Updated September 17, 2024

A WooCommerce high risk payment gateway is a payment processing tool for e-commerce merchants in the high risk space. If you sell items such as CBD, adult products, or firearms, the custom WooCommerce gateway allows them to accept credit card transactions online.

The high risk gateway installs on the backend of your site as a seamless integration. The difficulty is finding one that works within your unique vertical. Many types of websites are deemed high risk because they offer adult products or other mature items like firearms or smoking accessories.

What is a High-Risk Payment Gateway?

A high-risk payment gateway is exactly what it sounds like: a payment gateway for high-risk businesses. Typically, high-risk payment gateways are set up and serviced by a payment processing company that specializes in working with high-risk merchants.

This begs the question, what is a payment gateway? A payment gateway is essentially the middleman between the payment processor and the payment acquirer or financial institution in one platform. The payment processor services the gateway, which is also essential to protecting the merchant and the customer against fraud. A payment gateway is involved at both the beginning and end of the transaction.

When your customer makes a purchase (either online or on your point-of-sale terminal), the payment gateway then sends the payment to the acquirer. After that, the payment is sent to the correct card issuer and then the financial institution. If the transaction is approved, it will be processed instantly and the payment gateway will accept the credit card payment immediately. This all happens when a credit card is swiped or tapped.

Best Payment Gateway For WooCommerce

WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce platform used for WordPress. If you're using WooCommerce, you'll need a payment processor and payment gateway that works with their platform. The best payment gateway for WooCommerce is Zen Payments. Their seamless integrations and easy-to-use payment features help you manage transactions quickly and easily. With a number of tech partners, Zen Payments provides you with the best gateway solutions on the market by taking a deep dive into what you need for your business.

And because Zen Payments has years of experience with high-risk merchants, you can be sure that no matter your business model, we'll be able to set you up with the right gateway and merchant account for your business needs.

WooCommerce Credit Card Processing

WooCommerce comes equipped with many options for accepting credit card payments. However, many of the large payment providers don’t allow you to sell certain types of products using their payment gateway. Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions of each processing option they offer.

WooCommerce Payments is their in-house payment provider. Like Shopify Payments for example, they extended their platform tools to include a credit card processor they can manage. This allows them to monitor and have full control of transactions on your website. The benefit is that you can get quickly approved. However, you risk getting shut down if they audit your high risk store. If you are in a high-risk industry, you'll need to work with a high-risk payment processor who can set up a high-risk payment gateway.

What Industries Are Considered High-Risk for WooCommerce?

Like many other payment processors, WooCommerce underwrites your merchant account according to their standards. Even if they approve you immediately, they may close your account later on if it’s inconsistent with their regulations. For example, they look towards high risk payment partners to onboard CBD product sites. But what other types of businesses are considered high risk?

Take a look at the list below to find out the types of industries that WooCommerce labels high risk. If you run a business in one of these verticals, be sure to reach out to a payment gateway provider who can get you approved:

1. CBD – CBD is derived from the hemp plant, and is related to marijuana. If you sell products with hemp-based extracts, you will need a separate merchant provider. Get a CBD payment gateway on WooCommerce by reaching out to Zen Payments and beginning the application process.
2. Adult – From streaming and videos to books and toys, the adult industry is at high risk when it comes to payment processing. Many adult items can get quickly approved while streaming is a bit more difficult. In general, adult industry merchants will need a high-risk payment processor to set them up with high-risk payment gateways.
3. Subscription – Recurring monthly billing for your subscription box product can sometimes increase your chargeback rates which are the bane of processing companies. Many businesses that use a subscription model are labeled high-risk merchants. Subscription services should look into high-risk payment processors to accept credit card payments.
4. Firearms – Weapons and guns are age-restricted and can present harm to their owners or others. As a vendor, you'll need certain certifications and a commensurate gateway to sell items and accept online payments.
5. Nutraceuticals – Health supplements and other dietary products are ingestible that aren't always FDA-approved and are typically labeled high-risk businesses. Moreover, the continuity billing model can up the risk level when it comes to how banks view your merchant account.

What Payment Processors Does WooCommerce Accept?

WooCommerce works with a number of reputable payment processors like Stripe, Paypal, Square and others. Each of them has its own payment gateway and online checkout interface which exchanges funds after purchases. A business owner can shop for the payment gateway they want by going to WooCommerce's payment gateways extension page for online payments.

It’s important to note that the top credit card processors for WooCommerce are not high risk merchant account providers. Also known as aggregate merchant accounts, these companies pool payments together in order to hedge risk. This allows them to instantly approve a high-risk merchant account, but unfortunately, they may close it later after they audit your websites. Instead of taking that risk, look into high-risk merchant services. Find a Woocommerce high-risk payment gateway instead.

CBD Payment Gateway WooCommerce

A CBD payment gateway for WooCommerce connects directly to your merchant account to provide credit card processing capabilities. This integration works as a third-party tool and isn’t directly associated with WooCommerce regulations. As a result, if you have a CBD company you can work with a high risk processor who will connect your merchant account to a gateway.

How Does WooCommerce Work?

WooCommerce is a shopping cart platform that helps new companies easily build websites. Like Shopify, WooCommerce comes with a full spectrum of tools and features to help new business owners create their online store. From creating product pages to checking out of your cart with a merchant account integration, WooCommerce has it all.

Why Choose Zen Payments For WooCommerce High-Risk Payment Gateway Solutions?

Zen Payments has been working with merchants in high-risk industries for years. We can get you set up with a high-risk payment gateway that integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce. We have a network of over 15 financial institutions, meaning you won't have to worry about getting approved. In fact, we have a 98% approval rate! If you're looking for high-risk merchant services that can integrate with WooCommerce, Zen Payments is your best option!