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Payments

Accept payments, understand fees, and test checkout.

General education, not an official Shopify course. Features, plan names, prices, and screens change; check the official links in each lesson. Businesses and numbers are fictional examples.

Payment providers

A payment provider processes card payments and sends the money to your bank account. Shopify Payments is Shopify's own option where available. You can also add others, like PayPal, and accelerated checkouts such as Shop Pay or Apple Pay. Availability depends on your country and business type. You will be asked for business and bank details by the provider directly; never send these by email or message to anyone claiming to help.

Understanding fees

Card processing fees are taken from each sale, usually a percentage plus a small fixed amount. Rates depend on your plan and payment type. If you use a provider other than Shopify Payments, Shopify may charge an additional transaction fee. PayPal and others have their own fees. Check the official pricing page and each provider's terms, and include fees in your prices.

Payouts

A payout is when collected money is sent to your bank. It is not instant; there is usually a delay of a few business days. Plan your cash so you are not counting on today's sale to pay today's bills. The Cash Flow lesson explains this.

Test orders

Before launch, place a test order. Shopify Help explains how to use a test mode or a real small order you then refund. Check the order confirmation email, the order in your admin, and the refund process.

A real-world example

Dana activates Shopify Payments, adds PayPal for buyers who prefer it, places a test order, refunds it, and checks the emails. She adds expected fees to her pricing spreadsheet.

Steps to take

  1. Activate your main payment provider through Shopify settings.
  2. Add other methods only if your buyers want them.
  3. Read current fee details.
  4. Note your payout schedule.
  5. Place and refund a test order.

Payments check

This checklist is optional and not saved. Copy it to keep a personal note. Do not enter sensitive information.

Go deeper in related modules

Not sure what a word means? Check Business Words Made Simple.

Official guidance

Use these official sources for current rules and details. They do not replace advice for your particular business.

Practice: what do I actually keep?

For a fictional $40 doll with a fictional 3% plus $0.30 card fee, calculate the fee and what remains before shipping and costs.

Check your thinking

3% of $40 is $1.20, plus $0.30, for a $1.50 fee. $38.50 remains before shipping, the doll's cost, and other expenses. These rates are made up for practice.

Example answer: 3% of $40 is $1.20, plus $0.30, for a $1.50 fee. $38.50 remains before shipping, the doll's cost, and other expenses. These rates are made up for practice.

Worksheet

My Payment Setup

Do not enter bank or card numbers.

Please don't enter Social Security numbers, passwords, bank details, or other sensitive records here.

To download a PDF, choose "Print / Save as PDF" and select "Save as PDF" as the printer.

Saved on this device only; may be lost sooner; not synced. Download a copy to keep your work.

 
 
 

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