The African e-commerce market grossed USD 277.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 939.8 billion in 2023. However, with a global cart abandonment rate of 70%, many of which are related to payment issues, there is a clear need for ecommerce businesses in Nigeria and beyond to provide seamless and efficient transactions to increase their revenue and scale. An effective payment solution for e-commerce businesses is payment link integration.

Payment link integration emerges as a powerful tool for e-commerce businesses to facilitate payment in a convenient and streamlined way. This SeerBit article delves into what a payment link is, how it works, and its benefits for your ecommerce business.

What Is a Payment Link?

A payment link is a unique, shareable URL that directs the customer to a secure payment page where they can make payment for their purchase. This method ensures a seamless and streamlined payment process for customers, particularly removing the need for a physical card or a card terminal. A business can generate this link for any specific transaction and send it directly to the customer through one of several possible channels (email, social media, SMS, etc.).

Payment links make payments convenient for both businesses and customers. Even e-commerce businesses without a website can receive payments online with a payment link. For e-commerce businesses with websites, online payment link integration allows them to boost sales by selling their products on other platforms beyond the business’ website.

Here’s How Your E-commerce Business Benefits from Payment Link Integration
Implementing payment links in your e-commerce setup can offer several advantages that streamline the purchasing process for you and your customers. Here are some reasons why you should integrate payment links for your e-commerce business:

Customer Experience and Convenience
Payment links provide a convenient way for customers to complete transactions without having to navigate through a complex checkout process. This improves the customer experience during shopping as they can pay with ease. With just a click on the payment link, customers can quickly and easily make a purchase, reducing the likelihood of cart abandonment.

Flexibility
Payment links offer your business flexibility in receiving payments, as they can be customised for different types of transactions. It supports multiple payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, etc., allowing you to cater to your customer’s preferred payment method. Consequently, you have more successful transactions and an increased customer satisfaction level.

Improved Cash Flow
With payment links, the speed and efficiency of payments increase. Consequently, this helps to improve your business’s cash flow. The accompanying ease of payments also means that customers are more willing to part with their money, thereby boosting your bottom line.

Security
Payment links are typically hosted on secure payment gateways, ensuring the safety of sensitive customer information during transactions. By leveraging trusted payment providers and encryption technologies, you can instil confidence in your customers and protect their data from unauthorised access.

Reduces Payment Processing Error
Payment link ensures efficiency in the payment process, leaving little room for processing errors. It also ensures that customers don’t have to manually type in their payment information, hence cutting out the risks of human errors, such as wrong billing address or credit card information in the payment process.

Mobile-friendly
As mobile commerce continues to grow, having a mobile-friendly payment solution is crucial. Payment links are inherently mobile-friendly, allowing customers to complete transactions directly from their smartphones, whether they’re on the go or at home.

Tracking and Analytics
Payment links often come with built-in tracking and analytics features that provide valuable insights into customer behaviour, transaction trends, and sales performance. By analysing this data, you can make informed decisions to optimise your ecommerce strategy and maximise revenue.

How To Create a Payment Link for Online Payment
Creating a payment link to receive online payment involves the following steps:

Choose a payment gateway provider
The first step is to partner with a reliable payment gateway like SeerBit that offers payment links as part of its service. Read our blog post on what to consider when choosing a payment provider to help you make the right choice. A few factors to consider are your business needs, security, compatibility, and pricing structure. SeerBit easily checks all the boxes.

Create a SeerBit account
Once you’ve decided on SeerBit as your payment gateway provider, the next thing is to create your SeerBit account. This is a straightforward process that involves providing your business’ information and completing the KYC process for compliance.

Access and set up the payment link feature
SeerBit offers payment links as a part of its service. Once you’re logged in, you can create a payment link in your dashboard which you send to your customers. This link works for both one-time and recurring payments.

To set up your payment link, go to “Payments” on your dashboard, click on “Payment Links,” then “Create Payment Link” and fill in the required details. A link will be created afterward which you can send to your customer via email, messenger apps, social media, invoice, or QR code.

Conclusion
By integrating payment links into your ecommerce business, you make payments very convenient for your customers and considerably improve your customer satisfaction. SeerBit payment link offers you an easy payment collection process while allowing you to cater to your customers’ payment needs. SeerBit also uses the best security tools and the latest encryption and tokenization technologies to ensure the security of transactions and customer payment information.

SHELT System Integration (SHELT SI) has announced its achievement of Cisco Select Partner certification in Nigeria, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering top-tier networking and security solutions to businesses across the region.

This certification underscores SHELT SI’s dedication to excellence in providing innovative networking and security solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of the market.

The Cisco Select Partner certification is a validation of SHELT SI’s technical expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction, as well as its ability to deliver cutting-edge networking and security solutions that drive business success. With this recognition, SHELT SI is affirming its ability to further enhance its offerings and support its clients in navigating the complexities of the digital landscape.

Cisco Nigeria General Manager Sebastine Nzeadibe comments: “We are delighted to welcome SHELT SI to the ranks of Cisco Select Partners in Nigeria.

“Their demonstrated commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to collaborating closely together to empower businesses with transformative networking and security solutions.”

Youssef Abillama, CEO of SHELT, comments: “Achieving this certification strengthens our relationship with CISCO and is a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise in delivering best-in-class solutions.

“This milestone reinforces our commitment to empowering businesses in Nigeria with innovative technology solutions that will enable them to thrive in the digital age through cutting-edge technology solutions.”

SHELT’s Country General Manager, Walid Bou Abssi, added, “The Cisco Select certification empowers us to provide an increased level of support and further enhances our ability to address the requirements of our clients’ evolving needs in Nigeria.

“It is an acknowledgement of the ability of our pre-sales, sales, and client support teams to design, quote, deploy, and support Cisco solutions.”

Nigeria may reinstate a previously suspended telecom tax and other fiscal measures as it seeks to secure a new $750 million loan from the World Bank, as per Nairametrics report.

This is according to the Stakeholder Engagement Plan for Nigeria – Accelerating Resource Mobilisation Reforms (ARMOR) P-For-R (P177308) program dated March 2024, between Nigeria and the World Bank.

A copy of the plan’s document was obtained and seen by Nairametrics suggest the government reintroduces the excises on telecom services, EMT levy on electronic money transfers through the Nigerian Banking System among other taxes.

President Bola Tinubu in July 2023 ordered the suspension of the 5% excise duty on telecommunications and the Import Tax Adjustment levy on certain vehicles.

However, it appears that this suspension may be lifted to meet the program targets for a new, yet-to-be-approved World Bank loan.

Nairametrics has confirmed that negotiations are ongoing between the Federal Government and the World Bank.

The program’s development objective is to strengthen the government’s financial position by enhancing its capacity to manage and mobilize domestic resources effectively, which includes improving tax and customs compliance and protecting oil revenues.

Affected stakeholders and sectors

The planned tax reforms under the ARMOR program are expected to have significant implications across various economic sectors.

According to the plan, affected stakeholders will include manufacturers of goods such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), telecom and banking service providers, as well as the general tax-paying public.

Importers and international traders will also feel the impact of these new fiscal policies.

Key industry groups such as the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) are engaged regarding the excise duties on telecom services.

The banking sector, represented by the Committee of Bankers, are engaged regarding the introduction of an Electronic Money Transfer (EMT) levy on transactions processed through Nigerian banks.

Additionally, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) will play a crucial role, particularly for those involved in producing targeted products such as tobacco and alcoholic beverages.

The plan document read:

“Domestic Revenue Mobilisation drive in the government ARMOR program seeks to increase revenue on some targeted industries and sectors of the economy. Specific groups and agencies within affected sectors include

“1. Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria: The introduction of excises on telecom services requires that all telcos are mobilised to fully participate in the collection of such revenue.

“2. Committee of Bankers: Introduction of EMT levy on electronic money transfers through the Nigerian Banking System would need the buy-in all banking institutions

“3. Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria: Manufacturers of tobacco products, sugar sweetened beverages(SSBs) and alcoholic beverages who would be required to collect excises on their products are critical stakeholders for the introduction of the new excise regime. They are currently organised into various sectoral groups under the Manufacturer’s Association of Nigeria (MAN). Producers of alcoholic beverages organised under the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria also need to key into the reforms

“4. Importers: Strategic partners involved in importation of different items into the country will be mobilised to participate in the ARMOR program. A key stakeholder group is the Association of Nigeria Customs Agents (ANCLA).

“5. Vehicle Importers and Manufacturers: Stakeholders in the automobile trade industry must be engaged on reforms involving the introduction of green taxes on high GHG emission vehicles. Local manufacturing and assembly of vehicles is growing through a phase of growth in Nigeria. The demand for vehicles is mostly met through importation by vehicle importers under the aegis of Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON).”

The document also emphasized the importance of engaging vulnerable groups to ensure they are not disproportionately affected by these changes.

It also said:

“Services that will be subjected to the newly introduced excises are regulated by key public sector agencies. The introduction of the new revenue measures will require the application of existing regulatory mechanisms available within these institutions. The concerned institutions include

“1. Nigerian Communication Commission

“2. Central Bank of Nigeria.

“There are also agencies with the mandate for making policies on some of the issues covered in the ARMOR program with respect to policy framework on matters of public interest in Health and Environmental Protection. The government institutions relevant to ARMOR in this regard are.

“1. Federal Ministry of Environment

“2. National Environmental Standards Regulatory and Enforcement Agency (NESREA)

“3. Federal Ministry of Health”