Payments aren’t just a back-office function. They are the lifeblood of revenue. Yet too many businesses treat payments as an afterthought — relying on clunky systems that frustrate customers, slow down cash flow, and leave opportunities on the table.
That’s why multichannel payments have become essential. By enabling customers to pay how, where, and when they want, businesses unlock growth, cut fraud risk, and deliver experiences that build loyalty.
Powered by Gala Technology’s award-winning SOTpay, multichannel and pay-by-link solutions give you security, flexibility, and compliance in one platform. This guide explains everything UK merchants need to know — from the differences between multichannel and omnichannel, to the business case for adoption, to the role of SOTpay in making it simple.
What Are Multichannel Payments?
Multichannel payments mean offering customers the ability to complete a transaction through different, separate channels — for example:
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Phone payments
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Secure links by email or SMS
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WhatsApp or live chat checkout
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Social media transactions
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In-person card or contactless payments
Each channel is distinct, but the goal is the same: let customers pay through their preferred method.
Multichannel vs Omnichannel: What’s the Difference?
These two terms often get confused. Here’s the distinction:
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Multichannel = multiple, separate payment channels. A business can take payments by phone, SMS, and web, but the experiences aren’t connected.
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Omnichannel = fully integrated channels. A customer starts an interaction on one channel and can continue it seamlessly on another, with their data and payment status carried across.
Both approaches matter. Multichannel ensures you can meet customers on their preferred platform. Omnichannel creates continuity, reducing friction and boosting satisfaction.
Why Multichannel Payments Matter for Business Growth
Multichannel isn’t just a convenience feature. It’s a growth strategy.
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Prevent Lost Sales – Studies suggest businesses that fail to support customer channel preferences can lose up to 10% of revenue.
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Improve Conversion Rates – A customer ready to buy on WhatsApp won’t abandon if they can complete the payment instantly.
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Expand Reach – Engage customers where they spend time: on their phones, in their inbox, on social platforms.
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Differentiate Your Brand – A seamless, flexible payment experience is now a competitive advantage.
The Security & Compliance Challenge
While more channels mean more opportunities, they also increase complexity. Legacy systems like IVR and DTMF no longer meet modern compliance standards. Risks include:
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PCI DSS violations if card data is handled improperly.
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Higher fraud and chargeback rates from unsecured channels.
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Fines and monitoring under Visa’s VAMP programme if disputes rise.
How Pay-by-Link Simplifies Everything
Pay-by-link technology, powered by SOTpay, solves the problem. Instead of sharing card numbers over the phone or relying on insecure forms, merchants can send a secure, branded payment link directly to the customer via:
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Email
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SMS
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WhatsApp
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Live chat
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Social media
The customer completes the payment in a PCI DSS-compliant environment. Data never enters your systems. Fraud risk is cut dramatically, and liability shifts to the issuer under 3D Secure.
Benefits of Multichannel & Pay-by-Link Payments
For Businesses
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Faster cash flow – instant settlement and reconciliation with accounting systems like QuickBooks and Xero.
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Reduced admin – no more manual reconciliation.
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Fraud protection – tokenisation, 3D Secure, and a 100% fraud-related chargeback guarantee.
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Compliance made simple – shrink PCI scope by removing sensitive data.
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Cost efficiency – fewer disputes, lower processing costs, stronger acquirer relationships.
For Customers
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Flexibility – pay on the channel they prefer.
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Trust – branded links and secure flows reduce hesitation.
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Speed – checkout in seconds, no need to read card details aloud.
Real-World Scenarios
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Retail & E-commerce – close sales faster by sending a payment link via SMS while the customer is on the call.
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Hospitality – accept deposits or settle bills via WhatsApp without handling cards.
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Professional Services – invoice by email with a one-click payment option.
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Charities & Fundraising – collect donations instantly through social media or live chat.
Why Choose SOTpay for Multichannel Payments?
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Omnichannel security – every channel is PCI DSS compliant.
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Flexible integrations – connect to CRMs, PMS systems, and accounting platforms.
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Proven fraud protection – liability shift through 3D Secure and tokenisation.
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Scalable pricing – packages start from just £9.99 per month and 10p per transaction, making enterprise-grade security affordable.
Multichannel and pay-by-link payments aren’t a “nice to have.” They are a revenue driver, a compliance safeguard, and a customer-experience differentiator.
With SOTpay, UK businesses can:
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Accept payments across every channel customers use.
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Keep transactions secure and compliant.
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Cut fraud and chargebacks.
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Unlock growth without added admin.
Book a free demo today and see how SOTpay transforms multichannel payments into a competitive edge.
