Navigating Regional Payment Gateways: Integrating Pay.nl and Alternatives on BigCommerce

For e-commerce merchants expanding internationally or operating in specific regions, integrating local payment gateways is crucial for customer trust and conversion. A common challenge arises when a preferred regional provider, like Pay.nl for Netherlands-based businesses, doesn't offer a native integration with platforms like BigCommerce. This community thread delves into the complexities of integrating Pay.nl and explores viable alternatives and custom solutions for BigCommerce stores.

The Challenge: Pay.nl and BigCommerce Integration

The original post from MyCaseBuilder EU, a Netherlands-based brand, highlights a frequent dilemma: how to integrate Pay.nl, their current payment provider, into their BigCommerce store. Initial responses clarify that Pay.nl lacks a native BigCommerce integration, meaning a direct, out-of-the-box connection isn't available.

However, the discussion quickly evolves beyond a simple 'no' to offer a range of strategic options, emphasizing that while a direct app might not exist, solutions are certainly within reach for accepting regional payment methods like iDEAL and Bancontact.

Strategic Solutions for Regional Payment Gateways

1. Embrace Natively Supported Alternatives

The most straightforward approach for merchants is to leverage BigCommerce's robust ecosystem of natively integrated payment gateways that support regional payment methods. Key recommendations from the community include:

• Adyen: Emerges as the strongest recommendation. Adyen boasts a native BigCommerce integration and is particularly well-suited for Netherlands-based merchants. It comprehensively supports iDEAL, Bancontact, SEPA, Klarna, and a wide array of other European payment methods, along with global credit card processing. Its native integration means easier setup directly through your BigCommerce control panel (Store Setup > Payments) without custom development.
• Stripe: Another excellent native option, Stripe supports iDEAL, Bancontact, and SEPA Direct Debit, alongside its global credit card processing capabilities.
• PayPal (Braintree): BigCommerce's built-in solution, powered by Braintree, handles credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. While it doesn't directly offer iDEAL, it's a strong contender for broader payment acceptance.
• 2Checkout (Verifone): Recommended for merchants requiring extensive European coverage, supporting payments in over 200 countries and 100+ currencies with localized options.

2. Custom Integration via Hosted Payment Redirect

If a merchant absolutely must stick with a specific non-native gateway like Pay.nl, a custom integration is feasible using BigCommerce's Payments API. This method typically involves a "hosted payment redirect" flow:

• The customer initiates checkout on BigCommerce.
• They are then securely redirected from the BigCommerce checkout page to a hosted payment page provided by Pay.nl (or the chosen gateway).
• After completing the payment on the external page, the customer is redirected back to the BigCommerce order confirmation page.

This approach is highly recommended for its security and PCI compliance, as sensitive payment data is handled directly by the payment provider, not the merchant's BigCommerce store. However, it requires custom development work to build the connection between BigCommerce's Payments API and the external gateway's hosted flow.

A Crucial Update: Mollie's Deprecation

An important insight from the thread is the status of Mollie, another popular Dutch payment provider. While initially suggested as an alternative, it was quickly clarified that Mollie has been deprecated for new BigCommerce installations. Existing merchants using Mollie can continue to do so, but new stores or those looking to switch providers will find it unavailable for connection.

Conclusion and Big Migration's Take

For Netherlands-based BigCommerce stores aiming to accept local payment methods like iDEAL, the community consensus strongly points towards Adyen as the most robust and natively supported solution. It offers comprehensive coverage of Dutch payment methods without the need for custom development.

Should the unique requirements of your business necessitate adherence to a specific non-native gateway like Pay.nl, a custom hosted payment redirect via BigCommerce's Payments API remains a viable, albeit development-intensive, path. At Big Migration, we understand these intricate payment integration challenges. Our experts can help you assess the best approach, whether it's configuring a native gateway like Adyen or developing a bespoke solution to ensure your BigCommerce store seamlessly handles all your regional payment needs.