The way people shop has changed — and so has the way they pay. In the fast-paced world of modern e-commerce, customers expect convenience,

speed, and security at every step of their shopping journey. While Cash on Delivery (COD) was once the norm in countries like India, today, digital

payments have become the new standard.

From UPI, credit/debit cards, net banking, wallets, to BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later), offering digital payment options isn't just a nice-to-have — it's a must for any online store that wants to succeed in 2025 and beyond.

1. Fast, Seamless Checkout Experience

Imagine a customer browsing your online store, adding items to their cart, and then dropping off at checkout. One major reason? Limited or inconvenient

payment options.

With digital payments, customers can:

1. Pay instantly with UPI or cards
2. Save their preferred payment method
3. Use wallets like Paytm, PhonePe, or Google Pay
4. Checkout with one click on mobile

This reduces friction and leads to more completed purchases.

Stat Alert: Studies show that offering digital payment options can increase conversion rates by 20-30% compared to cash-only methods.

2. Decline of Cash on Delivery (COD)

Cash on Delivery used to be king in India’s early e-commerce days. But now? It's rapidly declining.

Why COD is Losing Relevance:

1. Customers often refuse delivery or don’t have exact cash
2. Sellers face higher return rates
3. Logistics partners charge extra for COD handling
4. It slows down cash flow for small businesses

Instead, digital payments mean:

1. Instant confirmation
2. Zero handling delay
3. Reduced fraud and fake orders

💡 Businesses that shift from COD to digital payments often see a drop in return rates and faster delivery cycles.

3. Enhanced Security and Trust

Online buyers are becoming smarter. They trust platforms that offer secure, verified payment gateways. When you offer:

1. SSL-certified checkout
2. Verified payment partners (like Razorpay, Stripe, or PayPal)
3. OTP-secured UPI payments

...your store feels professional and trustworthy.

This builds customer confidence and encourages repeat purchases.

Bonus: You also protect your business from counterfeit currency and fraud.

4. UPI: The Game Changer for Indian E-Commerce

India’s homegrown UPI (Unified Payments Interface) has revolutionized how people pay online — especially in tier 2 and 3 cities.

Why You Must Offer UPI:

1. It's instant and free for users
2. Works across mobile apps
3. Extremely secure and regulated by RBI
4. Widely used by customers of all ages

Platforms like Orka Stores come integrated with UPI and other popular methods, making setup easy for small and medium sellers.

5. Better Business Management & Insights

Digital payments make it easier to track, manage, and analyze your sales.

Benefits include:

1. Auto-generated invoices
2. Integrated payment dashboards
3. Real-time tracking of payments
4. Easy reconciliation with bank accounts

With cash, you're left counting notes, managing COD returns, and spending hours on manual updates.

📈 Digital payment insights help you plan offers, spot buying trends, and manage inventory better.

6. Global Reach for International Customers

If you want to sell internationally, cash isn’t even an option. Digital payments open up global possibilities through:

1. Credit/Debit cards
2. PayPal
3. Stripe
4. Google Pay / Apple Pay (for global buyers)

So if you're planning to take your business beyond borders — digital is the only way to go.

7. Contactless and Safe – Post-Pandemic Preference

After COVID-19, consumers became more aware of touchless and hygienic options. Digital payments became not just a convenience but a health-

conscious choice.

Even now, people prefer:

1. Paying online in advance
2. Avoiding physical contact with delivery personnel
3. Getting digital receipts and confirmations

8. Easier Marketing & Automation

When you integrate digital payments with your eCommerce platform, you can:

1. Automate cart recovery emails
2. Trigger discount codes after payment
3. Send order confirmations instantly via WhatsApp
4. Offer payment-based rewards or cashback

This leads to a better customer experience and encourages loyalty.

🔁 Example: Someone abandons a cart — your system sends a message:

“Complete your payment within 2 hours and get 5% off!”

9. Government Support & Digital India Push

The Indian government is strongly pushing for a cashless economy. That means:

1. Better support for small businesses to adopt digital tools
2. Faster digital onboarding (GST, UPI, QR codes)
3. Trusted payment gateways with government backing

If you want your store to be future-ready and compliant, now’s the time to move away from cash.

10. More Payment Options = More Customers

The more options you offer, the more likely your customers will complete their purchase.

Imagine this:

Give your customers freedom to choose, and they’ll reward you with loyalty and sales.

Conclusion: Digital is the Future – Don’t Be Left Behind

Whether you sell clothes, handmade items, herbal products, or anything in between — going digital with your payments is no longer optional. It's essential.

From:

1. Faster checkouts
2. Fewer returns
3. Higher trust
4. Easy integration
5. Better customer insights

...digital payments help your online store grow efficiently.

Ready to switch to digital payments?

Platforms like Orka Stores offer built-in support for UPI, wallets, cards, and even WhatsApp order confirmations. Setup is easy, affordable, and designed

for Indian small businesses.