WooCommerce has become the de facto standard for WordPress eCommerce solutions, and a large number of all online stores now run on WooCommerce. The reason behind its popularity is simple – it offers powerful features, is relatively simple to use, and can be used to take your eCommerce store to the next level.
Payments are one of the most important aspects of any business, and it is crucial that you find the right solution for your needs. Stripe is a popular option for many online retailers, but you may be wondering – do I need Stripe if I have WooCommerce payments? We took a closer look at all you need to know about this topic.
What Is WooCommerce?
WooCommerce is an open-source platform built by Automatic (the company behind WordPress) which allows users to create their own online shops using the WordPress CMS.
It was first released as a way to allow ordinary people to build websites without having to learn HTML or CSS. Since then, it has grown into a robust eCommerce tool with over 20 million active installs worldwide.
If you want to start selling products online, WooCommerce is a popular choice and offers a host of useful features, such as product import as well as a free starter plan which makes getting set up with your shop smooth and painless.
The main benefit of WooCommerce is that it is completely integrated with WordPress. This offers access to a range of tools and plugins that will help you manage your site more easily.
For example, you can add custom fields to your products, track customer feedback, and much more.
What Are WooCommerce Payments?
WooCommerce Payments allows you to accept credit card payments via a number of platforms, including PayPal and Stripe. Some of the main advantages include:
- Offers support for recurring billing, subscriptions, and membership plans
- Supports multiple currencies
- Has a wide variety of integrations available
- Can be used with both WooCommerce and WordPress
- Is easy to setup and configure
- Doesn’t require additional software installation
- Allows you to offer discounts based on time spent on the site
Do I Need Stripe If I Have WooCommerce Payments?
To get started with WooCommerce Payments, you’ll need to sign up for a free account. Once you’ve done this, you’ll be able to choose from a range of different payment gateway, including:
Stripe
A popular payment gateway that supports international transactions and recurring billing.
Braintree
An alternative payment gateway that’s ideal for businesses that have a lot of recurring charges.
Authorize.Net
Another popular payment gateway that works with a number of different types of business models.
Once you’ve chosen your preferred gateway, you’ll need to install the plugin. The process should only take a few minutes and once installed, you’ll be ready to go!
What Is Stripe?
Stripe is one of the most popular payment gateways around today. They provide a simple API that lets you quickly and securely collect payments from your customers.
They are known for being extremely reliable and secure, making them a good option if you’re planning on accepting large amounts of money.
You can use Stripe to charge monthly subscription fees, offer discounts based on time spent on the site, or even offer special promotions.
You can use Stripe to create subscription plans, offer discounts based on how long someone spends on your site, or even offer specials based on time spent on your site.
Why Use Stripe?
Stripes’ ease of use and flexibility make it an excellent choice for eCommerce sites. It’s also very affordable, meaning that you won’t have to pay any extra fees. Some of the main advantages of Stripe include:
Easy To Set Up And Integrate
One of the main advantages of Stripe is that it is very easy to set up and integrate into your website, meaning you will be ready to start collecting payments in no time at all.
No Extra Fees
Another advantage of using Stripe is that there are no extra fees involved. There are no transaction fees when you first start using the service, and there are no ongoing fees either.
It’s Easy To Add Additional Features
Another great thing about Stripe is that they allow you to add additional features as your needs change over time. This means that you don’t have to worry about having to upgrade your system every time you want to add new functionality.
It Supports Multiple Currencies
If you sell products across multiple countries, then Stripe allows you to do so without any problems. You can easily switch currencies within the platform, which makes things much easier than dealing with currency conversion yourself.
Do I Need Stripe If I Have WooCommerce Payments?
WooCommerce Payments have an integration with Stripe, but this does not mean that Stripe will behave in the same way as the standalone application.
Essentially, you will sign up for WooCommerce Payments, and this will require verification of your business and personal information with Stripe.
A Stripe Express account will then be created, and this will be specifically connected to the WooCommerce payments platform, and it is this account will be used to manage business account information.
It is important to note that you will not be able to connect an existing Stripe account to WooCommerce payments as it is – if you wish to do this, you will need to install a separate Stripe extension. This will allow you to use this Stripe extension with WooCommerce payments, and retain your existing account.
Support and assistance will be offered by WooCommerce, though you may be directed to Stripe support if relevant, and payments will be managed via an integrated dashboard, located in the WordPress admin area, as opposed to the traditional Stripe dashboard.
Note that if you want to update or adjust specific information on your account, you will need to head to the Stripe Express dashboard-this will allow you to change details such as your name and address, contact details, business information, and bank details.
When you link your Stripe and WooCommerce Payment account, you will be asked to agree to certain terms.
While these can be opted out of, it is important to note that this will prevent you from performing a number of key tasks within WooCommerce Payments, such as allowing customers to place orders, process any refunds or challenge disputes, or access the WooCommerce Payments Stripe Express account.
Essentially, opting out means you will effectively stop using WooCommerce Payments, at which point you can remove the plugÂin from your site.
Final Thoughts
WooCommerce Payments offers a simple solution for accepting online payments. It allows you to add a secure payment gateway to your store without having to code anything yourself and can be used easily with Stripe to make payments fast and effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Woocommerce Payments?
The WooCommerce Payments plugin is designed to help eCommerce stores accept credit card payments through their website. The plugin integrates seamlessly into the WordPress admin panel, making it easy to set up and configure.
How Do Woocommerce Payments Work?
Once installed, the plugin works automatically when users visit your store’s checkout page. They are prompted to enter their payment information, including their billing and shipping addresses, credit card details, and other payment options.
Can I Use Stripe With WooCommerce Payments?
Yes! You can integrate both Stripe and WooCommerce Payments. However, there are some differences between how they work together. For example, while you can create a new customer record in WooCommerce Payments, you cannot edit one. Instead, you must go back to the Stripe Express Dashboard to make changes. You will also need to install the Stripe extension to use an existing Stripe account.
Paul Martinez is the founder of EcomSidekick.com. He is an expert in the areas of finance, real estate, eCommerce, traffic and conversion.
Join him on EcomSidekick.com to learn how to improve your financial life and excel in these areas. Before starting this media site, Paul built from scratch and managed two multi-million dollar companies. One in the real estate sector and one in the eCommerce sector.