Running an online store is exciting, until payments slow you down. If you’ve ever tried setting up payment on Shopify or WooCommerce in India, you’ll know the struggle.
Global providers often overlook what matters most here: support for UPI and EMI, easy compliance with RBI norms, and faster T+1 settlements. The result? Cart abandonments, cash flow delays, and endless frustration for merchants who just want to focus on growth.
Currency localization is non-negotiable. But think about it: doesn’t the same go for your store’s payment solution?
That’s where Pine Labs Online steps in. Built for India’s unique payment ecosystem, it brings local methods, compliance-ready features, and lightning-fast settlements.
Why localized payment solutions matter in India
Whether your online store is on Shopify, WooCommerce, or any other platform, you must opt for a local payment solution if you’re catering to the Indian audience. Here’s why –
1. India’s unique payment ecosystem
In other parts of the world, cash and card payments still rule the online shopping landscape. But the scenario in India is completely different.
Thanks to its young population, most Indians rely on local, mobile-first methods like UPI and digital wallets, whether shopping online or offline. This makes the country’s payment ecosystem highly unique.
2. Customers expect variety
In India, businesses offer multiple flexible payment options to their customers. From UPI and wallets to EMI and BNPL, shoppers are literally spoilt for choice. This is also why they naturally expect variety from every merchant and avoid those who don’t provide it.
3. Settlements get quicker
Local payment gateways don’t take forever to settle payments. In fact, they are significantly faster than most global gateways, often completing settlements within a day or even instantly. This speed makes a huge difference for your business’s growth.
4. Compliance becomes a cakewalk
Unlike global WooCommerce or Shopify-supported gateways, local ones closely comply with RBI’s payment guidelines and India’s data localization norms. This ensures you stay compliant, avoid unnecessary penalties, and operate your online store legally and smoothly.
Key challenges with global payment gateways
Here are the most significant challenges popular global WooCommerce and Shopify payment providers pose for Indian merchants –
1. Lack of UPI & local payment options
As an Indian merchant, the number of efficient payment gateways you get on Shopify and WooCommerce is really limited.
First of all, both these platforms’ native payment gateways, Shopify Payments and WooPayments, aren’t available in India. Moreover, their global payment gateways only prioritize card payments. They either don’t support local Indian payment options like UPI and wallets at all, or lack the required robustness. This incites shoppers to drop off, hurting your sales.
2. Settlement delays
Most global Shopify and WooCommerce payment gateways follow lengthy settlement timelines, like T+2 or T+3, to settle payments.
However, this can be seriously troublesome for small merchants. For them, the T+1 settlement timeline isn’t an option; it’s a necessity for managing cash flows and liquidity.
3. Currency conversion issues
Imagine selling your products to an Indian audience in INR and still paying forex fees on every sale. Sounds awful, right?
Well, that’s the reality for every Indian merchant using a global payment gateway on Shopify or WooCommerce. Plus, they have to pay MDR for processing the payment since all gateways compulsorily levy this fee.
4. Limited local support & compliance
Most global payment gateways on Shopify and WooCommerce struggle to comply with RBI and PCI-DSS standards. On top of that, when issues like failed transactions, chargebacks, or compliance queries arise, resolving them can take days. This frustrates customers and negatively impacts their trust.
How Pine Labs Online delivers a localized advantage
There aren’t many payment gateways on WooCommerce or Shopify that genuinely facilitate local payments for Indian merchants. But this is where Pine Labs Online shines. Here’s how –
1. UPI & wallet integration
Pine Labs Online natively supports UPI, mobile wallets, EMI, and BNPL, which means you can offer customers the payment methods they actually use. This reduces cart abandonments and makes checkout frictionless, keeping more sales in your pocket.
2. Faster settlements
Unlike global gateways that take T+2 or T+3, Pine Labs Online offers T+1 settlements, and in some cases, near-instant payouts. That means you can manage inventory, pay vendors, and reinvest faster, without waiting days for funds to arrive.
3. Indian compliance & security
Pine Labs Online strictly adheres to RBI guidelines, is PCI-DSS certified, and comes with built-in fraud detection. You can accept payments confidently, knowing your business stays fully compliant and your customers’ data is protected.
4. Cost efficiency
Using global gateways can lead to higher Shopify payment gateway fees on top of the gateway’s own MDR and hidden forex charges, even for INR transactions.
Pine Labs Online keeps pricing transparent and straightforward, so you know exactly what you’re paying. No surprises, no unnecessary deductions, just smarter payment handling that protects your margins and helps your business grow.
5. Scalable for Indian peaks
Festivals, mega sales, or big launches can overwhelm your payment gateway. Pine Labs Online is built to handle high traffic without slowing down checkout. That means your store remains responsive during peak periods, ensuring customers complete their purchases without frustration, boosting conversions and trust.
Best practices for Indian Shopify and WooCommerce merchants
Gearing up to implement an Indian payment gateway for WooCommerce or Shopify? Here are a few best practices you should keep in mind –
1. Always prioritize UPI & wallet support
UPI and digital wallets are no longer just payment options. They’re revolutionizing how Indians shop. So, carefully assess a payment gateway to ensure it supports these methods.
2. Choose compliance-ready partners
Opt for payment gateways that fully adhere to RBI’s payment guidelines and India’s data localization norms. This will keep your business legally safe and build customer trust.
3. Monitor settlements regularly
Even the best payment gateway can sometimes slack. So, regularly monitor settlements to identify payment delays or errors and reconcile effortlessly.
4. Test checkout on mobile devices
Indian shoppers mostly use mobile devices to browse and shop online. So, always test your checkout on mobile devices to ensure your gateway works flawlessly.
5. Pick local and scalable gateways
Local gateways are designed for Indian merchants. They not only support UPI, wallets, and quick settlements but also scale as your business grows. So, always choose them.
Local payments, global growth
Global payment solutions often fall short for Indian merchants. They overlook local needs, slow down settlements, and create compliance headaches. That’s why localized payment solutions matter: they boost conversions, improve cash flow, and give you peace of mind on RBI guidelines and data rules.
For Shopify and WooCommerce merchants, Pine Labs Online is among the viable payment gateways in India for these platforms. It offers seamless integration with Shopify and WooCommerce, making it easy to accept local payments, speed up settlements, and deliver a smooth checkout experience.
Discover how Pine Labs Online empowers Indian Shopify and WooCommerce merchants with localized, growth-ready payments. Get in touch with us today.