When is a Business Ready for Full Ecommerce?
Full ecommerce makes sense when you have packaged inventory with defined SKUs, established shipping arrangements (courier or local pickup), and clear returns policies. If you produce custom or bespoke items, an online catalogue with direct WhatsApp ordering is often the more profitable starting step.
South African Payment Gateways Compared
South African consumers expect seamless, trusted checkout options. We integrate established Level 1 PCI-DSS compliant operators:
- PayFast: The gold standard for SA ecommerce, supporting Visa, Mastercard, Instant EFT, Capitec Pay, Zapper, and automated subscription retainers.
- Capitec Pay: South Africa's fastest-growing payment method, allowing over 10 million Capitec app users to approve checkouts with a single tap in their banking app.
- Instant EFT (Ozow / SiD): Frictionless bank-to-bank settlements with immediate payment confirmation and zero chargeback risk.
- Buy Now Pay Later (Payflex / PayJustNow): Splits purchases into 4 interest-free instalments, proven to increase average order values by 20–40%.
Courier Shipping Integration & Delivery Matrices
High shipping fees and complicated checkout forms cause over 60% of cart abandonment. We configure transparent flat-rate or regional shipping matrices (e.g. Gauteng Local R85, Major National Centers R110, Regional Outlying R150) and integrate tracking with operators like The Courier Guy, PUDO, and Fastway.
Mobile-First Checkout & Sub-Second Page Transitions
Over 80% of South African ecommerce transactions occur on mobile devices. Our Next.js ecommerce storefronts utilize client-side cart memory (`useCart`), instant product search, and frictionless single-screen checkouts to maximize completed purchases.
Statutory Compliance: CPA & ECTA Section 43 Disclosures
Under South African law (ECTA Act 25 of 2002 and the Consumer Protection Act), ecommerce websites must clearly display their registered trading name, physical address, contact email/phone, VAT registration, return/refund policies, and complete pricing breakdowns including 15% VAT and courier fees before payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straightforward answers regarding scopes, timelines, and commercial terms.
What payment methods can my store accept?
Our PayFast integrations support credit cards, debit cards, Capitec Pay, Instant EFT, Zapper, and SnapScan with instant automated payment notifications.
How do courier shipping fees calculate at checkout?
We set up automated postal code and province rules (e.g. Free shipping over R750, flat-rate courier, or local pickup options).
Can I start with 10 products and add hundreds later?
Yes. Our catalogue architecture is built on scalable Next.js and headless data structures that expand effortlessly as your product range grows.
Do you charge transaction fees on sales?
No. Mosaic Studio never charges commission on your sales. You only pay standard gateway processing fees directly to PayFast.