How to Accept Payments Online Without a Developer

The Old Way Was Complicated

Five years ago, accepting online payments meant setting up a merchant account, integrating a payment gateway, handling PCI compliance yourself, and usually paying a developer $1,000+ to wire it all together. Most small business owners just didn't bother.

What You Actually Need Today

Modern payment infrastructure has simplified dramatically. All you need is:

• A Stripe account (free to create, no monthly fee)
• A website or booking platform that integrates with Stripe
• A bank account to receive funds

How Stripe Works

Stripe charges 1.4% + 20p per transaction (UK) or 2.9% + 30¢ (US) for online card payments. There are no setup fees, no monthly fees, and no minimum volumes. Funds typically arrive in your bank account within 2 business days.

Setting Up Payments in Sitepresso

1. Go to Settings → Payments in your Sitepresso dashboard
2. Click "Connect Stripe" — this takes you to Stripe's setup flow
3. Create a Stripe account (or log in to an existing one)
4. Stripe verifies your identity and bank details (usually takes 10 minutes)
5. Return to Sitepresso — payments are now live

Taking Deposits vs Full Payment

You can configure Sitepresso to take a full payment at booking, or a deposit (e.g., 25%) with the remainder paid in person. Deposits are a good middle ground — they reduce no-shows without requiring clients to pay the full amount upfront.

Refunds

Refunds can be processed from your Sitepresso dashboard or directly from Stripe. They typically return to the client's card within 5–10 business days.