Are Online Payment Fees Worth It? A Survey of 307 SME Managers

PaymentFor Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Yuichiro Yamazaki), a provider of payment-centric software services, conducted a survey on the operational efficiency gains from adopting online payments among businesses currently using such systems.

Survey Background: For businesses, monthly collection and billing are essential processes. However, analog management methods carry the risk of massive labor hours and human error. Amidst severe labor shortages, this survey aimed to clarify how digitalization of payments improves on-site productivity and contributes to management improvement, while also revealing the true sentiment of businesses regarding system fees and return on investment (ROI).

Survey Summary: [Current Status] Before adopting online payments, analog methods like bank transfers and cash handling were mainstream. [Effect] 80% felt time-saving benefits after adoption, with 30% reducing work time by more than half. [ROI] While low-cost operation (under 700 yen per user) is common, 40% recognize a value of over 30,000 yen per month, indicating high ROI. [Continuity] About 80% wish to continue using the service even if fees are raised, proving it has become essential infrastructure.