7 Best Ways to Accept International Payments As a Business

1. Use a Global Payment Gateway That Consolidates Services

International payment processing can be complex due to multiple providers, regional systems, inconsistent reporting, compliance challenges and reconciliation issues.

Modern payment platforms simplify cross-border payments by automating compliance, increasing transparency and speeding up settlements.

When choosing a payment gateway, support for a wide range of payment methods helps meet customer preferences across markets.

A consolidated global payment gateway offers several advantages:

• Access all global payment data in one place
• Manage compliance across regions more efficiently
• Match transactions faster and gain timely financial insights
• Reduce technical effort with a single integration

Some platforms support hundreds of local payment methods across multiple countries, simplifying operations and scaling. Businesses must still understand local regulations and compliance requirements.

Using a consolidated gateway reduces the need to manage multiple providers and integrations, allowing focus on business growth.

2. Accept Visa and Mastercard Payments Through a Direct Card Acquirer Directly

Visa and Mastercard are the leading card networks globally, making up a significant share of international e-commerce transactions. Accepting payments via these networks gives your business access to a broad customer base worldwide.

Accepting Visa and Mastercard internationally opens access to global customers but often incurs higher fees and currency conversion costs. Settlement times vary by region and provider. Businesses must weigh these factors to optimise costs while offering convenient payment options.

3. Accept Bank Transfers and Recurring Direct Payments

Bank transfers are popular for a variety of use cases, including B2B transactions, utility payments, and subscriptions. They are viewed as secure and reliable, particularly in Europe with systems like SEPA, and in many Asian markets. However, transfer speed and availability vary by country and banking infrastructure.

Modern payment platforms reduce manual work and errors. Platforms like Rapyd connect with local payment rails, enabling bank transfers globally, even in hard-to-reach emerging markets. 

Offering bank transfers alongside cards accommodates diverse customer preferences and transaction types. For example, B2B software providers might use cards for smaller clients and bank transfers for larger, recurring contracts.

To improve payment efficiency:

• Provide clear transfer instructions with reference numbers for reconciliation
• Set automated reminders to reduce missed payments
• Offer user-friendly portals for customers to manage recurring payments
• Consider small discounts to encourage bank transfers despite slower processing

4. Optimise Payments for Mobile and Web

With mobile payments growing rapidly, providing a smooth card payment experience across devices helps with accepting international payments. Cards remain widely accepted and familiar on both mobile and web platforms.

A smooth payment process improves customer satisfaction and conversion rates. Not providing appropriate card payment options can lead to checkout abandonment. Other reasons for mobile checkout abandonment include: 

• Forms not optimised for small screens
• Slow page loading
• Redirects to unfamiliar payment sites
• Security concerns on mobile devices

Hosted checkout solutions address many of these issues by offering responsive, secure and localised experiences. However, some businesses may prefer custom integrations for greater control. Beyond forms, it is important to optimise overall page speed. Supporting mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay alongside cards can further improve the mobile payment experience.

To improve card payments on all devices:

• Keep forms minimal, especially on mobile
• Use auto-fill where possible
• Allow guest checkout without account creation
• Display security badges prominently
• Test checkout flows across devices
• Validate card details in real time

5. Automate Currency Conversion and Settlement

Currency conversion and settlement impact businesses through exchange rate fluctuations, settlement delays and transaction costs. Without automation, costs become unpredictable, hidden fees reduce profits, settlements slow cash flow and reconciliation across currencies grows complex.

Optimising currency management is integral to international payments. Consider these strategies:

• Multi-currency accounts: Hold balances in multiple currencies to reduce conversions and limit exchange rate exposure.
• Strategic timing of conversions: Monitor market conditions to convert currency at favourable rates. This requires market insight and carries inherent risks.
• Automated settlement: Speed up cash flow by reducing settlement times from days to minutes. Automation relies on integration with banking and payment systems.
• Real-time FX visibility: Access live exchange rates and transaction data to make informed decisions and avoid unfavourable rates.

Rapyd supports multi-currency settlements with real-time FX rates, automated conversion, consolidated reporting and no need for separate FX tools.

For advanced currency risk management, consider hedging to protect against adverse movements and netting to reduce total cross-border payments, especially with multiple subsidiaries or frequent transactions. These strategies require specialised expertise and may not suit every business.

6. Make Global Payouts as Easy as Accepting Payments

Accepting payments is only part of international business; paying suppliers, contractors, affiliates and partners worldwide on time is equally important. Poor payout processes can damage relationships, delay operations and increase costs.

A comprehensive payout platform should offer:

• Multiple payout options: Bank transfers, RTP networks, ewallets, and instant card payouts  to meet local preferences.
• Unified system: Manage payments and payouts through one platform to reduce complexity and reliance on multiple providers.
• End-to-end payment tracking: Monitor payment status instantly to resolve issues quickly and keep recipients informed.
• API integration: Scale payout operations and reduce workload by connecting with your existing systems.

A robust global payout solution improves operational control, prevents supply chain delays from payment issues, lowers compliance risks and improves recipient satisfaction. Together, these benefits strengthen international partnerships and increase business efficiency.

7. Choose a Single Platform to Simplify Everything

Managing international payments through multiple services creates fragmentation and inefficiency. When cards, foreign exchange and payouts use different systems, there are more errors, delays, higher costs and complicated reconciliation.

An all-in-one platform offers clear benefits:

• One source of data and reporting for all payment activities
• Improved operations with less manual work
• Consistent security standards across all transactions
• Simpler technical infrastructure
• Complete visibility over the entire payment process

Rapyd delivers this single-platform approach by letting businesses accept multiple payment methods, send global payouts and manage funds with multi-currency business accounts, all from a single portal with one source for reconciliation.

Focus on Efficiency, Not Just Options

The seven strategies covered here address common challenges like regulatory complexity, currency risks and slow processing.

A consolidated payment approach delivers simplicity, speed and control. It improves cash flow and enhances customer experience compared to fragmented systems.

Rapyd combines these capabilities into one platform. Whether you accept payments from one country or worldwide, Rapyd Collect supports direct Visa and Mastercard acquiring, alternative payment methods, fast onboarding and high authorisation rates across multiple industries.