Connecting your website to the Authorize.Net® Payment Gateway requires code and development for your website. To do this, you will need to make arrangements with your company’s web developer or a contracted web developer.  Authorize.Net provides a number of ways to process transactions through the payment gateway, ranging from simple “Buy Now” and “Donate” buttons to fully integrated, highly customizable Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Our Integration Center is a great place to start http://www.developer.authorize.net/. 

There are three main options for developing a connection directly from a website or third-party software application to Authorize.Net:

• Server Integration Method (SIM)
• Advanced Integration Method (AIM)
• Authorize.Net Certified Solutions

 Server Integration Method (SIM)
SIM is a hosted payment processing solution, which means that Authorize.Net provides the necessary web resources to handle all the steps in processing a transaction, including:

• Collection of customer payment information through a secure, hosted form
• Generation of a receipt to the customer
• Secure transmission to the payment processing networks for settlement
• Funding of proceeds to your bank account
• Secure storage of cardholder information

SIM is an ideal integration solution for merchants who do not want to collect, transmit, or store sensitive cardholder information to process transactions. Additionally, SIM does not require you to purchase and install a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. This removes the complexity of securely handling and storing cardholder inform, simplifying compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard. For more information about the PCI Data Security Standard, see our Security Best Practices White Paper.

See our SIM Implementation Guide for more information.

Advanced Integration Method (AIM)
AIM is a custom payment processing solution that gives you control over all the steps in processing a transaction, including:

• Collection of customer payment information through a custom payment form
• Generation of a receipt to the customer
• Secure transmission to the payment gateway for transaction processing
• Secure storage of cardholder information
• And more, depending on your business requirements

AIM allows you the highest degree of customization and control over your customers’ checkout experience. Because AIM involves the collection, transmission, and storage of cardholder data, merchants must purchase and implement a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. Authorize.Net offers discounted SSL certificates through our partner Comodo. Learn more about Comodo SSL certificates.

See our AIM Implementation Guide for more information.

Authorize.Net Certified Solutions
Solutions such as shopping carts are ideal for merchants with minimal web development resources. Shopping carts are Internet companies that host or provide payment form solutions for merchant websites. Authorize.Net Certified Solutions and web developers integrate to the payment gateway using AIM, and meet the highest payment gateway security standards. View a list of Authorize.Net Certified Solutions.

For additional assistance with choosing the connection method that best suits your business needs, please see our Connection Methods Guide.