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Custom & Offline Payment Methods

Updated

Accept payments through offline methods like Check, Cash, or create custom payment options for specific business needs.

Critical Warning: If enabled on your storefront, ANY customer can use offline payment methods to complete orders without providing actual payment. Only enable offline methods on your storefront if you have a specific business need and understand the risks.
Note: For real-time credit card processing, see our Payment Gateway Setup Guide. This article covers offline methods only.
🔍 Understanding Offline Payment Options

Offline payment methods allow customers to place orders without providing payment during checkout. Payment is collected separately through other means.

Common Use Cases

  • B2B payment terms - Net 15, Net 30, Net 60 for business customers
  • Check or money order - Customers mail payment
  • Purchase orders - Corporate PO systems
  • Phone orders - Admin users placing orders and collecting payment separately
  • Manual credit card terminal - Capture card info online, process through physical terminal
  • Special scenarios - Warranty replacements, no-charge orders, customer appreciation

Admin Panel vs Storefront

  • Admin panel only (Recommended) - Uncheck for only admin users to select these methods when placing orders for customers.
  • Storefront (Caution) - Customers can select during checkout. Only enable for specific trusted customer groups or legitimate business needs.
Important: When placing orders through Orders > Place New Order, you'll see all offline payment options in the Payment Information dropdown. These are always available to admin users regardless of storefront settings.
⚙️ Setting Up Offline Payment Methods

Configure default offline methods (Check, Cash, Net 30) or create custom payment options with specific fields.

Creating a Custom Payment Method

1Navigate to Settings > Pay Methods > Offline Custom Payment Options tab.

2Scroll to Add New Custom Pay Method section at the bottom.

3Enter payment method details:

  • Payment Type - Name (e.g., "Custom", "No Charge", etc)
  • Surcharge - Fee amount (use 0.0000 for none)
  • Description - Internal description
  • Order Confirmation Message - Customer message shown on storefront after checkout

4Decide if you want to include input fields for this custom payment option, which are specific input fields customers must complete.

Note: Custom input fields become editable once you have created a new Custom Pay Method.

5Click Add New.

Adding Custom Input Fields

After creating a payment method, add specific input fields customers must complete:

1Click Edit next to your payment method.

2In the popup, configure fields at the bottom:

  • Input Name - Field label (e.g., "Bank Name", "PO Number")
  • Length - Max characters (e.g., 50 for names, 20 for numbers)
  • Type - Text, Card Type, Card Number, or Date
  • Required - Check if field must be filled

3Click Add New for each field.

4Click Close when finished.

💳 Offline Credit Card Setup

Capture customer credit card information online but process payments manually through a physical or virtual terminal.

Important: We strongly recommend using real-time payment gateways instead. See our Payment Gateway Setup Guide for easier, more secure options.

Configuring Card Information Fields

1Navigate to Settings > Pay Methods > Offline Custom Payment Options.

2Click Edit next to (Offline) Credit Card Payment.

3Select which fields to display during checkout:

  • Name on the Card
  • Credit Card Type (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
  • Credit Card Number
  • Card Expiry Date

4Check Required for fields that must be filled.

5To enable on storefront, check the Enable checkbox (use with extreme caution).

6Click Update.

PCI Compliance: You may NOT request or store CVV2/CID codes or track data. Only collect the fields listed above.
⚠️ Best Practices & Testing

Storefront Enablement

✅ DO:

  • Keep offline methods disabled on storefront by default
  • Only enable for legitimate business needs
  • Monitor orders to prevent abuse
  • Create no-charge options for admin-only use

❌ DON'T:

  • Enable all methods without understanding implications
  • Leave "No Charge" methods enabled on storefront
  • Enable payment terms (Net 30) for public access

Manual Credit Card Processing

✅ DO:

  • Use real-time gateways whenever possible
  • Limit decryption permission to necessary users only
  • Process cards promptly (60-day auto-delete)
  • Use named accounts (not shared/super admin)

❌ DON'T:

  • Store CVV2/CID codes (PCI violation)
  • Enable offline CC on storefront unless absolutely necessary
  • Grant decryption to all admin users

Testing

Admin Panel: Orders > Place New Order > check Payment Information dropdown shows your methods

Storefront (if enabled): Add items to cart > proceed to checkout > verify only intended methods appear

Quick Checklist

  • ✅ Keep offline methods disabled on storefront unless needed
  • ✅ Use real-time gateways instead of manual processing when possible
  • ✅ Never capture CVV2/CID codes
  • ✅ Test all payment methods after configuration
  • ✅ Add clear order confirmation messages
  • ✅ Process captured cards promptly (60-day limit)

 

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