Ever had that moment where you log into your Stripe or PayPal account and suddenly see a message you weren’t expecting? Something along the lines of, “Due to the nature of your business, we’ve had to terminate your account…”
Yeah. That.
If you’re a digital marketer, a coach, or someone who sells knowledge-based services online, you’ve probably felt that sting—or at the very least, you’ve heard of it happening to someone in your circle. It’s not just frustrating—it’s confusing. Like, we’re not selling illegal goods or shady crypto schemes. We’re helping people build businesses, right?
But here’s the deal…
Why This Is Happening (And No, It’s Not Personal)
Payment processors like Stripe and PayPal are built to work beautifully—for low-risk, traditional transactions. Think: selling T-shirts, booking dog grooming, or buying books. Once you drift into the “high-risk” category (which includes coaching, courses, and digital consulting), you’re lumped into a group known for high refund rates, chargebacks, and ambiguous customer satisfaction metrics.
Even if you’ve never had a dispute, your business model alone can raise red flags. It’s the potential that makes you risky in their eyes, not necessarily your track record.
So when your account suddenly gets frozen or shut down without a warning? That’s not a glitch. That’s policy.
So What Do You Do Now?
Okay, so Stripe and PayPal say “no thanks.” That doesn’t mean your business stops, right? It just means you need a new route. Here’s what a lot of smart digital marketers are doing:
Yep, these are a real thing—and they’re built for folks exactly like you. Companies like Corepay, Zen Payments, PayDiverse, and Soar Payments specialize in working with businesses that Stripe or PayPal won’t touch.
They know the terrain. They expect chargebacks. They give you tools to manage risk. And most importantly, they don’t shut you down the second something looks “unusual.”
Some marketers are switching to platforms like 2Checkout (now Verifone) or Easy Pay Direct, which act as middlemen between your sales page and the payment processors themselves. These services are more forgiving, especially if you’re offering digital downloads, coaching packages, or subscription models.
A few folks are getting creative. Instead of relying on just one processor, they use multiple smaller gateways and backup options like Payoneer, Wise, or even good old-fashioned ACH transfers and Zelle for larger retainers. Not ideal for automation—but hey, if it gets you paid without interruptions, it’s worth considering.
Tips to Keep You Out of Hot Water (No Matter Who You Use)
No matter which route you go, here are a few real-world tactics digital marketers are using to protect themselves:
Remember, payment processors aren’t just watching what you sell—they’re watching how many people regret buying it.
Let’s Be Real for a Second
This whole thing is a headache. You’re trying to run a business, serve clients, and grow something meaningful—and now you’ve got to jump through hoops just to get paid? It’s exhausting.
But here’s the good news: You’re not the only one going through it. And there are workarounds. The industry is adapting. Providers that used to avoid our business models are starting to understand how legit this space really is.
You just need to stay ahead of the curve.
In the End… You Just Need to Get Paid
If you’re building a real business, you deserve a payment processor that won’t ghost you at the worst time. So yeah, maybe Stripe and PayPal work for the average e-commerce shop—but you’re not average.
You’re building something different. And that means your tools need to be different too.
Want more honest takes on running your business, staying ahead of curveballs like this, and figuring out the stuff most marketers don’t talk about? Check out more content at Beyond the Toolbox—it’s built for folks just like you.
