Online Payment Integration

Online Payment Integration

EquiBillBook supports integration with various online payment gateways, allowing your customers to make secure payments through payment links. This guide explains how to set up and manage online payment integrations.

What is Online Payment Integration?

Online payment integration connects EquiBillBook with payment gateway providers (like Razorpay, Stripe, PayPal, etc.) to enable secure online payment processing. This allows customers to pay invoices and payment links using credit cards, debit cards, net banking, UPI, and other digital payment methods.

Accessing Payment Gateway Settings

To configure online payment integration:

1. Navigate to Settings from the main menu
2. Click on Online Payment Settings
3. You'll see a list of available payment gateways
4. Select the payment gateway you want to configure

Supported Payment Gateways

EquiBillBook supports various payment gateways, including:

• Razorpay: Popular in India, supports cards, UPI, net banking, wallets
• Stripe: International payment gateway with global support
• PayPal: Widely used for international transactions
• PayU: Payment gateway popular in India and other regions
• Other gateways: Depending on your region and subscription plan

Configuring a Payment Gateway

To set up a payment gateway:

1. Go to Settings → Online Payment Settings
2. Click "Add New" or select an existing gateway to edit
3. Enter the following information:
• Gateway Name: A friendly name to identify this gateway
• Gateway Type: Select the payment gateway provider
• API Key/Key ID: Your payment gateway API key
• Secret Key: Your payment gateway secret key
• Webhook Secret: For secure webhook callbacks (if applicable)
4. Configure additional settings based on the gateway
5. Set the gateway as Active or Inactive
6. Click "Save" to save the configuration

Getting API Credentials

To get your payment gateway credentials:

1. Sign up for an account with your chosen payment gateway provider
2. Complete the verification process (KYC, business verification, etc.)
3. Navigate to the API or Developer section in your gateway dashboard
4. Generate API keys (usually separate for test and live modes)
5. Copy the API Key and Secret Key
6. Keep these credentials secure and never share them publicly

Test Mode vs Live Mode

Most payment gateways offer two modes:

• Test/Sandbox Mode: Use for testing without real transactions
• Use test API keys
• No real money is processed
• Perfect for testing payment flows
• Live/Production Mode: Use for actual customer payments
• Use live API keys
• Real transactions are processed
• Requires complete gateway account verification

Webhook Configuration

Webhooks allow payment gateways to notify EquiBillBook about payment status:

1. In your payment gateway dashboard, set up a webhook URL
2. The webhook URL is typically provided by EquiBillBook
3. Configure which events to send (payment success, failure, refund, etc.)
4. Enter the webhook secret in EquiBillBook settings
5. Test the webhook to ensure it's working correctly

Payment Methods Supported

Depending on your gateway and region, customers can pay using:

• Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.
• Debit Cards: All major debit card networks
• Net Banking: Direct bank transfers
• UPI: Unified Payments Interface (popular in India)
• Digital Wallets: Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, etc.
• Bank Transfers: NEFT, RTGS, IMPS
• Other Methods: As supported by your gateway

Selecting Payment Gateway for Payment Links

When creating a payment link:

1. You can select which payment gateway to use
2. Only active payment gateways will be available
3. You can set a default gateway in settings
4. Different links can use different gateways if needed

Payment Gateway Fees

Important considerations:

• Payment gateways charge transaction fees (usually a percentage + fixed fee)
• Fees vary by gateway and payment method
• You can choose to absorb fees or pass them to customers
• Check your gateway's fee structure before setting up
• Fees are typically deducted from the payment amount

Security Best Practices

When configuring payment gateways:

• Keep credentials secure: Never share API keys publicly
• Use HTTPS: Ensure all payment pages use secure connections
• Enable webhooks: For real-time payment status updates
• Regular updates: Keep gateway credentials updated
• Monitor transactions: Regularly check for suspicious activity
• PCI Compliance: Ensure your setup follows PCI DSS guidelines

Testing Payment Integration

Before going live, test your integration:

1. Use test mode with test API keys
2. Create a test payment link
3. Complete a test payment using test cards
4. Verify payment status updates correctly
5. Test webhook callbacks
6. Check that payment records are created properly
7. Test different payment methods

Multiple Payment Gateways

You can configure multiple payment gateways:

• Set up different gateways for different purposes
• Use one gateway for domestic payments, another for international
• Have backup gateways in case one fails
• Select gateway per payment link based on customer or amount

Payment Gateway Status

Monitor your payment gateway:

• Check gateway status in settings
• Verify API connectivity
• Monitor transaction success rates
• Check for gateway downtime or issues
• Review failed payment reasons

Troubleshooting Payment Integration

Common issues and solutions:

• Payment not processing: Verify API keys are correct and gateway is active
• Webhook not working: Check webhook URL and secret key
• Payment status not updating: Verify webhook configuration
• API errors: Check gateway dashboard for error messages
• Test mode issues: Ensure you're using test API keys and test cards
• Currency mismatch: Verify currency settings match gateway

Payment Gateway Support

If you encounter issues:

• Check EquiBillBook documentation for gateway-specific setup
• Contact your payment gateway provider's support
• Review gateway API documentation
• Check EquiBillBook support for integration assistance

Best Practices

• Start with test mode to familiarize yourself with the process
• Complete all gateway verification requirements before going live
• Keep backup payment gateways configured
• Regularly review transaction reports
• Monitor for failed payments and investigate causes
• Keep payment gateway credentials updated
• Test after any gateway configuration changes

Properly configured online payment integration enables seamless payment collection through payment links. Take time to set it up correctly, test thoroughly, and ensure security best practices are followed for a smooth payment experience.