How to get paid faster! Start accepting payment online from credit card
Would you like to get paid faster? Do you want to make it easier for your customers to pay you? Do you like money? If you don’t, then don’t read this post!
But if you are like 99% of the business, your survival depends on getting paid.
While reliable, traditional payment methods like cheques, Interac transfers, and bank transfers often come with their own challenges.
For instance, cheques must be physically mailed or handed over, then deposited and cleared by the bank, a process that can take several days. Interac transfers, while quicker, still require the payer to log into their banking platform, set up the payment, and remember to send it. Bank transfers, particularly for international transactions, can be fraught with delays and hefty fees.
These methods not only slow down your cash flow but also require significant manual effort and time from both you and your customer. They can lead to delays in reconciling accounts and can even impact your ability to manage and forecast your cash flow effectively.
Indeed, the ability to process payments swiftly and conveniently in the digital era can spell the difference between success and struggle.
You business need to evolved to survive, thus your method of taking payments
Imagine a scenario where you’ve delivered a project on time, but the payment is delayed because the cheque is lost in the mail. Or consider an international client who has made a bank transfer, but it’s taking days to reflect in your account due to various banking procedures. These situations can cause unnecessary stress and hamper your business growth.
In this article, we will show you how easy it is to set up a page on your WordPress website where customers can pay an invoice directly via credit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay.
Not only will this offer your customers a smoother, more convenient experience, but it will also fast-track your payments, helping boost your cash flow.
Accept Customer Invoice Payment On Your Website Now! An 8-steps Guide
First of all, to take payment online with your WordPress website, you need these requirements:
- A payment processor and payment gateway
- A WordPress website
- A WordPress plugin to bridge the gap between WordPress and your payment gateway
The objective here is to transition from traditional payment methods, such as cheque or e-transfer, to a system enabling customers to pay through a credit card on your website.
To achieve this, we recommend using the following:
- Stripe as the payment processor and gateway
- Gravity Form as the plugin to make the bridge
Then, you are ready to get going.
Here are the simple steps to set up this system:
- Install Gravity Forms on your WordPress website. This is your bridge between WordPress and Stripe.
- Install the Stripe Add-on for Gravity Forms.
- Configure Stripe within Gravity Forms. This step ensures that the two systems work seamlessly together.
- Build a form that suits your business and customer needs. Don’t forget to add an invoice number field and an invoice amount field.
- Connect this form with Stripe within the Stripe settings section.
- Create a page to host your form on your website.
- Configure the form’s notifications and confirmations. This ensures you and your customers receive notifications once the payment is completed.
And voila! With these eight steps, you can establish a functional and secure online payment system on your website. Not only does this cater to the growing preference for online transactions among customers, but it also expedites the payment process, ensuring faster revenue generation for your business.
Other ways of taking online payments with WordPress
There are many other ways to take payment online with WordPress for your small or medium business. Here are other ways we have implemented in the past which were successful
Woocommerce + Plugins
You can leverage Woocommerce for WordPress to benefit from the vast selection of Woocommerce extensions; this is an excellent way if you use another payment provider than Stripe. WooCommerce supports most of the payment gateways out there.
If you want to to take customer Invoices that have different prices and want also to record the invoice number entered by the customer, we suggest using the following two extensions to achieve this:
- Name your price – To allow customers to enter their invoice amount to accept online payments
- Product Add-ons – To let customers entered their invoice number for internal tracking while taking online payments
WP Simple Pay
Another great plugin for WordPress we discovered is WP Simple Pay. WP Simple Pay is a plugin that allows you to take online payments on your WordPress site without the need to set up a complex shopping cart system. This plugin is designed to make the process of accepting payments as simple and efficient as possible. It supports a variety of payment methods, including Credit/Debit Card, US Bank accounts, SEPA Direct Debit, Afterpay, Klarna, and more. The plugin also ensures secure payment processing by utilizing Stripe’s PCI-compliant servers.
One of the standout features of WP Simple Pay is its ability to handle custom amounts, which is particularly useful for businesses that need to take online payments where customers can enter a custom amount and invoice number. This feature, combined with the plugin’s advanced form builder, allows you to create custom payment forms where customers can enter the exact amount they wish to pay. Furthermore, WP Simple Pay supports recurring payments, enabling businesses to activate daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or custom billing cycle subscriptions that automatically bill users.
It is important to note that WP Simple Pay only works with Stripe at this time of writing the article.
Standalone Stripe, Square or Paypal
If you’re in a situation where speed is of the essence and you need to start accepting online payments immediately, standalone platforms like Stripe, Square, or Paypal can be a viable option. These platforms all come with built-in invoice systems that allow you to take online payments swiftly and efficiently.
You’ll find that these platforms are user-friendly and require minimal setup. You create an account, follow the straightforward setup process, and you’re ready to start invoicing your customers. This can be a lifesaver when you’re in a rush and don’t have the time to set up an online form on your website.
However, it’s important to note that while these platforms are convenient and quick to set up, they may not offer the same level of customization that you would get if you were taking payments through your website. The look and feel of the payment process will largely be dictated by the platform you choose, and you may not be able to tailor the experience to match your brand as closely as you might like.
In addition, while these platforms are generally user-friendly, you may have less control over the payment process. For instance, you may not be able to offer customers the option to enter a custom amount or invoice number, which could be a crucial feature for your business.
Go on now, invoice, and get paid!
In conclusion, the digital age has made it easier than ever for businesses to take online payments swiftly and efficiently. Whether you’re a small business owner or running a larger operation, there are a variety of options available to you. From using a WordPress plugin like Gravity Forms or WP Simple Pay to standalone platforms like Stripe, Square, or Paypal, you can choose the method that best suits your needs and preferences.
Remember, the key to success in online payments is offering a smooth and convenient experience for your customers. By integrating an online payment system into your website, you’re not only making it easier for your customers to pay you, but you’re also fast-tracking your payments, boosting your cash flow, and ultimately, driving your business forward.
So, whether you’re in a rush and need to start taking payments immediately, or you have the time to set up a more customized and controlled payment experience, there’s a solution out there for you. The important thing is to choose the method that aligns with your business needs and enhances your customer’s experience. After all, a happy customer is a returning customer. Happy invoicing!
Video Tutorial: How to set up a payment form for your customer
To make this process even more effortless, we’ve prepared a detailed, step-by-step video tutorial you can follow. This can be done in under 10 minutes:
