Picking a payment processor can feel like a lot. There are many options, each with different features, fees, and tradeoffs. And yes, the fees can be frustrating.
While this is ultimately your organization’s decision, this guide walks through common questions and what we typically talk through with clients.
When do you need a payment processor?
You’ll need a payment processor anytime your website collects money directly, including:
- Donations
- Event registrations with fees
- Membership payments
- Product sales (physical or digital)
- Form-based payments (like application fees)
If your website doesn’t collect payments, you likely don’t need one.
What payment processors does Cornershop work with?
We regularly work with:
- Stripe
- PayPal
- Authorize.net
- CardConnect
Each has pros and cons depending on your needs. Some are easier to use. Some have better reporting. Some work better with specific tools. We help clients weigh those tradeoffs based on their setup.
What tools require a payment processor?
Most WordPress tools that accept payments rely on a processor to actually handle the transaction. Common examples include:
- WooCommerce (eCommerce)
- Gravity Forms (form-based payments)
- Easy Digital Downloads (digital products)
- Membership plugins (like MemberPress or Restrict Content Pro)
These tools don’t process payments themselves. They connect to your payment processor to securely complete the transaction.
What if you’re using a third-party platform?
If you’re using a platform like:
- Fundraise Up
- Bloomerang
- GoFundMe Pro
- Engaging Networks
You’ll want to coordinate directly with that vendor. Many platforms require or strongly recommend specific payment processors, and sometimes they manage that setup for you.
We can support the website integration, but the processor choice is often driven by the platform.
Common Questions
Why is Stripe so popular when it has higher fees?
We get this question a lot. Here’s what we typically see:
Supports many payment methods
Credit cards, ACH, and digital wallets can all run through one system, which keeps things simpler.
Name recognition
People trust what they recognize, and Stripe is widely known.
Ease of use
The interface is clean, support is strong, and it integrates with a wide range of tools.
If you’re using multiple platforms (donations, peer-to-peer, eCommerce), there’s a good chance Stripe works across all of them. That means everything can flow through one account.
So while fees may be slightly higher in some cases, the simplicity and flexibility often make up for it.
Should we offer Apple Pay or Google Pay?
In most cases, yes.
Anything that makes the donation or checkout process easier will improve conversion. And friction is one of the biggest barriers to online giving.
Digital wallets help by:
- Speeding up checkout
- Reducing form fields
- Meeting donors where they already are
They can also help attract younger or first-time donors.
At a minimum, we recommend offering PayPal alongside credit cards to give people options.
If you want to dig deeper into this, here are a few helpful resources:
- https://fundraiseup.com/blog/payment-options-impact/
- https://www.ruffalonl.com/papers-research-higher-education-fundraising/santa-clara-university-fuels-record-giving-day-success-with-digital-wallet/
- https://www.classy.org/blog/nonprofit-online-payment-processing/
Should we give donors the option to cover fees?
This has become very common, especially for nonprofits.
Many donors are happy to cover processing fees when given the option. It helps more of their donation go directly to your mission.
That said, it’s worth thinking through how you present this and what questions to ask internally.
Here are a few articles that walk through considerations and real-world data:
- https://fundraiseup.com/blog/real-impact-donors-cover-fees/
- https://bloomerang.co/blog/ask-an-expert-should-we-ask-donors-to-cover-donation-processing-fees/
- https://www.classy.org/blog/supporters-cover-donation-fees/
How easy is it to switch payment processors?
It’s possible, but it’s not always simple.
Things to keep in mind:
Integration updates
Your website or plugins will need to be reconfigured
Recurring payments
Subscriptions often don’t transfer automatically
Historical data
Past transactions stay with the original processor
Account setup
New processors require underwriting and approval
Switching is doable, but it takes planning. If you’re considering a change, it’s worth talking through the impact first so there are no surprises.
Have additional questions? Email us at support@cornershopcreative.com.