What is Bitcoin?

Simply put, Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency, a virtual currency, or a digital currency; it is all three. Cryptocurrency is a type of money that is completely virtual, unlike cash, which is physical.

It is an online version of cash that you can use to buy products and services. While a lot of places still do not have a Bitcoin payment gateway, or allow Bitcoin as a method of payment, the number of places that do is growing and those numbers continue to rise.

It is for this reason that you should consider adding a Bitcoin payment gateway to your website. Giving customers the option to pay for your online goods, services, and downloads, will only create the opportunity for you to reach a bigger audience.

How Does Bitcoin Work?

Oftentimes, you will see a picture of a Bitcoin. This is actually just a novelty, as Bitcoin is worthless without the private codes printed inside them. Basically, every Bitcoin is a computer file stored within a wallet. These wallets are actually digital wallet apps you can get from a number of places through a computer or a smartphone.

You can send Bitcoins (or part of them) to and from these digital wallets. You can also send them to other people. Every transaction that is made is recorded in a public list that is called a “blockchain.”

For this reason alone, it makes the currency secure because it is possible to trace the history of Bitcoins. This stops people from spending coins that they do not own and effectively prevents fraud and copies.

Should You Have a Bitcoin Payment Gateway?

The short answer here? Yes! Giving site users the ability to pay for goods and services using a WordPress Bitcoin payment allows you to reach customers globally that otherwise would not buy on your site using USD.

Millions of people have digital wallets set up that have all sorts of different digital currencies inside them. Obviously the most popular one is Bitcoin. The transaction will be secure, fast, and easy to handle.

That being said, the initial setup for allowing people to pay on your website using Bitcoin used to be very difficult. That is not the case anymore, as there is a solid WordPress Bitcoin plugin that I have found that will make setup quick and easy.

Let’s take a look at the plugin together and see what it offers.

GoUrl Bitcoin Payment Gateway

The GoUrl Bitcoin Payment Gateway plugin is a fantastic open-source plugin that allows you to quickly and easily set up a Bitcoin payment gateway on your WordPress website. Essentially, the plugin acts as the gateway for cryptocurrency payment coming from digital wallet addresses.

All Bitcoin in WordPress payments that are received using this gateway are automatically sent to the wallet address you have in the system. The external wallet addresses receive the payment within 30 minutes of the transaction being made.

No Bitcoin payment, or any other altcoin payments, are kept on servers. This, combined with the SSL encryption technology, provide both the website owner, and the customer, a secure shopping and payment experience.

This particular Bitcoin for WordPress plugin also allows setup for paid downloads, as well as the setup for paid Bitcoin membership fees on a site. Furthermore, if you want to, you will have the ability to accept other types of cryptocurrency payments as well. However, in this tutorial we are sticking with Bitcoin.

This WordPress Bitcoin plugin is packed full of functionality. Some of the main features include:

• White Label Solution
• No Monthly Fees
• Set Transaction Fees to 0%
• Set Your Own Prices in Over 100 Currencies
• Accept Over a Dozen Different Cryptocurrencies
• Auto Sync

If you want to accept Bitcoin in WordPress, this is the plugin for you. You will also be able to set up pay-per-product, view or page, download, and membership.

Basically, if you want to accept Bitcoin in almost any way, then GoUrl is the plugin you want.

Let’s take a look at how to install and activate the plugin. After that we will go over the configuration together.

Install and Activate Plugin

In order to start accepting Bitcoin in WordPress, you first need to install and activate the plugin. You can do this by going to the Plugins page in your WordPress admin dashboard. Simply search the plugin name.

Once the plugin has been installed and activated, you will need to access the main configuration page to set it all up. To do this, click on GoUrl Bitcoin > Settings. You will find this in the left side menu area of your dashboard.

Let’s take a look at setting up the plugin together and get you on your way to accepting Bitcoin payments on your WordPress website.

Add Bitcoin Payment Gateway

Now that you are on the main configuration page, you will see the first thing you need to do is to go get your free GoUrl public/private keys. This registration process will give you the information you need to enter keys into all the different types of cryptocurrency you want to allow for payment on your website.

In this case, we are going to demonstrate the setup for Bitcoin. But the concept is the same for adding keys to any of the available cryptocurrencies you want to set up and use to take payment on your website.

You will see some available links when you land on the main configuration page. You can click on the “Instructions here” link and be taken to a list on getting the private and public keys, or you can click through to the main plugin website and follow the steps.

Register Your Free Account

In this case, let’s go ahead and get our keys by clicking on the “GoUrl” link and heading over to the registration process. Click on the link and you will be taken to a human verification page. Go ahead and click on the “I’m a Human Being” button and move on.

You will be taken to the main registration page for the plugin. Go ahead and follow the steps to register for free.

Once you fill out the registration page with relevant info, you will get a message that says an email link has been sent to the address you provided. Head over to that email and confirm the address.

Click on the link in your email and log into your account with your credentials. Your main account page will open and you will see quite a bit of information.

Create a Payment Box

Feel free to explore all of those links down the road and set up your affiliates and anything else you want.

However, for now, we are going to focus on getting the info you need to set up Bitcoin in WordPress. Scroll down the page a little until you see the blue “Create a New Payment Box For Your Website” button. Go ahead and click on that.

Another screen will come up where you want to enter all the relevant information you need to fill out your Bitcoin payment box the way you see fit.

There will be detailed instruction popup boxes from each entry. So if you need help with anything, click on those to get you answers.

Note: You will find your “Callback Url” back on the configuration page of the plugin in your WordPress site. Go ahead and copy and paste that in.

When you are finished, go ahead and fill in the “Verifying it’s you” box by letting them send a code to your email.

Copy and paste the code that they send into the relevant field. After you do that, click on the “Save” button on the top right of the form.

A Bitcoin public and private key will automatically be generated, and your new Bitcoin for WordPress payment box is now generated.

Configure Payment Box Settings

Now that you have created your Bitcoin payment box, it is time for the final step. Go back to your WordPress admin dashboard. Configure your payment box settings the way you want them.

The first few rows will include:

• Payment Box Type
• Payment Box Theme
• Company Logo (Branding)

Fill those out how you see fit.

Now scroll down a little. If you want to accept other currencies, then you can generate a currency converter to show on your website using the link provided. Once you get that API, put it in the field. Otherwise, go straight to the “Bitcoin Payments” box and add the BTC private and public keys you generated when you created a payment box.

Note: You can perform the same steps above for any cryptocurrency you want. If it is provided by the plugin, you can accept it.

Finally, scroll all the way down past all the crypto boxes and fill out the rest of the payment box settings you see there. You will be able to:

• Choose iFrame Sizing
• Box Styles
• Payment Messages
• Payment Box Images
• Other Records Regarding Downloads and Memberships

Make sure you click on the “Save Settings” button located on the top right of the page when done. That’s it! You have successfully created a Bitcoin for WordPress payment box. Now you can accept this digital currency as payment on your website.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are becoming popular forms of payment around the world. It is a good idea to offer this type of payment gateway in order to connect with a wider range of buyers. These are the buyers that enjoy using their digital wallets to make purchases online.

Have you set up a Bitcoin for WordPress payment gateway before? Did you find it difficult?

The post How to Add Bitcoin to WordPress as a Payment Gateway appeared first on GreenGeeks.

By default, WordPress lacks the feature to accept credit card payments at checkout. However, like most things in WordPress, this can be fixed with a simple add-on.

Today, I will demonstrate how to set up credit card payments in WordPress by using the Payment Form and Online Credit Card Payments by vCita plugin.

Why Accept Credit Card Payments in WordPress

The goal of any online shop is to sell products to customers, but this requires the customer having a way to pay for the item. After all, it’s not like someone can feed cash into the disk drive of the computer and it appears in your bank account.

If you don’t have a way to process online payments, you will simply be unable to collect if and when someone makes a purchase.

Also, consider how some people do not have an online digital currency. While these methods are great to add to any online store, many shoppers will only have access to credit and debit cards.

Before You Begin

Since credit card information is extremely valuable, you are required to have an SSL certificate to accept credit card payments. An SSL certificate ensures that the information entered will only be read by the people that should be reading it.

On top of being required to accept payments, your SEO will benefit greatly from having an SSL because your website is recognized as more secure by search engines.

You cannot continue this tutorial without adding an SSL certificate to your website.

Installing the Plugin

The Payment Form and Online Credit Card Payments by vCita plugin integrates Paypal and Stripe with your website. This allows you to accept credit card payments and have the funds deposited into your own Paypal or bank account.

The free version is ideal for small businesses that are just starting out. Keep in mind that the free version only allows you to collect $300 a month in payments. If you find this is too small, you can upgrade to the premium version for unlimited transactions.

The plugin is easy to set up, so let’s begin.

Click on Plugins and select the Add New option on the left-hand admin panel.

Search for Payment Form and Online Credit Card Payments by vCita in the search box. Additional plugins will appear that you may find useful.

Locate the Payment Form and Online Credit Card Payments by vCita plugin and click on the “Install Now” button and activate the plugin for use.

On the left-hand admin panel, click on LiveSite to enter the setup page.

Connecting with vCita

Enter an email address in the appropriate box and click on the “Connect to Get Started” button.

You can now choose to enter either your name or a business name followed by a password. Make sure you remember all of the information you enter.

Alternatively, if you already have an account, you can click on the Login option.

Click on the “Connect” button after entering the information.

Enter your business information and click on the “Get Started” button.

You are now ready to set up payments.

Setting Up Credit Card Payments

The first and only thing you need to set up is your payment options. This is where the customer’s money will be deposited when they make a purchase.

Click on the “Set your Payment Options” button.

A popup window will appear. Click on the “Let’s Start” button. Here you can select if you want the money to be deposited into Paypal or bank account with Stripe.

This plugin will not charge additional fees, but you will need to pay any Paypal or bank fees that may occur. You will also need to select the currency that you are using. The default currency is $ USD.

Click on the “Save and Continue” button when you are done.

Afterward, you will go through the vCita startup guide. This will allow you to set up additional features like importing contacts, setting up invoices, and more.

Take the time to input the information required, but you may skip these if you like.

Your website will now be able to accept credit card payments, but the plugin offers more than this.

Customizing the Payment Form and Button

The plugin also creates a “Pay Now” button that you can fully customize. The button can be placed anywhere with a shortcode.

The settings can be found in the Payment Form and Button section.

You can customize the button text, choose a custom CSS class, display the payment icons (credit card types accepted), enter a specific payment amount, and set a title for that payment.

It is very easy to customize. The changes can be seen immediately in the Button preview on the right-hand side.

For most websites, the default button is probably fine as is.

At the bottom of the settings, you can copy the button’s shortcode. You can place this anywhere on your website.

Congratulations, you have successfully set up credit card payments on your website and created a stylish “Pay Now” button.

Customize Every Aspect of Your Store

Being able to accept payments is only the start. The best part about the WordPress platform is the customization options that are available to developers.

Online stores are not just based on the features they offer, but by their appearance. If your website doesn’t look professional, visitors are likely to leave without a second thought.

Building an online store is easy…making it successful is not.

Did you choose to have money deposited into your Paypal account or bank account? How long did it take you to set up the plugin?

The post How to Set Up Credit Card Payments in WordPress appeared first on GreenGeeks.

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to accept payments with Stripe through your WordPress website. In a few moments, you’ll be able to launch forms and collect money owed from your clients.

Using an SSL

A Secure Sockets Layer is a way to encrypt information from your website to the visitor. It’s a standard practice for anyone who wants to protect customers. It’s also an effective method of boosting your search engine optimization. After all, search engines hold secured sites in higher regards.

With that being said, you should spend the money to buy an SSL certificate for your website. It’s a nominal yearly fee that is worth the expense for search engine rankings and reputation of the site.

Setting Up Stripe with WordPress

Today, I’m demonstrating the Stripe Payments plugin. There are many different ways to set up a form to accept payments, but this plugin is one of the few that is free to use. Otherwise, you may have to purchase one of the other methods. For now, let’s keep this process as cost-effective as possible.

You’ll need to install the WordPress plugin to continue this tutorial. This will add a new feature to your website and allow you to make money using Stripe.

Install and activate the “Stripe Payments” plugin. There will be several with a similar name, so you’re looking for the one created by “Tips and Tricks HQ.”

Go to the settings area and click “Accept Stripe Payments.”

In this screen, you will set up the configuration of how your Stripe button works on the website.

Global Settings
In the Global Settings, you have a few options that will affect every button you create on your website. This includes things like the checkout page, currency and button text. The Checkout Result Page is automatically created when you install the plugin, so you may want to keep that as-is for now. Of course, you can always create a custom page later on.

Credentials
In the Credentials section, you input your API keys from your Stripe account. Without them, you will not be able to accept money. You can find more information about Stripe API keys from its website.

Email Settings
In this area, you can customize the messages that are sent to buyers as well as yourself. This includes notifications so that you know immediately when someone makes a purchase.

Once your settings are complete, click the “Save Changes” button.

Adding a Stripe Button for Purchases

Now that the general settings for Stripe Payments are ready, it’s time to start making buttons. For this tutorial, I’m going to make a new post for selling an eBook. You can do virtually anything you wish, but this is just the simplest way to show you how to make a quick payment button.

Go to Posts in the left panel and click “Add New.”

Give the post a title and a bit of a description about what it is people are buying. Afterwards, click into your text editor where you want to place the button. For example, move the cursor to the end of the post if you want to place the button at the bottom.

Click the “Stripe Payments Shortcode” button from the editor. This is only visible in the Visual editor of WordPress.

Set the item specifications in the General Options tab. This includes things like the product’s name, price, quantity and button text if you want it different than the default global setting.

In the Additional Options tab, you can add components specific for the item. For instance, I would put in my eBook’s URL as this is a digital product for sale. You can also input custom CSS classes if you want to further customize the button.

If you’re selling a tangible good that needs to be shipped, you want to include the Billing and Shipping address by clicking the check boxes.

Once your button is set up, click “Insert Shortcode.” This will add the button to your post.

When you publish your post, the button will be prominently displayed within your content.

Checking On Your Orders

Although the plugin will send emails through WordPress when someone makes a payment, you can also check the status manually. You do this by accessing Stripe Payments’ tool in WordPress.

Click on the “Stripe Orders” command in the left panel.

Any active payment you receive through your Stripe button will show in this screen. It will include the title as well as the date. At which point, you can click on the purchase and view details such as the customer’s data and the amount paid.

Payment Gateways A-Plenty

Stripe is a common form of online payment, but it’s not the only way customers can send you money. There are a number of plugins that can prove to be quite beneficial. From donations for charities to paying for digital downloads, your WordPress website can be a useful tool. Find the best methods to monetize your site and get more out of it than just a place to post content.

How do you make money from your website? Have you sold digital goods such as your own eBooks from a website before?

The post How to Set WordPress to Accept Payments with Stripe appeared first on GreenGeeks.

Merchant Account

This is where you have an account directly with the merchant banks and charges appear in your name on the customers credit card bill.

Merchant accounts provide you with flexibility which you don’t really get with 3rd party processors. There are a lot of merchant account providers that will provide you with a merchant account for businesses based in the United States. For the most part you must have a US business presence, however this is not always the case. It’s best to check with the merchant account provider.

Here are some merchant account providers:

• PayPal Pro Services
• E-OnlineData.com (recommended)
• FirstData.com

3rd Party Payment Processor

This is where another company processes the payment for you and then sends you the funds on a set time period. The customer sees a different name on the credit card statement.

For beginners, this is almost always the best way to go as anyone can get going through the use of PayPal to start accepting payments. PayPal is easy because a lot of client management and billing systems integrate into PayPal out of the box, this makes getting going very easy.

When funds are collected with PayPal, they sit in the PayPal account, almost like a bank account. You can then withdraw at anytime to your bank account. Be sure to check to ensure that you’re able to withdraw from them to your local bank.

Here are some other 3rd party providers:

• 2CheckOut.com
• WorldPay.com

The post Selecting the Right Payment Gateway appeared first on GreenGeeks.

With WordPress hosting, you have a lot of different ways to make money online. Selling products or services is probably one of the most common. And you definitely want to get paid for your goods.

In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to set up the Simple PayPal Shopping Cart plugin in WordPress.

Installing Simple PayPal Shopping Cart

I am assuming you have a PayPal account ready to go. If not, I would suggest you create your account before you start selling. It can take a few days for bank accounts and personal information to be verified through PayPal.

Today, I am working with the Simple PayPal Shopping Cart plugin. It’s a free tool that has a lot of flexibility when it comes to selling your goods through the website.

Go to the Plugins area and click, “Add New.”

Search for WordPress Simple PayPal Shopping Cart and click, “Install.”

Once the button changes, click to “Activate” the plugin.

Setting Up Your Shopping Cart

Once Simple PayPal Shopping Cart is activated, it’s time to customize the platform. Go to Settings and click, “WP Shopping Cart.”

In this screen, you will need to fill in your PayPal information. You’ll also need to customize how your site works such as adding free shipping, return URLs, product pages if you have any, custom checkout logo and more.

After adjusting your settings, click the “Update Options” button on the bottom of the page.

Adding a Product Page

Now you need to add something for people to buy. This is when you’ll need to know a bit about how shortcodes work. Don’t worry, it’s not difficult.

If you need to know what shortcodes to use, these are always displayed in the WP Shopping Cart settings under “Quick Usage Guide.”

Let’s create a quick product so you can see how this is done. Go to Pages and click, “Add New.”

Input your item descriptions as well as the price. This can be done however you like. It’s probably not a bad idea to add a few images using a gallery in this section.

There are two important things you need to take note: the product name and the price. Give the product a name and price that you will use in the shortcode. For instance, I have a “Sample Product” that I am selling for “$49.99.”

Place this shortcode under your product information:
[ht_message mstyle=”info” title=”” show_icon=”” id=”” class=”” style=”” ][wp_cart_button name=”Sample Product” price=”49.99″][/ht_message]

Make sure you replace the product name and price with your own, of course.

Click the “Publish” button when you’re ready for the product to go live.

Adding the PayPal Widget

Widgets are small tools you can move about your website by placing them in content blocks. They can greatly affect the appearance of your site and give visitors additional features to make the experience more engaging.

You’re almost ready to start selling. Now, you’ll need to add the PayPal widget to your website’s sidebar. This will let people pay for the items in their cart.

Go to the Appearance section and click, “Widgets.”

Drag and drop the “WP PayPal Shopping Cart” widget into your sidebar.

Click the “Save” button on the PayPal widget and you’re ready to start selling.

The item is added when someone clicks the “Add to Cart” button. The widget comes complete with a PayPal checkout button.

Start Making Money Today

PayPal is one of the most trusted and long-lasting online payment acceptance platforms on the Internet. It’s trusted among eCommerce site owners and freelance professionals alike. This method is also one of the easiest ways to start selling goods in a matter of moments. Make your website work for you and consider how you can start earning some income.

What kind of methods do you use to generate income from your site? What’s your favorite online payment method?

The post How to Install and Configure WordPress Simple PayPal Shopping Cart appeared first on GreenGeeks.