How to Accept Payments Through Zibster Forms and Contracts
Overview
The Zibster Form & Contract Builder allows you to collect online payments when a client submits a form or contract. A Payment block can be added to any form or contract, making it useful for session retainers, event registrations, custom orders, application fees, deposits, and other upfront payments.
The following Predesigned Forms already include a Payment block:
- Service Booking
- Custom Order
- Camp Registration
Payments are completed during the submission process using an active merchant account enabled in Zibster ECommerce. This allows you to manage client information, forms, contracts, and payments through one streamlined workflow.
This guide explains how to add or configure a Payment block, confirm your merchant setup, set a base price, and configure additional payment options.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
- An active merchant account set up and turned on in Zibster ECommerce
- An existing form or contract, or the information needed to create a new one
- Sales tax settings configured if you plan to collect sales tax
- Shipping methods configured if you plan to charge shipping
Active merchant accounts enabled in Zibster ECommerce are automatically available to process payments submitted through forms and contracts.
If a form or contract contains a Payment block but no active merchant account is available, clients who open the link will see a Form Closed message and will not be able to view or submit the form.
For additional setup instructions, see the following related guides:
STEP ONE
Log in to your Zibster account and click FORMS in the left-side menu.
This opens the Forms Dashboard, where you can manage forms, contracts, submissions, and related settings.
STEP TWO
Click FORMS at the top center of the Forms Dashboard.
This opens the Form & Contract Builder, where you can create new forms and contracts or edit ones already saved in your account.
STEP THREE
Click the name of the form or contract you want to update, or click New Form to create one.
A Payment block can be added to any form or contract. You can also select one of the following Predesigned Forms, which already includes a Payment block:
- Service Booking
- Custom Order
- Camp Registration
If you have multiple forms or categories, use the search bar to locate the form or contract you want to edit.
STEP FOUR
If the form or contract does not already include a Payment block, locate the block options on the right side of the Form & Contract Builder. The payment block will be grayed out if you already have an existing Payment block added to your form.
Click MISCELLANEOUS, and then click the PAYMENT block.
The Payment block will be added to your form or contract, allowing clients to complete an online payment during submission.
If you selected a Predesigned Form that already includes a Payment block, continue to the next step.
STEP FIVE
Click the Payment block to open its settings. You can also click on the pencil icon on the top right corner and click advanced in the menu that opens.
STEP SIX
The Payment block settings will open. Configure the available settings based on how you want the form or contract to work.
You can configure:
- Base price
- Sales tax
- Shipping fees
- Digital downloads released after payment
If an active merchant account is turned on in Zibster ECommerce, it will automatically be available to process payments submitted through the form or contract.
If no merchant account has been set up, the Payment block settings will display a button that takes you to the merchant settings in Zibster ECommerce. Complete the merchant setup and make sure the merchant is turned on before sharing the form or contract.
Sales tax and shipping methods must already be configured in your Zibster account before they can be selected in the Payment block.
FINAL STEP
Click SAVE CHANGES at the bottom of the page.
Your form or contract is now configured to accept payments, provided an active merchant account is turned on in Zibster ECommerce.
When a client completes the form or contract, they will be prompted to submit their online payment before the submission is finalized.
Before sharing the link, open it in a separate browser window to confirm that the form loads correctly. If no active merchant is available to process the payment, the client-facing form will display Form Closed.
What the Payment Block Looks Like
Once the Payment block is added, it will appear for clients to enter their card information if you're using a Credit Card Merchant (Stripe, Square, etc.) or a Pay via PayPal option in the Form similar to the screen shot below:
Additional Options and Helpful Notes
Adding Payments to Any Form or Contract
You are not limited to the Service Booking, Custom Order, or Camp Registration Predesigned Forms.
A Payment block can be added to any new or existing form or contract in the Zibster Form & Contract Builder. Each form or contract can include one Payment block.
Setting Up Dynamic Pricing
Use dynamic pricing when the total should change based on the options selected by the client.
Set the base price in the Payment block to $0.00. You can then add pricing to fields such as:
- CHECKBOX
- RADIO SELECT
Open the ADVANCED settings for the field and assign a price to each available selection. The total will update automatically as the client chooses different options.
Dynamic pricing works well for:
- Session upgrades
- Product add-ons
- Package selections
- Event registration types
- Optional services
- Custom Order forms
Using a Base Price
Use a base price when every client should be charged the same starting amount.
A base price can be used for:
- A fixed session retainer
- A registration fee
- A consultation fee
- A standard deposit
- A Custom Order form
- A flat-rate order form
You can also combine a base price with priced CHECKBOX or RADIO SELECT options when clients can purchase upgrades or add-ons.
Collecting Additional Payments Later
When a client submits the form or contract, their information is captured and stored in the CONTACTS section of your Zibster account.
You can use the saved contact information to create an invoice if the client needs to make additional payments online later.
Form and Contract Payment Limitations
Payments collected through the Form & Contract Builder must be completed online using your connected merchant account.
Form and contract payments do not support:
- Offline payment methods
- Coupon codes
- Sales campaigns
Use Zibster ECommerce when you need coupon codes, sales campaigns, a shopping cart, or more advanced online selling features.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Why is my form or contract not accepting payments?
Open the Payment block settings and confirm that an active merchant account has been selected.
The form or contract cannot process online payments unless the Payment block is connected to an active merchant account.
Why do I not see shipping or sales tax options?
Confirm that your shipping methods and sales tax settings have been configured in your Zibster account.
These settings must be created before they can be selected for a form or contract payment.
Can I add a Payment block to any form or contract?
Yes. A Payment block can be added to any new or existing form or contract in the Zibster Form & Contract Builder.
Each form or contract can include one Payment block.
Can I collect a deposit through a form or contract?
Yes. Enter the deposit or retainer amount as the base price in the Payment block.
This is commonly used for booking fees, session retainers, consultation fees, and event registration deposits.
Can the total change based on the client’s selections?
Yes. Set the Payment block base price to $0.00, and then assign prices to CHECKBOX or RADIO SELECT options through their ADVANCED settings.
Can I combine a base price with optional add-ons?
Yes. Enter the required starting amount in the Payment block, and then use priced CHECKBOX or RADIO SELECT fields for optional products, services, or upgrades.
Can clients use a coupon code on a form or contract payment?
No. Coupon codes are not supported through the Form & Contract Builder. Coupon codes are available through Zibster ECommerce features.
Can I offer offline payment options?
No. Payments collected through forms and contracts must be completed online using your connected merchant account.
Can I release a digital file after payment?
Yes. The Payment block includes an option to provide a digital download after the client completes payment. Configure the digital download within the Payment block before publishing the form or contract.
Why does my form display Form Closed?
A form or contract containing a Payment block requires an active merchant account to process payments.
Confirm that a merchant account has been set up and turned on in Zibster ECommerce. Once an active merchant is available, it will automatically be used to process Form & Contract Builder payments.
For additional troubleshooting steps, see the Form Closed Troubleshooting Guide
Why is my form or contract not accepting payments?
Confirm that an active merchant account is set up and turned on in Zibster ECommerce.
Active merchants are automatically available to process Form & Contract Builder payments. If no merchant account is configured, open the Payment block settings and use the merchant setup button to access the merchant settings in Zibster ECommerce.
