---
title: "Checkout and Online Payments"
description: "Learn how the checkout process and payments work in your online store."
keywords: ["checkout", "payments", "mercadopago", "cart", "purchase"]
lastUpdated: "2025-01-26"
---

# Checkout and Online Payments

The checkout process in Sarah is simple and integrated with MercadoPago to accept payments securely.

## Checkout Process

### 1. Add Products to Cart

Customer browses the store and adds products to cart:

- **Quantity**: Can modify quantity of each product
- **Persistent cart**: Products are saved while browsing
- **Visible total**: Sees total at all times

### 2. Review Cart

Before proceeding to payment, customer can:

- **View products**: Review all added products
- **Modify quantities**: Increase or decrease quantities
- **Remove products**: Remove products from cart
- **View total**: See subtotal, discounts (if applicable), and final total

### 3. Customer Information

Customer must provide:

- **Name**: Full name
- **Email**: Contact email
- **Phone**: Phone number

**Note:** If customer has purchased before, information can be pre-filled.

### 4. Delivery Options

Customer chooses how to receive their order:

#### Store Pickup

- **No shipping cost**
- Customer picks up at your business
- Must provide address (for contact)

#### Home Delivery

- **Shipping cost**: Calculated automatically (if configured)
- **Complete address**: Street, number, floor, apartment, city, province, postal code
- **Correo Argentino integration**: If configured, cost is calculated

### 5. Payment Method

Customer chooses how to pay:

#### MercadoPago QR

- A QR code is generated
- Customer scans with MercadoPago app
- Completes payment from their phone

#### Payment Link

- A payment link is generated
- Customer clicks and completes payment
- Can pay with card, transfer, etc.

#### Cash (Pickup Only)

- Available only for store pickup
- Customer pays when picking up

### 6. Confirmation

After payment:

- **Immediate confirmation**: Customer receives confirmation
- **Order created**: An order is created in your system
- **Notification**: You receive notification of new order
- **Customer created**: If didn't exist, automatically created in contacts

## Payment Configuration

### Connect MercadoPago

To accept online payments, you need:

1. **Create or edit a Cash Register**
   - Go to **Cash Registers**
   - Create a new cash register or edit existing one

2. **Connect MercadoPago**
   - Enter your MercadoPago credentials
   - Access Token and other necessary credentials
   - Save configuration

3. **Enable for Store**
   - Mark cash register as enabled for online store (`enable_shop: true`)
   - Save changes

### Multiple Cash Registers

You can have multiple cash registers with MercadoPago:

- Each cash register can have different configurations
- Customer can choose which one to pay with
- Useful if you manage multiple accounts or points of sale

## Payment Process with MercadoPago

### Technical Flow

1. **Customer completes checkout**
   - Provides information and chooses payment method

2. **System generates payment**
   - A payment is created in MercadoPago
   - QR or link is generated according to chosen method

3. **Customer pays**
   - Completes payment in MercadoPago
   - MercadoPago processes payment

4. **Confirmation webhook**
   - MercadoPago notifies Sarah of payment
   - Order is marked as paid
   - Status is updated in your system

### Order States

- **Pending**: Order created, waiting for payment
- **Paid**: Payment confirmed by MercadoPago
- **Processing**: Order being prepared
- **Completed**: Order delivered/completed
- **Canceled**: Order canceled

## Installments and Financing

### Show Installments

You can show installment information:

1. Go to **Settings > Online Store**
2. Check **"Show Installments"**
3. Save changes

**Result:**
- Available installment information is shown
- Customer can see financing options

### MercadoPago Configuration

Available installments depend on:

- Your MercadoPago configuration
- Purchase amount
- Enabled financing options

## Security

### Customer Data

- **Secure information**: Data is stored securely
- **Cards not stored**: MercadoPago handles all payment information
- **PCI compliance**: MercadoPago complies with security standards

### Transactions

- **Secure processing**: All transactions are secure
- **Verification**: MercadoPago verifies each payment
- **Protection**: Fraud protection

## Troubleshooting

### Customer Cannot Pay

**Possible causes:**
- MercadoPago not connected correctly
- Cash register not enabled for store
- Error in credentials

**Solution:**
1. Verify MercadoPago is connected
2. Confirm cash register is enabled for store
3. Review MercadoPago credentials

### Payment Not Confirmed

**Possible causes:**
- MercadoPago webhook not configured
- Error in communication with MercadoPago
- Temporary problem

**Solution:**
1. Verify webhook configuration
2. Review error logs
3. Contact support if it persists

## Best Practices

### Customer Experience

- **Simple process**: Minimize steps in checkout
- **Clear information**: Explain each step
- **Multiple options**: Offer different payment methods

### Security

- **Secure credentials**: Keep your MercadoPago credentials secure
- **Update regularly**: Review configuration periodically
- **Monitor transactions**: Review payments regularly

## Next Steps

- [Online Order Management](/docs/shop/orders) - Learn to manage orders
- [Store Setup](/docs/shop/setup) - Review complete configuration