Square Launches a New API for Developers
FACTS
- The American m-payment FinTech Square unveils a platform enabling merchants to manage almost all operational needs.
- Goal: enable their merchants to converge online and offline channels.
- The new service called API Orders is featured free of charge to developers for orders processed via Square.
- Business Model: Square charges transaction processing fees for debit card-based payments ($0.10) or credit card-based (2.65%).
- This solution lets its users create, track and manage orders. It also provides merchants with a comprehensive view of their stocks, their customers and product ranges.
- Among specifics, this service can easily be integrated with third-party systems even if they don’t run on Square servers.
- This API is available in the US, in Canada, Australia, in Japan and in the UK.
CHALLENGES
- Fierce competition. Square continuously makes changes to their systems to withstand competition from new and former payment industry players. The London-based FinTech SumUp plays an active part to this respect: they recently raised $330 million after merging with rival company Payleven.
- Attracting merchants. This all-inclusive solution encompasses online and offline payments, order management, customer relations, stocks… helping merchants provide their users with an enhanced, customised experience. They are also in line with a persisting trend towards converging digital and offline channels.
MARKET PERSPECTIVE
- A year ago, Square opened their POS checkout-dedicated API to developers. Square Reader SDK lets developers and merchants add in-app payment services and have their transactions processed through Square from their usual mobile interfaces.
- Their US-based rival, Stripe, features an API known for its effectiveness and ease of use. Their platform also packs in a large range of value-added services, giving them an edge over the competition.