Payment Gateway Integration

✅ Introduction

What it does: Connects payment processors to your SaaS platform Why it's useful: Enables secure payment collection from customers Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Payment Gateways

Payment gateway integration is essential for monetizing your WhatsMarkSaaS platform. This guide explains how to set up and manage payment gateways to process subscription payments from your tenants.

✅ Accessing Payment Gateway Settings

Navigation Path

1. Login to Admin Panel
2. Navigate to Settings → Payment Gateways

Required Permissions

• admin.payments.view - View payment settings
• admin.payments.edit - Edit payment gateway configuration

✅ Stripe Integration

Stripe Setup

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Payment Gateways → Stripe

Stripe is the primary payment processor for WhatsMarkSaaS:

Required Credentials:

• Publishable Key: Client-side API key
• Secret Key: Server-side API key
• Webhook Secret: For webhook verification

Configuration Steps:

1. Create a Stripe account
2. Navigate to Developers → API keys in Stripe Dashboard
3. Copy the publishable and secret keys
4. Enter the keys in your admin panel
5. Enable Stripe as a payment method

Stripe Webhook Configuration

Webhook Setup:

1. In Stripe Dashboard, go to Developers → Webhooks

2. Add a new endpoint with your SaaS URL:

   https://yourdomain.com/stripe/webhook

3. Select events to listen for:

   • customer.subscription.created
   • customer.subscription.updated
   • customer.subscription.deleted
   • invoice.payment_succeeded
   • invoice.payment_failed
   • checkout.session.completed

4. Copy the webhook signing secret

5. Enter the secret in your admin panel

Testing Webhooks:

• Use Stripe's webhook tester in their dashboard
• Monitor webhook events in the system logs
• Verify proper event handling

Stripe Payment Flow

Understanding the subscription payment flow:

1. Customer selects a plan
2. System creates Stripe Checkout Session
3. Customer completes payment on Stripe hosted page
4. Stripe sends webhook notification
5. System activates the subscription
6. Invoice is generated and emailed to customer

✅ Payment Settings Configuration

Global Payment Settings

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Payments

Configure general payment behavior:

Available Settings:

• Default Currency: Primary billing currency
• Currency Format: Symbol position and formatting
• Tax Handling: VAT/GST configuration
• Invoice Generation: Automatic or manual
• Payment Reminders: Notification schedule
• Failed Payment Actions: Retry strategy

Currency Management

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Currencies

Configure multiple currencies:

Currency Options:

• Add/remove supported currencies
• Set exchange rates
• Configure display format
• Set default currency
• Enable/disable specific currencies

Tax Configuration

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Taxes

Configure tax collection:

Tax Options:

• Tax Rates: Percentage for different regions
• Tax Names: VAT, GST, Sales Tax, etc.
• Tax Number Collection: Customer tax IDs
• Tax Exemptions: Rules for exemptions
• Tax Reporting: Report generation

✅ Invoice Management

Invoice Settings

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Invoices

Configure invoice generation:

Invoice Options:

• Invoice Template: Design and layout
• Numbering Format: Sequential numbering
• Company Details: Information on invoice
• Payment Terms: Due date calculation
• Invoice Notes: Default footer text
• Logo: Company branding

Invoice Automation

Automation Options:

• Auto-Generation: Create on payment
• Email Delivery: Send automatically
• PDF Attachment: Include PDF version
• Payment Reminders: Before/after due date
• Receipt Generation: After payment

✅ Payment Analytics

Revenue Dashboard

Location: Admin Panel → Payments → Analytics

Monitor payment performance:

Available Metrics:

• Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR): Subscription revenue
• Average Revenue Per User (ARPU): Revenue per tenant
• Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Long-term value
• Churn Rate: Subscription cancellations
• Revenue Growth: Month-over-month change
• Payment Success Rate: Failed vs. successful

Transaction History

Location: Admin Panel → Payments → Transactions

View all payment transactions:

Transaction Information:

• Transaction ID and reference
• Payment amount and currency
• Payment status
• Payment method
• Tenant information
• Invoice reference
• Transaction date/time

✅ Subscription Management

Subscription Settings

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Subscriptions

Configure subscription behavior:

Available Settings:

• Trial Handling: How trials are managed
• Upgrade/Downgrade: Proration settings
• Cancellation Policy: Immediate or end of term
• Grace Period: Days after failed payment
• Renewal Notifications: Reminder schedule
• Auto-Renewals: Enable/disable

Manual Subscription Management

Location: Admin Panel → Subscriptions

Manually manage tenant subscriptions:

Management Options:

• Create subscription manually
• Update subscription plan
• Cancel subscription
• Add one-time charges
• Apply discounts or credits
• Override subscription settings

✅ Additional Payment Options

PayPal Integration (Optional)

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Payment Gateways → PayPal

If enabled, configure PayPal processing:

Required Credentials:

• Client ID: PayPal API identifier
• Client Secret: PayPal API secret
• Webhook ID: For webhook verification

Configuration Steps (similar to Stripe):

1. Create PayPal Business account
2. Generate API credentials
3. Configure webhook endpoints
4. Enter credentials in admin panel
5. Enable PayPal as payment method

Manual Payment Methods (Optional)

Location: Admin Panel → Settings → Payment Gateways → Manual

Configure offline payment options:

Available Methods:

• Bank transfer
• Check payment
• Cash payment
• Custom payment methods

Configuration Options:

• Payment instructions
• Verification process
• Approval workflow
• Receipt generation

✅ Security Considerations

Payment Security

Ensuring secure payment processing:

• PCI Compliance: Using secure providers
• Data Protection: Minimal data storage
• SSL Requirement: Secure connections only
• Fraud Prevention: Basic screening measures
• Access Control: Restricted payment settings

Audit Logging

Location: Admin Panel → Payments → Logs

Monitor payment-related activities:

Log Information:

• User actions on payments
• Gateway API interactions
• Webhook events received
• System payment processing
• Error conditions and resolution

✅ Troubleshooting

Common Issues:

• Failed Webhooks: Check endpoint accessibility
• Declined Payments: Verify card validity
• Currency Mismatches: Check currency configuration
• Invoice Errors: Verify tax and pricing setup
• Subscription State Issues: Check webhook processing

Diagnostic Steps:

1. Check payment logs for errors
2. Verify webhook delivery in Stripe dashboard
3. Test payment process in test mode
4. Confirm API credentials are correct
5. Verify proper event handling

✅ Best Practices

• Test Mode: Thoroughly test before going live
• Backup Credentials: Securely store API keys
• Regular Reconciliation: Compare with gateway reports
• Clear Communication: Transparent pricing and policies
• Proper Error Handling: User-friendly error messages
• Dunning Management: Process for failed payments

Next Steps

After setting up payment gateways, your WhatsMarkSaaS platform is ready to accept customers! Make sure to review the Troubleshooting Guide for common issues and solutions.