Stripe & WooCommerce: Setup Guide (2024)
1. Install and Activate the WooCommerce Stripe Gateway Plugin
1.1 Access Your WordPress Dashboard and Navigate to Plugins
Log in to your WordPress admin area. On the left-hand navigation menu, hover over “Plugins” and click on “Add New”. This will take you to the plugin installation page where you can search for new plugins.
1.2 Search for and Install the WooCommerce Stripe Gateway Plugin
In the “Search plugins…” field located on the top right of the “Add Plugins” page, type “WooCommerce Stripe Gateway”. Press Enter or click the search icon. Locate the plugin titled “WooCommerce Stripe Gateway” by WooCommerce. It should have a significant number of active installations and good reviews. Click the “Install Now” button. Once installed, the button will change to “Activate”. Click “Activate” to enable the plugin on your site. You will see a confirmation message that the plugin has been activated successfully.
2. Configure Your Stripe API Keys in WooCommerce
2.1 Locate WooCommerce Settings and the Payments Tab
After activating the plugin, navigate back to your WordPress dashboard. On the left-hand menu, hover over “WooCommerce” and click on “Settings”. This will open the WooCommerce settings page. Once on the settings page, click on the “Payments” tab at the top. You will now see a list of available payment gateways, including “Stripe”.
2.2 Enter Your Live and Test Stripe API Keys
On the “Payments” tab, find “Stripe” in the list and click “Manage” next to it. This will open the Stripe gateway settings. You’ll see fields for “Test Publishable Key”, “Test Secret Key”, “Live Publishable Key”, and “Live Secret Key”.
To get these keys, log in to your Stripe Dashboard (dashboard.stripe.com). In your Stripe dashboard, navigate to “Developers” > “API keys”. You will find your “Publishable key” (starts with pk_live_ or pk_test_) and your “Secret key” (starts with sk_live_ or sk_test_). Click “Reveal test key” to see your test secret key if it’s hidden. Copy the respective keys and paste them into the corresponding fields in your WooCommerce Stripe settings. Ensure you paste the Test keys into the Test fields and Live keys into the Live fields. Click “Save changes” at the bottom of the page.
3. Customize Stripe Payment Method Settings
3.1 Enable Specific Stripe Payment Methods for Your Store
Within the WooCommerce Stripe settings (WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Stripe > Manage), scroll down to the “Stripe Payment Methods” section. Here, you’ll see a list of available payment methods like Credit Card (Stripe), Apple Pay / Google Pay, SEPA Direct Debit, Alipay, etc. By default, “Credit Card (Stripe)” is usually enabled. Check the boxes next to any additional payment methods you wish to offer your customers. For example, if you want to accept Apple Pay and Google Pay, ensure “Payment Request Buttons” is enabled. Remember that some payment methods may require additional configuration or be region-specific. Always click “Save changes” after making selections.
3.2 Configure Payment Request Buttons and Card Branding
Still within the Stripe settings page, if you enabled “Payment Request Buttons” (for Apple Pay / Google Pay), you’ll find further configuration options. You can choose to display these buttons on the product page, cart page, or both. Select the locations that best suit your store’s checkout flow. Additionally, under “Card branding”, you can choose to display the logos of accepted card types (e.g., Visa, Mastercard) on your checkout page. This can build customer trust. Ensure the “Enable Stripe Checkout” option is checked if you want to use Stripe’s hosted checkout page for a streamlined experience, or uncheck it if you prefer to keep the checkout entirely within WooCommerce. Save your changes.
4. Test and Go Live with Your Stripe Integration
4.1 Perform Test Transactions to Verify Functionality
Before going live, it is crucial to test your setup. In your WooCommerce Stripe settings, ensure the “Enable Test Mode” checkbox is ticked. This will use your test API keys. Go to your storefront and add a product to your cart. Proceed to checkout. When you reach the payment section, you will see the Stripe payment option. Use Stripe’s test card numbers (e.g., 4242 4242 4242 4242 for Visa, any future expiry date, and any 3-digit CVC) to complete a test purchase. Verify that the order is processed successfully in your WooCommerce > Orders section and that the payment appears in your Stripe Dashboard under “Developers” > “Events” or “Payments” (ensure you are viewing test data in Stripe). Try testing different payment methods if you enabled them.
4.2 Switch to Live Mode and Monitor Your First Orders
Once you are confident that test transactions are working correctly, go back to your WooCommerce Stripe settings (WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Stripe > Manage). Uncheck the “Enable Test Mode” checkbox. This will switch your store to use your live API keys, allowing actual customer payments. Click “Save changes”. Your store is now ready to accept live payments via Stripe. It’s advisable to closely monitor your first few live orders in both your WooCommerce Orders section and your Stripe Dashboard to ensure everything is functioning as expected. Keep an eye on any error logs or notifications from either platform.
FAQs
Q1: My Stripe payment option isn’t showing up at checkout. What should I do?
A1: First, ensure the “WooCommerce Stripe Gateway” plugin is installed and activated. Second, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments and make sure “Stripe” is enabled (the toggle next to it should be blue). Third, click “Manage” next to Stripe and verify that your API keys (both test and live) are correctly entered and that “Enable Stripe” is checked at the top of the settings page. Finally, clear any caching plugins on your WordPress site.
Q2: Can I use Stripe with multiple currencies in WooCommerce?
A2: Yes, Stripe supports multiple currencies. If your WooCommerce store is set up to use a single base currency, all transactions will be processed in that currency. If you are using a multi-currency plugin for WooCommerce, Stripe will generally process transactions in the currency selected by the customer at checkout, provided that currency is supported by Stripe and your Stripe account. Ensure your multi-currency plugin is compatible with WooCommerce’s payment gateways.
Q3: What are the common reasons for Stripe transactions failing?
A3: Common reasons include incorrect API keys (e.g., using test keys in live mode or vice-versa), network issues, insufficient funds on the customer’s card, bank declines, 3D Secure authentication failures, or fraud prevention measures triggering a block. Always check your Stripe Dashboard’s “Payments” and “Logs” sections for detailed error messages, which can help pinpoint the exact cause.
Q4: Do I need an SSL certificate for Stripe to work with WooCommerce?
A4: Yes, an SSL certificate (HTTPS) is absolutely mandatory for any website accepting payments, especially when using Stripe. Stripe requires all communication to be encrypted to protect sensitive customer data. If your site does not have an active SSL certificate, the Stripe payment gateway will not function, and customers will see security warnings. Ensure your entire site is running over HTTPS before configuring live payments.
