Smarter Payment Channels for Modern Businesses

When it comes to getting paid, the smoother the experience, the better. But it’s not just about which payment methods you accept – it’s also about how you offer them.

That’s where payment channels come in. These are the different routes your customers can use to complete a transaction, whether it’s through a hosted payment page, payment API integration, invoice payment link, or a payment over the phone, which is your virtual terminal payment.

By offering multiple payment channels, you not only give your customers flexibility but also make your business easier to work with. In this article, we’ll explain what payment channels are, how they differ from payment methods, and how you can use them to grow your business with BillPro.

By the end, you’ll know how to choose the best mix of channels for your workflow, improve the customer journey, and scale your operations more efficiently. If you’re also exploring broader billing strategies, see Smarter Billing: Automate, Scale, and Grow Without the Stress or explore BillPro’s billing orchestration features.

If you’re looking to accept card payments, including in high-risk industries like crypto or gambling, you may also want to explore merchant services at CardCorp.

What Are Payment Channels (and How Are They Different from Payment Methods)?

Let’s clear up a common mix-up: payment methods and payment channels are not the same thing.

• A payment method is the instrument the customer uses – like a credit card, e-wallet, or crypto.
• A payment channel is how and where that payment is collected – for example, via a checkout page, invoice link, or a phone call.

In simple terms: if the method is the “what”, the channel is the “how”.

Clearly understanding this distinction matters because customers and businesses interact with payments in many different ways. While one customer might prefer a fast online checkout, another might feel more comfortable paying through a secure invoice payment link. Therefore, by adapting your digital payment channels to match these preferences, you reduce friction and improve the overall experience.

For more on how a billing platform fits into your wider payment strategy, see How to Choose the Best Billing Platform – A Complete Guide.

If you’re interested in payment automation, see Smarter Billing: Automate, Scale, and Grow Without the Stress.

Core Payment Channels Supported by BillPro

BillPro gives you four versatile payment channels, each designed for different use cases. This scalable payment infrastructure allows you to adapt your billing strategy as your business evolves.

1. Hosted Payment Page

A fast and secure way to start accepting payments without coding.

• Ideal for businesses that want a ready-to-use checkout
• Mobile-friendly and PCI-compliant
• Custom branding and quick setup

This is perfect if you want to launch quickly and still give customers a trusted, branded payment experience. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, it’s a smart choice to get going with minimal development work.

Related: Billing Orchestration: How the Right Billing Platform Helps Your Business Grow
Explore more: BillPro Pricing Plans

2. Payment API

For businesses that want full control over the customer experience.

• Build customisable checkout flow within your site or app
• Integrate payments directly into your product
• Tokenise methods for subscription payments and reuse

The API is best suited for SaaS platforms, marketplaces, or any business that needs a seamless, embedded payment journey. Developers can explore the BillPro API documentation.

Learn more about recurring billing capabilities.

3. Invoice Payment Links

Send a secure payment link by email, chat, or SMS.

• Works well for B2B, services, or remote billing
• No development needed
• Links are branded, tracked, and secure

This cross-channel payment solution is ideal if you want to send payment requests quickly and track them easily. As a result, it helps reduce late payments and adds convenience for both sides.

Related: How to Reduce Payment Failures and Improve Cash Flow

4. Virtual Terminal Payments

Manually enter the card details on behalf of your customer.

• Useful for sales, support, or back-office billing
• Designed for phone or email payments
• No customer action needed

This channel is especially helpful for teams working directly with clients, especially in B2B or professional services.

Why Use Multiple Payment Channels?

Your customers aren’t all the same. Some prefer to pay on your site, others via email, and some over the phone. So, by offering multiple payment options, you can:

• Meet your customers where they are
• Reduce friction and abandoned checkouts
• Support various models: SaaS, e‑commerce, or services
• Provide backup options if one method fails
• Scale easily with a multi-channel payment system

How BillPro Makes It Easy

With BillPro, switching between channels or using several at once is simple. It’s built to help you scale without extra effort.

• Use a hosted payment page for fast setup
• Embed the payment API for seamless experiences
• Send invoice links for quick billing
• Enter details with a virtual terminal when needed

Behind the scenes, everything connects to one centralised payment system, giving you full control. BillPro includes tokenisation, fraud protection, custom branding, and real-time reporting – all from one dashboard.

If you’re planning to scale, don’t miss Top Subscription Growth Trends to Watch in 2025.

Use Cases for Different Payment Channels

Here’s how businesses are using BillPro’s payment channels today:

• Startups use invoice links before building full checkouts
• SaaS brands embed the API into onboarding
• Agencies or call centers use virtual terminals for live billing
• E-commerce companies launch with hosted checkout, then integrate API later

💡 Start with the channel that fits your workflow, then scale from there.

Need help structuring your model? See Billing Models Explained.

Conclusion

Offering multiple payment channels is not just about convenience – it’s about enabling faster payments, better customer service, and long-term growth.

Whether you’re just getting started or scaling globally, BillPro supports every step with a flexible, secure, and powerful multi-channel payment system.

Looking to improve renewals too? See How to Boost Your Subscription Renewal Rates.