Boost Your Business with Flexible Payment Plans: Why Partial.ly Outshines Affirm for Merchants

by M. Leigh

As a merchant, offering flexible payment options can be a powerful way to increase sales and attract a wider range of customers. While Affirm and Partial.ly are both popular options for buy-now, pay-later solutions, they have fundamental differences that could significantly impact your business and customers’ satisfaction.

Here’s a breakdown of why Partial.ly may be the better choice for your business if you’re looking to offer flexible, customizable payment plans.

Full Control Over Payment Terms: Tailored to Your Business

Partial.ly allows you to create fully customizable payment schedules that suit your customers’ needs and your business goals. As a merchant, you control the payment structure—down payments, intervals, and even mid-plan adjustments if needed. This level of flexibility empowers you to serve customers with unique needs and preferences.

In contrast, Affirm only offers preset terms (e.g., 3, 6, or 12 months), with limited options to tailor payment plans for individual customers. For merchants who want adaptable payment solutions, Partial.ly offers far greater flexibility.

Flexible Options for Retail, Collectibles, Preorders, and Large-Cost Items

For merchants focused on product sales, Partial.ly offers a level of flexibility that makes it especially effective for a wide range of retail scenarios, including high-value items. Whether you’re selling unique collectibles, offering preorders with future delivery dates, or dealing in high-ticket items like luxury goods, Partial.ly allows you to customize payment plans that make these products more accessible to a broader audience. With features like adjustable down payments, flexible installment schedules, and even interest-free options, Partial.ly empowers you to create payment structures that attract customers without burdening them with high upfront costs.

Affirm, in comparison, is structured around fixed terms and often involves a credit check, which can deter some customers from completing high-value purchases. Its preset payment terms may not provide the same level of customization that Partial.ly offers for diverse product types or unique retail needs. By using Partial.ly, you can deliver a more accommodating experience for your customers and increase conversions on large-cost or specialty items.

Perfect for Service-Based Businesses

For service-based businesses, Partial.ly provides an invaluable tool for managing recurring payments with ease and flexibility. If you offer a coaching program, education courses, travel services, etc., Partial.ly lets you set up seamless payment schedules that benefit both you and your customers. This is especially important for customer retention, as Partial.ly’s system allows customers to pay for services over time. The flexibility to customize terms—such as payment frequency and duration—enables you to meet customer preferences and streamline the billing process.

Affirm, however, is primarily geared toward one-time retail purchases, which limits its usability for merchants providing ongoing services. If you need a versatile solution that goes beyond product sales, Partial.ly is the better fit.

Transparent and Simple Setup Process

With Partial.ly, you control your payment terms and any associated fees, providing transparency and ensuring your customers have a clear understanding of their payment plans. This helps build trust with your customers, knowing they won’t face hidden fees or sudden costs.

While Affirm discloses rates upfront, these vary significantly depending on the customer’s credit, which can lead to confusion at checkout. Partial.ly’s simplicity and transparency allow you to offer straightforward, customer-friendly payment options.

Accessible to a Broader Customer Base with No Credit Check

Partial.ly’s no-credit-check model removes barriers for customers who may have limited or low credit, making financing accessible to more people. This can be a game-changer for merchants looking to broaden their customer base.

Affirm requires a soft credit check, which can prevent some customers from qualifying and may impact the interest rate they receive. Partial.ly’s approach ensures that more customers can take advantage of an installment plan, improving conversion rates and reducing cart abandonment.

Since Partial.ly doesn’t report to credit bureaus, customers’ credit scores are unaffected. This is an appealing feature for customers wary of credit checks or score impacts, and it can make them feel more comfortable choosing a payment option on your site.

On the other hand, Affirm may report payment activity, which can impact customer credit scores positively or negatively depending on their payment history. With Partial.ly, you can offer a payment option that customers will trust won’t affect their financial standing.

Option for Interest-Free Plans: Attract Budget-Conscious Customers

Partial.ly gives you the option to offer interest-free payment plans, keeping costs low for customers. This approach can make Partial.ly a more attractive choice for budget-conscious shoppers, increasing the likelihood that they’ll commit to a purchase.

Affirm’s interest rates range from 0% to 30%, with rates largely based on creditworthiness. While some interest-free promotions exist, they’re often limited to certain partnerships. With Partial.ly, you have more control over rates and can create plans that resonate with your customers’ financial needs.

Build Stronger Customer Relationships

With Partial.ly, you maintain a direct relationship with your customers regarding payment plans, allowing you to provide a more personalized experience and even work with customers to adjust plans if needed. This builds trust and customer loyalty, encouraging repeat purchases and positive reviews.

Affirm’s setup doesn’t involve as much merchant-customer interaction since Affirm handles payments independently. By using Partial.ly, you can establish a closer connection with your customers, which is invaluable for building a loyal customer base.

Why Partial.ly May Be the Best Choice for Your Business

For merchants seeking flexibility, ease of setup, and the ability to offer payment options beyond traditional financing, Partial.ly provides a solution that can help increase conversions and customer satisfaction. With features that cater to a variety of business types and customer needs, Partial.ly makes it easier to offer financing options that align with your brand and customer experience.

Key Benefits of Partial.ly for Merchants:

  • Customizable payment terms that allow adjustments mid-plan.
  • Flexible Options for Large-Cost Items.
  • Perfect for service-based businesses.
  • No credit check, making financing accessible to more customers.
  • No credit score impact, providing peace of mind for customers.
  • Interest-free options to attract budget-conscious customers.
  • Transparency in pricing and payment structure for a straightforward customer experience.
  • Direct customer interaction for enhanced loyalty and trust.

Whether you’re selling products or services, Partial.ly gives you the flexibility to create payment plans that fit your business and empower your customers. For merchants looking for a competitive, customer-friendly payment solution, Partial.ly could be the key to driving sales and building lasting customer relationships.