Working with online payment processors frees a small business not just from payment and bookkeeping headaches, but also is more secure. As e commerce sales grow from $72 billion in 2002 to $256 billion in 2011, companies are turning to online payment systems to process b2c and b2b payments. Indeed, debit and credit card processing online is the wave of the future for even the smallest businessmen. While many companies may have misgivings about intercepted or mishandled data, processors are working to create the most secure online processing systems possible.

Online payment systems use a number of ways to secure data. Payment Card Industry, or PCI compliance uses a set of standards all payment processing companies adhere to. The most basic way to secure online payment systems is to categorize payments in three distinct levels. Level 3 processing is not only secure, but includes details like item discount identifier, item quantity, postal code, and other data. Cookies on encrypted servers can store credit card information long term.

Online payment systems are not only secure, but save on administrative and bookkeeping costs. Thanks to online payment systems, businesses can focus more resources on operations and great customer service, and grow the business. Thus, the gift of online payment systems is a reduced headache.