SaaS 결제 레일이란 무엇입니까?

SaaS 결제 레일은 고객, 기업 및 금융 기관 간에 자금을 이동시키는 금융 네트워크입니다. 여기에는 ACH, RTP, FedNow, 송금, SWIFT, SEPA 및 카드 네트워크가 포함됩니다. 결제는 비즈니스의 주요 부분이며, 반복 청구, 해외 고객 및 자동화된 금융 워크플로우를 처리해야 하므로 SaaS 기업에 결제 인프라는 매우 중요합니다. 결제 레일의 선택은 고객 경험과 운영 효율성 모두에 영향을 미칠 수 있습니다.

SaaS payment rails differ from the e-commerce ones because in e-commerce, it’s mostly about purchasing items a single time, while for SaaS, it’s about subscription payments, renewals, and maintaining accounts over time. It’s mainly the subscription-based billing method that makes the difference.

Moreover, B2B SaaS and B2C SaaS have completely different demands. For example, a consumer subscription platform will prioritize convenience and payment methods. On the other hand, B2B software companies will generally be keen on checking lower fees, invoice payments, and bank-based transfers.

Some special attributes of SaaS payment rails are:

• Handle recurring billing and automated payments
• They are connected to billing and accounting systems
• Transaction speeds and settlement times may fluctuate
• Different payment methods have different fee structures
• The platform incorporates functionality for processing domestic and international transactions

There are several rails to choose from, and the optimal one can depend heavily on the specific use case. No single rail can be the best all-around solution for every type of transaction.

• ACH transfers are done through banks and are therefore most suitable for subscription-based recurring payments with B2B SaaS. Transaction fees are often lower than card fees and can affect expired customer accounts and involuntary churn, given the relative consistency of bank account information. 
• RTP and FedNow are real-time payment systems that facilitate rapid fund transfers. They can be utilized by SaaS companies for emergency payment processing, replenishing accounts, or enabling faster customer transactions. The presence of “Open Banking” tools may correlate with reduced customer friction through account verification features.
• Wire payments can be used for business transactions that involve high value or have time constraints. Wire transfers offer accessibility, but their cost could present an issue for small, regular subscription fees.
• SWIFT is mainly for international bank transactions between countries, whereas SEPA is about euro payments. These payment systems are used by SaaS companies to process cross-border subscriptions and pay vendors.
• Credit and debit cards are frequently used payment methods for SaaS onboarding and B2C subscriptions, due in part to customer preference for convenience and relatively fast approval processes. These cards are usable, but transaction fees generally apply, and card loss or expiration can correlate with customer churn.

Choosing​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ a payment rail impacts a lot more than just the way payments are processed. It has the potential to influence revenue streams, customer sentiment, and financial strategies.

• 비용: Transaction fees change in profit margins. Card payments typically have different fee structures than bank transfers, and percentage-based charges may correlate with fluctuations in recurring revenue with increased transaction volumes.
• Speed: Settlement timing impacts cash flow. Faster rails are correlated with changes in liquidity and waiting periods.
• 보안: Different rails involve varying fraud protections and verification methods. Secure payment systems are associated with changes in operational risk and chargeback exposure.
• 글로벌 서비스 지원: International SaaS businesses often require payment systems that support multiple countries and currencies.

Deciding on the right payment infrastructure can be a complex process. However, map out how money actually moves in your business to identify the payment rails that fit your client payment habits.

• Compare the costs of processing fees and the time taken to settle
• Give priority to integrations with billing systems
• If it is possible, use more than one payment method to reduce failures
• Look at the international payment needs early on

In particular:

• Volume of transactions and payment frequency
• Customer location and currency preferences
• Level of integration complexity and availability of technical support

많은 SaaS 기업들은 일반적으로 단일 결제 방식에 의존하는 것을 피합니다. 실제로, 그들은 여러 결제 시스템을 결합한 다중 레일 전략을 선택합니다. 다중 레일 접근 방식은 기업이 비용, 속도, 지역과 같은 요소를 고려하여 결제 시스템을 선택할 수 있도록 합니다. ACH는 반복 청구서에 적합할 수 있으며, 실시간 결제는 긴급 거래에 사용될 수 있습니다. 비즈니스 상황은 어려운 시기에 결제 옵션과 관련될 수 있으며, 네트워크 지연 발생 시 대체 옵션을 유지할 수 있습니다.