• Limited payment options lead to abandoned purchases.
  • Payment methods that work best in-store, online, and in the field.
  • How to increase order value with mobile wallets, ACH, and pay-by-link.
  • Practical tactics for handling tipping and refunds.
  • How to manage multiple payment methods with unified reporting.

Today's buyers expect to pay with their preferred method, whether it's tapping a phone in-store, clicking a link from an invoice, or transferring funds by ACH. They're less inclined to buy when payment options are limited or cumbersome. On the other hand, they're more likely to complete a transaction when checkout is fast and familiar. This article shows you how to reduce friction, improve cash flow, and drive sales by offering customers more ways to pay.

Why More Choice Equals More Sales

Customers are more likely to abandon purchases if their preferred payment method isn't available or when checkout is slow and confusing. Adding more payment options, like mobile wallets, ACH for invoices, and pay-by-link via text or email, reduces friction across channels. Customers are likely to spend more, increasing average order value, when a smooth payment process induces confidence.

The good news is that accepting more payment methods doesn't require a costly system overhaul. Let's explore what you might be able to do right away to make it easier for people to buy from you.

Modern Payment Options and Where Each Method Fits

Here are several popular payment options to offer your customers:

Cards (Chip or Tap)

This ubiquitous method is fast and familiar. It's ideal for in-store checkout and pop-ups, where tap-to-pay keeps lines moving. However, the processing cost is often higher than bank payments. Be sure to use clear billing descriptions to minimize disputes and chargebacks.

Mobile Wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)

These are the fastest options for in-store and online checkout. Fewer keystrokes mean lower friction, while tokenization often boosts authorization rates for returning customers. However, not everyone has adopted wallets yet, so use them as an add-on, not a replacement for existing methods.

ACH Transfer (Bank Pay)

ACH is best for settling online invoices, especially for B2B or high-value transactions. It typically costs less than cards and is well-suited for recurring payments or scheduled drafts in installment plans. However, payments take longer to settle than cards.

Pay-by-Link

This method involves sending a secure payment link by text or email. It works well for estimates, follow-ups, deliveries, and service visits. However, collection relies on follow-through, so it's essential to incorporate reminders into your process.

Contactless/On-the-Go

Mobile POS lets you accept tap payments from anywhere (e.g., events, job sites, and curbside). You may pair this method with pay-by-link to settle balances, reducing the need for additional trips. However, the transaction location must have reliable connectivity.

Pro Tip: Support Multiple Payment Options with Unified Reporting

With PNC Merchant Services®, you may accept cards, mobile wallets, pay-by-links, and ACH payments across POS and e-commerce. You get unified reporting to manage your cash flow in one place, streamlining processes and reducing administrative burden.

Tips for Handling Tipping and Refunds

Tipping and refund processes are not afterthoughts. How you handle them may significantly impact the customer experience. 

How to Incorporate Tipping into Electronic Payment Methods

Provide prompt tips in modest, clear increments (e.g., 15%, 18%, or 20%) only after the total is displayed and enable custom amounts to create a respectful experience while reducing hesitation at checkout. For remote payments, include a tip line on the pay-by-link page and send a receipt immediately to reassure customers that the tip was captured correctly.

How to Deliver a Seamless Refund Experience

Default refunds to the original payment method whenever possible, or use same-day ACH or RTP® for approved exceptions to ensure prompt response. Create a simple standard operating procedure (SOP) with these steps: "eligibility check → approval → payout → automatic customer notice." Add a second reviewer for unusual cases, such as large amounts or multiple refunds to the same card in a day.

Make Payment Flexibility Your Competitive Advantage

Offering multiple payment options to meet customer expectations helps remove friction where it matters most. Fast, familiar, and flexible checkout means buyers are more likely to complete the sale, spend more, and return to your business. A reputable banking institution like PNC offers the right tools and a unified platform, helping you strategically incorporate modern payment options without adding administrative burden.

Schedule an appointment with an experienced banker and explore how we may be able to help you increase sales, improve cash flow, and gain control without overcomplicating operations.