In a WooCommerce store, accept bank transfers by enabling Direct Bank Transfer (BACS) at WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Take offline payments. Add your customer-facing instructions and bank details, then manually verify that each transfer has cleared before you process or ship the order. Choosing the method at checkout creates an order; it does not confirm that money was sent or received.
What bank-transfer payments mean in WordPress
The documented WordPress workflow is WooCommerce’s built-in Direct Bank Transfer (BACS) method. It is an offline payment option: the customer leaves checkout, uses their own bank to send the money, and WooCommerce records the order while you wait for payment.
WooCommerce places these orders On hold. Staff must match the incoming payment to the order, confirm that the funds have cleared in the store’s bank account, and only then move the order to Processing or Completed.
How to enable Direct Bank Transfer in WooCommerce
- Open the payment settings. In WordPress, go to WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Take offline payments.
- Enable Direct Bank Transfer. Turn on the BACS payment method and open its settings.
- Set the checkout title. Use a label customers will understand, such as “Bank transfer.”
- Write the description. Explain that the customer must initiate a transfer through their bank and that the order will remain on hold until payment clears.
- Add payment instructions. Tell customers exactly what to enter as the payment reference, how to identify the amount, and what to do if they need help.
- Enter the bank details. Provide the account information customers need to send the transfer, then save the settings.
WooCommerce displays the account details on the Order Received page and in the order email. Check both customer views after saving so that the instructions are complete and readable.
#1 Best Overall
What to include in your checkout instructions
Customers should not have to guess how to identify or complete a payment. Include:
- The account name and every bank detail required in your market.
- The exact amount to transfer and the currency, where relevant.
- A unique payment reference, normally the WooCommerce order ID or another reference your staff can reconcile.
- A statement that the order is not shipped until the funds have cleared.
- Instructions for contacting the store if the customer sent an incorrect amount or used the wrong reference.
A practical reference instruction is: “Use your Order ID as the payment reference.” Use a different reference only if your accounting process requires one, and make sure staff can connect it reliably to the order.
How to process an order paid by bank transfer
- Review the new order. The order should be on hold and show Direct Bank Transfer as the selected method.
- Wait for the customer’s transfer. Selecting BACS at checkout is not proof that a transfer was initiated.
- Check the store bank account. Match the payer, amount and reference to the WooCommerce order.
- Confirm settlement. Verify that the money is actually available and cleared, rather than relying on a pending notification, screenshot or customer statement.
- Update WooCommerce. After confirmation, move the order to Processing or Completed according to your fulfillment workflow.
- Fulfill the order. Do not ship or provide the order before the funds have cleared.
WooCommerce’s guidance is explicit: verify that you have been paid and that the transaction has cleared and is in your account before shipping and marking an order as Processing or Completed.
Manual BACS or an automated payment service?
The built-in method is appropriate when your team can reconcile payments manually and customers are comfortable sending money through their bank. A payment extension or provider may be better when you need automated confirmation, a country-specific method, or a different settlement process.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Decision area | Direct Bank Transfer (BACS) | Extension or payment provider |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement | Staff check the bank account and update the order manually. | May support an automated confirmation flow; verify how it actually settles funds. |
| Customer experience | Checkout shows editable instructions and account details; the customer completes payment outside the store. | May keep payment inside a hosted or integrated flow, depending on the method. |
| Geographic coverage | Works only when customers can use the supplied bank-transfer details. | Availability varies by country, currency, provider and extension. |
| Operations | Requires a process for matching references, checking cleared funds and releasing orders. | Can reduce manual work, but adds configuration, compatibility and provider dependencies. |
| Security and compliance | It is an offline transfer, not a direct card gateway. | Review the actual integration’s security, SSL, PCI and regulatory requirements. |
When a WooCommerce extension makes sense
Consider an extension or payment service if manual reconciliation is too slow, your market expects a local transfer scheme, or you need payment-status callbacks and automated order updates. Check the provider’s current country coverage, currencies, WooCommerce compatibility, fees and settlement behavior before installing it.
WooCommerce’s Stripe extension documents additional payment methods under WooCommerce > Settings > Payments > Stripe > Payment Methods. Methods shown in Stripe’s own dashboard are not necessarily all available in the WooCommerce extension, so confirm support in the extension documentation. These services are not equivalent to a customer manually sending money to your bank account.
The WordPress.org listing for Direct Payments for WooCommerce describes bank transfers alongside other methods and says its free and Pro versions differ in supported features. Treat those as vendor claims and verify the current version, compatibility and suitability for your store before relying on the plugin.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting common bank-transfer problems
The customer says they paid, but the order is still on hold
Check the bank account directly, search by amount and reference, and confirm the transaction has cleared. Do not change the status solely because the customer provides a receipt or screenshot.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe payment cannot be matched to an order
Compare the sender name, amount and transfer date with open orders. Contact the customer for the order ID or corrected reference, and keep the order on hold until you can establish the match.
Customers cannot find the bank details
Review the BACS settings and place a test order. Confirm that the details appear on the Order Received page and in the order email, and remove outdated account information from your instructions.
You need instant confirmation
BACS does not provide instant online confirmation. Select a suitable payment provider or extension only after checking its supported market, payment method and confirmation workflow.
Scope and limitations
This procedure is specific to WooCommerce. A WordPress form plugin or another e-commerce system may use different settings and may not provide order statuses, payment instructions or reconciliation tools in the same way. Bank-transfer availability, plugin features and provider support can change, so verify the current documentation for your installed versions and market.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
