WooCommerce: How to Make PayPal the First Payment Option at Checkout (Easy Guide for Beginners!)
So, you’ve got a fantastic WooCommerce store up and running! Customers are adding products to their carts, but you want to boost conversions and make the checkout process even smoother. One simple yet effective way to do this is by making PayPal the *first* payment option they see. Why? Because many customers prefer PayPal for its speed and security, and presenting it first can often lead to a faster checkout experience.
Think about it: you’re browsing a store, ready to buy. You see PayPal right there at the top – instant recognition, trust, and likely, a quicker click-through. This is a powerful conversion booster.
This guide will walk you through how to achieve this, even if you’re a WooCommerce newbie. No coding wizardry required for the first method!
Why Prioritize PayPal in WooCommerce Checkout?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s reinforce *why* this is a good idea:
- Increased Conversions: Many customers prefer using PayPal. Making it prominent reduces friction and encourages them to complete the purchase.
- Trust and Familiarity: PayPal is a well-known and trusted payment gateway. Seeing it first can build confidence, especially for new customers.
- Faster Checkout: With express checkout options, PayPal often streamlines the checkout process, reducing cart abandonment.
- Mobile-Friendliness: PayPal is often optimized for mobile devices, leading to a better shopping experience for mobile users.
Real-life example: Imagine you’re buying a new t-shirt from an online store. You’re in a hurry and just want to pay quickly. Seeing the familiar PayPal button right at the top is a relief. You click it, log in, and complete your purchase in seconds. Now, imagine if you had to scroll through a long list of credit card options first… You might get distracted, Learn more about How To Set The Same Sizes Of Pictures In Woocommerce or change your mind entirely!
Method 1: Using a Plugin (Simplest Option!)
This is the recommended method for most users, as it requires no coding and is very easy to implement. There are several plugins available that allow you to reorder the payment gateways in WooCommerce. A good, well-rated option is the “Payment Gateway Order for WooCommerce” plugin.
Here’s how to use it:
1. Install and Activate: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “Payment Gateway Order for WooCommerce.” Install and activate the plugin.
2. Configure the Order: Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments. You’ll see a drag-and-drop interface that allows you to reorder your payment gateways.
3. Drag PayPal to the Top: Simply drag the PayPal payment gateway to the very top of the list.
4. Save Changes: Click the “Save changes” button.
That’s it! Now, when customers reach your checkout page, PayPal will be the first payment option they see.
Method 2: Using Code (For the More Adventurous!)
If you’re comfortable with code and want more control over the process, you can use a code snippet. This method involves adding a filter to your theme’s `functions.php` file (or a code snippets plugin, which is generally safer). Always back up your website before making any code changes!
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Here’s the code snippet you can use:
add_filter( 'woocommerce_available_payment_gateways', 'reorder_payment_gateways' );
function reorder_payment_gateways( $gateways ) {
if ( isset( $gateways[‘paypal’] ) ) {
$paypal = $gateways[‘paypal’];
unset( $gateways[‘paypal’] );
$gateways = array_merge( array( ‘paypal’ => $paypal ), $gateways );
}
return $gateways;
}
Let’s break down what this code does:
- `add_filter( ‘woocommerce_available_payment_gateways’, ‘reorder_payment_gateways’ );`: This line hooks into the WooCommerce filter that controls the order of payment gateways.
- `function reorder_payment_gateways( $gateways ) { … }`: This defines the function that will actually reorder the gateways.
- `if ( isset( $gateways[‘paypal’] ) ) { … }`: This checks if PayPal is enabled as a payment gateway.
- `$paypal = $gateways[‘paypal’]; unset( $gateways[‘paypal’] );`: This saves the PayPal gateway to a variable and then removes it from the original array.
- `$gateways = array_merge( array( ‘paypal’ => $paypal ), $gateways );`: This merges the PayPal gateway back into the array, but this time, at the beginning.
- `return $gateways;`: This returns the reordered array of payment gateways.
How to add this code:
1. Backup Your Website: *Seriously, back it up.*
2. Access functions.php: Through your WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance > Theme Editor. Find the `functions.php` file for your active theme. Careful! Editing this incorrectly can break your site.
3. Insert the Code: Paste the code snippet at the end of the `functions.php` file, *before the closing `?>` tag (if it exists)*.
4. Save Changes: Click the “Update File” button.
Important Considerations When Using Code:
- Theme Updates: If you update your theme, the changes to `functions.php` may be overwritten. Using a child theme is the recommended way to avoid this. Alternatively, consider using a code snippets plugin, which are designed to survive theme updates.
- Error Handling: If you make a mistake in the code, it could break your website. That’s why backing up is crucial.
- Maintenance: Keep your code up-to-date and compatible with the latest versions of WooCommerce and WordPress.
Testing Your Changes
After implementing either method, it’s essential to test your checkout page to ensure that PayPal is indeed appearing first. Place a test order and verify that the payment gateways are displayed in the correct order.
Conclusion
Making PayPal the first payment option in your WooCommerce checkout can be a simple yet effective way to boost conversions and improve the user experience. Whether you choose the easy plugin route or the more advanced code snippet method, prioritizing PayPal can lead to a smoother checkout process and ultimately, more sales for your online store. Happy selling!
