When you don’t have enough regular online payments to have your accountant and web designer set up a credit card system, it can be tricky to pick the right online payment option. Paypal is standard, but those pesky fees can really add up and make it more convenient to write a paper check. The purpose of online payments is to make life easier and even save some money on manpower and stamps. Fortunately, there are plenty of completely free options out there.

The biggest step is actually switching your payment processing. Maybe you have to send sporadic payments to a freelance web writer or commissioned a graphic artist for an annual event. It doesn’t matter if you’re helping people buy motorized shades or managing a blooming non-profit. Sometimes you have to send payments, but there’s no reason to pay to do so.

Think Outside the Box

You’ve probably heard of ING, the online banking institute. ING is much more than a truly free checking and/or savings account that boasts the best interest rates around. Electric Orange checking regularly runs a promotion that offers $50 just for joining and using one of the easiest to use payment systems around. The unique Person-to-Person payment option (P2P) lets you send money completely free.

You need to know the recipient’s name and the last four digits of his or her checking account number. Money arrives instantly so there’s no waiting around like you do with Paypal. It also doesn’t require ING registration for the recipient.

Some Other Alternatives

Zashpay is transitioning to Popmoney, but the perks are the same. This mobile payment option is similar to Paypal but without the fees. You can send money absolutely for free, but it does require a registration from the recipient and a waiting period of about three days for money to appear in accounts. However, the great thing about this product is that you don’t need to “accept” money every time it’s sent.

Once registered, the program saves the recipient’s bank information and funds are automatically transferred. It’s simple to go online and change the default banking settings if necessary. It’s a little more upfront work than ING for the recipients, but it’s a relatively quick and painless process. There’s also a fantastic app to keep everything accessible.

The Old School Route

Many traditional banks also offer free money transfers, but they require the recipient to have the same bank as you. This simply isn’t realistic. If you want to go the banking avenue, see what ING offers. If you and your recipient already have the same bank, this can be a very simple tool for a one-time deal, but it’s smart to set up a better plan today and be prepared.