The Four Pillars of Successful Payment Processor Selection
In the dynamic realm of e-commerce, selecting a payment processor is a pivotal decision that shapes any online business’ operational efficiency, customer trust and long-term growth. With global digital transactions projected to surpass £5 trillion by 2026, merchants must align with processors that not only meet immediate needs but also position them as innovators in a competitive market.
We’ve analysed industry insights and emerging trends to delve deeper into the critical reasons why merchants choose a specific payment processor like us!
Transparent and competitive transaction fees
Transaction fees are a cornerstone of payment processor selection, but merchants should look beyond the allure of the lowest rates. A processor advertising 1.2% plus 10p per transaction may seem attractive, yet hidden monthly fees, chargeback penalties, whether it is IC++ or blended, PCI compliance surcharges, and hidden penalties for high rejection rates can erode profitability significantly.
Transparency is the key, with a 2024 British Retail Consortium survey revealing that 68% of UK merchants prioritise fee transparency in particular – and it’s a sentiment echoed by NOIRE’s CEO, Tim Thompson:
“Transparent pricing is the foundation of trust, enabling merchants to channel resources into innovation and expansion, not navigating hidden fees. Under English law, particularly the Consumer Rights Act 2015, merchants are entitled to clear contract terms, reinforcing the demand for upfront pricing.”
Thought leaders argue that competitive fees are not just about cost cutting but about enabling strategic pricing. By minimising transaction overheads, merchants can offer their own competitive prices, enhancing customer loyalty and market share.
Emerging processors leveraging AI-driven fee optimisation – adjusting rates based on transaction volume or risk profiles – represent the cutting edge. Merchants choosing such solutions demonstrate foresight, aligning cost efficiency with scalability to thrive in a volatile economic climate.
Robust security and compliance
Security is non-negotiable in an era where cyber breaches cost UK businesses dear as this research from Vodafone Business explains:
“According to a new report from Vodafone Business, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) throughout the United Kingdom are incurring annual losses amounting to £3.4 billion due to inadequate cybersecurity measures. Data also finds that the average cost of a cyber-attack for a small business was £3,398, with the figure escalating to £5,001 for businesses with 50 or more employees.”
With this in mind, merchants should prioritise processors with PCI DSS Level 1 certification, ensuring robust encryption, tokenisation and 3D Secure 2.0 plus advanced chargeback reduction solutions.
Advanced processors, such as NOIRE with its RevenueProtect systems, use machine learning to identify fraudulent transactions in real-time, reducing chargebacks (affecting 1-2% of online sales) while minimising the false positives that disrupt customer experiences.
Under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, merchants face significant liability for data breaches, making compliance a critical factor. Processors offering zero-liability fraud policies shift risk away from merchants to foster trust amongst their customer base, and it’s integral to business success. In a 2025 Forrester study, 72% of UK consumers cited secure payment options as a key factor in choosing retailers.
Seamless integration and customer experience
Ease of integration is a game-changer for merchants, particularly SMEs, which account for 99% of UK businesses. Processors offering intuitive APIs, SDKs and plug-ins for platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce or Magento enable rapid deployment often within hours. While a payment page with simple widgets can be deployed in minutes. This minimises technical debt, accelerates market entry, and is critical for lean operations.
Equally important is the checkout experience. Frictionless payments – such as one-click options or wallet support (e.g. Apple Pay and Google Pay) – reduce cart abandonment rates, which hover at 70% industry-wide.
Integration is about future-proofing. By seeking processors that support headless commerce or API-first architectures, you can align with evolving tech trends and signal adaptability, a hallmark of digital leadership.
Reliability, scalability and support
Reliability is the backbone of any payment processor. Downtime during peak periods can cost thousands in lost revenue, making 99.99% uptime, backed by global data centres, a non-negotiable feature. Scalability ensures processors can handle transaction surges, from 100 to 10,000 per hour, without any performance hiccups too, allowing merchants to transform payments into growth engines.
Exceptional support complements reliability. Round-the-clock assistance via chat, phone or dedicated account managers resolves issues swiftly, while resources like webinars on fraud trends add value.
Empowering merchants with strategic payment solutions
At NOIRE, we understand the complexities of choosing the right payment processor. Our platform is designed to address the four critical pillars detailed above, empowering merchants to thrive. With AI-driven analytics, PCI-compliant infrastructure and developer-friendly APIs, NOIRE delivers tailored solutions that align with your business goals.
Visit noire.com to explore how we can elevate your payment strategy, driving efficiency, trust and growth in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce.
To find out more about our solutions and the benefits they could unlock for merchants, please get in touch today.