Payment method

  • Written by Ganesh Pawar 2 min read
  • Updated: July 22, 2025

What is a payment method?

A payment method refers to the way a customer chooses to pay for a product or service. It includes various options such as credit cards, debit cards, digital wallets (like Apple Pay or Google Pay), bank transfers, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, and even cryptocurrency in some cases.

In both ecommerce and physical retail, payment methods are central to completing a transaction and can significantly impact conversion rates.

Why are payment methods important?

Offering multiple and convenient payment methods enhances the customer experience and removes friction at checkout. The right mix of payment methods can:

  • Increase conversion rates
  • Support global transactions
  • Build customer trust
  • Enable recurring billing or subscriptions

For merchants, aligning with customer preferences is key to reducing cart abandonment.

Types of payment methods

Common types include:

  • Credit/Debit Cards
  • Digital Wallets (PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay)
  • Bank Transfers
  • Buy Now, Pay Later (Afterpay, Klarna)
  • Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum)

Selecting the right payment methods depends on your audience, location, and business model.

Example of payment method

A customer is checking out on an online electronics store. At the payment step, they see multiple payment methods available, like credit card, UPI, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Cash on Delivery.

They choose UPI, enter their UPI ID, approve the payment on their phone, and complete the purchase instantly.

Driftcharge Tip

To boost conversions, offer localized payment methods based on your customers’ location and allow saving of preferred payment options for future purchases.

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Ganesh Pawar

Ganesh Pawar is the founder of Driftcharge, a subscription management app designed to help Shopify merchants streamline and scale their subscription businesses. With a deep focus on solving real-world pain points—like legacy account page support, flexible subscription options, and advanced analytics—Ganesh is passionate about building tools that drive growth and retention.

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