After everything you’ve put into your platform, the last thing you need is a payment processing partner that holds you back.
As an integrated software vendor, your payment processor isn’t just another integration; it’s a direct extension of your product, brand, and customer experience. The right partner can unlock new revenue, reduce technical debt, and scale as you grow. The wrong one? It can create friction, limit flexibility, and quietly cost you over time.
To help you confidently choose a payment processing partner, we’ve compiled this checklist of the most important features and partnership traits to look for.
1. Technical Fit and Integration Capabilities
A payment partner should integrate into your platform as seamlessly as your platform integrates into your users’ lives. If it’s not easy for your developers or users, it’s not the right fit. Here are the core technical capabilities to look for in a payment partner:
- Flexible, modern APIs and SDKs
Easy-to-use APIs reduce dev time and simplify updates, so you can build faster and stay focused on improving your core product. - Support for multiple platforms and environments
Whether your software runs on web, mobile, or desktop, your payment partner should offer compatibility without complex workarounds. - White-label or embedded options
A customizable, brand-forward experience helps your product feel cohesive and professional, keeping the user experience consistent and streamlined. - Robust sandbox and documentation
The smoother the testing and onboarding process, the faster your team can go live and iterate confidently.
2. Revenue Opportunities and Business Model Alignment
Your payment processing partner shouldn’t just handle transactions; they should contribute to your bottom line. A true partner creates win-wins that grow as you grow. To make the most of your payment integration, here are the key revenue and alignment factors to look for in a partner:
- Revenue share or residual income opportunities
Earning a share of payment processing revenue creates a steady income stream that grows with your user base without raising your software prices. It’s a scalable way to boost profitability while adding user value. - Transparent and flexible pricing models
A clear, customizable pricing structure lets you align the offering with your business goals and customer expectations. - Scalable monetization potential
As your user base expands, so should your revenue. Look for a partner who will not limit your growth. - No channel conflict
Your provider should support your business and not compete with it. Choose a partner who respects your relationship with your customers.
3. Compliance, Security, and Risk Management
Security and compliance are non-negotiables. A trustworthy payment processing partner should help you protect your users and simplify your burden around regulation and risk. Here are the essential security and compliance features your payment partner should provide to keep your platform and your users protected:
- PCI DSS Level 1 compliance
Working with a PCI-compliant provider reduces your liability and gives peace of mind to your customers. - Tokenization and encryption
These security measures protect sensitive payment data from breaches, fraud, and misuse. - Built-in fraud detection tools
Proactive fraud monitoring helps keep your users safe and your reputation intact through things like live monitoring and flagging of suspicious activity
4. Onboarding, Support, and Merchant Experience
How your users get up and running with payments will directly shape their perception of your product. Your partner’s onboarding and support process should reflect your brand’s reliability and professionalism. Here’s what to look for in a payment processing partner that gets onboarding and support right
- Frictionless merchant onboarding
A fast, intuitive onboarding process means your users can start accepting payments quickly without unnecessary paperwork, delays, or frustration. The smoother the setup, the faster you drive revenue. - Co-branded or white-labeled support
When payment experiences match your brand, they reduce confusion and keep the user journey consistent from start to finish. - Accessible, professional, and responsive support teams
Payment issues can be time-sensitive. A knowledgeable support team that responds quickly helps your users feel supported, minimizes downtime, and keeps trust intact when problems arise.
5. Platform Features and Value-Adds
Not all processors are created equal. When evaluating a payment processing partner, look for platform features that support core payment functions and unlock added value for your users and business. Key capabilities to consider include:
- Omni-channel payment capabilities
Support for card-present, card-not-present, and ACH transactions helps you reach more users with more flexibility. - Real-time portfolio data reporting
Access to the industry’s most robust, real-time portfolio data and analytics gives you a better view of your platform’s performance. - Level 2 & 3 processing
Enhanced data capture for B2B and high-ticket transactions can significantly reduce interchange fees and attract enterprise-level users. - Split payment capabilities
Automated payment splitting simplifies revenue distribution between vendors, partners, or sub-merchants, ideal for platforms with marketplaces or multi-party models.
6. Strategic Partnership and Future Growth
You’re choosing a long-term partner, so look for a payment processing partner invested in your success today and down the road. Here are a few key factors that indicate your payments partner is equipped to support your long-term growth and evolving business needs:
- Joint go-to-market or co-selling opportunities
Collaborating on go-to-market strategies and co-selling initiatives can open doors to new customers, drive faster adoption, and amplify your brand’s presence in priority markets. - Roadmap visibility
Transparent access to your partner’s product roadmap ensures you’re aligned on future capabilities, helping you make smarter strategic decisions and stay competitive as the market evolves. - Dedicated account management
A proactive, knowledgeable account manager acts as your advocate, keeping communication clear, resolving issues faster, and helping you maximize your partnership. - Support for embedded finance or future expansion
As your business evolves, your payments partner should be ready to scale and offer tools and infrastructure to support services like lending, payouts, and expansions.
Check All the Boxes with Celero Fusion
Ultimately, the right partner can power your growth, elevate your user experience, and give you the flexibility to scale confidently.
That’s where Celero Fusion comes in. Celero Fusion was explicitly built for software vendors. With seamless onboarding and dedicated support, we offer a full-stack solution designed to grow with you and built on a foundation of genuine partnership.
If you’re looking for a processor that aligns with your goals and grows with your platform, Celero Fusion is the choice.
Let’s talk about how we can help you move forward. Contact us today to learn more!