Consumer demand for payment options is relentless and mobile payment systems can send your business transactions into hyperspeed.

As payment methods become increasingly digital, it is important to understand mobile payments and deliver elegant solutions that meet your customers’ needs.

What Is a Mobile Payment?

Mobile payments are a form of payment which allows your business to both make and accept payments via smart devices.

Moreover, mobile payments go above and beyond your standard cash or card transactions as they are imbued with encryption technology, something which adds security to the process's well-established convenience.

Accepting mobile payments links bank accounts, debit cards, and/or credit cards in a seamless manner.

What Types of Mobile Payment Systems Are There?

Mobile payment systems often come in 5 types:

· NFC payment systems, usually via mobile wallets (contactless mobile payment systems)

· In-app mobile payment systems

· Mobile browser-based payment systems

· Mobile and/or wireless credit card reading payment systems

· Peer-to-peer mobile payments (P2P)

Understanding Different Types of Mobile Payment Systems

NFC or Contactless Mobile Payment Systems

Authorizing transactions without the need to swipe is possible due to Bluetooth and other new technologies. Completing a purchase this way is simple as one only needs to hover their mobile device above a contactless reader which will proceed to capture any relevant payment information one might require in a secure manner.

The most known form of mobile payment is via NFC (an acronym for Near Field Communication). NFC is a leading tech for contactless payments which very similar to Bluetooth does wireless data transfer but with added security. NFC tech is what’s under the hood of popular mobile wallets such as Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.

One thing people don’t often know is that mobile wallets aren’t strictly for in-store payments. They can also be used when checking out online if their respective app is accepted by the merchant.

In-App Mobile Payment Systems

Much resembling a browser-based type of payment, in-app mobile payments allow you to pay via the app instead of having to navigate the web to find the merchant’s website.

In-app mobile businesses and stores empower users by allowing them to purchase goods and services directly from their app, meaning they operate on an ecosystem of their own.

To do so, users must register their debit or credit cards (along with the usual KYC info) and they’re all set.

Mobile Browser Payment Systems

Much like any desktop-based eCommerce buying experience, mobile browser-based payment systems operate with something known as CNP purchases. These CNP purchases, refer to Card-Not-Present and can be done via ACH (banking information) or card (debit, credit, or even gift card).

The way this work is completely standard now: as customers visit your website using their mobile devices, they add items to the shopping cart and their payment details into your checkout form.

Mobile and/or Wireless Credit Card Reader Payment Systems

Instead of relying solely on stationary terminals, your business can effectively use smartphones and other mobile devices like tablets and turn them into PoS systems (point of sale).

This way, you can have on-the-go card acceptance with a simple investment in add-on card readers that pair with your devices (occasionally they will also fit into headphone jacks).

Mobile readers increase your business flexibility as they operate wirelessly with the option of having a card terminal. Accordingly, via a virtual terminal, they allow customers to swipe, tap, or dip their cards exactly like at a standard terminal on a countertop which means your business can even allow off-site event payments.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) Mobile Payments

Commonly referred to as P2P transactions, peer-to-peer payments are, in simple terms, a transfer of money between users. Paypal, Venmo and other related platforms allow their users to send their money via any compatible smart device.

P2P not only makes it possible to send and receive money, but also to split purchase goods and services, split bills, and so forth, making it a very useful tool which businesses shouldn’t disregard.

What Are the Benefits of Mobile Payment Systems?

Mobile payment systems boost your business speed and security while increasing both yours and your customers’ convenience.

In what concerns convenience, mobile payment solutions have eliminated the burden of having to carry physical wallets, write checks, and so forth. It even boosted one’s safety as carrying cash publicly became a thing of the past. With a simple tap on the phone, your clients will go about their day.

As such, incorporating mobile payment features and offers will maximize both your and your clients’ time. Speed is also seen as a key element regardless of where your clients will be doing their check out as transactions are wrapped up in mere seconds.

As for security, given that there are special individual codes which are generated as users make purchases via mobile wallets, the risk of having card numbers stolen is eliminated.

Tokenization plays a crucial role as your sensitive card info as it is entered in a mobile payment system turns into a token made by a series of randomly generated numbers.

As you or your clients are executing digital purchases, the usage of the token allows for your card info to remain safely stored.

How Can I Start Accepting Mobile Payments?

Whether you’re thinking about point-of-sale or mobile, setting up mobile payment capabilities isn’t that hard.

Smartphone mobile payments are in essence standard in today’s world.

However, with POS systems things might differ (but only slightly).

POS payment software now has the necessary features to process mobile payments both in-person and online. Moreover, it is able to link it to your other data points such as inventory, loyalty programs, and other unified reporting features.

And, if all of this is sounding like a major renovation at your point-of-sale, worry not. Currently, there is point-of-sale software out there with the capability of turning mobile devices into checkout systems via custom POS terminals while offering diversified payment options and methods.

What Are the Most Popular Mobile Payment Apps?

If you want your business to meet demand, the best mobile payment apps shouldn’t be too hard to incorporate.

Here is our top 5 and some of the reasons to consider working with each one of them:

Google Pay

While Google needs to up its buyer protection features, Google Pay is still considered one of the best apps out there for NFC payments and fast integration as it works on Android, iOS, and on the web. Your real card numbers are conveniently replaced by virtual ones and there is a great loyalty program.

PayPal

PayPal is widely used these days so it should need its own introduction. It cleverly combines P2P features with online purchases, works internationally, and has a stellar security track record. Going forward, however, PayPal still needs to improve its in-store payment options.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay only works within the Apple ecosystem. However, their NFC payment system works great and their single-use system for tokenization will keep your card data safe.

Samsung Pay

Samsung Pay is incredible for in-store purchases as it lets you pay with your smartwatch, something which was unheard of in the payment services field and shows Samsung’s revolutionary way of thinking.

Its money account management tools are also great, point of sale systems adoption seems strong, but the con is that it still doesn’t allow you to pay your friends, a much-needed feature.

Cash App

With Cash App, users can buy crypto and stocks which is a massive feature to have currently. You can also find handy tools which will help you file your taxes.

The downside to it is that there’s a low limit for daily payments and a Cash App debit card might be necessary at times, and if you can’t leave your credit or debit cards entirely out of the process, there might be some friction to take care of.

Zelle

Given that Zelle works inside the user’s bank app, they can count on the money going straight into their accounts, which is why it’s great for money transfers and bank transfers.

The setup is simple, and a highlight is that whoever is on the receiving end of the transfer doesn’t need to have the app installed. Sadly, international and store and web payments are still not possible.

Mobile Payment Systems in 2023

Your standard mobile phone has transcended its role of being a communication device and established itself in many parts of our daily lives.

China, for example, is a perfect example of implementing mobile payment systems the right way.

As such, everyone probably understood that it was just a matter of time until we would be able to send and/or receive mobile payments and pay for all the products or services we want this way.

Nowadays, smartphone mobile payment systems are a reality and whether we’re at retail shops, within an app, using our digital wallets, or browsing an ecommerce website, we’re making everyday purchases by resorting to them.

Given their ease of use even some banks have begun shifting towards being solely an online bank, while others have improved their mobile banking apps to mimic these payment systems and meet user demand.

As emerging economies catch on, to what concerns mobile payment system trends in 2023, we might even see the numbers surpass previous years. For now, subscription services and monthly fees don’t seem to be feasible given the heavy competition in the sector.

Adoption rates to new tech, the ease of use, and the rates at which eCommerce and the payment processing industry keeps growing lead many to believe that mobile payment systems will remain very strong going forward, which will consequently strengthen retail businesses as well.

And, with a new generation of mobile-native customers, we certainly wouldn’t want to be left behind without one.