How do I allow a custom payment amount by the customer?

[bestjimmy]

My goal is to allow the customer to enter any payment amount they desire.

But I don't want to have the checkout page reflect number of items or unit prices or anything like that... just a straight-forward custom field that allows entry of any dollar amount by the customer. Click a customized "Payment" button, enter the dollar amount, and click a finish button.

Thanks in advance to anyone who might be able to lend some advice on this.

Jimmy

[skier]

If you plan to use PayPal's Website Payments Standard there are very few things that can be customized on the the PayPal Screens.   With PayPal's Website Payments Standard, you're limited to changing the color scheme, displaying a business graphic logo (providing you have a Business Account), changing the text on the Note to Seller option box ("cn" variable) and changing the text on the "Return to Merchant" link ("cbt" variable).

If you want to allow your customers to input an amount on the PayPal Screens for a Buy Now Button, just enter a 0 in the Amount Field when you are creating the button.  This method works for folks who want to use the online button creator.   Note, this will not work for Add to Cart type item buttons.

Another option is to allow the customer to input an amount on your web page.  Using this method, you need to manually code your item button code.  We normally refer to this method of coding a "clear text".  Check out the coding tips and the Pay Your Bill Online examples on this page.

If you want TOTAL control over the customer experience and always want the customer to remain on your web site, then you need to use PayPal's Website Payments Pro.

* Website Payments PRO costs $30/month plus transaction fees.
You need a PayPal Business account and you interact with the PayPal engine via API calls. Pro is designed for your customer to have the option to pay with credit card and stay on your site. The customer completes the transaction on your site, they are not redirected to PayPal to complete the payment. This method gives you control over the customer experience and you are responsible for storing the customer's credit card information. Note, you will also be required to meet current Payment Card Industry or PCI compliance standards. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) are network security and business practice guidelines adopted by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Card, and JCB to establish a "minimum security standard" to protect customer’s payment card information. This is a requirement for all merchants that store, transmit, or process payment card information. Pro is currently only available to US, UK and Canadian Accounts.

Regards,

skier

[bestjimmy]

Thanks very much for taking the time to send me your reply!

I'll be checking out the options you suggested, except for the one that cost $30 per month 🙂

Is there a way to edit the html of the checkout pages? (i.e. the Donations page checkout is exactly the functionality I want, minus the words "donation" on the page)

[skier]

With PayPal's Website Payments Standard, you're limited to changing the color scheme, displaying a business graphic logo (providing you have a Business Account), changing the text on the Note to Seller option box ("cn" variable) and changing the text on the "Return to Merchant" link ("cbt" variable).    That's it.  You can't change any other wording as there are no features or options to do what you have in mind.

Regards,

skier