How to Set Up PayPal as a Payment Method in Zibster
Overview
Zibster integrates with PayPal so you can accept PayPal payments through Scheduler, Invoicing, Forms and Contracts, and ECommerce.
When a customer chooses PayPal during checkout, they are redirected to PayPal to complete the transaction. After a successful payment, the customer returns to your Zibster website, and Zibster receives confirmation from PayPal so the order can automatically update to Paid status.
Once PayPal is added as an active merchant, it is available anywhere supported online payments are accepted in your Zibster account. This guide explains how to set up PayPal, customize the information customers see during checkout, and understand how PayPal payments are processed.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, you will need:
- An active PayPal account
- The email address associated with the PayPal account where you want to receive customer payments
STEP ONE
Log in to your Zibster account and click ECOMMERCE in the left-side menu.
This opens the ECommerce Dashboard, where you can manage payment methods, products, orders, and other ECommerce settings.
STEP TWO
Hover over PAYMENT at the top of the ECommerce Dashboard, then click MERCHANTS.
The Merchants page displays the active and inactive payment providers available for your Zibster account.
STEP THREE
Click NEW MERCHANT, then select PayPal from the dropdown menu.
The PayPal merchant settings will open so you can enter your account information and customer-facing messages for this payment method.
STEP FOUR
Enter a clear Payment Name that customers will recognize during checkout. For example, you can enter Pay by PayPal.
In the PayPal Email field, enter the email address associated with the PayPal account where you want to receive customer payments. Make sure this email address is connected to the correct PayPal account before saving your merchant.
You can use the Special Instructions field to let customers know they will be redirected to PayPal to complete their payment.
For example:
“You’ll be redirected to PayPal to complete your payment. Depending on the options available through PayPal, you may be able to pay with a debit or credit card without logging in to a PayPal account.”
In the Thank You Message field, enter a short confirmation message customers will see after completing their PayPal payment and being redirected back to your Zibster website.
When you are finished, click Add Merchant.
FINAL STEP
Confirm that PayPal appears in your Merchants list as an active payment option.
PayPal is now available as an online payment method anywhere supported merchant payments are accepted in your Zibster account, including Scheduler, Invoicing, Forms and Contracts, and ECommerce.
When customers choose PayPal during checkout, they will see the Payment Name and Special Instructions you configured before continuing to PayPal. After successfully completing payment and returning to your Zibster website, they will see the payment confirmation screen and your Thank You Message.
What Customers See When Paying With PayPal
When a customer chooses PayPal as their payment method, they will see the Payment Name and Special Instructions you configured. After submitting their order through Zibster, they are redirected to PayPal to complete the payment.
PayPal will prompt the customer to log in to their PayPal account. Depending on the options PayPal makes available for the transaction, the customer may also be able to check out as a guest using a debit or credit card.
If guest checkout is available, PayPal may ask the customer to enter an email address before continuing to their payment information. The customer completes the payment directly through PayPal.
Zibster does not collect or store the customer's PayPal payment details.
After the customer successfully completes the transaction, PayPal redirects them back to your Zibster website. They will see the payment confirmation screen and the Thank You Message you entered when setting up the merchant.
Zibster receives confirmation from PayPal that the payment was processed and automatically updates the order to Paid status.
Understanding Pending PayPal Payments
When Zibster receives confirmation from PayPal that a transaction was successfully processed, the order automatically updates to Paid status.
A PayPal order remains Pending when Zibster does not receive confirmation from PayPal that the payment was completed.
For example, a customer may submit an order through Zibster and then leave the PayPal checkout process before completing their payment. In this situation, Zibster may have an order record without confirmation that PayPal processed the transaction.
Receiving a Zibster order notification does not confirm that a Pending PayPal payment was successfully completed.
Before fulfilling an order that still shows a Pending payment status, check your PayPal account and confirm that the payment was received.
For a complete explanation of Pending PayPal payments and how to verify a transaction, see Why Is the Payment Status Pending on My PayPal Orders?.
PayPal and Other Merchant Checkout Differences
PayPal uses a different checkout experience than Zibster's other supported merchant providers.
With PayPal, customers are redirected away from your Zibster website to complete their payment through PayPal. After a successful transaction, PayPal redirects them back to your website.
With Stripe, Square, and other supported merchant providers, customers remain on the Zibster checkout screen while their payment is processed.
You can connect multiple merchant options to give customers more than one way to pay.
Offer Multiple Payment Options
You can connect multiple merchant options to your Zibster account. This allows customers to choose from the online payment methods you make available during checkout.
For example, you may offer:
- Credit or debit card payments through Stripe or another supported merchant provider
- PayPal
Adding PayPal does not require you to remove another online merchant from your account.
For more information about adding payment providers, see the Merchant Setup Guide.
PayPal Refunds
Refunds for transactions processed through PayPal must be handled directly through your PayPal account.
Zibster does not issue refunds for transactions processed through PayPal. If you need help with a refund, payment dispute, or another PayPal transaction, manage the transaction through PayPal or contact PayPal Support.
Additional Notes
- PayPal processes customer payments through PayPal's website.
- Zibster does not collect or store customers' PayPal payment details.
- The email address entered in the PayPal Email field must be associated with the PayPal account where you want to receive customer payments.
- PayPal is available throughout supported payment areas of your Zibster account once the merchant is active.
- Guest checkout availability is determined by PayPal.
- Successfully confirmed PayPal payments automatically update to Paid status in Zibster.
- If a PayPal order remains Pending, confirm the transaction directly in your PayPal account before fulfilling the order.
- Refunds for PayPal transactions must be processed through PayPal.
- Offline payment methods can be managed separately from online merchants.
Zibster is not affiliated with PayPal and cannot access or manage your PayPal account. For questions about PayPal pricing, your PayPal account, payment processing, guest checkout availability, disputes, or refunds, contact PayPal Support directly.
Need Help?
Zibster Support Hours: Monday–Friday, 9am–6pm EST
Phone: 844.353.3412
Channels: Phone, Live Chat, Support Ticket
