Using PayPal with WooCommerce: Setup & Options

PayPal is a popular payment gateway that offers secure and convenient payment solutions for online businesses. This guide will walk you through setting up PayPal for WooCommerce, explore the available options for online shops in South Africa, and explain how to withdraw your funds to an FNB (SA) bank account.

PayPal is a global online payment system that allows businesses and individuals to make and receive payments securely over the internet. It is widely accepted, easy to integrate, and provides robust security features, making it a top choice for e-commerce merchants.

Before diving into the setup process, it's important to note that this guide assumes you already have a WordPress website with WooCommerce installed and configured.

1. Install the PayPal Plugin:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Search for “WooCommerce PayPal Payments” and install the plugin.
   • Activate the plugin once installed.
2. Configure PayPal Settings:
   • Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments.
   • Select PayPal from the list of payment methods and click “Set up.”
3. Connect Your PayPal Account:
   • Under the Connection tab, Enter your API Credentials by connecting to your account.
   • Note it should automatically populate the fields for LIVE Email address, Merchant Id and Client Id and Secret Key.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to link your PayPal account with WooCommerce.
   • Ensure that all required credentials and settings are accurately entered to avoid issues.

• Conduct a few test transactions to ensure that the payment process works smoothly.
• Verify that payments are correctly processed and received in your PayPal account.

1. PayPal Standard:
   • A basic option that redirects customers to PayPal’s website to complete their payment.
   • Easy to set up but may have a higher cart abandonment rate.
2. PayPal Checkout:
   • Allows customers to pay directly on your site without leaving the checkout page.
   • Offers a seamless checkout experience and can reduce cart abandonment.
3. PayPal Credit Card Payments:
   • Accepts credit card payments without requiring customers to have a PayPal account.
   • Expands payment options for customers who prefer not to use PayPal.

• PayPal supports transactions in multiple currencies, including South African Rand (ZAR).
• Ensure your WooCommerce store is configured to handle transactions in your preferred currency.

Note: If you plan to use a PayPal Business Merchant account with a FNB then you will need a FNB Business Bank account with a free FNB Online Banking profile to link the two.
Read more about PayPal on the official FNB resource for individuals and for business banking.

1. Log in to your FNB Online Banking profile at www.fnb.co.za.
2. Click Forex, then click PayPal Services.
3. Select the menu option on the left, then select Link PayPal Profile.
4. Complete the instructions to link your accounts.

You’ll need to log in to your PayPal account to confirm that you are the account holder.

1. Log in to your FNB Online Banking at www.fnb.co.za.
2. Click on Forex and then PayPal Services.
3. From the menu on the left, select Withdraw from PayPal.
4. Enter the amount you want to withdraw in US Dollars (ensure you have enough in your PayPal balance).
5. Follow the prompts to confirm the exchange rate, the amount in Rand you will receive, and the transaction terms.

Read more in the PayPal ZA help article on withdrawing funds to an FNB Bank Account.

• Initiate a Transfer:
  • Go to PayPal > Transfer Funds.
  • Select “Transfer to Bank Account” and choose your linked FNB account.
  • Enter the amount you wish to transfer and confirm the transaction.
• Processing Time:
  • Transfers to South African bank accounts typically take 3-5 business days.
  • Monitor your FNB account for the deposit and check PayPal for any updates.

Integrating PayPal with WooCommerce provides a secure and efficient payment solution for online shops. By following the setup instructions and understanding your options, South African businesses can effectively manage payments and withdraw funds to an FNB bank account with ease.

The information above is as accurate as I could compile the information, if you think that I have left out important steps or failed to mention something that could be useful, then let me know in the comments below.

Now get transacting, and don't forget to review all the fees and charges involved.