5 ways for European merchants to integrate Alipay+
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With the continuous expansion of Alipay’s services, Alipay+ has become a mainstream payment channel in Asia. Over 1.6 billion users worldwide now use the Alipay+ e-wallet, and this trend is having a profound impact on the way European merchants receive payments.
Many European merchants have started to adopt Alipay+ like the famous Galeries Lafayettes, Louis Vuitton, Nice Côte d’Azur airport and the large supermarket brands Monoprix and Franprix in France. In Italy and Spain, luxury brands like Prada and Chanel have also understood the importance of this payment method in their store.
However, many other merchants are yet to adopt international payment methods due to concerns over technical integration complexity and cost, not knowing how effortless it is to get started with Alipay+. With Silkpay, merchants can choose from 5 integration options, including solutions for those with no budget.
In this article, we will introduce these 5 main options for merchants to integrate Alipay+, analyze the advantages of each option, and help you find the best solution for your business. We will also explain how Silkpay helps merchants integrate Alipay+ payments.
Why European merchants need to integrate Alipay+
It is crucial for European merchants to integrate Alipay+ because it is an all-in-one digital payment platform supporting multiple major Asian digital wallets, including Alipay, GrabPay, GCash, TrueMoney, KakaoPay, Touch 'n Go eWallet, and Dana.
Alipay+ enables merchants to easily tap into Asia’s vast consumer market, meet international visitors’ demands for fast and secure payments, increase sales opportunities, and accept payments from customers from more than twenty Asian countries.
Common Alipay+ integration models
To meet consumer needs, European merchants typically adopt several methods to accept Alipay+ payments. The most common integration models include:
API integration
API integration means connecting systems, applications, or platforms via APIs to automatically exchange data and functions without manual work.
For example, if your e-commerce website wants to accept Alipay+ payments, you can integrate the payment functionality directly into your website via API. When users make a purchase, the payment information is automatically synchronized with the merchant’s backoffice.
Advantages of API integration
Automation: Manual data handling is prone to errors. API integration allows data exchange and operations to be completed automatically.
Scalability: New services and platforms can be quickly connected without rebuilding the system.
Better user experience: Users can complete payment actions without leaving your platform.
2 . POS terminal integration
POS terminal integration refers to using a POS machine (also known as a card reader) that has Alipay+ integrated to accept payments from customers via different methods. Silkpay’s POS terminal solution supports cards, mobile wallets, QR code and PaybyLink payments, so merchants can accept a wide range of payment methods with a single device.
If you want to accept Alipay+ as well as other payment methods in your store, you can use Silkpay’s PAX A920 Pro POS machine that was designed for that.
When a customer makes a purchase, the payment is processed instantly, and the transaction details are automatically synchronized with the merchant’s backoffice.
Advantages of Silkpay’s POS terminal integration
Real-time updates: Sales and payment data are synchronized instantly, ensuring data accuracy.
Multiple payment options: Easily accept various payment methods such as Apple Pay, Visa, and Alipay+.
No waiting lines at the checkout: Silkpay’s wireless POS terminals allow you to accept payments anywhere in your store, so customers don’t have to wait in long lines.
Payments on-the-go: Our wireless POS terminal is built for payments on the go, letting you accept transactions anytime, anywhere with total freedom.
3 . Plugin integration
If your website is built on Prestashop or WooCommerce, you just need to install and integrate the payment plugin provided by Silkpay. This way, when customers place an order and choose to pay with Alipay+, the payment will be processed instantly, and the order status will automatically update in the website backend without any manual intervention.
Advantages of plugin integration
Quick deployment: No complex coding required, you just need to install the plugin to start using it, significantly reducing time to market.
Secure and reliable: Plugins provided by Silkpay are maintained by a professional technical team, ensuring payment security.
Lower technical barriers: Ideal for merchants without independent development capabilities, allowing them to easily integrate payment functions.
4 . Mobile POS terminal integration
Mobile POS integration refers to using a smartphone as a payment terminal, allowing merchants to accept payments directly without any additional POS hardware.
After opening a Silkpay account, merchants can integrate Alipay+ payments by installing the Silkpay app on their smartphones (Android or iOS).
When a customer pays with Alipay+, the merchant simply opens the Silkpay app to collect the payment, and the transaction details are automatically synchronized with the merchant’s Silkpay account.
Advantages of mobile POS integration
Flexible payment collection: Merchants can accept payments anytime and anywhere using their smartphones, without the need for a fixed checkout counter.
Reduced equipment cost: No additional POS hardware is required, payments can be completed using just your smartphone.
Quick setup: After activating your Silkpay account, simply download and install the app to start accepting payments, with no complex installation required.
5 . QR code integration
Silkpay provides merchants with a payment QR code to display at the checkout counter. Customers can complete the payment simply by scanning it. Payments are processed instantly.
It’s a budget-friendly solution that supports Alipay+ (which includes over 16 major Asian e-wallets) as well as WeChat Pay.
Our QR code solution is designed for fast checkouts, higher customer satisfaction without extra hardware.
Advantages of QR code integration
Quick payments: Customers can complete payments by simply scanning the QR code. The payment is complete in seconds.
Easy to use: Merchants only need to print or display the QR code, making it convenient to operate without any additional equipment.
Promotes visibility: QR codes can be placed in stores, or at event venues, and customers can quickly scan and make payments.
How to choose the right Alipay+ integration model for your business
Merchants should choose one or more appropriate Alipay+ integration methods based on their business model：
Who should use API integration
Businesses with self-built websites or apps that need to customize payment processes or seamlessly integrate Alipay+ payment functions into their existing business systems.
For example: e-commerce platforms, cross-border e-commerce, etc.
Who should use POS terminal integration
Retailers, restaurant chains, supermarkets, department stores, and other industries businesses with physical storefronts that wish to directly integrate Alipay+ payment into their existing POS systems.
For example: restaurants in tourist cities, airport duty-free shops, merchants in tourist attractions, etc.
Who should use plugin integration
Small and medium-sized merchants using mainstream e-commerce platforms such as WooCommerce and Prestashop, who lack independent development capabilities but wish to quickly enable Alipay+ payments.
For example: cross-border independent store owners, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, niche e-commerce shops, etc.
Who should use mobile POS integration
Merchants with physical stores from any industry
Or, temporary sales locations who want to accept Alipay+ payments directly using their smartphones. For example: food delivery businesses, home delivery services, pop-up event vendors, retail stores, etc.
Who should use QR code integration
Merchants who do not want to purchase additional hardware but wish to offer customers a self-service QR code payment experience, avoid queues during peak hours, or place QR codes on posters or self-checkout stations.
For example: small Asian restaurants and supermarkets, etc.
How Silkpay helps you integrate Alipay+
Whether you operate in retail, hospitality, transport, e-commerce, or any other industry in Europe, Silkpay can provide you with the right Alipay+ integration solution.
Supports multiple integration methods, including API, POS terminal, plugin, Silkpay app and QR code
One-time integration enables simultaneous acceptance of Alipay+, WeChat Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and other major payment methods
Provides fast go-live and continuous technical support, reducing merchants’ development and maintenance workload
Leverages transaction data analysis to help merchants run marketing and targeted promotions
Conclusion
In today’s fast-changing payment landscape, choosing the right Alipay+ integration option is no longer just a technical decision, it’s a matter of business competitiveness.
With Silkpay, you can solve the challenge of integrating multiple international payment methods in one go, offer customers a smooth, secure, and convenient payment experience, and enhance your brand image and improve store operations.
Don’t let outdated payment integration slow down your business—upgrade now and let your customers pay anytime, anywhere with ease!
About the author: Silkpay
Based in Paris, Silkpay provides omnichannel and secure payment solutions to help physical stores and e-commerce in Europe and the Americas accept more than 30 of the world's most popular payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, CB, UnionPay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay as well as Asia-Pacific’s major e-wallets.
Silkpay is a winner of the LVMH Innovation Award. The company was also selected as a finalist for the "Money 20/20" Best Startup and in the "MPE Berlin” Startup Awards. Silkpay also won the "Best Fintech" awards from Capgemini and BPCE.
Silkpay helps merchants deliver the smoothest payment experience to their customers. We are a talented and international team driven by a single goal: to improve the customer experience and make payments simple and secure.