Web Checkout Gateway
The Web Checkout gateway allows customers to complete their POS transactions using your web store's checkout system. This gateway creates a seamless bridge between your in-store POS and online payment methods, perfect for situations where customers prefer to pay using their own devices or when you need access to web-only payment methods.
Features
- Seamless Integration: Direct link from POS to web checkout
- All Payment Methods: Access to all your web store's enabled payment gateways
- Customer Control: Customers can pay using their own devices and preferred methods
- Order Synchronization: Automatic order updates between POS and web store
- Flexible Workflow: Complete transactions online while maintaining POS workflow
Installation
Step 1: Download and Install
- Visit the Web Checkout Gateway releases page
- Download the latest woocommerce-pos-web-checkout-gateway.zip file
- In your WordPress admin, go to
Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin - Upload the zip file and activate the plugin
Step 2: Enable in WooCommerce POS
- Go to
WP Admin > WooCommerce POS > Settings > Checkout - Find the WooCommerce POS Web Checkout Gateway in the list
- Enable the gateway for use in the POS
- Save your settings
This gateway leverages your existing WooCommerce payment methods, so ensure you have at least one web payment gateway properly configured (Stripe, PayPal, etc.).
Usage
Initiating Web Checkout
- Add Items: Add products to your cart in the POS
- Select Gateway: Choose "Web Checkout" as the payment method
- Generate Link: The system creates a unique checkout link for the order
- Customer Access: Customer clicks the link to access the web checkout
- Online Payment: Customer completes payment using web store payment methods
Payment Process
The Web Checkout gateway follows this workflow:
- Order Creation: POS creates a pending order in WooCommerce
- Checkout Link: System generates a secure, unique payment link
- Customer Redirect: Customer is directed to the web checkout page
- Payment Selection: Customer chooses from available web payment methods
- Payment Processing: Standard WooCommerce checkout process handles payment
- Order Completion: Order status updates automatically upon successful payment
POS Workflow
After initiating web checkout:
- Monitor Status: Keep the POS order screen open to monitor payment status
- Customer Payment: Customer completes payment on their device or your tablet
- Automatic Update: Order status updates in real-time when payment is received
- Process Payment: Click "Process Payment" button in POS to continue to receipt
- Receipt Generation: Generate and print receipt as normal
Use Cases
Perfect For
- Customer Preference: Customers who prefer to use their own payment apps or cards
- Complex Payments: Transactions requiring payment methods not available in POS
- Split Payments: Customers wanting to use multiple payment methods
- Loyalty Programs: Access to web-based loyalty point redemption
- Gift Cards: Customers with digital gift cards or store credit
- International Cards: Payment methods that work better through web gateways
Workflow Examples
Retail Store
- Customer shops in-store and brings items to checkout
- Customer prefers to pay with their mobile wallet app
- Staff selects Web Checkout gateway
- Customer scans QR code or clicks link on their phone
- Customer completes payment using preferred method
- Staff processes receipt and completes transaction
Service Business
- Complete service and add charges to POS
- Customer wants to pay with business credit card
- Generate web checkout link
- Customer enters payment details on secure web form
- Payment processes through your web gateway
- Order completes and receipt is generated
Technical Details
Order Management
- Pending Orders: Orders are created with "pending payment" status
- Status Updates: Automatic status changes when payment is received
- Order Notes: Payment details are recorded in order notes
- Inventory: Stock is reserved during the checkout process
Security
- Unique Links: Each checkout session has a unique, time-limited URL
- SSL Required: All payment processing occurs over secure HTTPS connections
- PCI Compliance: Leverages your existing PCI-compliant web payment gateways
- Session Management: Secure session handling prevents unauthorized access
Payment Methods
The gateway provides access to all your configured WooCommerce payment methods:
- Credit/Debit Cards: Stripe, Square, Authorize.net, etc.
- Digital Wallets: PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- Bank Transfers: Direct bank payment methods
- Buy Now, Pay Later: Klarna, Afterpay, Sezzle
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin and other crypto payment gateways
- Local Methods: Region-specific payment methods
Requirements
- WooCommerce POS: Free or Pro version installed and activated
- Web Payment Gateways: At least one online payment method configured in WooCommerce
- SSL Certificate: HTTPS required for secure payment processing
- Modern Browser: Customer device must support modern web standards
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Checkout Link Not Working
- Verify SSL certificate is properly installed
- Check that WooCommerce permalinks are configured correctly
- Ensure web payment gateways are active and configured
- Test with a different browser or device
Payment Not Processing
- Confirm web payment gateways are properly configured
- Check payment gateway logs for error messages
- Verify customer's payment method is supported
- Test the web checkout process independently
Order Not Updating in POS
- Check internet connection stability
- Verify WordPress cron jobs are running properly
- Refresh the POS order screen
- Check order status in WooCommerce admin
Customer Can't Access Checkout
- Ensure the checkout link hasn't expired
- Verify customer's device has internet connectivity
- Check that the order hasn't been cancelled or completed
- Test the link on a different device
Performance Optimization
For optimal performance:
- Caching: Configure caching plugins to exclude checkout pages
- CDN: Ensure CDN settings don't interfere with checkout process
- Database: Optimize database for faster order processing
- Hosting: Use reliable hosting with good uptime
Getting Help
For technical support:
- Visit the GitHub repository to report issues
- Check WooCommerce payment gateway documentation
- Test your web checkout process regularly
- Monitor payment gateway logs for issues
Screenshots
Screenshots will be added in a future update to show:
- Web Checkout gateway selection and link generation in POS
- Customer payment process on the web store checkout
- Order completion and receipt processing workflow