Virtual cards have steadily grown in popularity in recent years. The worldwide market for virtual cards is expected to increase from nearly $12 billion in 2021 to $65 billion by 2030. Virtual cards are a solution to the evolving needs of businesses, particularly those concerned with remote work, online purchasing, and digital security.

Traditional plastic cards, while functional, often have limitations that don’t align with the dynamic nature of contemporary businesses. As a payment method, virtual cards offer flexibility and strong security, but they also have functionalities that can redefine expense management and vendor payments. Here’s what businesses need to know about virtual cards.

What’s in this article?

• What is a virtual card?
  
• What are virtual cards used for?
  
• Are virtual cards safe?
  
• Benefits and drawbacks of virtual cards
  
• How to get a virtual card for your business
  

What is a virtual card?

A virtual card is a digital version of a plastic card, such as a credit or debit card. It has card details used primarily for online transactions. Here’s an overview of virtual card features and characteristics:

• Card details: Like a traditional card, a virtual card has a card number, expiration date, and security code—usually a card verification value (CVV) or card verification code (CVC). These details are generated electronically.

• Usage: Virtual cards are typically used for online purchases or transactions in which the physical card isn’t required to be present.

• Security: One of the primary advantages of virtual cards is enhanced payment security. Some virtual cards are designed for single use, meaning once they’ve been used for a transaction, they become invalid. This reduces the risk of unauthorized or fraudulent use. Other virtual cards might have set limits or can be locked to a specific business.

• Issuance: Virtual cards can be issued instantly, making them faster to obtain compared with waiting for a physical card to be mailed.

• Linkage: Depending on the issuer, a virtual card might be linked to a traditional bank account or credit line, or it may be preloaded with funds.

• Flexibility: Virtual cards can be set with spending controls, such as limits on the transaction amount, total spend, date ranges, or merchant categories.

• Expense management: Businesses often use virtual cards for expense management. They can issue a virtual card to an employee for a specific purchase, which provides an added layer of control and oversight over spending.

• Sustainability: Because there’s no plastic involved, virtual cards are considered to be more environmentally friendly than traditional cards.

What are virtual cards used for?

Virtual cards have gained significant traction in recent years, largely because of their adaptability and security features. Here’s how businesses commonly use them:

• Online purchases: Being digital-first, virtual cards are a preferred payment method for ecommerce transactions. They offer a way to transact without revealing primary card or bank details, reducing exposure to potential fraud.

• Subscription management: Businesses often opt for virtual cards when signing up for software or online services. If a service is no longer required, the virtual card can be deactivated, preventing further charges.

• Travel expenses: Some businesses issue virtual cards to employees for specific travel expenses. This offers precise control over spending and easier expense reconciliation.

• Vendor payments: Businesses can generate virtual cards with set limits for vendors, making it easier to manage and track payments.

• Single-use scenarios: For transactions in which added security is desired, businesses can generate single-use virtual cards. After the transaction, the card details become obsolete, making any data breach less impactful.

• Employee expenditures: Instead of issuing physical corporate cards, some businesses prefer giving employees virtual cards with predefined limits for business-related purchases.

• Ad campaigns: When running online advertising campaigns, businesses might use virtual cards to allocate budgets effectively. If a campaign’s budget is exhausted, the card prevents overspending.

• Metered billing: For services that bill based on usage, like cloud hosting, virtual cards can help businesses manage unpredictable expenses by setting a limit on possible charges.

Are virtual cards safe?

Virtual cards offer several safety features that address common vulnerabilities associated with traditional card transactions. Here’s a detailed look at the safety aspects:

• Limited exposure: Because businesses often create virtual cards for specific purposes, the primary card or bank details aren’t exposed during transactions. This minimizes the risk of data theft.

• Single-use cards: Many virtual cards are generated for one-time use. After the intended transaction, the card details become invalid, rendering them useless to potential fraudulent actors.

• Spending controls: Users can set specific limits on virtual cards, in terms of the total amount, validity period, or merchant category. This offers an added layer of control and reduces the potential damage from unauthorized transactions.

• Business-specific cards: Some virtual cards can be locked to a particular business. Even if the card details are compromised, they won’t work elsewhere.

• Immediate issuance and termination: Virtual cards can be generated instantly and terminated at a moment’s notice. If there’s any suspicion of a breach or misuse, the card can be deactivated promptly.

• Real-time alerts: Many platforms offering virtual cards provide real-time notifications for every transaction, making it easier to spot and report unauthorized activities.

• No physical risk: Without a tangible card, there’s no risk of losing it or having it stolen conventionally.

Though virtual cards have robust safety mechanisms, no payment method is immune to risks. Best practices, such as using trusted networks, keeping software updated, and regularly monitoring transaction history, can increase the safety of virtual cards.

Benefits and drawbacks of virtual cards

Virtual cards are a solution to a variety of financial challenges businesses commonly face, but there are still downsides when using this payment method. Before deciding whether virtual cards are a good option for your business, weigh their benefits against their drawbacks:

Benefits of virtual cards

• Risk mitigation: Virtual cards, especially single-use types, significantly reduce the chances of fraud. Once used, these card details become redundant, leaving no opportunity for unauthorized transactions. For businesses, this reduces the need for damage control related to financial breaches.

• Budget control: Businesses can issue virtual cards with predefined limits. For instance, if a department is allocated a specific budget for software purchases, it can set a virtual card with that exact limit, preventing overspending.

• Instant issuance: Waiting for physical cards can cause operational delays, especially when immediate transactions are required. Virtual cards eliminate this wait, which is beneficial in fast-paced business environments.

• Custom use: Users can set virtual cards to work with specific businesses only, reducing misuse or misallocation of funds.

• Easy reconciliation: For accounting teams, virtual cards can increase efficiency. A business can associate each card with specific projects or departments. As transactions occur, they are automatically categorized, simplifying end-of-month reconciliation processes.

• Environmental impact: With no plastic production or delivery involved, virtual cards represent a more sustainable choice, aligning with many corporate social responsibility goals.

Drawbacks of virtual cards

• Not universally accepted: Despite the growing popularity of virtual cards, some businesses don’t accept them and require a physical card to be present.

• Overreliance on technology: While the digital nature of virtual cards offers convenience, it also means businesses are dependent on the issuing platforms. Any technical glitches, outages, or cyberattacks could disrupt operations.

• Learning curve: Introducing virtual cards into a business might require training for employees, especially those who are not tech-savvy. This could lead to initial resistance or mistakes.

• Integration challenges: Not all accounting or expense management systems support virtual cards, potentially complicating the integration process. This could necessitate additional software investments or manual workarounds.

• Loss of physical card benefits: Some physical corporate cards come with perks like airport lounge access or travel insurance. Switching entirely to virtual formats might mean sacrificing these benefits.

How to get a virtual card for your business

Acquiring a virtual card for your business can be straightforward, although the process might vary slightly depending on the provider. Here are the general steps most businesses can follow:

• Research providers: A variety of virtual card services are available, each with unique features, fee structures, and integrations. Take time to understand which service aligns best with your business needs.

• Account setup: After selecting a provider, you’ll typically need to set up a business account. This often requires providing details about your business, including its legal name, address, and tax identification number.

• Verification process: Most providers will conduct a verification process to authenticate the legitimacy of your business. This can involve submitting documentation such as business licenses, bank statements, or tax returns.

• Determine card controls: Once verified, you can customize your virtual card settings. This includes setting spending limits, determining which employees have access, and specifying merchant categories if necessary.

• Integration with accounting software: Many virtual card providers offer integrations with popular accounting and expense management tools. Connecting these can simplify expense tracking and reconciliation.

• Issue cards: After configuration, you can begin issuing virtual cards to relevant employees or departments. Most platforms allow for quick generation of these cards, granting immediate access.

• Ongoing management: Regularly review transactions, adjust card settings as needed, and monitor for suspicious activity. Most platforms provide real-time insights and reports to aid in this oversight.

Virtual cards are not just a trend—they’re a tool businesses can use to increase security and improve the transaction experience. With virtual cards, businesses can monitor their expenses more closely and adjust quickly based on real-time data.