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Debunking Common Myths About Payment Portals

A person tapping a "Pay" button on a smartphone screen to complete a mobile payment through an online portal, illustrating digital transactions for small businesses.

Payment portals have become increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes. The online payment platform offers an easy and safe way to manage invoices with vendors. This can be a huge benefit and time-saver for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) like yours.

However, there are still some misconceptions surrounding these platforms that are preventing some companies from embracing them.

3 myths of payment portals

Myth 1: Payment portals are difficult to learn

One of the biggest myths about payment portals is that they are complicated, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Modern payment portals are user-friendly, intuitive, and easy to use, even for those who are not tech-savvy.

Adapting to change can be difficult but most reputable payment portal providers offer comprehensive training and support resources. These resources ensure that team members can quickly get up to speed with the platform and avoid long learning curves.

Myth 2: Payment portals are a security risk

Today, SMBs continue to use traditional payment methods frequently but checks continue to be the most vulnerable payment method. In fact, 65% of organizations report that they faced fraud attacks of this type, according to the 2024 APF Payments Fraud and Control Survey by Truist.

Leading solutions have strong security measures in place for online payments like data encryption, two-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring. This keeps financial information safe and protects against unauthorized access or fraud. These platforms also adhere to strict industry standards, such as PCI compliance, which protect credit card information during transactions.

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Myth 3: Payment portals reduce your control

Some businesses may not have adopted payment portals because they worry they will lose control over their accounts payable process. However, the opposite is true – payment portals can enhance control and visibility over financial operations, so invoices and payments don’t easily slip through the cracks.

Moreover, many payment portals come with customizable features and settings, like payment methods, so the platform can be tailored to specific business needs.

Benefits of payment portals

In addition to the ease of use, security, and control benefits discussed earlier in this article, SMBs that use payment portals can also take advantage of:

  • Faster payments and improved cash flow
    SMBs can pay vendors from the convenience of the office or their couch, rather than taking time out of your busy day to write checks or go to the bank.
  • Better customer experience
    Payment portals offer a 24/7 self-service option so businesses can view invoices, manage payment methods, and make online payments at any time and anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Automated payment matching and reconciliation
    Many payment portals allow you to pick exactly which invoice(s) you want to pay, eliminating the need for team members to manually provide remittance information as the portal takes care of it.
  • Multiple payment options
    Payment portals enable SMBs to securely accept or pay with a wide range of payment methods to suit your payment preferences. This may include credit cards, debit cards, wire transfers, and more.
  • Reduced administrative headaches
    By automating the payment process, payment portals free up time and resources for finance teams, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks instead of chasing down payments manually.

While myths and misconceptions about payment portals exist, the reality is that these platforms offer numerous benefits for businesses of all sizes. By understanding the facts and working with a reputable provider, you can leverage the power of payment portals to improve your accounts receivable process, enhance security, and maintain control over your financial operations.