Payment gateway
A payment gateway is the service that safely takes a customer's payment on your site and passes it to the bank.
In a simple example
A customer presses Pay, a secure payment page opens, and the money goes through the gateway to your account.
Why it matters to you
You never handle card numbers yourself, which keeps your customers safe and you out of trouble.
Do not confuse with
A gateway moves the payment. A merchant account is where your money lands.