When you launch your online store, it’s essential to offer your future customers a simple and, above all, secure method of payment.
Most banks offer online payment services that can be used by merchant websites.
However, there is an alternative: PayPal.
PayPal is the world leader in secure online payment.
Let’s find out more about this major market player and see how to integrate this solution into a WooCommerce or Prestashop store. 
What is PayPal?
PayPal specializes in online payments.
Buyers and sellers can use it to carry out online transactions.
The company boasts over 100 million accounts in more than 200 countries.
Many e-commerce sites use this solution.
How it works
The principle is simple.
To use PayPal to pay, all you have to do is open an account.
It’s totally free for individuals.
You then register a credit card or bank account.
Then, when you want to make a payment online, on an e-commerce site for example, you simply enter the email address and password for your PayPal account.
Payment will be made directly with the card entered in your account, without your bank details being transmitted to the seller at any time.
Be a buyer or a seller
But thanks to your PayPal account, you can also receive money.
If you sell an item on a classified ads site, for example, you can receive payment through your PayPal account.
You are then free to redirect it to your regular bank account.
This adds an extra step, but it’s the price of security.
At no point does your buyer have access to your bank details, and yet they are able to make a transfer to you.
PayPal uses a data encryption system to secure its customers’ account information.
For professionals too
To use the PayPal payment solution for your online store, you’ll need to open a business account.
From there, you have several options, which you can of course activate or not on your site.
The PayPal solution offers online payment, payment in four instalments at no extra charge, recurring payments and subscriptions.
But other tools are also available if you wish, such as the generation of quotes or invoices, or even the creation of ads for social networks. 
Why use PayPal for your online store?
A solution ready for immediate use
As you can see, PayPal offers many advantages.
Your banking information is secure and never shared with anyone else.
Opening a PayPal account is easy: all you need is a valid e-mail address and a credit card.
Once your account is open, you can start accepting payments immediately.
Accept all types of payment
Your customers don’t need to have a PayPal account to pay for their orders in your online store.
They can just use a standard credit card.
This won’t stop you from receiving payments.
Transaction-based remuneration
There are no membership, subscription or cancellation fees.
This means that as long as you’re not cashing in, your PayPal account costs you absolutely nothing.
You have no fixed charges.
PayPal earns a commission on every transaction you make.
The commission rate can vary between 1.4% and 3.4%. 
How can you integrate PayPal into your online store?
Most professional e-commerce solutions offer easy PayPal integration, either natively or via modules or extensions.
There’s usually no programming involved, and configuration requires no technical knowledge.
Paypal store with WooCommerce
WooCommerce (the WordPress-based e-commerce solution) natively integrates PayPal payment.
Activating PayPal Standard
The first step is to activate the PayPal Standard option in WooCommerce.
To do this, go to the “WooCommerce > Settings > Payments” menu.
Simply click on the button to activate it.
PayPal Standard configuration
By clicking on “Configuration”, you can enter the email address corresponding to your PayPal Professional account.
Other optional fields allow you to activate certain features.
Here are just a few of them:
- PayPal sandbox: this mode, used during the development of your store, allows you to test payments without any actual debit being made.
- The debugging log: also very useful during the site development phase, to make it easier to analyze how the site is working.
- Payment actions: determines whether you capture the funds immediately or simply authorize payment.
In the latter case, the funds will only be collected once the order has reached “Completed” status.
API identification
Finally, you need to configure your API credentials.
This will enable you to process PayPal refunds.
Start by retrieving your API identifier from your PayPal account.
To do this, go to your account settings and select “Update”, then “API Access”. Click on the “Generate API credentials” link if you haven’t already done so.
Then copy your username, password and API ID into the corresponding fields in WooCommerce.
Once set up, you can accept online payments with PayPal. 
Paypal store with Prestashop
Like WooCommerce, Prestashop natively offers the functionality you need to use PayPal on your online store.
Module activation
Go to the “Modules” tab and select “Payment”.
Search for the PayPal module, then click on the “Install” button.
Once the module has been installed, you’ll need to configure it.
If you have a PayPal business account, you’ll be able to enter your account information.
If you don’t, you can create one directly from the module configuration.
Obtaining the API signature
Log in to your PayPal account, display your preferences and choose “Configure my business”.
To make the link with your Prestashop site, follow the suggested procedure to generate an API signature.
Once this signature has been obtained, return to the Prestashop backoffice.
PayPal configuration
Click on the “Configure” button in the PayPal module.
Fill in the required fields, such as the Paypal solution you’ve chosen, your username, password and API signature.
Click on the “Save” button.
Your PayPal payment solution is now operational. 
To conclude on creating a Paypal online store
PayPal is a convenient and secure payment method offered by many online stores.
Installing and configuring basic payment functions is straightforward.
However, if you wish to activate and configure certain advanced functions, this will require some additional skills.
As a specialist in e-commerce for many years, I can help you install, configure and, above all, customize the PayPal solution for your online store.
Don’t hesitate to contact me so that we can discuss your needs and come up with the most appropriate solution.
