Activate Payment Methods for Customer Portal Checkout (Online Bookings)

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Activate Payment Methods for Customer Portal Checkout (Online Bookings)

Customer Portal Payment Methods Configuration

When customers book online through your website or Customer Portal, offering the right payment options helps reduce booking drop-offs and makes checkout faster. OctopusPro lets you enable multiple payment methods so customers can pay in the way that suits them—online card payment, bank transfer, cash on arrival, and more.

How payment methods work in OctopusPro

  • Two-step activation is required: a payment method must be enabled in Financial Settings first, then turned on in the Customer Portal to appear at checkout.
  • Online vs offline methods: some methods can be processed online (for example, card payments via your connected payment gateway), while others are “offline” methods (such as cash, bank transfer, or cheque) where customers follow your instructions to complete payment.
  • Customer instructions: for methods like Cash, Bank Transfer, Debit, Cheque, and Gift Card, you can add notes/remarks. These instructions are shown to customers during checkout under the relevant method details.

Step 1: Enable payment methods for your business (Financial Settings)

  1. Go to Settings > Financial Settings > Payment Integration.
  2. Toggle ON the payment methods and/or payment gateways you want to use. (Some gateways require API keys or account details—have these ready before you start.)
  3. Save your changes.

Important: If a payment method is not enabled here, it will not be available to show on your Customer Portal checkout.

Step 2: Show payment methods on the Customer Portal checkout

  1. Go to Settings > Customer Portal > General Settings.
  2. Enable the payment methods you want customers to see during checkout. Only methods already enabled in Financial Settings will appear here.
  3. Save your changes, then do a quick test booking to confirm checkout displays correctly.

Final note: Enabling a method in Financial Settings does not automatically make it visible in the Customer Portal. You must enable it in both places for it to work for online bookings.

Payment methods available at checkout

1) Cash

  • Enable: Turn on Cash.
  • What customers see: Customers can select Pay by Cash. Any notes/remarks you’ve added will display during checkout to guide the customer.
  • Best practice: Add clear instructions such as “Pay on arrival” and whether change/receipts are available.

2) Card

  • Enable: Turn on Card (and ensure your chosen payment gateway is configured in Payment Integration).
  • What customers see: Customers can choose the card option and enter their card details to complete checkout.
  • Best practice: Test checkout end-to-end after enabling card payments to confirm the gateway connection is working.

3) Bank Transfer

  • Enable: Turn on Bank Transfer and add notes/instructions.
  • What customers see: Customers can select Bank Transfer. Your notes/instructions will display during checkout when the method is selected.
  • Best practice: Include bank account details and a payment reference (for example, “Use your booking/invoice number as the reference”).

4) Debit

  • Enable: Turn on Debit and add any guidance notes.
  • What customers see: Customers can select Debit, and your instructions will show under Debit Details.
  • Best practice: Clarify how debit is taken (for example, on arrival, in-store, or via terminal) to avoid confusion.

5) Cheque

  • Enable: Turn on Cheque and add essential remarks.
  • What customers see: Customers can select Cheque, and your instructions will show under Cheque Details.
  • Best practice: Include the payee name, delivery address (if applicable), and any timing requirements.

6) Gift Card

  • Enable: Turn on Gift Card and add any notes/guidance.
  • What customers see: Customers can choose Gift Card, and your instructions will show under Gift Card Details.
  • Best practice: Add a short note explaining how gift cards are applied (for example, “Enter your gift card code at checkout”) and what happens if there is a remaining balance (based on your payment terms).

Points to remember

  • Enable payment methods in Settings > Financial Settings > Payment Integration first.
  • Then enable the same methods in Settings > Customer Portal > General Settings to show them at checkout.
  • If a method is enabled in Financial Settings, it still won’t appear on the Customer Portal until you activate it there too.

Troubleshooting

  • A payment method isn’t showing at checkout: Confirm it’s enabled in both Payment Integration and Customer Portal > General Settings, then save and retest.
  • Card payments are failing: Re-check the gateway configuration in Payment Integration (API keys/account details) and run a test booking.
  • Customers are confused about “offline” methods: Add clearer notes (bank details, cheque payee, when/where to pay, and what reference to use) so customers know the next step immediately.

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