How to Accept GCash, Maya, and Bank Transfer on Your Philippine Online Store
Digital wallets, online banking, and bank transfers are common ways to pay online in the Philippines. If your online store only accepts card payments, some buyers may not be able to pay the way they prefer.
Adding local payment methods is more straightforward than many owners expect. This guide covers your options and the practical steps for each.
Table of contents
- Executive Summary
- Quick Answer
- Why Philippine Online Stores Need Local Payment Methods
- Your Two Main Approaches
- How to Accept GCash Payments on Your Store
- How to Accept Maya Payments
- How to Set Up Bank Transfer
- Payment Options Side by Side
- Payment Setup Checklist
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Your Payment Setup Needs Reliable Hosting to Back It Up
Executive Summary
- GCash and Maya can be accepted through a payment gateway or each provider's own business account, subject to merchant eligibility rules
- PayMongo's WooCommerce plugin can offer cards, e-wallets, and direct online banking through one integration
- WooCommerce's built-in bank transfer (BACS) is manual: orders enter On hold until you verify cleared funds
- PayMongo's documents depend on entity type and include BIR Form 2303 where applicable; settlement requirements depend on account setup
Quick Answer
For most WooCommerce stores, the simplest route is the PayMongo Hosted Checkout for WooCommerce plugin, which can offer GCash, Maya, cards, and direct online banking through one integration. Set your store currency to Philippine peso (PHP), connect your keys and webhook secret, enable methods in both PayMongo and the plugin, and test before going live. WooCommerce's built-in Direct bank transfer (BACS) is manual: confirm cleared funds before fulfilling orders.
Why Philippine Online Stores Need Local Payment Methods
Cards are not the only way Filipino shoppers pay online. Digital wallets such as GCash and Maya, online banking, and bank transfers are widely available, so a checkout that supports only cards can exclude some buyers.
If a customer does not see a suitable payment option at checkout, some will leave without buying. Payment friction is only one cause of abandoned carts, so extra options are not a guaranteed fix.
Offering GCash, Maya, and bank transfer alongside cards gives buyers more ways to pay. Before 10.10, 11.11, and 12.12 sales, test every method so checkout is ready for traffic spikes.
Your Two Main Approaches
Before diving into setup steps, it helps to understand the two routes available to you:
Payment gateway (simpler for many stores): A payment gateway connects your store to multiple payment methods through a single business account and integration. PayMongo is one gateway for Philippine online stores. Its PayMongo Hosted Checkout for WooCommerce plugin, available in the WordPress Plugin Directory, supports cards, e-wallets including GCash and Maya, and direct online banking, depending on the methods enabled on your account. Other gateways exist, so compare current fees and channels.
Direct provider accounts: Both GCash for Business and Maya Business offer merchant accounts for businesses. Direct accounts mean separate onboarding with each provider, and available online integrations depend on each provider's approval. For many SMBs using WooCommerce, a gateway is the simpler start.
How to Accept GCash Payments on Your Store
Via PayMongo (gateway route)
- Create a PayMongo account and submit the documents required for your entity type. Sole proprietors, for example, are listed as needing a DTI certificate, a valid ID, and BIR Form 2303
- Set your WooCommerce store currency to Philippine peso (PHP), the only currency the PayMongo API supports
- Install and activate PayMongo Hosted Checkout for WooCommerce from Plugins → Add New, or from the WordPress Plugin Directory
- Open the plugin settings under WooCommerce → Settings → Payments, enable the plugin, and enter your public and secret keys. Use test keys while testing and live keys when you go live
- Set up the webhook as your plugin version directs and enter the Webhook Secret in the plugin settings so payment updates reach WooCommerce
- Enable GCash in the plugin settings and confirm it is also enabled in your PayMongo Dashboard
- Place test orders, confirm the order status updates after a successful payment, then turn Debug Mode off before accepting live payments
Menu labels can differ between plugin versions, so follow the labels in your installed version and PayMongo's WooCommerce setup guide. PayMongo charges a per-payment fee that varies by method; check the current schedule on the PayMongo website.
Via GCash for Business (direct route)
GCash for Business is GCash's merchant account for registered businesses. Eligibility depends on GCash's current criteria, such as being an authorized signatory of a government-registered business, so read the current GCash for Business requirements before applying. Ask GCash which online payment options suit your store; this guide does not cover direct integration.
If you do receive GCash payments directly, do not treat a customer's screenshot or a QR-scan screen as proof of payment. Check your own merchant transaction records, and match the credited funds, amount, and reference to the order before you fulfill it.
How to Accept Maya Payments
Maya (formerly PayMaya) is a Philippine digital wallet and bank. Maya Business offers Maya Checkout, an online payment solution for merchants.
Via PayMongo (gateway route)
Once your PayMongo account is active and the plugin is installed, enabling Maya works the same way as GCash: turn Maya on in the plugin settings and confirm it is enabled in your PayMongo Dashboard.
Via Maya Business (direct route)
Maya Business provides an API and checkout solution for online stores. This usually involves separate onboarding and developer work. Visit the official Maya Business portal for current documentation and onboarding requirements.
How to Set Up Bank Transfer
WooCommerce includes Direct bank transfer (BACS) by default, so it needs no extra plugin. It is a manual method: your bank details appear on the Order Received page and in the order email, and the buyer pays outside your store. This is different from the automated direct online banking channels (such as BPI and UnionBank) that PayMongo's guide lists.
- In your WordPress dashboard, go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments (labels can vary by WooCommerce version)
- Enable Direct Bank Transfer (BACS)
- Add your business bank account details: account name, account number, bank name, and branch
- Write clear payment instructions, including the exact amount and the order reference. Keep bank details separate from any GCash wallet details
- WooCommerce automatically places BACS orders On hold. Keep them there until your bank records show cleared funds, then move the order to Processing or Completed
Payment Options Side by Side
| Method | Setup Complexity | Automated? | Transaction Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GCash via PayMongo | Low–Medium | Yes | Per transaction (see PayMongo) | Stores wanting one gateway integration |
| Maya via PayMongo | Low–Medium | Yes | Per transaction (see PayMongo) | Stores wanting one gateway integration |
| Direct online banking via PayMongo | Low–Medium | Yes | Per transaction (see PayMongo) | Automated bank-based payments |
| Bank Transfer (WooCommerce BACS) | Low | No (manual) | No plugin fee; bank charges may apply | Complementary / backup |
| GCash for Business (direct) | Medium | Depends on integration | Merchant rate (confirm with GCash) | Registered businesses with approved GCash merchant access |
| Maya Business (direct) | High (API) | Yes | Merchant rate (confirm with Maya) | Businesses with developer support |
Payment Setup Checklist
- Business documents ready for your entity type, including BIR Form 2303 where applicable
- PayMongo account created and documents submitted, with the settlement account set up as your account and entity require
- Store currency set to Philippine peso (PHP)
- PayMongo Hosted Checkout for WooCommerce installed and activated
- Test or live keys and webhook secret entered as your plugin version requires
- GCash, Maya, and any online banking options enabled in both PayMongo and the plugin settings
- Bank Transfer (BACS), if used, enabled with accurate bank details and orders kept On hold until funds are verified
- Test orders confirm that successful payments update the order status, and checkout tested on a mobile device
- Debug Mode turned off after testing
- Confirmation emails reviewed and a refund and cancellation process defined for each method
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a business bank account to accept GCash and Maya?
It depends on your account and entity setup. PayMongo's requirements vary by entity type, and some entities must authorize a designated settlement account. See PayMongo's Philippine entity requirements and GCash's current merchant requirements for your case. A separate business bank account can help with bookkeeping. Confirm the settlement account requirements with your payment provider and any applicable tax obligations with a qualified accountant.
How long does it take to receive funds from GCash or Maya payments?
Settlement timelines vary by payment processor and can change over time. Check the current policy on PayMongo's website or your provider's documentation before planning cash flow.
Can I use PayMongo if I am registered as a sole proprietor?
PayMongo lists sole proprietorships among supported entity types. Its guide names a DTI Certificate of Business Name Registration, a government-issued ID, and BIR Form 2303, plus a notarized power of attorney if someone other than the owner signs up. Confirm the current list before applying.
Is there a transaction fee for bank transfer?
WooCommerce's built-in BACS module has no plugin fees. However, your bank may charge incoming transfer fees, and the buyer typically pays any interbank or InstaPay transfer charge on their end. Check with your bank for current rates.
Can I enable all payment methods at the same time?
Yes. WooCommerce lets you enable multiple payment gateways simultaneously. Customers choose from the options shown, so enable the methods your customers use and test each one.
What happens if a buyer pays the wrong amount via bank transfer?
Set clear instructions at checkout (exact amount, reference number), keep the on-hold window short, and contact the buyer promptly. An automated gateway can reduce manual matching.
Key Takeaways
- GCash and Maya can be accepted through a single PayMongo integration, which may reduce setup effort versus separate direct accounts
- WooCommerce's built-in BACS bank transfer has no plugin cost but requires manual verification of cleared funds before you fulfill each order
- Check eligibility and documents for your entity type, including BIR Form 2303 where applicable; settlement requirements depend on your account setup
- Test in test mode, confirm order statuses update, turn Debug Mode off, and test again on mobile before going live
Your Payment Setup Needs Reliable Hosting to Back It Up
Every successful payment on your store depends on your website staying online and loading fast — especially during 10.10, 11.11, and 12.12 sales. Z.com Web Hosting gives Philippine online stores a stable, secure foundation. Eligible annual plans include a free domain for the first year; renewal rates and plan conditions apply, so check the hosting page for current terms.
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