How to Enable Bancontact Payments in WooCommerce?

Bancontact reigns supreme in Belgium. With over 17 million cards in circulation, surpassing the country’s population of 12 million, the Bancontact payment method dominates both online and offline transactions in Belgium. 

So, if you happen to run a WooCommerce store and are looking to expand your payment options to serve Belgian customers, this WooCommerce guide is for you. We’ll walk you through how to enable Bancontact payments in WooCommerce using the free Stripe payment gateway plugin.

Before exploring the WooCommerce Bancontact setup, let’s briefly understand what makes Bancontact stand out. It’s not just a payment method, it’s practically a standard in Belgium.

With support for both in-store and online purchases, compatibility with the Payconiq by Bancontact mobile app, and popularity among Belgian consumers, integrating the Bancontact payment method can boost your WooCommerce store’s conversion rates and customer trust.

Ready to activate the Bancontact payment method in your WooCommerce store? Let’s get started.

Bancontact is Belgium’s most widely adopted payment method, recognized for its convenience, security, and real-time processing. As a debit-based payment system, it allows Belgian consumers to pay from their bank accounts, whether they are shopping online, in physical stores, or using their mobile devices.

Bancontact payment method operates through a partnership with Belgian banks and is associated with Payconiq by Bancontact, a mobile payment app that enables QR-based and NFC (Near Field Communication) transactions.

For online Bancontact payments, users either make payments via the Payconiq app or through their bank’s secure authentication flow. It also supports contactless and QR code-based payments, which further streamlines the WooCommerce checkout experience.

For WooCommerce store owners targeting Belgian and neighboring customers, understanding how the Bancontact payment system operates is crucial. It’s not only a bank-linked debit system, but also one that has modernized over the years with app support and secure protocols.

In a WooCommerce setup using the Stripe payment gateway, here’s how WooCommerce Bancontact payments work:

➞ During the WooCommerce checkout process, the customer selects Bancontact as their payment method. They are then redirected to their bank’s secure environment to proceed.

➞ The customer logs in to their online banking or uses the Payconiq by Bancontact app to authorize and confirm the payment. Authentication may involve entering a PIN, using facial recognition, or fingerprint verification.

➞ After the payment is successfully authorized, the customer is redirected back to your WooCommerce store’s thank-you page. At the same time, you, the store owner, will receive real-time confirmation, allowing for immediate order processing.

Now that you understand how Bancontact works and what makes it a reliable solution, let’s walk through how you can enable it in your WooCommerce store.

Adding Bancontact payments to your WooCommerce store is simpler than you might think, especially when using the free Stripe payment gateway plugin. With just a few configuration steps, you can start offering Belgian customers a trusted and familiar way to pay, directly from their bank accounts or via the Payconiq app.

The Stripe Payment Gateway plugin doesn’t just enable Bancontact payment; it also lets you accept credit/debit cards, Google Pay, Alipay, and over 20 other payment methods within your WooCommerce store. You can also enable Stripe Checkout, a prebuilt payment page hosted by Stripe to deliver a fast, secure, and conversion-optimized checkout experience. 

Let’s walk through the process and how you can configure the Bancontact payment method using the free plugin in WooCommerce step by step.

Step 1: Install and Activate the Stripe Plugin for WooCommerce

Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add Plugin, and search for “Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce”. Install and activate the plugin developed by WebToffee.

Step 2: Connect Your Store to Stripe

Once activated, go to WebToffee Stripe in the WordPress dashboard, and click on Connect to Stripe. Follow the on-screen steps to link your WooCommerce store to your Stripe account. If you don’t have a Stripe account yet, you can register one during this process. 

Once connected, you’ll see a screen (like the one shown below), indicating that your store is successfully linked. Keep in mind, you’re in test mode. You can click Switch to live mode at any time from the top right.

Once connected, enabling Bancontact payments in WooCommerce becomes straightforward and just a few clicks away.

Step 3: Enable the Bancontact Payment Method in WooCommerce

Next, in the WebToffee Stripe dashboard, go to Local Gateways and click on Bancontact to enable WooCommerce Bancontact payment.

• Check the checkbox to enable Bancontact Pay.
• Optionally, edit the title, description, and button text that will appear to your customers during checkout.
• Click Save changes to update the WooCommerce Stripe settings.

That’s it! Setting up Bancontact payments in WooCommerce is as easy as that. Now, let’s see how WooCommerce Bancontact payment is activated in your store.

Step 4: Test the Bancontact Payment Flow

This is an optional but recommended step when setting up different payment methods in WooCommerce. Before going live, switch your Stripe account to “Test Mode” and simulate a Bancontact payment. This ensures everything works smoothly before accepting real payments.

Step 5: Go Live and Accept WooCommerce Bancontact Payments

Once you’ve confirmed everything is working, switch back to “Live Mode” and you’re ready to start accepting Bancontact payment in WooCommerce. Customers will now see the option at checkout.

By following these steps, you can easily set up WooCommerce Bancontact payments and offer more flexibility to your customers.

That’s all it takes to set up Bancontact payments in WooCommerce! Once live, your store will be equipped to accept one of Belgium’s most trusted payment methods, opening up new opportunities for local conversions and customer trust.

Activating Bancontact payments in WooCommerce does more than just meet a regional payment preference; it can improve your WooCommerce store’s performance and customer trust.

1. Higher conversion rates: Bancontact’s popularity across Belgium means customers are more likely to complete purchases when they see it as a payment option. In 2021, Bancontact accounted for 80% of the country’s eCommerce transactions, making it a leading force in checkout conversions.
2. Increased average order value: Customers tend to feel more confident spending when using familiar and secure payment systems. The ease of use and immediate transaction confirmations often lead to larger purchases, especially during seasonal or promotional sales.
3. Streamlined payment process: Bancontact facilitates real-time payments, so there’s no waiting for bank transfers or credit card holds. Transactions are processed and confirmed instantly.
4. Enhanced data insights: Through Bancontact, businesses can gain access to detailed transaction data. These insights help you better understand customer behavior, identify purchasing trends, and tailor marketing efforts based on actual payment data.
5. Advanced security and fraud prevention: Security is built into every step. From two-factor authentication to real-time fraud monitoring, Bancontact safeguards both you and your customers. 
6. Growth potential: Thanks to its partnership with Payconiq, Bancontact now supports businesses operating in nearby countries like the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Accepting Bancontact payments can help facilitate cross-border eCommerce and regional expansion.

By now, you should have a clear understanding of how integrating Bancontact payments for WooCommerce can improve your WooCommerce store’s checkout experience.

From its dominance in the local market to its integration with Payconiq, Bancontact is more than a payment option. It’s a vital component for businesses looking to build trust and increase conversions in Belgium and neighboring countries.

Also, Bancontact can be integrated into various digital platforms, including Bancontact webshops, through plugins and gateways that support online checkouts. Its compatibility with WooCommerce via the Stripe plugin makes it especially appealing to WordPress-powered eCommerce sites.

With just a few clicks, your store will be ready to offer one of Europe’s most trusted payment systems.

Thanks for following along! Whether you’re setting up a Bancontact payment gateway or simply enabling Bancontact payments in your WooCommerce store, we hope this guide helped simplify the process. Let us know your thoughts, questions, or feedback in the comments below!