Setting a Default Payment Method in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve got your WooCommerce store humming along, products listed, and customers clicking “Add to Cart.” Great! But have you thought about streamlining the checkout process? One simple way to improve the user experience and potentially increase conversions is by setting a default payment method.
Think of it this way: Imagine you’re buying your favorite coffee online. Wouldn’t it be annoying if you always had to *manually* select your saved credit card *every single time* you check out? Probably! Setting a default payment method in WooCommerce automates this for your customers, leading to a smoother, faster purchase.
This guide will walk you through the process of setting a default payment method in WooCommerce, even if you’re a complete beginner. We’ll cover the easiest option (coding-free!) and then dive into a more advanced solution using code.
Why Set a Default Payment Method?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s solidify the “why.” Here are a few reasons why setting a default payment method is a good idea:
- Improved User Experience: Makes the checkout process faster and more convenient for your customers.
- Increased Conversion Rates: A streamlined checkout can reduce cart abandonment. Less friction, more sales!
- Encourage Use of Specific Payment Methods: If you prefer customers to use a specific method (perhaps one with lower fees for you), setting it as the default gently nudges them in that direction. For example, if you offer discounts for bank transfers, making that the default payment method can encourage its usage.
- Convenience for Returning Customers: If a customer primarily uses one payment method, pre-selecting it saves them time and effort on subsequent purchases.
- No coding knowledge required.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Often offers additional features and customization options.
- Requires installing an extra plugin (although a good plugin is worth it!).
- Might have limited customization options compared to coding.
Method 1: Using a Plugin (No Code Required!)
The easiest way to set a default payment method in WooCommerce is by using a plugin. There are several free and premium plugins available that can handle this task with just a few clicks. Here’s a popular option:
Plugin: “WooCommerce Preferred Payment Method” (Search for this in the WordPress plugin directory)
Why Use a Plugin? It’s the simplest, quickest, and safest way for non-developers to achieve this. Plugins handle the complex coding behind the scenes.
How to Use It (General Steps):
1. Install and Activate: Install the plugin from the WordPress plugin directory and activate it.
2. Configure the Plugin: Navigate to the plugin settings (usually found under the WooCommerce settings page).
3. Select the Default Payment Method: The plugin will usually have a dropdown menu where you can select the payment method you want to set as the default.
4. Save Changes: Save the settings, and you’re done!
Example: Let’s say you want “PayPal” to be the default. After installing and activating the plugin, you’d find the plugin settings, select “PayPal” from the dropdown, and click “Save.” Now, when customers reach the checkout page, PayPal will be pre-selected.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Method 2: Using Code (For the More Adventurous!)
If you’re comfortable with a little bit of code, you can set the default payment method using a PHP snippet. This method gives you more control but requires caution. Always back up your site before making any code changes!
Where to Add the Code: You can add this code to your theme’s `functions.php` file or use a code snippets plugin (highly recommended for beginners!). A code snippets plugin allows you to add custom code without directly modifying your theme files, making it safer and easier to manage.
The Code:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_default_gateway', 'set_default_payment_gateway' );
function set_default_payment_gateway( $gateway ) {
// Change ‘paypal’ to the ID of your desired default payment gateway.
// You can find the ID in the WooCommerce > Settings > Payments section.
return ‘paypal’;
}
Explanation:
- `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_default_gateway’, ‘set_default_payment_gateway’ );`: This line tells WordPress to use our custom function (`set_default_payment_gateway`) to determine the default payment gateway.
- `function set_default_payment_gateway( $gateway ) { … }`: This is our custom function.
- `return ‘paypal’;`: This line is the crucial part! It tells WooCommerce to return the payment gateway with the ID `paypal` as the default. You need to replace `’paypal’` with the actual ID of the payment gateway you want to set as default.
How to Find the Payment Gateway ID:
1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments in your WordPress admin area.
2. Find the payment gateway you want to set as the default (e.g., “Stripe,” “PayPal,” “Direct Bank Transfer”).
3. Important: The ID is usually the name you gave the gateway with underscores between each word, in lowercase. For example, if you activated the “Direct Bank Transfer” payment method, the ID might be `bacs`. If you are using PayPal Standard, the ID might be `paypal`.
4. Inspect Element: In a browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can right-click the payment method’s row in the Payments settings and select “Inspect” (or “Inspect Element”). Look for the `id` attribute of the containing `tr` element. The value of this `id` will be your payment gateway ID (e.g., `payment_gateway_setting_paypal`).
Example:
Let’s say you’ve enabled “Direct Bank Transfer” and its ID is `bacs`. You would change the code to:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_default_gateway', 'set_default_payment_gateway' );
function set_default_payment_gateway( $gateway ) {
return ‘bacs’; // Direct Bank Transfer ID
}
Advantages:
- No need to install a plugin.
- More control over the code.
Disadvantages:
- Requires some coding knowledge.
- Can be risky if not done correctly (always back up your site!).
- Might need adjustments if WooCommerce is updated.
Testing Your Changes
After implementing either method, it’s essential to test your changes:
1. Clear your browser cache and cookies.
2. Visit your store’s checkout page.
3. Verify that the correct payment method is pre-selected.
If the wrong payment method is pre-selected, double-check that you’ve entered the correct payment gateway ID in the code or selected the correct option in the plugin settings.
Conclusion
Setting a default payment method in WooCommerce is a simple yet powerful way to enhance the user experience and potentially boost your sales. Whether you choose the ease of a plugin or the control of code, the benefits are clear. So, choose the method that best suits your technical skills and start streamlining your checkout process today! Remember to back up your website before making any significant changes. Good luck!
