---
title: Getting Started
description: WooCommerce Custom Payment Gateway Pro lets you create custom payment methods for orders that are handled outside standard card processors — invoices, bank transfers, purchase orders, manual review, and more. You can collect extra information at checkout, show payment instructions…
url: "https://wpruby.com/knowledgebase/getting-started-2/"
updated: "2026-07-07"
category: WooCommerce Custom Payment Gateway Pro
---

# Getting Started

WooCommerce Custom Payment Gateway Pro lets you create custom payment methods for orders that are handled outside standard card processors — invoices, bank transfers, purchase orders, manual review, and more.

You can collect extra information at checkout, show payment instructions to customers, control when a gateway appears, and optionally send order data to an external API.

Table of Contents

 [Toggle](#)

- [What the plugin does](#What_the_plugin_does)
- [Common use cases](#Common_use_cases)
- [Where to find the settings](#Where_to_find_the_settings)
  - [1. Create and manage gateways](#1_Create_and_manage_gateways)
  - [2. Configure each gateway](#2_Configure_each_gateway)
- [How to enable a gateway](#How_to_enable_a_gateway)
- [Basic setup example](#Basic_setup_example)
- [Recommended first configuration](#Recommended_first_configuration)
- [Global settings](#Global_settings)

## What the plugin does

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#what-the-plugin-does](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#what-the-plugin-does)

- Creates one or more **custom payment gateways** for WooCommerce checkout.
- Shows a **customer message** and optional **custom checkout fields** when the gateway is selected.
- Sets the **order status** after checkout (for example, On hold).
- Displays **payment instructions** on checkout, the thank-you page, and order emails (depending on your setup).
- Optionally sends checkout and order data to an **external API** after the order is placed.

## Common use cases

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#common-use-cases](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#common-use-cases)

| Use case | How the plugin helps |
| --- | --- |
| **Pay by invoice** | Customers place the order now; you send an invoice later. Collect company name, PO number, and billing contact. |
| **Manual payment** | Customers complete checkout without paying online; you confirm payment manually. |
| **Purchase order payment** | Collect PO numbers and approval details at checkout. |
| **Bank transfer instructions** | Show bank details after checkout and optionally collect a payment reference or receipt upload. |
| **Request a payment link** | Customer places the order; you review it and send a payment link separately. |
| **Custom approval-based payment** | Hold orders for review, then approve and process payment outside WooCommerce. |

## Where to find the settings

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#where-to-find-the-settings](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#where-to-find-the-settings)

The plugin uses two main areas in WooCommerce:

### 1. Create and manage gateways

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#1-create-and-manage-gateways](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#1-create-and-manage-gateways)

Go to **WooCommerce → Settings → Custom Payment Gateways**.

Here you can:

- Create new gateways from templates or from scratch
- View active and inactive gateways
- Change **global settings** (email and database storage options)
- Delete gateways you no longer need

### 2. Configure each gateway

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#2-configure-each-gateway](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#2-configure-each-gateway)

Go to **WooCommerce → Settings → Payments**, then click **Manage** on the gateway you want to edit.

Each gateway has its own settings for title, messages, checkout fields, conditional rules, API options, and debug mode.

## How to enable a gateway

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#how-to-enable-a-gateway](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#how-to-enable-a-gateway)

1. Go to **WooCommerce → Settings → Payments**.
2. Find your custom gateway in the list.
3. Click **Manage**.
4. Check **Enable Custom Payment**.
5. Click **Save changes** at the bottom of the page.

The gateway appears at checkout only when it is enabled and any **conditional display rules** (if configured) are satisfied.

## Basic setup example

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#basic-setup-example](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#basic-setup-example)

A simple manual payment gateway:

1. Go to **WooCommerce → Settings → Custom Payment Gateways**.
2. Create a gateway using **Start from scratch** (or pick a template).
3. Open the gateway under **WooCommerce → Settings → Payments → Manage**.
4. Set:
   - **Method Title:** `Pay by Bank Transfer`
   - **Customer Message:** `Pay by bank transfer. Use your order number as the payment reference.`
   - **Order Status After The Checkout:** `On hold`
5. Click **Save changes**.
6. Place a test order while logged in as an administrator with **Enable Debug Mode** turned on (see below).

## Recommended first configuration

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#recommended-first-configuration](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#recommended-first-configuration)

For most stores, start with these steps:

1. **Create one gateway** for your main offline payment method (for example, Pay by Invoice or Bank Transfer).
2. **Set a clear Method Title** customers will recognize at checkout.
3. **Write a short Customer Message** explaining what happens after they place the order.
4. **Set Order Status After The Checkout** to **On hold** or **Pending payment** so orders are not marked completed before you confirm payment.
5. **Add only the checkout fields you need** in the **Custom Form** field builder.
6. Turn on **Enable Debug Mode** and test checkout as an administrator before customers see the gateway.
7. Turn off debug mode when you are ready to go live.

## Global settings

[https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#global-settings](https://github.com/wsenjer/woocommerce-custom-payment-gateway/blob/docs-cursor/docs/getting-started.md#global-settings)

On the **Custom Payment Gateways** settings tab you will also find:

- **Add payment info to emails** — includes submitted payment field data in WooCommerce order emails.
- **Store Payment Information in the Database** — saves submitted field values with the order. Disable this only if you send all data to an API and do not need it stored in WooCommerce.