Definition:
Stripe is an online payments platform that allows businesses of any size to accept and process payments online. Founded in 2010 by brothers John and Patrick Collison, Stripe has grown to become one of the world's most popular online payment service providers, known for its ease of use, wide range of features, and focus on modernizing online payments.
Stripe offers a number of features designed to make it easier for businesses to accept payments online. These features focus on making it easier for businesses to manage customer transactions, manage recurring payments, prevent fraud, and integrate with other services and platforms.
One of the main advantages of Stripe is its API (Application Programming Interface), which allows developers to easily integrate Stripe with their own apps and websites. This means businesses can customize their checkout experience to suit their specific needs.
Using Stripe offers businesses a number of benefits, including:
Although Stripe offers many advantages, there are also some potential challenges to consider. One of them is cost. Stripe charges a per-transaction fee, which can accrue for businesses that process a high volume of sales.
Additionally, while Stripe's API is highly customizable, it can also be complex for non-developers. This means that businesses may need to hire a developer or gain additional technical knowledge to take full advantage of all the features Stripe offers.
Finally, although Stripe offers online support, some companies have reported that they prefer direct customer support, which can be more limited with Stripe compared to some other payment service providers.
One of the standout features of Stripe is its ability to integrate with a wide range of other platforms and services. This makes it easier for businesses to set up their payment systems and allows Stripe's functionality to be extended to meet specific needs.
Stripe can integrate directly with most major ecommerce platforms, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento. This allows businesses using these platforms to start accepting online payments quickly and easily, with no additional programming required.
For companies operating subscription-based business models, Stripe integrates with subscription management software like Recurly and Chargebee. These integrations allow businesses to easily manage recurring payments, which can be a challenge with other payment service providers.
Stripe also integrates with various invoicing platforms and accounting software, such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Zoho. These integrations make it easier for businesses to track their income and expenses, which can help simplify accounting and reduce the risk of errors.
Finally, Stripe can be integrated with a number of customer relationship management (CRM) systems and marketing platforms, such as Salesforce and HubSpot. These integrations can help businesses track customer interactions with their website and checkout process, which can provide valuable data to improve customer experience and increase sales.