/ Ecommerce
How do I take payments on my website in the UK?
Stripe for most businesses. PayPal as an additional option. Fees are typically 1.4%–2.9% plus 20p per transaction.
/ 01
The short version
Payment setup is simpler than people expect, and easy to over-engineer.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Stripe: best developer support, clean checkout, fast payouts.
- • PayPal: adds trust for older demographics, higher fees.
- • Klarna and Clearpay lift average order value in retail.
- • Apple Pay and Google Pay meaningfully cut mobile drop-off.
- • Never store card details yourself — always use the provider's checkout.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Adding one more payment method usually converts better than any design change to the checkout page.
/ 04
What to do next
Enable Apple Pay and Google Pay on your existing checkout — it's typically a toggle and it lifts mobile conversion.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get online payments right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Do I need a merchant account?
Not with Stripe or PayPal.
How fast are payouts?
Stripe is typically 2–7 days for UK accounts.
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