Need Help: Integrating Third-Party Payment Gateways in My Country

[Steven1]

Hi Shopify Community,

I’m reaching out because I really need some guidance and encouragement. For the past three weeks, I’ve been trying to set up a payment gateway for my Shopify store. The challenge? Shopify Payments isn’t available in my country, so I’ve been relying on third-party gateways that are officially supported here.

I’ve contacted 13 payment gateways so far, but I haven’t received a single response. It’s incredibly discouraging because I’ve put so much effort into building my store, and this one issue is holding me back from launching.

I’d appreciate your help on a few things:

1. For those in unsupported countries, how did you successfully integrate a payment gateway?
2. When contacting gateways, what’s the best way to approach them? Are there specific words, phrases, or details I should include to increase the chances of a response?
3. If you’ve dealt with unresponsive providers, what strategies helped you finally connect with them?
4. Are there alternative solutions or tools to integrate payment gateways that aren’t directly listed by Shopify?

I’ve poured my heart into this business, and it’s tough to feel like I’m stuck because of something beyond my control. If anyone has faced a similar situation or has tips to share, I’d be so grateful. Your advice or even a little encouragement could make a big difference for me right now.

This community has been a lifesaver for so many people, and I truly believe it can help me find a way forward too. Thank you for reading this and for being such an amazing source of support.

[CreativeFati]

Can you share your store URL so I can perform an audit?

[DaisyVo]

Hi @Steven1 

I completely understand how frustrating it can be to feel stuck on such an essential step. The good news is that many Shopify store owners in unsupported countries have found ways to navigate this challenge, and you’re not alone in this. Let me break this down for you step by step:

1. Integrating Third-Party Payment Gateways Successfully

• Choose a Shopify-supported gateway: First, double-check Shopify's list of supported payment gateways by country and pick one from there. These are guaranteed to work with Shopify’s API.
• Use manual payment methods: Consider enabling manual payment methods like bank deposits, cash on delivery, or direct transfers temporarily, which can give you breathing room while sorting this out.
• Explore PayPal: If PayPal is available in your country, it’s a great alternative. You can set it up directly in Shopify as a payment option for your customers.

2. Tips for Contacting Gateways

Here’s a framework to make your outreach more effective:

• Keep it professional and concise: Payment providers are often inundated with requests, so a clear, polite email works best.
• Mention your Shopify store: Highlight that you are a Shopify merchant, as some gateways prioritize platforms with integration capabilities.
• Provide essential details upfront: Include your:
• Business name
• Website URL
• Expected transaction volume (monthly/annually)
• Countries you’ll be selling to
• Contact information
• Follow up persistently but politely: If you don’t hear back in 3-5 business days, send a follow-up email or contact them via phone/social media. Persistence often pays off.

Here’s an example email you can use:

Subject: Inquiry About Payment Gateway Integration for Shopify

Dear [Gateway Name Support],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am the owner of [Your Store Name] ([website link]), an online store powered by Shopify. I’m reaching out to inquire about integrating your payment gateway with my Shopify store.

Here are a few details about my business:

• Monthly transaction volume: [Expected amount, e.g., $5,000–$10,000]
• Target audience: [Countries you are selling to, e.g., international customers]
• Business registration: [Your business entity details, if available]

I believe your gateway would be an excellent fit, as Shopify lists it as supported for [Your Country]. Could you please guide me on the steps for integration or provide any resources I can refer to?

Looking forward to your response.

Thank you in advance for your time!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

3. Dealing with Unresponsive Providers

If emails don’t work:

• Check alternative contact methods: Many providers have live chat or customer support numbers—use these for quicker responses.
• Social media outreach: A professional yet direct message to their Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn often gets faster attention.
• Look for local agents or resellers: Some gateways have local partners or representatives—reach out to them.

4. Alternative Solutions

• Stripe Atlas + Wise/Payoneer: While Stripe may not directly support your country, you can use Stripe Atlas to create a U.S.-based LLC and get access. Pair this with Wise or Payoneer to manage payouts internationally.
• Use middleware apps: Services like PayMongo, 2Checkout, or PayTabs sometimes work with unsupported Shopify countries. You can integrate these with middleware tools like Zapier or Integromat if they don’t offer native Shopify integration.
• Cryptocurrency payments: If suitable for your audience, apps like BitPay or Coinbase Commerce can be integrated as an alternative.

5. Encouragement

Don’t lose hope—you’ve already accomplished a lot by building your store and staying persistent! Many successful store owners have been in your shoes, and tackling this hurdle will only make you stronger and more resourceful. You’re closer than you think to launching your store!

If you need help setting up any of these options or crafting more emails, feel free to reply and I’ll try my best to help.
Best regards,
Daisy