Setting Up Payments with Stripe and PayPal (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

You have your website set up. Your products are listed. Your photos are uploaded.

Now it is time for one of the most important steps in the entire process.

Getting paid.

Fortunately, WooCommerce makes it relatively easy to accept online payments. Two of the most popular payment options are Stripe and PayPal, and for most jewelry sellers, offering both is the best approach.

In this post, we will walk through why you should consider offering both payment methods, how to set them up, and a few things to keep in mind before launching your store.

Why Offer More Than One Payment Option?

Customers have preferences when it comes to paying online.

Some people are comfortable entering their credit card information directly into a checkout page. Others prefer using PayPal because it adds an extra layer of familiarity and security.

The easier you make it for customers to pay, the more likely they are to complete their purchase.

Think about it this way. You have already done the hard work of getting someone to your website and convincing them to buy. The last thing you want is for them to abandon their cart because their preferred payment option is unavailable.

For most handmade businesses, Stripe and PayPal together provide everything you need.

What Is Stripe?

Stripe is a payment processor that allows customers to pay with credit cards, debit cards, and many digital wallets.

When a customer enters their card information at checkout, Stripe processes the payment and deposits the funds into your connected bank account.

Benefits of Stripe

Accepts major credit and debit cards

Supports digital payment options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay

Customers remain on your website during checkout

Professional checkout experience

Works seamlessly with WooCommerce

For many online stores, Stripe becomes the primary payment processor.

What Is PayPal?

PayPal is one of the most recognized payment platforms in the world.

Instead of entering card information directly into your site, customers can log in to their PayPal account and complete the purchase through PayPal's system.

Benefits of PayPal

Well-known and trusted by many shoppers

Can increase buyer confidence

Allows customers to use their PayPal balance, bank account, or stored payment methods

Provides an alternative payment method for customers who do not want to enter card details directly

Many shoppers actively look for the PayPal option before completing a purchase.

Why We Recommend Offering Both

Some customers prefer Stripe.

Some customers prefer PayPal.

There is rarely a downside to offering both.

Providing multiple payment options reduces friction during checkout and gives customers flexibility. When people can pay using the method they are most comfortable with, conversion rates often improve.

Setting Up Stripe in WooCommerce

The easiest way to connect Stripe is through the official WooCommerce Stripe plugin.

Step 1

In your WordPress dashboard:

Click Plugins

Click Add New Plugin

Search for:

WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway

Install and activate the plugin.

Step 2

Navigate to:

WooCommerce > Settings > Payments

Locate Stripe in the payment methods list.

Click Set Up or Manage.

Step 3

Create a Stripe account if you do not already have one.

You will need:

Business information

Contact information

Bank account details

Step 4

Follow the prompts to connect WooCommerce to Stripe.

Once connected, you can enable:

Credit cards

Debit cards

Apple Pay

Google Pay

Additional payment options supported in your region

Step 5

Run a test transaction before going live.

This allows you to verify that payments are processing correctly.

Setting Up PayPal in WooCommerce

WooCommerce also makes PayPal integration straightforward.

Step 1

Navigate to:

WooCommerce > Settings > Payments

Locate the PayPal payment option.

If necessary, install the recommended PayPal plugin.

Step 2

Create a PayPal Business account if you do not already have one.

A personal PayPal account is not ideal for running an online store.

Step 3

Connect your PayPal Business account to WooCommerce.

The setup wizard will guide you through the authorization process.

Step 4

Enable the payment methods you want to offer.

Depending on your PayPal account and location, options may include:

PayPal balance

Linked bank accounts

Credit cards

Debit cards

Pay Later options

Step 5

Test the integration before launching.

You want to verify that orders are being recorded correctly and payments are flowing into your PayPal account.

Understanding Processing Fees

One question new sellers often ask is:

"What does it cost to accept payments?"

Both Stripe and PayPal charge processing fees on transactions.

The exact fee structure changes over time and can vary based on your country, payment method, and sales volume.

Because fees can change, it is always best to review the current pricing directly on the provider's website before making decisions.

When pricing your jewelry, remember to account for payment processing costs as part of your overall business expenses.

Security and Customer Trust

One of the advantages of using established payment processors is that they handle much of the security for you.

Customers recognize names like Stripe and PayPal. Familiar payment options can increase trust and help shoppers feel comfortable completing their purchase.

This is another reason why it is generally better to use established payment processors rather than attempting to create custom payment solutions.

Test Everything Before Launch Day

Before announcing your store to the world, take the time to test your checkout process.

Make sure:

Products can be added to the cart

Shipping options display correctly

Taxes are configured properly if applicable

Stripe payments process successfully

PayPal payments process successfully

Order confirmation emails are sent

A smooth checkout experience can make a huge difference in customer satisfaction.

A Tip for New Sellers

Do not wait until launch day to test your payment systems.

Run through the checkout process several times yourself and ask a friend or family member to do the same.

Fresh eyes often catch small issues that you may overlook.

What Comes Next

Now that customers can successfully place orders and pay, the next step is figuring out how to get those orders safely into their hands.

In the next post, we will walk through setting up shipping in WooCommerce. We will cover shipping zones, flat rate shipping, free shipping options, product weights and dimensions, and other settings that help ensure customers see accurate shipping information during checkout.

If shipping has felt overwhelming so far, do not worry. We will focus on creating a simple setup that works well for most handmade jewelry businesses.

The content shared in this blog is intended for educational and informational purposes. The recommendations provided are based on our own experiences running an online jewelry and stone business, but every business has unique goals, budgets, and needs. What works well for one shop may not be the best fit for another. Always consider your individual situation and do your own research before making decisions for your business.