How to Pay with PayPal: A Step-by-Step Guide

To pay with PayPal, you'll need to have a PayPal account, which you can easily create online or through the PayPal app.

First, log in to your PayPal account using your email address and password.

Next, navigate to the website or app of the merchant you want to pay, and select PayPal as your payment method.

You can also use PayPal to pay for online purchases, such as buying a product on an e-commerce website like Amazon.

To do this, simply click the "Pay with PayPal" button and follow the prompts to log in to your PayPal account and confirm the payment.

To make a payment, you can use PayPal to send funds to someone, even if they don't have an account. If the recipient doesn't have a PayPal account, they'll need to create one to receive the funds.

You can instruct a payment via PayPal by logging in to the PayPal website and following the prompts. If the recipient already has a PayPal account, the funds will be sent straight to them.

If you're buying online, make sure to use the correct option to avoid any issues. The "Sending to a Friend" option is not recommended, as it doesn't come with buyer protection.

Instead, use the option that requires the recipient to provide proof of the transaction, which offers protection against scams. This option also requires the recipient or merchant to pay the fees of the transfer.

The fees for this option vary depending on the location of the transaction. If the funds are coming from within the US, the fee is 2.9% of the transaction plus a fixed fee depending on the currency. Outside the US, the fee is 4.4% plus a fixed fee.

Once you've confirmed the details of the transaction, you'll receive a confirmation email containing the details of the instructed payment. You can also leave an optional note to provide information about your payment.

Here are the payment methods that can be saved in the PayPal vault:

When using PayPal, you have several payment methods to choose from. One of the options is to use your credit or debit card, which can be managed by PayPal in a prebuilt user experience.

This simplifies your compliance requirements and is suitable for all business and personal seller accounts. You can also customize the look and feel of your payment fields with PayPal's standard integration.

PayPal also offers a feature called Vaulting, which allows customers to save their payment methods for future use. To save credit and debit cards, you must use the Advanced Card Processing feature.

Customers can save payment methods like PayPal, credit, and debit cards in the PayPal vault if they complete an initial purchase on your website while the Vaulting feature is enabled.

Here are the payment methods that can be saved in the PayPal vault:

Keep in mind that using a credit or debit card comes with relatively high fees compared to other sources of funds.

Standard Branded Payments offer a convenient way to accept credit card payments. The PayPal-branded Debit or Credit Card Smart Button is displayed on the checkout page, allowing buyers to pay without a PayPal account.

This button is a pre-built experience that makes it clear PayPal is the payment processor. However, in certain circumstances, buyers may need to log in to an existing PayPal account or create a new one to complete payment with a card.

You can customize the branded smart button by adjusting settings in the Standard Payments tab. These settings determine various features and functionality of the card button.

For example, you can choose to use the card billing data handling, which increases convenience for customers but can cause issues if card details don't match the billing data in the checkout form. Alternatively, you can create a separate Card Button from the PayPal gateway, which displays the Debit or Credit Card button in a separate gateway.

Here are some key features to consider when using the Standard Branded Payments:

Credit or Debit cards are a convenient payment option, but be aware that payments within the same country cost 2.9% of the amount plus $0.30. This fee structure is clearly outlined in the PayPal documentation.

Using a Credit or Debit card also means you don't need to have a PayPal account, making it a viable option for those who haven't signed up yet. However, international payments can cost even more due to additional fixed fees that vary.

If you do choose to use a Credit or Debit card, you'll need to link it to your PayPal account first. Once linked, you can use it to make payments, but be aware that the main benefit of using a card is that you don't need to have a PayPal account.

Here's a breakdown of the fees associated with using a Credit or Debit card:

Domestic transfers using a linked bank account, on the other hand, are completely free. This means you can transfer funds within the same country without incurring any fees.

Customers can save payment methods in the PayPal vault, which allows for streamlined checkout experiences. This feature is enabled when the Vaulting feature is turned on.

To save a payment method, customers can use PayPal, credit, or debit cards. Note that credit and debit cards require the Advanced Card Processing feature to be enabled.

Here are the payment methods that can be saved:

By saving payment methods, customers can make payments with just one click while logged into their WordPress user account.

If you're looking to save payment methods for repeat customers, there's good news. You can save PayPal payments, credit cards, and debit cards for customers who complete an initial purchase on your website.

To save credit and debit cards, you'll need to use the Advanced Card Processing feature. This is a must-have if you want to store those payment methods securely.

Customers can save their PayPal payments and credit/debit cards in the PayPal vault. This makes it easy for them to check out quickly on future purchases.

Here are the payment methods that can be saved:

Vaulting a credit card is a secure way to save payment methods for future use. You can save credit cards in the PayPal vault using the Advanced Card Processing gateway.

To vault a credit card, you must use the Advanced Card Processing feature. This is the only way to securely store credit cards for future use.

Credit cards can be vaulted in the live mode using all supported credit and debit card types. However, in the sandbox mode, you can only vault test cards listed in the PayPal documentation.

You can display a previously vaulted card in the checkout process using the Advanced Card Processing gateway. This provides a streamlined checkout experience for repeat customers.

Here's a summary of the supported credit and debit card types that can be vaulted in the live mode:

Keep in mind that new payment methods can only be saved in the Vault by completing a payment.

You should use your PayPal balance if you have the currency you need on hand, such as Euros if you're transferring that currency.

Using your bank account can come with a different currency cost, so it's best to use your PayPal balance if you have the correct currency available.

Credit and debit cards are the most costly payment option supported by PayPal, so it's generally best to avoid using them if possible.

If you have the correct currency on your PayPal balance, it's a good idea to use it to avoid extra fees associated with different currencies.