like PayPal as well as CashApp currently support payment via crypto. Some of the top cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Binance come with their own application that also function as wallets to accept payments. In addition, there are wallets which are native to crypto like MetaMask, Rainbow, and numerous other options. You should conduct an exhaustive research to choose the best solution for your requirements.

After choosing a wallet after setting it up The next step is to include a crypto into it so that you have an available amount to use. This is usually a straightforward procedure as most wallets have an option to pay in-app.

What's the most effective way for a consumer to decide what currency they should use?

It's a great topic! The majority of the time this doesn't have to be an issue, with the exception of expenses that may be incurred when they need to change currency. Certain payment processors can automate exchanges that allows customers to make payments using one currency after which they can receive it to another.

If this isn't feasible, most crypto wallets provide the option of an exchange or swap feature , so that if the user owns bitcoin (BTC) however wants to pay in Ethereum (ETH) the user can make that swap effortlessly. It's best to fill your account with the money you'd like to pay in, but this isn't always feasible ahead of making purchases.

2. Make sure that their wallet is linked to your website

There are two methods by which the customer could connect their wallets to your website using either QR codes (or browser) or a wallet connection. The payment processors for crypto might offer one or the other option.

QR code

This option is perfect for people who own a crypto wallet as an app on their phone. If a person decides to pay using cryptocurrency, they'll be presented with a QR code, which they are able to scan using an application in the crypto wallet application.

Image illustrating how crypto payments are made via QR code. 
Image text:
Crypto app payment via QR code
1. Merchant provides a QR code at checkout.
2. Customer scans the QR code to review and authorize the transaction in their crypto app.
3. Merchant site confirms receipt and completes the purchase.
Methods to receive crypto-based payments via QR codes.

The browser wallet is connected to your account

This option is ideal for users who have access to their crypto wallet via a browser extension. If they select this route, they're asked to connect to their Web3 wallet by pressing a button, which invokes the wallet of their browser, and requests for permission for the connection.

Image illustrating how crypto payments are made via browser extension.
Image text:
Crypto wallet payment via browser extension
1. Merchant provides crypto payment options and browser wallet connection prompt.
2. Customer selects their browser wallet to review and authorize the transaction within the extension.
3. Merchant site confirms receipt and completes the purchase.
What is the best way to pay for crypto through a browser extension.

3. Make the payment and you will receive a confirmation.

Whatever method is preferred by the customer. The wallet will provide prompts to guide them to pay a bill - via either the app or on the web browser.

If the payment has been received, the transaction may not be completed as expected. There is a time delay (usually less than a couple of seconds) before payment is confirmed through the blockchain. When this process is completed, you and the recipient will both receive a confirmation. If transactions happen directly on the blockchain, you could each receive the Blockchain Transaction ID.

That's all there is!

What does this process have to do with the merchants?

There's a huge difference between someone who's comfortable with cryptocurrency and is ready to make a purchase versus someone who has never heard of crypto prior to. Making an account the crypto wallet, then securing it and understanding the process to complete the transaction is a major obstacle to access.

Initial the majority of cryptocurrency transactions be initiated by experienced users of cryptocurrency. In time, this amount will likely to grow significantly. So, if your followers and clients have stated that they're interested in cryptocurrency It may be advantageous for you to guide them towards trustworthy resources so that they will be able to learn how to make payments to you in the manner they would like to.

Benefits of cryptocurrency payments to your customers

  1. They have crypto in their wallets and would like to spend it! It could be that they're an early investor or skilled trader, or they want to invest their cash in cryptocurrency.
  2. It's more affordable for them to use crypto for direct transactions instead of paying exchange or fees for transactions with foreign currencies using traditional methods of payment. This can be especially an issue in the event of international clients.
  3. It is possible that they don't have access to alternative payments.
  4. They may prefer to keep some transactions confidential or keep them separate from other financial transactions.
  5. Most people feel that it's more relaxing and safe.
  6. They value being able to transact without paying fees to traditional financial service providers (i.e., they're ideologically-driven).
  7. There's no limit on daily payment amounts This is true especially for high-cost, luxury products that may exceed the limits of a person's bank account per day.
  8. The purchaser is buying an asset that is digitally native, such as an NFT.

The customer's needs to be kept in mind

It is evident that there are plenty of choices for cryptocurrency payments from a consumer standpoint. A few things to keep in mind while selecting and using crypto payment options:

  1. What is the easiest way for your customers to pay? What are the top options for payment? What is the most popular cryptocurrency?
  2. Do you have clients who are exposed to fees from crypto networks in the way that they are exposed? This may make it harder for them be able to afford a product in the event that it's very full.
  3. Have you heard about the dispute resolution? It is especially important as there is no traditional payment and refund options. Unhappy or angry customers are more likely to make complaints or post reviews that are negative.
  4. What time will the clients have to wait for customers to be notified of their purchase? Based on the method you're using for allowing clients to pay the order, they might have to wait for longer than they normally do. Again, this is where the help of a payment partner could assist, since they will often ensure that both the fees and confirmation time very short.
  5. Do consumers require information? They could benefit from educating themselves about how to pay with crypto, along with tips on safeguarding their own funds and staying away from fraudulent transactions.

Help your clients confidently to embrace the future of payments.

Merchants are able to choose crypto processes that are simple and familiar. The customers, on contrary, experience distinct payment experiences.

There are many millions of people now eager, willing and able to pay with cryptocurrency. Although crypto transactions have become more simple and easier yet it's essential for merchants to know the needs of their customers as well as the consequences of their choices in order to get use of the new opportunities for growth.

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