When you're setting up an online business, one of the first questions you'll face is: How will I get paid?

A payment processor is the key to securely accepting payments from customers online. This guide explains what a payment processor is, why it’s important, and how to choose the right one for your business with Kartra.

What you’ll learn

  • What a payment processor is (in simple terms).
  • Why you need one to run your online business.
  • How to choose and set up the right processor in Kartra so you can start selling.

What is a payment processor?

Think of a payment processor as the checkout system for your online business. It’s the technology that handles payment details from your customers and makes sure the money safely reaches your bank account. You may also see the term payment gateway to refer to this technology.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Customer makes a purchase: They enter their payment details (like credit card or PayPal information) on your site.
  2. Payment is verified: The processor securely checks if the transaction is valid and authorized.
  3. Funds are transferred: Once approved, the money moves from the customer’s account to yours.

Without a payment processor, you can’t securely accept payments online.

Why do you need a payment processor?

A payment processor makes selling online simple and safe:

  • Secure Transactions
    It protects sensitive customer information with encryption, reducing fraud risk and building trust.
  • Convenience for You and Your Customers
    Payments are processed automatically 24/7, letting customers buy when they want while you focus on running your business.
  • Fast Payments
    Transactions are completed in seconds, so you don’t have to wait long for funds to reach your account.

How to choose and integrate a payment processor

Choosing the right payment processor for Kartra is simple. Follow these steps to ensure your payments are secure, seamless, and tailored to your business:

  1. Pick your processor
    Kartra integrates with several PCI-compliant payment processors. Choose one (or more) to match your business needs and offer flexible payment options for your customers.
    1. Stripe: Credit or debit card payments.
    2. PayPal Business: Credit cards, PayPal balances, or bank accounts (Note: Some complex recurring schedules and coupon setups are not supported).
    3. Braintree: Credit or debit card payments.
    4. Square: Ideal for both online and in-person credit and debit sales.
    5. Authorize.Net: Credit or debit card payments.
  2. Check fees and features
    Compare setup costs, monthly charges, and transaction fees. Remember, Kartra doesn’t add any transaction fees—focus on processors that fit your budget and sales strategy.
  3. Set up your processor accounts
    If you already have an account with a supported processor, skip to the next step. Otherwise, create an account and ensure your business information is ready for verification.
  4. Integrate with Kartra
    Link your processor to Kartra the quick integration process. This ensures your payments are secure and your customer data flows seamlessly into Kartra’s automated systems.
    • Go to Settings > Integrations in Kartra and click + Integration in the top right corner to get started
    • Learn more about Integrations
  5. Create your products and start selling
    Once integration is complete, set up your products in Kartra and start accepting payments right away.
    • In any Kartra product settings, go to Basic Info > Payment processing to link your integrated processor.
    • Learn more about Products