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If you own or manage a pharmacy, you might be thinking about how to make your business better.
One thing that can really help is choosing the right payment gateway. A payment gateway is a tool that helps your customers pay for things securely online or in-store.
It's like a digital till where money changes hands, but all the counting is done behind the scenes. So, which payment gateway is the best choice for a pharmacy? Let's take a look!
Why Do Pharmacies Need a Specialised Payment Gateway?
Pharmacies aren't like other shops. They sell medicines, and sometimes these medicines need special rules to make sure they're sold safely.
Also, because medicines are often more expensive than everyday items, a secure, dependable payment gateway is very important.
Top Choices for Pharmacies
Square
Square is a great choice for smaller pharmacies or ones just starting out. It works well for both online sales and in-store payments. Plus, they offer a free card reader which can be really handy for mobile or pop-up locations.
Good bits: Easy to use and perfect for smaller shops.
Not so good bits: Doesn't work as well for bigger, international pharmacies.
Worldpay
Worldpay is big in the UK and offers a lot of options. They have strong security features, which is super important when you're dealing with medicines and personal information like prescriptions.
Good bits: Really safe and good for all sizes of pharmacies.
Not-so-good bits: Some people think it's not as easy to use as other options.
Stripe
Stripe is fantastic if you're comfortable with technology and want something that fits your pharmacy like a glove. It's a bit like a jigsaw puzzle; you can put the pieces together in a way that suits you best.
Good bits: You can make it work just how you want it to.
Not-so-good bits: It can be complicated to set up if you're not tech-savvy and also Stripe won't accept some pharmacy businesses, you need to go through a rigorous process to get accepted.
Please contact Stripe directly to use their gateway for pharmacy payments before signing up, as they will close your account if you are not pre-authorised.
PayPal
Almost everyone has heard of PayPal. It's really easy for customers to use and is accepted all over the world. It's a good choice if your pharmacy also sells products online to people in different countries.
Good bits: Trusted by many people and great for international sales.
Not-so-good bits: The costs can add up if you're a bigger business and the same situation with Stripe, PayPal don't always accept pharmacy accounts, it says they don't support pharmacy in their terms and conditions, so double check with them before registering.
Important Things to Consider
Security: Make sure the payment gateway you choose has strong security. This is super important for a pharmacy.
Ease of Use: You want something that’s easy for you and your staff to use.
Costs: Check out the fees. Some payment gateways charge per transaction, while others might have a monthly fee. In the pharmacy industry, many gateway providers class pharmacy as 'high-risk' so expect the fees to be higher than usual!
Customer Support: Make sure there's good customer service. If something goes wrong, you want it fixed quickly.
Summary
Choosing the right payment gateway for your pharmacy is a big decision.
It needs to be safe, reliable, and easy to use. Square is great for smaller pharmacies, Worldpay offers excellent security, Stripe is perfect for tech-savvy owners, and PayPal is ideal for international sales.
Think about what's most important for your pharmacy and pick the one that fits best. Happy selling!
If you are still stuck for a pharmacy gateway, then get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.