Since the world has been steadily shifting towards eCommerce, one might think that the concept of borders is increasingly blurry. But in terms of rules and regulations, it’s quite the opposite.
Because processing payments worldwide is a complex, highly regulated endeavor, numerous SaaS and software companies are now, more than ever, forming strategic alliances with Merchants of Record service providers.
A robust MOR partnership presents a significant advantage on your global growth journey: it allows you to concentrate on perfecting your product while taking care of the entire payment process, offloading the intricate operational responsibilities associated with international expansion.
However, to successfully expand globally, you need to be able to rely on the Merchant of Record with whom you are collaborating. Check out our guide to find out more about what a Merchant of Record can do for your business.
So, the first real challenge is finding the right fit for your SaaS, and we have some pointers as to how you can do this successfully. That being said, let’s dive in!
6 Features to Consider when Choosing an MOR
What are system features, if not solutions to pressing needs? This concept remains valid when considering payment solutions like the Merchant of Record model.
1. Regulatory Compliance
To enable worldwide online payments and win international customers, your SaaS business must establish local business entities and adhere to the regulatory requirements of the markets where you operate. Achieving compliance in these diverse markets can, however, be a complex undertaking, to say the least.
This is where partnering with a Merchant of Record emerges as the ideal solution to all your problems. For a better understanding of how this applies specifically to SaaS CFOs, you might find this article on Merchant of Record for SaaS CFOs particularly insightful.
2. Global Reach
One of the reasons for partnering with a Merchant of Record is to increase the number of international payments.
However, achieving this goal hinges on your partner's ability to offer a wide range of local payment methods that cater to the diverse customer preferences currently trending across various territories.
3. Rapid Integration
Integrating with a Merchant of Record can be a challenging endeavor due to the complexity of the system.
Many SaaS businesses encounter technical hurdles that result in heightened frustrations and stress levels, not to mention wasted time.
When exploring MOR options, prioritize those solutions that have invested time and resources into streamlining the onboarding process and offer robust support and guidance to vendors during the integration phase.
This proactive approach can significantly mitigate potential technical disasters and ensure you have made the right choice.
4. Customer and Vendor Support
Prompt and precise customer support is a critical aspect of any partnership, and it becomes even more vital when dealing with a complex payments infrastructure like the Merchant of Record.
Everyone should know by now that support can make or break a business.
Your shoppers should not only receive timely and dedicated customer support for payment-related matters, but your team should have confidence in your chosen Merchant of Record's ability to respond swiftly, thoroughly, and professionally to both customization and technical queries.
Encountering technical challenges is a common part of a SaaS business's growth journey.
With the proper support from your MOR payments solution, all issues can be efficiently resolved, allowing your business to continue gaining global online transactions.
5. System Flexibility
While sales tax management is a valuable Merchant of Record service, don't overlook the significance of system flexibility. MORs were designed to support global expansions for businesses of all sizes, each with its own unique needs.
Enterprise-level companies demand strict infrastructure requirements. Without robust customization options, the MOR system might hinder, rather than foster, business growth.
A strong MOR also aids in maintaining flexible pricing, delivering personalized shopping experiences, and creating multiple payment flows.
This system flexibility ultimately ensures the highest customer satisfaction and keeps global sales thriving.
6. Fraud Protection
We’ve said this before, and we will say it again. A Merchant of Record worth its salt takes fraud seriously and acts accordingly.
As a result, to securely process payments, it will provide its partners with a holistic and robust fraud detection and prevention strategy tailored to the unique characteristics of your business.
How Do You Compare Different MOR Solutions?
An MOR partnership becomes strategically valuable only when the selected Merchant of Record is an ideal match for your SaaS business.
Beyond system features, it's vitally important to thoroughly evaluate other critical factors.
Understand your business needs
The features you seek in the ideal Merchant of Record should answer your business needs.
So, establish those first. If you're new to this and don't know what to expect, make sure you join forces with a partner who can give you all of the expertise and time you need.
Consider scalability potential
Don't just focus on your current business needs; think about your future ones, too.
Your MOR infrastructure should pave the way for your SaaS to flourish, not hold it back.
Examine the MOR’s pricing structure
Gain insight into the pricing structures offered by each MOR, encompassing setup fees, transaction costs, and ongoing expenses.
Evaluate how these fees align with your budget and revenue forecasts.
3 Steps to Ensuring a Successful MOR Partnership
Step 1: Thorough Partner Evaluation
As a business owner, you're well aware that entering into any long-term partnership calls for a careful evaluation of existing financial service providers.
This holds especially true when it comes to selecting the right Merchant of Record (MOR).
Take into account everything, from the features they offer to their certifications, and often, one of the biggest indicators of quality is client feedback.
Rather than just wondering how the Merchant of Record handles certain aspects, why not schedule a demo to witness their solution firsthand?
By conducting thorough research on all of the Merchant of Record services, you can determine how well a particular partner aligns with your unique business requirements.
Step 2: Integration and Customization
Assessing the Merchant of Record's ability to tailor its system to meet your business's unique requirements is paramount.
Additionally, their support during the integration process plays a serious role in ensuring operational efficiency and speed.
The quicker your systems are ready to accept payments worldwide, the smoother your operations will be.
Step 3: Clear Communication
Maintaining open and transparent communication with your chosen Merchant of Record is key throughout your partnership.
One effective way to achieve this is by ensuring you have multiple contact channels to address various needs and queries right from the start.
Furthermore, it's beneficial to establish role clarity and set clear expectations early in the partnership.
Additionally, having service-level agreements (SLAs) in place ensures seamless collaboration and prompt responses to any issues, alleviating potential frustrations caused by confusion amongst teams.
The Merchant of Record that helps you grow
PayPro Global takes away the headache of selling your products worldwide. From local payment methods to simplified subscription handling and tax management, we give you the eCommerce tools you need to scale your business smoothly into the global market.
Why is PayPro Global Different?
With over 15 years of industry-specific experience, PayPro Global’s unique Merchant of Record simplifies payment processing and can grow your SaaS and software business worldwide in record time.
We are ready to offer our customers a robust infrastructure, jam-packed with different features sure to help you achieve and maintain a large volume of international financial transactions.
Operating as a certified PCI-DSS Level 1 Service Provider, with access to over 140 currencies and more than 70 preferred payment methods, multi-language 24/7 customer support, and a robust, holistic fraud prevention and detection approach, our MOR takes away the frustrations of selling internationally and gives you the freedom to focus on your perfecting your product.
Find out more about how our complete payment infrastructure can strategically scale your business in global markets.
Final Thoughts
In today's eCommerce-driven world, it's clear that borders are becoming less of a barrier. On the other hand, the complexities of international trade are becoming increasingly obvious.
This is precisely where teaming up with a Merchant of Record becomes a strategic asset for SaaS and software businesses.
A strong MOR partnership empowers you to focus on perfecting your product while offloading the many operational complexities of global expansion.
Therefore, choosing the right MOR partner is highly relevant to your ability to thrive.
So, trust the process, follow the steps, evaluate your options thoroughly, and avoid rushing into decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key features to consider when choosing a Merchant of Record (MOR)?
The main features provided by a Merchant of Record solution are regulatory compliance, global reach, secure payment processing, fast system integration, infrastructure flexibility, and fraud protection. With these features, you are offered compliance with local laws and legal obligations, sales tax management, secure transaction processing, system customization, and access to numerous payment methods.
How important is regulatory compliance for a Merchant of Record?
It is essential. A Merchant of record is the legal entity that oversees the entire payment processes, establishes local business entities, handles all tax and compliance issues, and adheres to regulatory requirements in the regions in which your business operates. Without achieving regulatory compliance, accepting payments worldwide may have legal complications.
What should be considered when comparing different MOR solutions?
A Merchant of Record is more than a payment service provider. It is a complex solution that allows your SaaS to grow by eliminating hurdles and challenges you might face on a global scale. When assessing your options, be sure to consider your business needs, scalability potential, and the MOR's pricing structure. Ensure the MOR of your choice aligns with both your current and future growth plans and budget.
Meir Amzallag
Co-founder and CEO of PayPro Global
Ioana Grigorescu
Content Marketing Manager at PayPro Global
