More e-commerce options coming for small businesses
SCOTIABANK is improving its e-commerce solutions for micro to large businesses seeking to accept online payments.
The services are being marketed as Scotia eCom+ and includes Scotia-hosted payment page (HPP) Scotia Virtual Terminal and Scotia Web Service API (application programming interface).
These three solutions are designed to increase access to Jamaican businesses of all sizes wishing to accept e-commerce payments.
Morris Nelson, senior vice-president, corporate and commercial banking, shared, “Scotiabank is keenly focused on providing services that help businesses grow, operate efficiently, and manage risks. Scotia eCom+ offers these solutions in support of the expansion of their customer base by providing solutions that facilitate seamless processing of payments irrespective of where customers are located.”
These gateway payment services are controlled by Scotiabank allowing for faster deployment and a more cost-effective, end-to-end solution for the customer.
“The Scotia Virtual Terminal option, for instance, is easy to deploy, simple to use and cost-effective, which makes it attractive for small businesses [that] previously could not afford the cost of deploying eCommerce payment options in their business,” Nelson continued.
Gail Whylie, senior manager for global transaction banking, said “Scotia eCom+ is perfect for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that wish to accept payments from anywhere in the world on any device in a safe and reliable manner. Many are not able to afford costly and technical set-up costs and so Scotia eCom+ offers convenient scalability as the business grows.”
The Scotia Virtual Terminal is a secure web-based portal that can be deployed from any Internet-enabled device by the business to process a payment. Payments are facilitated via a secure payment link that is shared with customers by e-mail, SMS, or through social media.
“This makes it extremely convenient and compatible with evolving trends in the small retailer’s space. Someone with a small business can now market their products online and utilise Scotia Virtual Terminal service to collect payments by sending a secure link to clients to complete payment. This will open a new sales channel and income stream for their business” Whylie highlighted.
Scotiabank said its eCom+ Hosted Payment Page Services (HPP) is the next step in the e-commerce payment solutions ladder and is best suited for those who already have a website and wish to offer online payment capabilities.
She went on to share that Scotiabank’s payment gateway further allows for quick and easy integration with most of the major shopping cart software that is often used by small businesses such as Mailchimp Stores and OpenCart. She emphasised that Scotia eCom+ Hosted Payment Page (HPP) is feature-rich and supports multi-currency transactions.
“The main benefit for our businesses customers using this option is that Scotiabank will manage all payment industry certification requirements thereby reducing cost and time to deploy the service by the customer,” Whylie further noted.
For businesses with their own personalised online structures which need transaction security in their e-commerce, there is Scotia API which allows businesses full integration. This solution can be incorporated into a client’s new or existing online platform for maximum integration, which delivers to local businesses simple, and full control over business processes and payment pages.
The new systems also offer fraud protection for both buyers and businesses, using methods such as two-factor authentication, and the ability to conveniently access online real-time reporting to manage sales transactions, from any device at any time from any location.
“We have piloted the solutions with several customers to ensure the security and reliability of all three eCommerce solutions and are confident that these services will add value to businesses allowing them to capitalise on increased demand for electronic sales from consumers,” Nelson assured.