Wix Stores: Saving and Charging Customers' Credit Cards
In this article
- Saving cards during checkout
- Saving cards while manually entering card details
- Charging a card on file
- FAQs
Having customers’ card details on file allows you to charge a customer without them needing to be present. While card-on-file transactions can make it easier to complete transactions in certain circumstances, you must remember to use this payment method correctly to avoid charging customers unexpectedly.
There are two ways to save a customer's credit or debit card. One is to let site members select that option during checkout. The other is to save a customer's card while you manually enter credit card details, which should happen only with customer consent. Once a card is saved, you can use it to collect payment for future orders, as long as you retain your customer's consent to do so.
You can charge clients' saved cards using the following payment providers:
Saving cards during checkout
You can add a checkbox to the checkout page that allows customers to let your business save their card and charge it in future. Customers who have become site members will see this checkbox and can choose to opt in.
Tip:
This isn't the same as when a customer
saves their cards in their personal My Wallet part of the Members Area.
To display the checkbox to save a card on file:
- Go to Settings in your site's dashboard.
- Click Checkout.
- Select Payments.
- Click the Save customers' cards on file toggle to enable it.
Saving cards while manually entering card details
You can
manually enter a customer's credit or debit card details to complete payment for an order. While doing this, you can optionally save a customer's card on file securely so you can use it for future orders, as long as you have their consent to do so.
Important:
Make sure you
read this article to learn how to save cards responsibly.
To manually save a customer's card details:
- Go to Orders in your site's dashboard.
- Select the relevant order.
- Click the Collect Payment drop-down and select Charge card manually.
- Enter the card details.
- Select the Save this card to the customer's file checkbox.
Note: You'll see this checkbox only if your customer is a site member. - Click Charge.
- Send your customer an authorization form and save the signed form.
Important: We strongly recommend you send the form within 24 hours. Learn more about best practices for storing card details.
Charging a card on file
After a card has been saved on file, you can use it to complete payment for future orders, as long as you have your customer's consent to do so.
Important:
Your customer should be notified about the transaction and given as many details as possible. This is a requirement of card schemes such as Visa and Mastercard. Additionally, clear communication builds trust and helps the customer to recognize the payment. If they don’t recognize the payment, they may issue a
chargeback.
To accept payment using a card on file:
- Go to Orders in your site's dashboard.
- Select the relevant order.
- Click the Collect Payment drop-down and select Charge card manually.
- Select an authorized saved card
- Click Charge.
FAQs
Click a question to learn more about saving credit cards.
What are the risks of card-on-file transactions?
How can I get authorization from my customer?
Why are the save card checkboxes not visible?
