Best Payment Methods for Stock Photos

When purchasing a photo or illustration from a stock photo site, you’ll encounter various payment options.

Stock image websites offer several best payment options for stock images:

1. Payment by bank cards.
2. Payment via the PayPal payment system.
3. Payment via the WebMoney payment system.
4. Payment by phone via SMS.
5. Payment through Skrill payment system
6. Google Checkout

Let’s focus on paying with credit cards, as other payment methods may not be particularly relevant for individuals in developing countries.

For instance, PayPal is not widely used in countries with lower living standards and imposes certain restrictions in these regions.

Other payment methods, such as SMS payments, are not widely available across all stock photo sites; for example, SMS payment is currently only offered by Depositphotos.

Credit Card Payments: How to Pay for Stock Photos Securely

Many users find online card payments confusing because they don’t fully understand how cashless transactions work. However, it is quite straightforward, quick, and convenient.

First, let’s briefly discuss the background.The largest online services and stores in the world have long introduced the ability to pay for goods and services using cards from the major international payment systems Visa, MasterCard, and American Express on their websites.

Since these are international systems, cardholders have no issues with transactions in any country in the world and in any currency, as the conversion of the account currency to the transaction currency is performed automatically.

Considering the vast number of payment cards issued globally, it’s evident why they’re seen as the most practical payment method online. In fact, many cardholders aren’t aware their cards offer this feature.

Many people aren’t sure how to make online payments.

While some individuals use electronic payment systems like WebMoney or PayPal, these platforms have not yet achieved global recognition and popularity.

Due to their association with smaller, less transparent markets, these systems are largely unrecognized by major online services and stores, including leading stock photo sites.

In contrast, payment cards are widely accepted at nearly all online stores, including stock agencies.

You can use a card issued in any currency, and as mentioned earlier, the conversion happens automatically. The best choice for payments is Visa and MasterCard, which are available at almost any bank.

For online payments, it’s advisable to use mid-range cards like Visa Classic and MasterCard Standard, or higher-tier options like Visa Gold, MasterCard Gold, Visa Platinum, and MasterCard Platinum.

Entry-level debit cards like Cirrus/Maestro and Visa Electron are more affordable, but they’re often declined for online payments.

Why are Cirrus/Maestro and Visa Electron cards often declined for online transactions? These cards aren’t designed for online use; they require electronic authorization through a card reader.

However, many banks now offer Cirrus/Maestro and Visa Electron cards enabled for online payments upon request. If you only have a Cirrus/Maestro or Visa Electron card (typically issued for salaries and social benefits), check with your bank about enabling it for online payments.

To learn about your card’s features, call your bank’s customer service using the number on the back of your card and inquire. If they inform you it’s not possible, ask if this option can be activated for your current card. Often, this is feasible.

If you don’t have a payment card or your current card is blocked for online payments, consider ordering a virtual card, such as Visa Virtuon or MasterCard Virtual, designed specifically for online transactions.

These cards can be issued quickly, sometimes in as little as 15 minutes, and typically have low service fees.

The bank will also open a card account, which you can fund at any branch with the amount you need. If you decide to close the card, any remaining balance will be refunded to you at the bank.

It’s advisable to only fund your card with the amount you need at the moment. It’s safer to add more later than to keep large sums on the virtual card.

Online payments carry risks regarding card data transmission, so exercise caution. For detailed information about opening such a card and associated service fees, visit the bank’s website or contact a local branch.

Many banks, such as Bank of Moscow, Alfa-Bank, VTB 24, Promsvyazbank, Vozrozhdenie, and Sobinbank, offer virtual cards to their clients.

For a list of top stock photo agencies that accept bank card payments, visit https://microstock.top/pokupka-izobrazhenij-na-fotobankah/.

Before purchasing photos and illustrations, register with the stock photo website and fund your account by buying stock credits or a microstock subscription.

Then, you can download photos and illustrations according to your credit package or subscription terms.

Before funding your account, decide on the credit package or subscription you want. The payment section typically becomes available after you register and log in.

To pay, enter your card details: 16-digit number, expiration date (selected from a dropdown menu), and three-digit CVV (CVC) code (the last three digits on the back of the card).

If your information is correct and your card has no issues, the specified amount will be deducted, and the corresponding credits will be added to your balance at the microstock website.

Ensure you don’t confuse your CVV (Card Verification Value) code with your PIN (Personal Identification Number). The PIN is used for transactions at ATMs and payment terminals, whereas the CVV is utilized for online or phone transactions where the physical card isn’t present.

Confusing these codes can prevent you from purchasing stock photos and may inadvertently expose your PIN online, posing a significant security risk.

To mitigate online payment risks, consider setting specific transaction limits on your card.

To do this, call your bank’s customer service at the toll-free number on the back of your card and request a specific online payment limit.

For instance, if you plan to purchase a $15 credit package from a stock photo site, request the bank to set your online payment limit to $15. This ensures that only this amount can be charged until you adjust the limit or it expires.

Alternatively, you can completely block online transactions, restricting all card-not-present (CNP) transactions.

When you wish to purchase images from a stock photo site, contact your bank to temporarily lift the restriction or increase the limit. After completing the transaction, request the bank to reinstate the original limit or restriction.

This approach can help minimize the risks associated with online card usage.

To further simplify managing your card limits, consider enrolling in your bank’s online banking service. This allows you to log in securely to adjust limits and monitor transactions at your convenience.

Online banking is now widely available at most banks and is often offered at little to no cost.

When applying for a credit card, it’s advisable to activate SMS banking services. This service sends SMS notifications for all transactions on your payment card, keeping you informed about online payments, cash withdrawals, and retail purchases.

Remember to check your bank’s currency conversion fees before ordering a card. If your bank’s conversion fee exceeds 1%, consider opening an account with a different bank or applying for a dollar-denominated card to avoid currency conversion costs.

This consideration is especially important when making large payments.

Regarding transaction limits, there’s another important point to consider. When making large payments, such as a stock photo bank subscription exceeding $1,000, consult your bank about your card’s maximum transaction limits. Banks often have monitoring systems that may automatically block substantial transactions.

It’s advisable to inform your bank in advance of any large payments to prevent potential issues.

Enjoy your purchases on stock photo websites!

This article is available in the following categories: About Microstocks, 123RF, Depositphotos, Dreamstime, Finance, Fotolia, Istockphoto, Shutterstock