Why do you need in-app payment and when can you get by with WebView payments? Nabi Ibatullin, head of mobile development at Neti Mobile, tells us.
What is in-app payment?
The built-in payment method is the acceptance of payments directly through the mobile application interface. This can be either a card link or integration with a banking software account. Such payment takes a few seconds.
You can do without built-in payment by implementing payment acceptance via WebView – a transition to the payment gateway website. To do this, the user needs to specify card details, wait for confirmation in SMS and enter the verification code. Payment via WebView is less convenient and takes longer for users.
When you don't need built-in payment
If purchases in a mobile app happen occasionally, there is no need for integration.
For example, in a charity app, payment with a link to a web page will be enough. Users pay donations in their free time. If a person is determined to help a shelter or shopify website design hospice, they will most likely find 5 minutes to enter their card details and the code from the SMS.
Why integrate payment in the app
Built-in payment speeds up purchases. The example about charity is a payment that can be made at a convenient time. But it’s a completely different matter with purchases that require quick decisions or are made on the go.
For example, an app for paying for commuter train tickets. Users buy tickets on the way to the station or right before boarding the train. Paying via WebView will take a long time - you can miss the train.
Built-in payment will relieve users of unnecessary stress and allow them to make a purchase quickly. For example, via Sber ID: a person goes to the bank's program and pays for a ticket in one touch.
Fast payment increases brand loyalty. Built-in payment takes a few seconds, unlike entering a card number with SMS confirmation, which sometimes comes with a delay.
Let's imagine two taxi apps. One has built-in payment, while the other asks for card details every time you order. If you need a car urgently, constantly entering numbers will irritate users. Customers are more likely to choose a faster and more convenient service.
Additional payment method in case of force majeure. To ensure that the payment system in the app works without failures, app owners add more payment methods: payment via direct link, via the website, and via the app.
For example, this was the case with payments via Apple Pay. As soon as the system stopped working in Russia, application owners had to look for alternative methods of accepting payments. For example, taxi services implemented instant payments via bank IDs.
Example of a mobile application with built-in payment "Yaki Paki"
application supplies
"Yaki Paki" is an app for ordering ready meals. Users can choose to pay in cash, but this is not always convenient. For example, the courier may not have change. To avoid looking for the right amount, it is more convenient to pay for rolls online.