3 Easy Ways to Collect Payments in Google Forms
Written by: Leslie Min
E-commerce Education Specialist, FormPay
Updated: May 29, 2024
Published: May 29, 2024
Google Forms is a free and easy-to-use tool for collecting order and registration information from your users and customers, but what if you need to collect payments as well? Unfortunately, Google Forms doesn’t have e-commerce features and online payment processing built-in, making it difficult for operations like food delivery businesses. But don’t worry, there are still many ways to collect payments for your forms directly or by using alternative tools like FormPay.
One thing to keep in mind is that a Google Form with payments is not PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant, which means that you can’t use form fields to collect sensitive payment information like credit card numbers To protect your customers’ security and their trust in you, use a safe and secure method for accepting payments. Whether you’re running a food delivery business or offering online astrology readings, here are the best tools for collecting payments on Google Forms:
1. Use third-party payment links like PayPal, Stripe, Venmo, CashApp or Zelle
One option is to use third-party payment links from PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, Stripe or Square. You can create a link for one of these services and just add it to the bottom of your form or on the thank-you page. Here are the steps:
Pros: This is an easy way to quickly add payments to your form, and for collecting payments from customers who are already familiar with these services. You can find instructions on how to add payment links to Google Forms from Stripe, Square or Payal.
Cons: The downside of this method is that it adds an extra layer of complexity, because customers will have to input their payment information both in the Google Forms so you can track it, and into a third-party service (i.e. PayPal or Venmo) for payment processing. You also run the risk of customers providing the wrong manually calculated total prices, or completing the form but not completing the payment afterwards. Finally, you will have to spend additional time to manually reconcile your orders for order management and bookkeeping purposes.
2. Use mail merge tools with payment links
Another option is to use email or text mail merge tools. This method guarantees that customers won't miss your payment link on your Google Form, as you can follow up with them via email or text message to collect payments after they submit an order. You can use a mail merge tool like Mail Merge for Gmail or write a Google AppScript that will automatically send an email to customers who have submitted your form. Alternatively, you can manually send your customers online payment information or collect cash in person.
Pros: This method is low cost or free, and you can customize the email and text to include your payment information and instructions. You’ll also get another personal touch-point with your customers to promote to them.
Cons: With this method, collecting payments post-order form submission will be more manual, more time-consuming. This is the most complex of all the options. You can use this as an option as a way to only target the customers who have filled in the Google Form, but have not completed the payment.
3. Accept payments with FormPay
Rather than finding a workaround to take payments on Google Forms, a simpler alternative to accepting payments for your forms is to use FormPay.
FormPay gives you all the great features of Google Forms, plus payment processing integrated through Stripe. It's designed specifically for e-commerce and online order management for independent businesses and organizations, and offers a great user experience for both you and your customers.
Pros: FormPay is easy to set up and manage unlike complicated ecommerce platforms like Shopify. You’ll be able to accept credit cards and cash payments on a beautiful order form that’s customized to your brand. You’ll be able to accept credit cards and cash payments on a beautiful order form that’s customized to your brand. It’s also an order management system that allows you to gather order and customer information the same way you would do it in Google Forms and organizes the data so you can keep track of your customers and their orders. It’s also risk-free with no monthly fees, so you can feel even better about adding your FormPay link on your Instagram page.
Cons: It’s not a Google Form and will require you to re-configure your Google Form into a FormPay form, but it’s quick and simple to do.
Summary
In short, there are many options for adding payments to your Google Forms, including third-party payment links, mail merge tools, and FormPay. You’ll want to make sure that you choose the most secure option, but also simple to use for you and your customers.