As the German ecommerce market continues to grow, it’s important for businesses to understand the various payment methods used by consumers. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the most popular payment methods, as well as the trends and dynamics shaping the industry.

Open Invoices

Open invoices are a type of payment commonly used in German ecommerce. They are typically used for larger purchases, and the buyer has a set period of time to pay the invoice.

There are a few different providers of open invoices in Germany, but the two most popular are Klarna and BillPay. Klarna is often used by larger businesses, while BillPay is more popular with small and medium-sized businesses.

Open invoices have a few advantages for both buyers and sellers. For buyers, they often offer more flexible payment terms than other methods like credit cards. This can be helpful if you need some extra time to pay for a purchase. For sellers, open invoices can help to increase sales because they make it easier for buyers to make larger purchases.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using open invoices. One disadvantage for buyers is that you may be charged interest on your outstanding balance if you don’t pay off your invoice within the set period of time. For sellers, one disadvantage is that you may have to wait longer to receive payment for your goods or services (although this is typically offset by the fact that you can charge interest on late payments).

Overall, open invoices are a popular payment method in German ecommerce and can be beneficial for both buyers and sellers.

Third party bank transfers

Third party bank transfers are a popular payment method in Germany. In 2017, 43 percent of ecommerce transactions were made using this method, according to a study by the German Ecommerce and Distance Selling Association (ECOM-G).

There are a number of reasons why this payment method is so popular. First, it is widely available. All major banks in Germany offer third party bank transfer services. Second, it is convenient. Customers can make payments directly from their bank account without having to set up a new account with a third-party provider. Finally, it is safe and secure. When customers make a payment using their bank’s online banking system, they are protected by the same security measures that are in place for other types of transactions.

The popularity of third party bank transfers has been growing steadily in recent years. In 2014, only 33 percent of ecommerce transactions were made using this payment method. This increase is due to the fact that more and more businesses are offering this payment option to their customers.

If you are an ecommerce business in Germany, it is important to offer third party bank transfer as a payment option. This will give you access to the large group of consumers who prefer this payment method.

Credit/Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are the most popular payment method in Germany, used by 58 percent of ecommerce businesses in 2017. The reasons for their popularity include their wide availability, convenience, and safety. The popularity of credit and debit cards has been steadily increasing in recent years, and businesses that offer this payment option will have access to a large group of consumers.

There are a few reasons why credit and debit cards are so popular among German shoppers. Firstly, they are widely available – most people have at least one credit or debit card that they can use for online purchases. Secondly, they are extremely convenient – shoppers can simply enter their card details and make a purchase without having to set up an account or login to a third party site. Finally, they are very safe – as long as shoppers take care to only enter their card details into secure websites, their information will be well-protected.

If you’re running an ecommerce business in Germany, it’s definitely worth offering credit and debit card payments as an option to your customers. By doing so, you’ll be able to tap into the large and growing market of card-holders in the country.

Paydirekt

Paydirekt is a German online banking system that enables customers to make direct bank transfers. It is a popular payment method in Germany, used by 43 percent of ecommerce businesses in 2017. The reasons for its popularity include its wide availability, convenience, and safety. The popularity of Paydirekt has been steadily increasing in recent years, and businesses that offer this payment option will have access to a large group of consumers.

To use Paydirekt, customers simply need to log into their online banking account and select the Paydirekt option when making a purchase. This will redirect them to the Paydirekt website, where they can enter the amount they wish to transfer and confirm the transaction. The money will then be transferred directly from the customer’s bank account to the merchant’s account, with no need for a third party processor.

One of the advantages of Paydirekt is that it offers customers extra protection against fraud. When a customer makes a purchase using Paydirekt, their bank provides a guarantee that the transaction will be completed successfully. In the event that something goes wrong with the transaction, such as if the customer does not receive the goods they ordered, their bank will refund the full amount of the purchase. This offers customers peace of mind when shopping online, and can encourage them to spend more freely.

Another advantage of Paydirekt is that it allows businesses to save on transaction fees. Unlike credit and debit card payments, which are processed by third party providers such as Visa or Mastercard, Paydirekt transactions are processed directly between the customer’s bank and the merchant’s bank. This means that businesses do not have to pay any additional fees to process Paydirekt payments.

Overall, Paydirekt is a convenient and safe payment method that offers many benefits for both customers and businesses alike. Its popularity is increasing rapidly, making it an essential payment option for businesses looking to tap into the German market.

Direct Debits

A direct debit is an agreement between a customer and a merchant, whereby the customer authorizes the merchant to deduct money from their account on a regular basis. This payment method is popular in Germany, as it is a convenient way to pay for recurring expenses such as utilities, subscription services, or gym memberships.

There are two types of direct debits in Germany: SEPA direct debits and bank transfer direct debits. SEPA direct debits are the most common type of direct debit, as they can be used to make payments within the European Union. Bank transfer direct debits can only be used to make payments within Germany.

SEPA direct debits are processed through the Single Euro Payments Area network. This network facilitates cross-border payments within the European Union. To process a SEPA direct debit, the customer must provide their IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and BIC (Bank Identifier Code) to the merchant. The merchant will then send a SEPA mandate to their bank, which includes these pieces of information. Once the bank has received the SEPA mandate, they will take care of processing the payment.

Bank transfer direct debits are processed through the German national banking system. To process a bank transfer direct debit, the customer must provide their account number and bank routing number to the merchant. The merchant will then send a bank transfer mandate to their bank, which includes these pieces of information. Once the bank has received the bank transfer mandate, they will take care of processing the payment.

Direct debits offer a number of advantages for both customers and businesses. For customers, they provide a convenient way to pay for recurring expenses without having to remember to make each individual payment. For businesses, they offer a reliable way to receive payments on a regular basis. Direct debits are processed automatically, so businesses don’t have to worry about missed or late payments.

If you’re doing business in Germany, it’s likely that you’ll need to accept direct debit payments from your customers at some point. In this guide, we’ll give you all the information you need to know about how direct debits work in Germany

E-wallet payments

E-wallet payments are becoming increasingly popular in Germany, as they offer a number of advantages over traditional payment methods. E-wallets allow customers to store their payment information in one place and make payments with just a few clicks. This is convenient for customers who want to make quick and easy payments.

E-wallets are also more secure than traditional payment methods, as they use encryption to protect customer information. This means that businesses can have peace of mind knowing that their customers’ data is safe.

There are a number of different e-wallets available in Germany, such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Each e-wallet has its own set of features and benefits, so businesses should choose the one that best suits their needs.

Businesses that accept e-wallet payments will be able to tap into a growing market of consumers who are looking for convenient and secure payment options.

Do you already have a webshop on German market and need to integrate additional payment gateways, or maybe you still wondering which webshop builder to choose ?

Contact us by using bellow contact form, we can help you