How to Set Up Secure Payment Gateways on BigCommerce

A checkout can win or lose a sale in seconds. Customers add items, reach the payment page, then decide if the store feels safe. A secure payment gateway helps customers trust the checkout, finish the order, and return later.

A payment gateway also protects the business. Strong security settings reduce fraud, chargebacks, and support tickets. Fewer failed payments also mean fewer abandoned carts.

This guide covers a practical BigCommerce payment gateway setup from start to finish. It walks through picking a gateway, turning it on inside BigCommerce, locking down security settings, and testing the full checkout flow before launch.

Understanding BigCommerce Payment Gateway Setup

A payment gateway connects the store to a payment processor. It handles card and wallet payments, sends the transaction for approval, and returns a success or failure message to the checkout.

BigCommerce supports many gateway options. Some gateways handle card payments directly. Others send customers to an offsite checkout page. Many stores also add digital wallets like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay to speed up checkout.

A strong setup focuses on four goals:

• High approval rate (more orders go through)
• Low fraud and chargebacks (fewer losses and disputes)
• Smooth checkout experience (less cart abandonment)
• Clear reporting and payouts (easy bookkeeping)

Step 1: Set Up the Store Before Payments

Payment gateways work best after the store basics are in place. Solid store settings prevent surprise checkout errors later.

Confirm store details

• Store name, address, and contact info match the business records.
• Support email works and sends messages reliably.
• Return and refund policy pages exist and match the business process.

Add products the right way

• Product names stay clear and specific.
• Product descriptions answer key questions: size, material, fit, usage, care.
• Product images look sharp and load fast.
• Pricing includes a clear plan for taxes and shipping.

Configure shipping and taxes

• Shipping zones and rates match the delivery areas.
• Tax settings match the state or country rules the business follows.
• Shipping and tax totals display correctly in the cart and checkout.

Step 2: BigCommerce Store Launch Checklist (Pre-Payment)

Small issues outside payments can still break checkout. This checklist reduces the risk.

Site and theme checks

• Theme looks good on desktop and mobile.
• Buttons and form fields work on small screens.
• Cart and checkout steps feel simple and readable.
• Page speed stays strong on product pages and cart pages.

Store setup checks

• Categories and menus make sense.
• Search returns relevant products.
• Inventory settings prevent overselling.
• Automated emails (order confirmation, shipping updates) send as expected.

Trust checks

• Store displays shipping, returns, customer support info in the footer.
• Policies appear in the checkout footer if the theme includes it.
• Contact page includes a real email and business details.

Step 3: Choose the Right Payment Gateway

Gateway choice affects fees, approval rates, fraud tools, and checkout speed. The “best” gateway depends on the business model and the target buyers.

Core factors to compare

1) Customer payment preferences

• Customers in the US often expect cards plus PayPal.
• Mobile-first shoppers like Apple Pay and Google Pay.
• Some markets prefer bank transfer or local wallet options.

2) Fees and payout timing

• Compare transaction fees, monthly fees, and chargeback fees.
• Review payout schedules and reserve rules.
• Check refund fees and partial refund support.

3) Supported currencies and countries

• International stores need multi-currency support and local payment methods.
• Settlement currency matters for accounting and bank deposits.

4) Fraud and dispute tools

• Built-in fraud screening helps stop bad orders early.
• Verified by Visa and Mastercard protections can lower risk.
• Clear dispute evidence tools save time during chargebacks.

5) Checkout style

• Onsite checkout keeps customers on the store domain.
• Offsite checkout can reduce PCI scope but may add friction.
• Hosted fields and tokenized payments can blend security with a smooth flow.

Common gateway options for BigCommerce

PayPal

• Strong brand trust
• Wide customer adoption
• Good for quick wallet checkout and guest payments

Stripe

• Flexible payment options
• Strong API support and automation tools
• Useful for subscriptions and custom workflows

Square

• Helpful for stores that sell online and in-person
• Unified reporting across channels
• Good option for small to mid-size businesses

Authorize.net

• Long-time gateway provider
• Fits many mid-size and large sellers
• Works well for stable card processing setups

A store can also use more than one option. Many stores keep one main card processor and add PayPal plus a wallet to reduce friction.

Step 4: Security Basics for Payment Gateways on BigCommerce

Security comes from a mix of platform protection, gateway features, and correct store settings. A secure setup focuses on protecting customer card data and blocking fraud.

PCI DSS compliance matters

PCI DSS is a security standard for handling card data. BigCommerce supports PCI compliance, but store owners still need to follow good practices.

Key habits that support PCI safety:

• Avoid storing raw card data anywhere outside the gateway.
• Use official gateway integrations inside BigCommerce.
• Restrict admin access and require strong passwords.

SSL certificates protect checkout traffic

SSL encrypts data between the customer and the store. BigCommerce stores typically use HTTPS, but the store should still confirm:

• All pages load on HTTPS, not HTTP
• No mixed-content errors appear in the browser
• Checkout pages show a secure connection

Fraud tools reduce risk and chargebacks

Fraud protection works best when it blocks risky orders while letting real customers check out.

Helpful tools and settings include:

• Address verification checks (AVS) when supported
• Card verification checks (CVV)
• Velocity rules (limit repeated attempts)
• 3D Secure options if supported by the gateway
• Manual review rules for high-risk orders

Account access controls protect the business

Admin accounts often become the weak point.

Use these safeguards:

• Enable two-step login for admin users if available
• Give each staff member their own account
• Limit permissions based on role
• Remove access for old staff immediately

Step 5: Add Payment Gateways to BigCommerce

BigCommerce keeps payment settings inside the control panel. Gateway setup usually takes a few minutes once the business has the needed account details.

Step-by-step: Add a gateway

1) Open payment settings

• Log in to the BigCommerce dashboard
• Go to Store Setup
• Select Payments

2) Pick a payment method
BigCommerce shows a list of available options. Select the preferred gateway.

3) Connect the gateway
Most gateways require details such as:

• API keys
• Merchant ID
• Publishable key and secret key
• Login credentials created inside the gateway dashboard

4) Set display and checkout options

• Choose the payment name customers see at checkout
• Enable or disable card types if the gateway supports it
• Select supported wallets or express checkout options

5) Save and enable the gateway
After saving, the gateway becomes available at checkout in the store’s active checkout flow.

Add multiple payment options (recommended)

A single payment method can lose sales. Adding at least two options often improves conversion.

A practical mix:

• Main card processor
• PayPal wallet option
• Apple Pay or Google Pay (when supported)

This mix helps card users, wallet users, and mobile shoppers.

Step 6: Test Payment Gateways for Security and Performance

Testing prevents painful launch-day issues. A store should test payments in a way that covers real customer behavior.

Build a testing plan

Test these scenarios:

• Successful payment
• Failed payment (wrong CVV, wrong expiration)
• Refund (full and partial)
• Shipping and tax calculation at checkout
• Discount codes and gift cards with payments
• Mobile checkout and desktop checkout

Use test mode when possible

Many gateways offer a test or sandbox mode. This mode lets the store run test transactions without real money moving.

Testing still needs a real checkout flow:

• Add products to cart
• Complete checkout fields
• Confirm order confirmation page loads
• Confirm internal order status matches payment outcome

Confirm security signals

Check these items:

• HTTPS appears across cart and checkout
• Gateway checkout fields load correctly
• Checkout does not show browser warnings
• Customer data does not appear in logs or emails

Confirm order handling workflow

A payment setup only works if the order workflow stays clean:

• Paid orders move to the right status
• Staff receives the right order notifications
• Inventory decreases correctly after purchase
• Shipping labels and fulfillment tools pick up the order

Advanced Tips for Better Store Management After Setup

Payments should not stay on autopilot forever. Ongoing care keeps the store stable and safe.

Keep gateway settings updated

Gateways update security rules and APIs over time. Store owners should:

• Review gateway dashboard alerts
• Rotate keys when needed
• Update settings after major theme or checkout changes

Monitor payment failures weekly

Patterns show up fast:

• Spike in declines can signal bank blocks, wrong settings, or fraud attempts
• Wallet options can fail due to domain verification or shipping mismatch
• Certain card types can fail if not enabled

Tracking common errors helps reduce lost orders.

Set clear refund and dispute processes

A clean process saves time and cash:

• Respond to chargebacks fast
• Save shipping proof and delivery confirmations
• Keep customer communication inside the order notes when possible
• Use tracking numbers on most orders, even small ones

Optimize Checkout for Higher Conversions

Secure payments matter, but checkout design still drives sales. Small changes can boost conversion without changing the product.

Reduce cart abandonment

Strong tactics include:

• Keep checkout steps short
• Offer guest checkout
• Show total cost early, including shipping estimates when possible
• Avoid surprise fees near the final step

Add trust signals in the right spots

Trust signals work best near the payment step:

• Display accepted payment icons
• Show safe checkout messaging near the payment form
• Keep refund and shipping links easy to find in the footer

Offer payment choice without clutter

Too many payment options can confuse shoppers. A balanced setup usually works best:

• One primary card option
• One wallet option
• One express wallet for mobile

This gives flexibility while keeping the page easy to scan.

BigCommerce Inventory Management Best Practices (That Support Payments)

Inventory issues often turn into payment problems. Out-of-stock items lead to cancellations and refunds, which can raise dispute risk.

Keep stock accurate

• Track inventory in real time
• Sync inventory across sales channels if the business sells elsewhere
• Use low-stock alerts to restock early

Set clear order rules

• Block checkout for out-of-stock items
• Avoid letting customers buy backordered items unless the store supports it
• Use clear shipping timelines on product pages

A clean inventory system reduces refunds, improves customer trust, and lowers support load.

Common Checkout and Gateway Issues (And Fixes)

Payments fail right after enabling the gateway

Common causes:

• Wrong API keys or merchant credentials
• Gateway account not fully verified
• Currency mismatch between store and gateway

Fix:

• Re-check keys and settings
• Confirm the gateway account status
• Match store currency and settlement settings

Customers see the gateway but cannot complete payment

Common causes:

• Browser extensions blocking scripts
• Theme checkout customization conflicts
• Wallet verification not completed

Fix:

• Test in private browsing mode
• Test on a clean theme or default checkout settings
• Confirm wallet domain verification inside the gateway dashboard

Refunds do not match BigCommerce order status

Common causes:

• Refund done inside the gateway but not synced
• Partial refunds not applied correctly
• Manual status changes in the order

Fix:

• Refund inside BigCommerce when supported
• Confirm gateway sync settings
• Standardize refund workflow for staff

Final Notes: Secure Payments Support Long-Term Growth

A BigCommerce payment gateway setup needs more than turning on a processor. Strong results come from the right gateway choice, careful security settings, and real testing before launch. After setup, regular reviews keep payments stable as the store grows.

A store that protects customer payments also protects its brand. That protection shows up in lower disputes, stronger reviews, and better repeat purchase rates.

FAQs on BigCommerce Payment Gateway Setup