Imagine checking your business’s bank account one morning and seeing a large deposit labeled “ACME Corp: Recurring May.” And knowing you didn’t lift a finger to get that money into your account. That’s the magic of learning how to accept ACH payments online.
Okay, you did lift a finger…once to set it up. And you also completed the service or sold the products that the money is paying for. But when you set up ACH payments, your revenue reliably rolls in.
If you’ve relied on card processors, you already know the sting of processing fees, failed charges, and expired cards. Now imagine a payment method that’s gentle on your margins and robust enough to cover your highest ticket items. Enter ACH: a smarter, leaner choice for growth focused merchants.
How ACH is Dominating the Electronic Payment Space
The ACH network is the backbone of U.S. electronic payment systems. Trillions of dollars are processed through the ACH network every year.
NACHA announced in 2023 that for the 11th consecutive year, the ACH network’s value of transactions increased by more than $1 trillion.
This growth was driven by a 10.8% increase in business to business payments, resulting in 31.5 billion transactions valued at $80.1 trillion. This translates to 126 million transactions per day.
In Q1 2025, businesses processed 8.5 billion ACH payments, totaling $22 trillion. Not to mention, same day ACH volume even jumped by over 19 percent year over year.
ACH Payment Benefits
But why is ACH so popular amongst businesses? ACH has many benefits, but the most significant is its lower costs. ACH processing typically costs $0.20–$1.50 per transaction, compared to the 2–4% fee for credit card payments.
Next, ACH is a rock solid process for big ticket billing and recurring payments. Unlike keeping a card on file for payments, with ACH, there is no risk of expired cards.
Last, with strong encryption and NACHA oversight, ACH is a secure electronic payment option. For business owners, that ease and cost savings can have a meaningful impact on your bottom line.
How to Set Up ACH for Your Online Business
a) Open a Business Bank Account
Before you can collect ACH payments online, the foundational step is to establish a dedicated business bank account. Having a business bank account is crucial for financial clarity, legal compliance, and streamlined operations. It allows you to clearly delineate personal and business finances, simplifying accounting, tax preparation, and financial analysis.
b) Choose a Processor That “Gets” ACH
Then you will need to choose the best provider to help you seamlessly accept ACH payments online. Platforms like ECS Payments, Stripe, or Dwolla support ACH transactions via API.
However, ECS Payments stands out for its simplified ACH processing, competitive processing fees, and friendly, easy to reach in house merchant support. ECS integrates both ACH direct debit (pull payments your client authorizes) and push models (where you initiate credits from your business).
The next crucial step to seamlessly transfer funds from your customers’ bank accounts directly into your business account is to link your business bank account to your ACH payment processor.
Your payment processor acts as an intermediary, managing electronic debits from your customers’ accounts and depositing the funds into yours.
c) Make Your Payment Flow Simple and Clear
Think of your payment flow like customer service. It should feel easy, secure, and trustworthy from start to finish. The goal is to walk your customers through the steps without confusion or hesitation, especially when they’re handing over sensitive information.
Permission Request (“I authorize your business…”)
Customers must unequivocally provide consent for your business to debit their bank account. This consent should be clear, outlining what they are authorizing:
- recurring payments or one time debits
- the frequency
- the maximum amount (if applicable).
You can obtain permission via digital signature, a marked checkbox on your payment form, or a verbal authorization for phone based transactions, which should be recorded and stored.
Secure Bank Account Detail Entry
Customers must then provide their banking details: their bank name, account number, and routing number. At this point, it’s on you to treat that data like gold. Use strong encryption and make sure your system is locked down. Showing that you take security seriously builds trust and protects your business.
Account Confirmation
Before you start pulling payments, it’s smart (and often required) to confirm the account is valid and belongs to your customer. You can use micro deposits, which can take 1 to 3 business days, potentially delaying the first official transaction. Alternatively, you can use instant verification through a secure third party service, which allows customers to log in to their online banking portal and instantly verify their account.
Comply with NACHA & Regs
Ensure all electronic funds transfers, whether credits or debits to accounts, adhere to the Automated Clearing House ACH rules. ECS seamlessly integrates ACH compliance into your workflows with prebuilt consent text, eliminating guesswork.
Common Pitfalls of ACH Payments And How to Dodge Them
Though ACH has its clear and definitive benefits for businesses, there are a few cases to be aware of when accepting payments via ACH.
- Microdeposit delays: Customers sometimes ignore verification emails. Send reminders and provide clear instructions.
- ACH reversal vs. return: Returns happen when funds are missing; reversals occur due to duplicate payments. ECS flags and automates retries.
- Cutoff confusion: Standard ACH clears the next business day if you miss the 4 p.m. ET cutoff. ECS highlights timing to prevent delays.
Next Steps to Get Started With ECS Payments ACH Processing
First, evaluate your current payment setup. Then, talk to ECS about adding ACH processing, especially if you already do recurring payments or B2B billing. With ECS, you can get set up and launch in days.
ECS isn’t a faceless processor. ECS brings:
- Direct support to help launch ACH transactions with your team.
- Integration tools that work whether you’re DIY or need guidance.
- Clear, predictive pricing. ECS Payments keeps processing fees transparent. Say goodbye, once and for all, to no hidden costs or surprises on your payment processing statements.
If you’re ready to reduce costs, improve cash flow, and offer a better customer experience, start by chatting with ECS’s team. We’ll walk you through how ACH payments work, guide you through setup, and help support your future growth.
ACH is a strategic tool. With ECS Payments, you can streamline ACH direct debit, cut costs, and gain payment confidence.
Ready to learn more about how to accept ACH payments online?
Reach out and let’s make your payments smarter.
