Milliseconds Matter: Why Latency Is the New Conversion Killer in Card-Not-Present Payments
May 22, 2025
Milliseconds matter. In online payments, a slow checkout doesn’t just frustrate users – it can cost you sales. Discover why faster equals better.
In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, milliseconds can make or break a sale. As consumer patience shortens, even minor delays at checkout can lead to cart abandonment. In the card-not-present (CNP) environment, where digital transactions dominate, transaction latency has become a critical KPI for both PSPs and merchants.
What many players overlook is the compound effect: latency builds up from frontend elements, backend gateway processing, 3-D Secure authentication, and issuer response. Every added step increases friction, and friction kills conversion.
To combat this, top-performing acquirers and PSPs are adopting smart routing, issuer optimization, and adaptive authentication flows. Reducing round-trip times by even 100ms can yield a measurable lift in approval rates and customer satisfaction.
For merchants, the mandate is clear: partner with PSPs that can deliver not just availability, but speed. Latency is no longer a technical detail-it’s a business risk.
At Maksu, we’re building the next generation of PSP infrastructure – combining real-time risk detection, smart orchestration, and frictionless checkout experiences to help merchants thrive in the card-not-present world.
About Maksu
Maksu provides comprehensive, scalable, and secure payment solutions tailored for online merchants of all sizes. Built on Modirum’s 25-year legacy in FinTech and payment technology, we help businesses maximize conversions and eliminate payment friction with seamless, growth-focused solutions. Our mission is to redefine the online payment experience—delivering security, simplicity, and efficiency at every step. With enterprise-grade security and dedicated support, we empower merchants to focus on growth, knowing their payments are in expert hands they can trust.
