How to Set Up Payment Methods (Merchants) in Zibster
Overview
The MERCHANTS section in Zibster ECommerce controls the payment methods your clients can use for supported online transactions. You can connect a supported credit or debit card processor, offer PayPal, or create an Offline Payment option for payments you collect separately.
You can configure multiple payment options, but only one supported credit or debit card gateway can be your primary card processor at a time. PayPal and eligible Offline Payment options can be offered alongside your primary gateway.
Stripe is the recommended merchant provider for Zibster accounts.
This guide explains the payment methods available in Zibster, how to add a merchant, how payment processing works, and where to find detailed setup instructions for each supported provider.
Important Payment Rules to Know
Before setting up a payment method, keep these rules in mind:
- You can configure multiple payment options on your Zibster account.
- Only one supported credit or debit card gateway can be your primary card processor at a time.
- PayPal can be offered alongside your primary credit or debit card gateway.
- Offline Payment options can be used for payments you collect separately.
- Offline Payment options are not supported with Forms, Contracts, or Invoicing.
- Zibster can only connect with merchant providers available in the MERCHANTS section.
- Custom or unsupported payment gateways cannot be connected to Zibster.
Available Payment Options
Credit and Debit Card Gateways
You can select one of the following supported providers as your primary credit or debit card processor:
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Stripe: Zibster's recommended merchant provider. See How to Set Up Stripe as a Merchant.
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Square: See How to Set Up Square as a Merchant.
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Authorize.net: See How to Set Up Authorize.net as a Merchant.
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PayJunction: See How to Set Up PayJunction as a Merchant.
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Payflow Pro: See How Do I Setup Payflow Pro as a Merchant?.
Your selected merchant provider processes online payments and manages transaction processing, merchant fees, payouts, refunds, disputes, and other merchant account activity.
PayPal
PayPal can be offered as an additional online payment option alongside your primary credit or debit card gateway.
When a client selects PayPal, they are redirected to PayPal to complete the transaction. Depending on the options PayPal makes available for the transaction, the client may also be able to pay with a debit or credit card without signing in to a PayPal account.
See How to Set Up PayPal as a Payment Method in Zibster for complete setup instructions.
Offline Payment
Offline Payment allows a client to complete an eligible checkout without Zibster processing an online payment.
You can create an Offline Payment option for payment methods you collect separately, such as:
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Cash
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Check
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Zelle
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Venmo
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Another payment arrangement you make directly with the client
Use the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS field to explain how the client should complete payment.
Offline Payment options are not supported with Forms, Contracts, or Invoicing.
See How To Set Up an Offline Payment Method for complete instructions.
Currency Settings
Your Zibster ECommerce currency setting determines the currency used for your prices and checkout.
Before connecting a merchant, make sure your selected Zibster currency is supported by the merchant provider you plan to use. Merchant providers may have their own requirements for supported currencies, countries, and account locations.
You can only have one currency applied to your Zibster account at a time.
See How to Change Your Currency in Zibster ECommerce to review or change your currency.
STEP ONE
Log in to your Zibster account and click ECOMMERCE in the left-side menu.
This opens your ECommerce control panel, where you can manage your payment, product, tax, shipping, and other store settings.
STEP TWO
Click PAYMENT at the top of your ECommerce control panel, then select MERCHANTS from the dropdown menu.
The Merchants section displays the payment methods currently configured on your account.
STEP THREE
Click NEW MERCHANT to add a payment method.
STEP FOUR
Select the merchant or payment method you want to add.
Available options include:
- Stripe
- Square
- PayPal
- Authorize.net
- PayJunction
- Payflow Pro
- Offline Payment
After you select a merchant type, Zibster displays the settings or connection process required for that payment method.
For provider-specific instructions, use the setup guides linked in the Available Payment Options section above.
FINAL STEP
Complete the required settings for your selected payment method, then click ADD MERCHANT to save it.
After the merchant is connected, return to ECOMMERCE → PAYMENT → MERCHANTS to confirm that the payment method is active and review the settings available for that provider.
Before accepting client payments, test your checkout to confirm that the expected payment options appear and that any customer-facing payment instructions are clear.
Managing an Existing Merchant
After you add a merchant, return to ECOMMERCE → PAYMENT → MERCHANTS and click the merchant's name to review or update its settings.
Available settings vary by merchant provider and may include:
- PAYMENT NAME: Controls the name clients see for the payment option.
- ACCEPTED CREDIT CARDS: Controls which supported card types you accept.
- ACTIVE FOR: Controls which supported areas of your Zibster account can use the payment method.
- SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Adds payment information or instructions for clients during checkout.
- THANK YOU MESSAGE: Displays a custom message after checkout.
Some providers include additional settings or account information.
Click SAVE CHANGES after updating an existing merchant.
For complete instructions on editing or deleting a merchant, see How to Edit or Remove a Merchant or Payment Method.
Square Reconnect Option
If you use Square, your merchant settings include a RECONNECT option that allows you to reauthorize the connection between Zibster and Square.
If your Square connection needs to be refreshed, see How to Reconnect Square as a Merchant.
Offline Payment Order Status
Zibster cannot automatically confirm when you receive an Offline Payment because the payment takes place outside of Zibster.
When a client places an order using an Offline Payment option, the payment status remains Pending until you manually update it.
After you receive the payment, update the order's payment status to Paid so your Zibster ECommerce records accurately reflect the transaction.
Changing the payment status in Zibster only updates the order record. It does not collect, refund, or otherwise process money through an external payment service.
See How Do I Update a Payment Status for an Order? for complete instructions.
Payment Processing, Fees, Refunds, and Payouts
Your connected merchant provider processes online payments and manages the transfer of funds according to the terms of your merchant account.
Your merchant provider may control:
- Transaction and processing fees
- Payment authorization
- Bank deposits and payout schedules
- Merchant account verification
- Payment holds
- Refund processing
- Disputes and chargebacks
Zibster does not charge transaction fees or commissions on sales made through your Zibster account. Your merchant provider may charge its own transaction or processing fees.
For more information, see How Can I See What I've Paid in Credit Card Transaction Fees?.
Refunds for online payments generally need to be processed through the merchant provider that handled the original transaction.
Contact your merchant provider if you have questions about a transaction, refund, payout, processing fee, account restriction, dispute, or chargeback.
Helpful Tips
- Stripe is the recommended Zibster merchant provider for accepting credit and debit card payments.
- Test your checkout after adding or changing a payment method.
- Make sure your PAYMENT NAME clearly describes how the client will pay.
- Use SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS when clients need additional information about completing payment.
- Confirm that your selected Zibster currency is supported by your merchant provider.
- If you accept Offline Payments, manually update the payment status after receiving payment.
- Merchant fees, payouts, refunds, disputes, and chargebacks are managed by the merchant provider rather than Zibster.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Which merchant does Zibster recommend?
Zibster recommends Stripe for accepting credit and debit card payments.
See How to Set Up Stripe as a Merchant for complete setup instructions.
Can I use Stripe and Square at the same time?
You can configure multiple payment options, but only one supported credit or debit card gateway can be your primary card processor at a time.
Can I use PayPal with Stripe, Square, or another primary merchant?
Yes. PayPal can be offered as an additional payment option alongside your primary credit or debit card gateway.
Can I accept cash, checks, Zelle, or Venmo?
Yes. You can create an Offline Payment option for payment methods you collect separately.
Zibster does not process these payments. Use SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS to explain how your client should complete payment.
Why isn't my Offline Payment option showing on a Form, Contract, or Invoice?
Offline Payment options are not supported with Forms, Contracts, or Invoicing.
Payments collected through those features must use a supported online merchant.
Does Zibster charge transaction fees?
No. Zibster does not charge transaction fees or commissions on sales made through your Zibster account.
Your merchant provider may charge its own transaction or processing fees.
See How Can I See What I've Paid in Credit Card Transaction Fees? for more information.
Does Zibster receive or hold the money from my online payments?
No. Your connected merchant provider processes your online payments and manages payouts according to the terms of your merchant account.
Where do I issue a refund?
Refunds for online transactions generally need to be issued through the merchant provider that processed the original payment.
Log in to your merchant provider account to locate the transaction and review the available refund options.
Changing an order's payment status to Refunded in Zibster does not send a refund to your merchant provider or return money to the client.
Can I choose the currency used at checkout?
Yes. Your Zibster ECommerce currency setting controls the currency used for your prices and checkout.
Only one currency can be applied to your Zibster account at a time.
See How to Change Your Currency in Zibster ECommerce for complete instructions.
Can I connect a merchant provider that is not listed in Zibster?
No. Zibster can only connect with merchant providers available in the MERCHANTS section of your ECommerce control panel.
If you would like Zibster to consider another provider, you can submit or vote for a request through the Zibster Feature Request page.
Submitting a request does not guarantee that an integration will be added, but customer feedback helps guide future product development.
What should I do if my merchant is connected but a payment is declined?
First, confirm that the merchant is active in Zibster.
If the merchant is active but the transaction is declined, contact your merchant provider. The merchant provider controls transaction authorization, merchant account status, payment processing, and payouts.
Related Guides
- How to Set Up Stripe as a Merchant
- How to Set Up Square as a Merchant
- How to Set Up PayPal as a Payment Method in Zibster
- How to Set Up Authorize.net as a Merchant
- How to Set Up PayJunction as a Merchant
- How Do I Setup Payflow Pro as a Merchant?
- How to Accept Payments with Zelle in Zibster ECommerce
- How to Edit or Remove a Merchant or Payment Method
- How to Reconnect Square as a Merchant
- How to Change Your Currency in Zibster ECommerce
- How Do I Update a Payment Status for an Order?
- How Can I See What I've Paid in Credit Card Transaction Fees?
Need Help?
Zibster Support Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm EST
Phone: 844.353.3412
Channels: Phone, Live Chat, Support Ticket
