Why white label is a powerful strategy for merchant acquirers: 6 insider secrets to get it right

Modernizing your acquiring tech stack to include a POP platform may sound complex, expensive, and time-consuming — especially for overstretched acquirers with a long list of investment priorities. But with today’s white label solutions, it doesn’t need to. 

A white label solution requires less investment, time, and maintenance than adding the same functionality through self-build or purchasing a company. Additionally, it offers much more flexibility and functionality with less exposure than a partner-based alternative with the potential to drive revenue much higher and faster, reducing the time to recoup investment costs.

It’s an approach that delivers a win-win for you and your customers:

• Delivers advanced capabilities to merchants

• Addresses business and stakeholders’ demands

• Generates greater control, increased efficiency, and lowers risk
• Creates superior ROI

Going white label doesn’t have to mean rip and replace. Depending on the solution, you may be able to use it to add comprehensive POP functionality, features, and connectivity without downtime, disruption, or brand dilution.

With ACI’s POP gateway expansion, for example, a single RESTful API provides instant access to:

• A full suite of POP modules, including access to e-shop plug-ins, hundreds of APMs, as well as in-app, mobile, and QR payments
• Independent smart transaction routing and multi-acquiring services to boost sales conversion in extended regions 
• Token import and sharing for greater efficiency, better customer experience, and enhanced security
• Advanced reporting and data analytics so merchants can make better management and operational decisions
• Full-spectrum fraud management with AI-powered network intelligence

Importantly, it can do all this with reduced cost and maintenance while avoiding disruption to merchant services.

It’s easy to see why a white label POP platform is a smart move for acquirers – especially those with high-growth ambition and aggressive expansion targets. However, the key is to remember that not all white label solutions are built the same. 

When looking to choose the best solution for your merchant acquiring business, look beyond the obvious “bells and whistles” feature sets and confirm that it also provides:

1 – Full autonomy and customer ownership

As an acquirer, you don’t want any middlemen between you and your customers.  Your partner should be anonymous, and the white label POP solution gives you full autonomy, full ownership of the customer relationship, and control over functionality.

2 – Tailor-made white label architecture
Some solutions are software as a service (SaaS) products reboxed for the white label market. These can ultimately lead to issues with integration, especially if the intention is to use it in conjunction with existing infrastructure or gateways and systems. Instead, make sure it’s designed from the ground up as a white label; this way you’ll have fewer issues in the future.

3 – Proactive roadmap contribution

Look for a white label provider that believes in a collaborative approach and allows you to participate in shaping future products and functionality. This helps prevent obsolescence as your needs and market evolve.

4 – Open and agnostic platforms
Avoid falling into proprietary or bias traps by ensuring the platform is an independent and open solution. This is particularly important when supporting your merchants’ multi-acquirer strategies when you can’t be seen to have preference over where you are routing their transactions.

5 – Integrated advanced fraud protection

Merchants can’t accept payments without a degree of risk. Acquirers can help safeguard transactions through their gateways by ensuring that advanced fraud prevention and detection technology is built into any white label POP solution. This is not a simple “add-on” that can potentially end up creating additional silos and complexity.

6 – Full and ongoing account support

The soft services are as important as the technology. This includes having dedicated account managers and technical experts who can help you with setup, integration, and the ongoing running of the solution. This frees your resources to focus on merchant-facing support, which is the responsibility of your customer service team.

Navigate the right path for your business by contacting us to continue the conversation on how a secure, white label solution can work for you. ACI experts are always happy to help.

Contact us at https://www.aciworldwide.com/about-aci/contact-us