With the increasing density of PCs and the proliferation of modern broadband Internet access, online shopping is gaining ever greater popularity. Particularly with regard to cross-border payment transactions, e-commerce offers enormous potential for merchants exploiting the opportunities offered by contemporary payment systems.

In 2007, 85% of all Internet purchases were paid for by credit card according to the current Pago Report, which is being continued by Deutsche Card Services. As the predominant means of payment worldwide, the credit card is consequently also indispensable in e-commerce. However, newer forms of online payment such as the German giropay method or Maestro are becoming increasingly significant.

Harmonization of the European payment transaction area through the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) also means that online shopping increasingly transcends borders. Deutsche Card Services offers merchants from throughout Europe one-stop acceptance and processing of all secure online payment methods. Forms of payment range from the established Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express, Diners Club and JCB card systems and regional direct debit process, through to national online payment methods such as the highly secure German giropay or Dutch iDeal.