Why payment methods matter so much
The checkout is the moment that decides whether interest turns into a purchase. Anyone who can’t find their usual payment method here, or who faces a cumbersome process, drops out.
In Switzerland, habits differ from those in Germany or the USA. A shop built for the Swiss market should offer the methods that are common here and keep the payment process as short as possible.
TWINT
TWINT is the Swiss payment app and, for many customers, their preferred way to pay online and in store. In an online shop, customers confirm the payment directly in the app; on desktop, usually via a QR code.
For merchants, TWINT is easy to integrate, provided your payment provider supports it. For a shop with Swiss customers, TWINT is practically part of the basic setup today.
Credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay
Visa and Mastercard are accepted worldwide and are often the first choice for customers from abroad. Many debit cards can now also be used online. Payment security is usually handled by 3-D Secure, the additional confirmation in the banking app.
Apple Pay and Google Pay use the stored cards and cut checkout on a smartphone down to a few seconds. Especially for mobile purchases, this can reduce the abandonment rate.
With cards, bear in mind the possibility of chargebacks. If a cardholder disputes a payment, the amount can be reclaimed. Clean records of the order, shipping and delivery help you resolve such cases.
PostFinance, invoice and prepayment
PostFinance is widespread in Switzerland, and some customers prefer to pay directly from their PostFinance account. Whether the integration is worthwhile depends on your target audience.
Buying on invoice is popular in Switzerland because customers only pay after receiving the goods. You either bear the risk of non-payment yourself or hand it over to a specialised invoice provider, who checks creditworthiness and guarantees payment. This comes with a fee.
Prepayment by bank transfer with a QR-bill is inexpensive, but delays shipping and is chosen less often online. For B2B shops with known business customers, on the other hand, an invoice with payment terms is often the standard.
Choosing the right payment provider
You usually don’t integrate each payment method individually, but via a payment provider, also known as a payment service provider. Well-known providers on the Swiss market include Datatrans, Payrexx, Stripe, Wallee and Saferpay. They bundle the methods, handle secure processing and pay out the amounts to you.
Fees typically consist of a percentage per transaction, sometimes plus a fixed amount, and, depending on the provider, a monthly fee. Compare the conditions for the payment methods you will actually use, not just the advertised rates.
- Does the provider support TWINT, cards and PostFinance?
- Is there a ready-made plugin for your shop platform?
- How high are the fees per payment method and per month?
- How quickly and in which currency are payouts made?
- How do refunds and chargebacks work?
Security and checkout experience
Card data should never end up on your own server. Reputable payment providers handle the sensitive input in their certified systems. This considerably reduces your risk and your effort with security requirements such as PCI DSS.
Keep the checkout as short as possible: allow guest checkout without an account, ask only for the necessary fields, show shipping costs early and display the available payment methods on the product page or in the cart.
Which combination suits which shop
Not every shop needs every payment method. Each additional method means setup, fees and sometimes clarifications with the provider. A targeted selection that suits your customers is better.
A small shop with Swiss private customers usually does well with TWINT, cards plus Apple Pay and Google Pay. With higher basket values, for example furniture or electronics, many customers appreciate buying on invoice. If you sell to businesses, an invoice with payment terms is often more important than any app.
If you also sell abroad, check which methods are common in your target countries and in which currency you display prices. Good payment providers let you extend the selection later without rebuilding the shop. So start lean and add methods when your data shows something is missing.
- Private customers in Switzerland: TWINT, cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- High basket values: additionally, buying on invoice
- B2B: invoice with payment terms, plus card
- International customers: cards and the local methods of the target countries
Key takeaways
Which combination makes sense for your shop depends on your target audience, basket size and processes. We set up suitable payment methods and providers when building your shop. If you are planning right now, also read Having an online shop built or request a quote for your online shop directly.
- TWINT and credit cards are the basis for Swiss shops
- Apple Pay and Google Pay speed up mobile purchases
- Invoice increases trust, ideally with a provider who takes on the risk
- Choose a payment provider with a plugin for your platform
- Compare fees for the payment methods you actually use
- Keep the checkout short and show payment methods early
Frequently asked questions
Which payment methods should a Swiss online shop offer?
As a basis, TWINT plus Visa and Mastercard. Depending on your target audience, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PostFinance and buying on invoice round off the offer.
How do I add TWINT to my online shop?
Usually via a payment provider that supports TWINT and offers a plugin for your shop platform. Once activated, TWINT appears as a payment method in the checkout.
Is buying on invoice risky for small shops?
If you handle the invoices yourself, you bear the risk of non-payment. A specialised invoice provider checks creditworthiness and takes on the risk for a fee.
