How to get a Stripe virtual terminal?

How to Get a Stripe Virtual Terminal: A Comprehensive Guide

 

Step 1: Create a Stripe Account

 

To begin using Stripe's virtual terminal functionality, you need a Stripe account. If you don't have one already, follow these steps:

• Visit the Stripe website at https://stripe.com
• Click on "Start now" or "Create account"
• Enter your email, full name, and create a password
• Complete the verification process by confirming your email address
• Provide your business details as prompted

 

Step 2: Complete Account Verification

 

Before you can process payments, you need to complete the verification process:

• Navigate to the Stripe Dashboard after logging in
• Look for any verification prompts or incomplete steps in the dashboard
• Provide your business details including legal name, address, and tax ID
• Add your banking information for receiving payouts
• Verify your identity by uploading the required documents (typically an ID and proof of address)

 

Step 3: Access the Payment Links Feature

 

Stripe's virtual terminal functionality is provided through the Payment Links feature:

• From your Stripe Dashboard, find and click on "Products" in the left-side menu
• Select "Payment links" from the dropdown or related section
• If you don't see this option, ensure your account is fully verified and that you're using the latest Stripe Dashboard interface

 

Step 4: Create a Payment Link for One-Time Use

 

To create a payment link that functions like a virtual terminal:

• Click the "Create payment link" button
• Select "One-time payment" option
• Configure your product/service details including name, description, and price
• You can set the price as "Custom" if you want to enter different amounts for each transaction
• Complete the form with all required information

 

Step 5: Customize Your Payment Link

 

Make adjustments to suit your business needs:

• Set your business name and upload your logo
• Choose what customer information to collect (name, email, phone, shipping address, etc.)
• Configure tax settings if applicable
• Set custom success messages or redirect URLs
• Adjust the payment methods you wish to accept

 

Step 6: Create and Use Your Virtual Terminal

 

After configuration:

• Click "Create link" to generate your payment URL
• Copy the URL or use the "Share" button to access it
• For virtual terminal use, open this link in your browser when you need to process a payment
• You can bookmark this link for quick access in the future

 

Step 7: Implement the Payment Form Directly on Your Website (Optional)

 

For a more integrated experience, you can embed Stripe's payment form directly on your website:

// First, include the Stripe.js library


// Create a payment form

  

    
  
  

  Pay Now

 

Step 8: Set Up Server-Side Code to Process Payments (Required for Custom Integration)

 

If you've implemented the custom payment form, you'll need server-side code to process the payment:

// Node.js example with Express
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
const stripe = require('stripe')('sk_test_your_secret_key');

app.use(express.json());

app.post('/process-payment', async (req, res) => {
  try {
    const { payment_method_id, amount, currency } = req.body;
    
    // Create the payment intent
    const paymentIntent = await stripe.paymentIntents.create({
      amount: amount,
      currency: currency,
      payment_method: payment_method\_id,
      confirm: true,
      return\_url: 'https://your-website.com/payment-success',
    });
    
    // Return the result to the client
    res.json({
      success: true,
      client_secret: paymentIntent.client_secret
    });
  } catch (error) {
    res.json({
      error: error.message
    });
  }
});

app.listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server running on port 3000');
});

 

Step 9: Use Stripe Terminal for In-Person Payments (Alternative)

 

If you need a more robust solution for in-person payments:

• From your Stripe Dashboard, navigate to "Terminal"
• Follow the setup process to order Stripe card readers or configure your own hardware
• Download the Stripe Terminal app on your mobile device or use the web interface
• This provides a comprehensive point-of-sale solution beyond virtual terminal capabilities

 

Step 10: Monitor and Manage Transactions

 

After setting up your virtual terminal:

• Access your Stripe Dashboard regularly to view transaction history
• Navigate to "Payments" to see all successful and failed transactions
• Use the search and filter tools to find specific transactions
• Process refunds when necessary by clicking on a payment and selecting the "Refund" option
• Export transaction data for accounting purposes using the "Export" function

 

Step 11: Set Up Additional Security Measures

 

Enhance the security of your virtual terminal:

• Enable two-factor authentication for your Stripe account
• Restrict access to your payment links or forms to trusted employees
• Regularly review transaction logs for suspicious activity
• Consider implementing Stripe Radar for advanced fraud detection
• Keep your API keys secure and never expose them in client-side code

 

Step 12: Optimize Your Payment Process

 

Refine your virtual terminal experience:

• Collect customer feedback on the payment process
• Analyze payment success rates and address common issues
• Consider saving customer information for repeat transactions (with proper consent)
• Test your payment flow regularly to ensure it works smoothly
• Keep your Stripe integration updated with the latest API versions