How to integrate online payments into your website: Step-by-step guide

Whether you're an independent retailer, a SaaS company or a fast-growing e-commerce brand, your customers now expect to be able to pay directly and securely through your website.

But setting up online payments can seem complex. Between compliance, user experience, gateway selection and technical setup, it’s normal to feel uncertain about where to start. 

This guide walks you through it, from selecting the right payment gateway to going live and optimising the checkout experience.

Why online payment integration matters  

A quick note on why this matters. Online payments are now central to how people buy in France.France is home to 43 million online shoppers, each spending an average of €4,216 per year. Together, they generate a €175.3 billion e-commerce market, with 2.6 billion transactions annually. That share continues to grow, especially for small and mid-sized businesses.

Beyond growth, customer expectations have shifted:

• Buyers want fast, seamless, mobile-friendly checkout

• Offering local payment methods like Cartes Bancaires or Paylib is essential

• Flexible options like payment links, one-click checkout, and multicurrency support can drive higher conversion rates

• If your website doesn't support online payments, or only offers one method, you risk losing customers to competitors who do.

Read more: Qu'est-ce qu'une passerelle de paiement e-commerce et comment fonctionne-t-elle ?

How to choose the right payment gateway for your website

A payment gateway allows you to securely accept credit cards, bank transfers and digital wallets from your customers. It connects your website to the broader payment infrastructure (banks, card networks, etc.).

Here’s what to look for when choosing a payment gateway, especially if you're operating across borders or planning to scale:

Platform compatibility

Make sure it integrates smoothly with your eCommerce stack, whether that’s Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, BigCommerce or a custom build.

Payment method coverage

Look for a gateway that accepts both local methods (like Cartes Bancaires in France or iDEAL in the Netherlands) and global ones (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay).

Transparent pricing and FX fees

Watch out for hidden costs. Choose a provider with clear, competitive fees and fair foreign exchange rates, especially if you're selling in multiple currencies.

Fast settlement

The sooner funds hit your business account, the better. Check how quickly the provider settles domestic and international payments.

Security and compliance

Ensure PCI DSS compliance, tokenisation, and fraud prevention features are built-in. A reliable payment gateway protects your customers and your reputation.

Easy integration

Developer-friendly APIs, plugins for major platforms, and sandbox environments can save time during setup and make it easier to customise as your business grows.

Top providers in France

Airwallex

Airwallex is a leading, hassle-free option for companies operating across borders or managing multi-currency payments. It enables businesses in France to accept over 160 local and global payment methods, including Cartes Bancaires, SEPA Direct Debit, and Giropay, alongside major cards and digital wallets. You can offer local checkout experiences while receiving like-for-like settlement in up to 14 currencies, avoiding unnecessary FX conversions.

Stripe 

Stripe offers developer tools and customisation for French businesses building unique checkout experiences. It supports Cartes Bancaires, SEPA, Apple Pay, and international card schemes, and is widely integrated with eCommerce platforms.

PayPal 

PayPal is a popular option for French consumers and easy to implement for merchants. It supports major card schemes and PayPal wallet payments, with fast onboarding and broad trust.

Read more: Comment les magasins e-comm augmentent les paiements à la caisse internationale?

How to prepare your website for online payment integration

Before you start integrating any gateway, make sure your website is ready to support online payments. Here’s what you need to do:

Secure your site

• Install an SSL certificate and ensure your URL begins with https://

• Ensure your payment pages are PCI DSS compliant (most gateways handle this if hosted)

Check legal and regulatory requirements

French businesses must comply with local laws including:

• Displaying clear pricing and refund policies

• Collecting and storing user data in compliance with the RGPD (EU GDPR)

• Providing terms of sale and a privacy policy at checkout

Ensure you have a mobile-friendly setup

Most online shoppers in France browse on their phones. Use a payment gateway that supports mobile-optimised checkout flows and wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay.

How to integrate a payment gateway, step by step

Here’s how the integration process typically works. Some details may vary slightly depending on whether you use Shopify, WooCommerce, or a custom-built site.

Step 1: Create a merchant account

Sign up with your selected payment provider. You’ll need to submit your business registration, banking details, and sometimes a copy of your commercial terms or refund policy.

Step 2: Choose your integration method

• Hosted checkout: Redirects customers to a secure payment page

• Embedded checkout: Allows users to pay without leaving your site

• Plugin: For platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce or Magento

• API integration: For full control and custom user experiences

Airwallex supports all of the above, including simple no-code payment links and prebuilt hosted checkouts.

Step 3: Install and configure the gateway

If using a plugin, install it through your e-commerce platform. For API setups, use your gateway’s developer documentation to configure endpoints and secure keys.

With Airwallex, you can generate a payment page in minutes or connect directly to your tech stack via REST API.

Step 4: Test in sandbox mode

Run test transactions using the sandbox environment to check for bugs and edge cases, especially failed or cancelled payments.

Step 5: Go live and monitor

Switch to live mode, start accepting real payments, and monitor performance. Set up alerts for failed transactions and keep an eye on settlement timelines.

Common online payment integration challenges (and how to fix them)

Handling multi-currency and international payments

Many French businesses now serve customers across Europe and beyond. If your gateway doesn’t support multi-currency payments or charges high FX fees, you lose margin.

Tip: Airwallex solves this by allowing you to accept and settle payments in over 23 currencies at interbank FX rates + 0.5–1%.

Refunds and disputes

Make sure your gateway supports automated refunds and dispute management. This saves hours of manual admin when dealing with returns or chargebacks.

Payment declines and cart abandonment

Reduce failed transactions by supporting a wide range of local payment options. Offer wallet payments and make sure your checkout loads quickly on mobile.

Tips for optimising your customers’ payment experience

Once your gateway is live, refining your payment experience can boost conversion and revenue.

Offer multiple payment options

French users expect to see familiar methods like Cartes Bancaires, SEPA, PayPal, and digital wallets. The broader your options, the higher your conversion rates.

Keep pricing transparent

Make sure fees, taxes and delivery costs are clearly shown early in the checkout flow. Unexpected charges are a major cause of cart abandonment.

Simplify the flow

Remove unnecessary steps in the checkout process. Use autofill, save card details securely, and avoid redirecting to unfamiliar third-party sites.

Why use Airwallex for online payments in France

Airwallex gives French businesses a fast, secure and scalable way to accept online payments across France and around the world, without any hassle.

Why French businesses choose Airwallex

• Accept 160+ local payment methods in 180+ countries

• Get paid into multi-currency accounts, avoiding unnecessary FX conversion

• Settle payments directly into your business account in 23+ currencies

• Developer-friendly APIs and no-code payment links available

• Transparent pricing: 0.5–1% FX margin, no surprise fees

• Fully compliant with French and EU regulations

With Airwallex, you can manage not only online payments but also employee expenses, supplier payouts, global transfers and FX, all from one unified platform. That means less admin, fewer providers, and more control. 

A smoother way to get paid online

Integrating payments on your website doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right tools, you can start accepting secure, compliant payments faster than you think, with no dev team required.

Airwallex helps simplify the process. From accepting Cartes Bancaires and SEPA to settling in multiple currencies and keeping FX fees low, we make it easier to go live, scale fast and stay in control.

CTA: Accept payments the smarter way.

How to set up online payments: FAQs

What’s the difference between a payment processor and a payment service provider (PSP)?

A payment processor moves money from your customer’s bank to your business account, verifying card details and authorising the transaction. A PSP, like Airwallex, offers this plus extras like a payment gateway, fraud detection, and multi-currency support.

How do I create a payment link?

Log in to your PSP dashboard and select “Create Payment Link.” Enter the amount, currency, and a short description. You’ll get a shareable link you can send via email, social media or embed on your website.

How quickly will I receive funds?

Payout speed varies by provider. Most PSPs settle funds within 1–3 business days. Some offer faster or even instant payouts (often for an extra fee). Airwallex provides fast settlement with low FX margins, helping you access funds quickly across currencies.