Create and connect your Stripe account

Why Stripe

Stripe is the online payment service connected to Zenpage. Once your account is linked, your clients pay by card when they book, and the money is paid straight into your bank account through Stripe, never into a Zenpage wallet.

The same account handles everything you collect: bookings, deposits, session cards, gift vouchers and shop sales. Transaction fees are Stripe's, listed on stripe.com.

Before you start

Have these ready to save time:

• Your business e-mail address and a mobile phone (for two-step verification).
• Your business registration number and legal status.
• Your IBAN, to receive payouts.
• A valid ID document for the legal representative.
• The address of your Zenpage page, to give as the business website.

1. Create the Stripe account

1. Go to stripe.com and click Create account.
2. Enter your e-mail, your name and a strong password, then confirm.
3. Confirm your address using the link sent by e-mail.
4. Turn on two-step verification when Stripe offers it: it protects your money.

You land on the Stripe dashboard, first in test mode. Real payments are only possible after the next step.

2. Activate the account

In the dashboard, click Activate account (or "Complete your profile") and fill in the requested sections:

1. Business type: sole trader or company, depending on your situation.
2. Legal details: name, address, registration number, representative's date of birth.
3. Business description: describe honestly what you sell (wellness sessions, workshops, gift vouchers) and give your Zenpage page address.
4. Bank account: enter your IBAN.
5. ID document: upload the requested document.

Stripe checks this information, sometimes within minutes, sometimes within one to two working days. Until the account is activated you can keep working in test mode (step 5).

3. Get your API keys

The keys link Zenpage to your Stripe account. There are two:

• the publishable key, which starts with pk_;
• the secret key, which starts with sk_.

1. In the Stripe dashboard, open Developers then API keys.
2. For your tests, keep test mode on: the keys start with pk_test_ and sk_test_.
3. Click Reveal secret key and copy it.

4. Paste them into Zenpage

1. In your Zenpage admin, open Settings then the Payments tab.
2. Turn on the Stripe switch.
3. Paste the publishable key and the secret key into the two fields.
4. Enable payment acceptance for bookings and, if you sell products, for the shop.
5. Save.

These two keys serve all your Stripe payments: online bookings, session cards and gift vouchers. Zenpage warns you about a badly copied key (it must start with sk_).

5. Run a test payment

With test keys no money is charged. Book a paid service yourself from your public page, in a private window, and pay with Stripe's test card:

• number 4242 4242 4242 4242;
• any future expiry date, for example 12/34;
• any three-digit security code.

Check three things: the payment goes through, the booking appears in your calendar, and you receive the confirmation e-mail. Test payments show up in Stripe's test mode.

6. Go live

1. Check that your Stripe account is activated (step 2).
2. In Stripe, switch off test mode to show your live keys pk_live_ and sk_live_.
3. Replace both keys in Zenpage under Settings, Payments, then save.
4. Make one last booking for a small amount and refund it from Stripe if you wish.

Refunds are made from your Stripe account, not from Zenpage.

Common errors

• Payment doesn't show on my page: check the Pro subscription, the Stripe switch and payment acceptance for bookings.
• Key warning: you may have pasted the publishable key instead of the secret key, or a key with a trailing space.
• Mixing test and live: both keys must be from the same mode (both test or both live).
• Payment declined in live mode: the account isn't activated yet, or Stripe needs an extra document. Check the activation section of your Stripe dashboard.
• I'm not receiving the money: payouts to your bank follow Stripe's schedule. Check the IBAN in Stripe.

Need help?

For the rest of the procedure, see the Payments section of the documentation and the article Collect bookings online with Stripe.