Introduction

Are you looking for a way to increase your business’s payment options, reduce transaction fees, and potentially open up your business to a new customer base? As an agency experienced in setting up payment processors, we have seen a growing demand for bitcoin payments. In this guide, we’ll cover the reasons to consider it, the pros and cons compared to credit card payments, and how to accept bitcoin payments in 5 easy steps.

Table of Contents:

• Reasons to Accept Bitcoin Payments
• Pros and Cons of Bitcoin Payments Compared to Credit Card Payments
• Bitcoin and Crypto Payment Providers
• How to Accept Bitcoin Payments in 5 Steps
• Bottom Line
• FAQs

Reasons to Accept Bitcoin Payments:

There are several compelling reasons why businesses should consider accepting Bitcoin payments:

1. Save money on credit card processing fees: Credit card processing fees can eat up a significant portion of a business’s earnings. Bitcoin transactions, on the other hand, typically do not require a processing fee or charge a much lower fee (usually around 1%) compared to credit card fees, which can range from 3% to 4%.
2. Transact with new and international customers: Accepting Bitcoin payments can open up your business to a new and global customer base. It also makes it easier to transact with customers from countries with different currencies, without worrying about high exchange fees.
3. No risk of chargebacks or disputes: Bitcoin transactions work similarly to cash, which means that once a payment is made, it is final. As a merchant, you do not have to worry about paying chargeback fees or dealing with payment disputes.

By accepting Bitcoin payments, businesses can save on transaction fees, reach new customers globally, and reduce the risk of payment disputes. However, businesses should also be aware of the potential risks and challenges, such as the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies and the need to stay compliant with local regulations and laws.

Pros and Cons of Bitcoin Payments Compared to Credit Card Payments:

Pros:

• Fewer transaction fees: Bitcoin transactions do not require as many intermediaries as credit card transactions, which results in fewer fees.
• No risk of chargebacks: Once a Bitcoin payment has been made, it cannot be reversed or charged back, which eliminates the risk of chargeback fees.
• Attract more customers: Accepting Bitcoin as a payment method may attract customers who prefer to use it as a method of payment. Additionally, it may attract new customers who are interested in the technology.
• Simplifies international transactions: Bitcoin can simplify international transactions by eliminating the need for currency exchange and reducing the costs associated with it.
• Investment opportunity: Holding Bitcoin in an account could serve as an investment opportunity for the merchant, as the value of Bitcoin can appreciate over time.

Cons:

• Not widely used: Bitcoin is still not widely adopted as a payment method, which may limit the number of customers who use it.
• No fraud protection offered: Unlike credit card payments, Bitcoin payments do not come with fraud protection, so merchants need to take extra precautions to ensure that their transactions are secure.
• Transactions can take time to process: Bitcoin transactions can take time to process, depending on the current network activity. This can result in longer wait times for customers.
• Requires keeping up with crypto regulation: Bitcoin regulations vary by country, which means merchants need to stay up-to-date on the regulations in their area.
• No merchant support to answer questions: Bitcoin payments are decentralized, which means that there is no central authority to address any questions or concerns that merchants may have.

Bitcoin and Crypto Payment Providers:

• BitPay: charges a 1% transaction fee, locks in an exchange rate available to the customer for 15 minutes
• PayPal: automatically converts crypto to U.S. dollars for the merchant
• Coinbase Commerce: a payment platform that enables businesses to accept multiple cryptocurrencies with no additional fees.
• NetCents: a payment gateway that allows businesses to accept Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and others. The platform charges a 0.5% transaction fee and provides merchant support to answer any questions.

How to Accept Bitcoin Payments in 5 Steps:

1. Understand Bitcoin Regulations in Your Area: Before accepting bitcoin payments, it’s important to understand the regulatory landscape in your country or state. Consult with an accountant or lawyer to ensure you comply with tax and regulatory requirements.
2. Set Up a Crypto Wallet or Gateway: You’ll need to set up a crypto wallet or gateway to start accepting bitcoin payments. A wallet will store your bitcoin as cryptocurrency, while a payment gateway will convert bitcoin payments into cash. Consider the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.
3. Enable Bitcoin Payments on Your Checkout Process: To start accepting bitcoin payments, you’ll need to enable it on your website or checkout process. This can be done using plugins or apps for e-commerce platforms, or by integrating HTML code from your wallet.
4. Integrate Bitcoin Payments With Your Accounting Software: Make sure your bitcoin payments are properly recorded in your accounting software to keep track of your transactions. You can integrate bitcoin transactions with your current accounting software for easy management.
5. Prepare for Crypto Volatility by Converting Bitcoin to Cash: The price of bitcoin can be volatile, so it’s important to prepare for fluctuations in value. You can choose to convert bitcoin payments to cash immediately to avoid potential losses. Consider using a crypto payment gateway that automatically converts bitcoin to cash for added convenience.

Bottom Line

Accepting bitcoin payments as a business owner can be a simple addition to your business that will increase the number of payment methods you make available to your customers and may also decrease your overall transaction fees. However, as an agency, we have experience in setting up payment processors and helping businesses adopt new payment methods. We can assist you in understanding the regulations, choosing the right payment provider, setting up your crypto wallet or gateway, and integrating bitcoin payments with your accounting software. Our team can also provide ongoing support to ensure a seamless experience for you and your customers. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business accept bitcoin payments.

FAQs

What are the fees associated with accepting bitcoin payments?

• The fees associated with accepting bitcoin payments vary depending on the payment processor you choose. Generally, they are lower than credit card processing fees, ranging from 0.5% to 1%. Some payment providers charge additional fees for currency conversion or other services.

How do I integrate bitcoin payments with my accounting software?

• You can integrate bitcoin payments with your accounting software by using a payment processor that offers this feature. Many payment processors provide integrations with popular accounting software such as QuickBooks or Xero. Alternatively, you can manually enter bitcoin transactions into your accounting software.

What are the risks associated with accepting bitcoin payments?

• Accepting bitcoin payments carries some risks, such as price volatility and the potential for fraudulent transactions. Additionally, some jurisdictions have unclear or unfavorable regulations around bitcoin, which can create legal risks for businesses.

How can I protect myself from price fluctuations when accepting bitcoin payments?

• To protect yourself from price fluctuations when accepting bitcoin payments, you can use a payment processor that allows you to convert bitcoin to your local currency immediately upon receipt. This will help you avoid potential losses due to price volatility.

What are the best crypto payment providers for small businesses?

• The best crypto payment providers for small businesses depend on your specific needs and preferences. Popular providers include Coinbase Commerce, BitPay, PayPal, and NetCents. Consider factors such as transaction fees, integrations with e-commerce platforms, and support for multiple cryptocurrencies when choosing a payment provider.