Why Niche ISVs Need a Specialized Payment Partner to Scale

Why Niche ISVs Need a Specialized Payment Partner to Scale

by | May 1, 2025

Niche isv payment vertical vending

There’s nothing more frustrating than having software tailored for a specialized vertical… only to have your payments provider treat it like a generic checkout cart.

From summer camp POS platforms to platforms for pet groomers, feed and tack shops, pawnbrokers, sports leagues, ski retailers, or pet crematoriums, ISVs building for niche verticals don’t follow a one-size-fits-all playbook. So why should your payments partner?

The reality? Too many ISVs are stuck with legacy processors that don’t understand their business models, don’t prioritize their needs, and can’t (or won’t) flex to accommodate complex payment workflows. And it’s slowing growth. 

It’s time to rethink what a true embedded payments partner looks like. 

What Is a “Super-Niche” Vertical in Payments?

We’re talking about software that powers very specific industries with unique customer behaviors and operational requirements. These aren’t general tools, they’re built for businesses with: 

  • Recurring billing models (e.g., camps, gyms, nonprofits)
  • Alternative payment methods (anything other than cash, debit card, or credit card, such as ACH, digital wallets, buy now pay later (BNPL), or payment installments, for example)
  • Memberships, donations, parent payers, custom fee structures
  • High fraud risk (like food delivery or on-demand services)
  • Real-world + digital services (true omnichannel needs)

If you’re nodding your head, chances are you’ve already felt the friction of trying to force a horizontal payment platform to fit a vertical problem.

The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All Payment Solutions

Legacy providers are often rigid. They’ve built horizontal solutions that serve the masses but struggle when it comes to deep integration or vertical-specific innovation. That means:

  • Lack of flexibility: Can’t adapt to your specialized core requirements or platform roadmap
  • Limited control: Your brand gets buried under their restrictive tools, and they’re holding back your growth plans 
  • Slow support: Can’t understand or refuse to spend the time to understand the unique intricacies of your industry
  • High fees: Refuse to adapt their fee model to meet the reality of your niche market, and no clear value in return

To truly deliver deep verticalization, ISVs must partner with a payments provider that genuinely understands their unique challenges, helps them serve their clients effectively, and supports their growth.

In fact, a recent Envisionit survey showed that the top reasons ISVs switch providers include better tech, lower fees, and better customer support. 

Vertical Expertise Isn’t Optional, It’s the Advantage 

Verticalized payment partners offer more than just processing, they bring a strategic understanding of your market, which leads to better integration, fewer support issues, and more payments monetization opportunities​.

For example, a niche ISV serving childcare organizations may need built-in ACH and subsidy billing features. A self-storage platform might prioritize fast merchant onboarding with low fraud risk. A flexible payments partner knows that and delivers without requiring you to hack together workarounds.

Diving into Omnichannel 

Today’s vertical software providers often support online, mobile, unattended, and in-person experiences. Think: sports clinics registering kids via app, and taking payments on-site. Or spas with recurring memberships and one-off POS payments.

If your provider can’t bridge the gap between in-store, mobile, unattended, and online channels with a unified experience and support all your user cases, you’re leaving money (and customer satisfaction) on the table.

Why BOLD Is Built for ISVs Like You

At BOLD, we believe control + customization = power. And ISVs should never be boxed in by their payments stack.

Here’s how we’re different:

  • Vertical-friendly from the start: Over the years, we have worked with ISVs and merchants in a number of verticals, sub-verticals, and niche verticals—so we understand how crucial verticalization is.
  • Flexible solutions: Build what you need, not what a legacy provider allows.
  • Understand and support all your use cases: From countertop terminal to mPOS mobile devices, and self-service unattended to texting invoice payment link and pay-by-app, we support smooth end-to-end experiences.
  • White-label support: Let your brand shine across the payments journey.
  • Transparent monetization: We offer revenue sharing with full transparency, so you can build a sustainable business.

But most importantly? We listen and spend the time to truly understand your unique needs. If your use case is outside the box, we don’t say “no”, we ask, “how can we make this work?”

Niche ISVs are creating incredible platforms, but many are being held back by payment partners that aren’t built to support innovation. Don’t let that be your story.

Choose a partner who understands your vertical, shares your values, and is as invested in your growth as you are.

Sources:

Envisionit. ISO/ISV Field Survey Results & Takeaways. 2024.

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PCI DSS 4.0 Updates: What You Need to Know

PCI DSS 4.0 Updates: What You Need to Know

by | Apr 25, 2024

In the digital era, data security is not just a priority but a necessity. ISVs and VARs play a pivotal role in guiding their merchants toward stringent compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). Ensuring that merchants adhere to these standards is crucial, not only for safeguarding sensitive cardholder data but also for fortifying trust and integrity in the payment ecosystem. As technology evolves and cyber threats become more sophisticated, the importance of maintaining PCI DSS compliance cannot be overstated.

What is PCI DSS Version 4.0?

PCI DSS, or the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, is a benchmark for safeguarding sensitive payment card information. Compliance with this standard is essential for companies processing credit and debit card transactions. Set by the PCI Security Standards Council (SSC), this standard specifies a set of security protocols and procedures aimed at protecting cardholder data.

To ensure trustworthiness and minimize the risk of data breaches, businesses must demonstrate compliance with PCI DSS requirements to their acquiring banks or payment processors. This aligns with the compliance programs established by major credit card companies such as VISA and Mastercard.

The recent release of Version 4.0 marks a significant update to the standard after almost a decade. Recognizing evolving technology and rising cybersecurity threats, the new version aims to support businesses in safeguarding payment card data effectively and implementing robust security measures against potential risks.

Key Changes in PCI DSS Version 4.0

To accommodate new regulations, some business types will see revised requirements, while some requirements will be removed entirely. Additionally, numerous existing requirements now include updated controls. Your company’s impacted areas will depend on the type of Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) you complete. The SAQ helps organizations evaluate their security practices related to the handling of cardholder data to ensure they meet the PCI DSS standards. It is part of the broader requirement for entities to regularly assess their security measures, which is mandated by the PCI SSC. There are several versions of the SAQ, each tailored to different types of business environments based on the complexity and scope of their card processing activities. The type of SAQ suitable for a specific business depends on how they accept card payments and the volume of transactions they process.

To guarantee that all alterations are included and that you are reporting in accordance with Version 4.0, your merchants’ portal experience should be updated by your payment processor.

Staying Prepared and Secure

To ensure your business remains at the forefront of data security and compliance, staying updated with the latest standards like PCI DSS Version 4.0 is essential. As we navigate these updates, it’s important to proactively address the changes and understand how they impact your operations. For ISVs and VARs, this means not only adapting your own practices but also ensuring that your merchants are well-informed and prepared for what lies ahead.

Should you have any questions or require further assistance in understanding these changes and their implications, BOLD is here to help. Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring that our partners and their merchants are fully equipped to meet the new PCI DSS standards. Reach out to us for detailed support and guidance to help your business maintain compliance and secure your operations effectively. Trust BOLD to keep you informed and ready to meet the challenges of PCI DSS Version 4.0.

 

 

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Sealing the Deal: Setting Merchant Expectations to Keep Up with Industry Trends

Sealing the Deal: Setting Merchant Expectations to Keep Up with Industry Trends

by | Oct 20, 2022

The Payment Industry has new advancements in technology that frequently alter merchant expectations. As they continue to experience increased products and services to help grow their business, the market grows even more competitive. What are you doing that’s part of the trend, and how can you adjust your strategy to stand out from the crowd?

Expand from Merchant Processing 

Today’s merchants get incessant offers and calls to switch their processing. The same pitch is heard over and over again, promising lower rates. You may find yourself spending an unreasonable amount of time trying to obtain a statement from your prospect. When you finally create a proposal and show your prospect the amazing savings promised, they sometimes end up ghosting you. Well, what can you do now? The key is to have multiple selling points apart from guaranteeing lower rates.

Have Open and Honest Conversations with Prospects

Once you put in all the effort and the merchant decides to take your hard work back to their current processor it becomes laborious to peak their interest again. Having open and honest conversations with prospects help identify their needs before you exhaust resources. They may value payment security or operational efficiency more than a huge savings on fees.  What can you provide that their current processor can’t? Many merchants are looking for more than just payment acceptance. 

Managing Expectations Day One

Make an effort to manage expectations from the start of the relationship.  Pinpoint different product offerings that specifically resolve an issue the merchant may be experiencing. Openly discuss areas where you can add value and ease to their day to day operations. Keep in mind the end consumer and how their wants impact the merchant. Offering a better quality of service overall will help seal the deal. 

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