Stripe Connect Setup Guide

Tier: 🌱 Growth Plan ($29/mo) and above
Time to read: 6 minutes

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What is Stripe Connect?

Stripe Connect enables you to accept payments directly from guests for upsells, add-ons, and services. GuestLoop uses Stripe Connect so payments go straight to your bank account—we never touch your money.

How it works:

1. You connect your Stripe account to GuestLoop
2. Guests purchase upsells through your guidebook
3. Payments are deposited directly to your account
4. GuestLoop takes a 5% platform fee

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Prerequisites

Before you start, you'll need:

• ✅ A GuestLoop account (Growth plan or higher)
• ✅ A Stripe account (free to create)
• ✅ A bank account for payouts
• ✅ Identity verification documents (for Stripe)

Don't have a Stripe account? You'll be prompted to create one during setup.

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Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Navigate to Stripe Connect

1. Log in to your GuestLoop dashboard
2. Go to Settings → Stripe Connect
3. You'll see the connection status page

Step 2: Start Connection

Click the "Connect with Stripe" button.

You'll be redirected to Stripe's secure onboarding flow.

Step 3: Stripe Onboarding

Stripe will ask you to:

1. Sign in or create account

   • Use existing Stripe account, or
   • Create a new one with your email

2. Verify your business

   • Business type (Individual, Company, Non-profit)
   • Business name and address
   • Tax identification (EIN or SSN)

3. Add bank account

   • Routing number
   • Account number
   • Account type (Checking/Savings)

4. Verify identity

   • Upload government ID (passport, driver's license)
   • This is required by financial regulations

Step 4: Complete & Return

After completing Stripe onboarding:

1. You'll be redirected back to GuestLoop
2. Your account status will show "✅ Connected"
3. You can now create upsell products!

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Verification Timeline

Stage	Timeline	Notes
Initial setup	Instant	Can create products immediately
Payouts enabled	1-2 business days	After identity verification
First payout	7 days	Standard payout schedule

Note: Stripe may request additional verification documents, which can delay payout activation.

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Managing Your Connection

Viewing Connection Status

Go to Settings → Stripe Connect to see:

• Connection status (Connected/Pending/Not Connected)
• Stripe account ID
• Payout status
• Total earnings

Accessing Stripe Dashboard

Click "Open Stripe Dashboard" to:

• View detailed transaction history
• Manage payout schedule
• Update bank account details
• Download tax documents

Disconnecting

To disconnect Stripe:

1. Go to Settings → Stripe Connect
2. Click "Disconnect Stripe"
3. Confirm the action

Warning: Disconnecting will:

• Disable all upsell purchases
• Prevent new payments
• NOT affect existing payouts

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Payout Settings

Payout Schedule

Stripe offers flexible payout schedules:

Schedule	Description
Daily	Every business day (T+2)
Weekly	Once per week on chosen day
Monthly	Once per month on chosen date

Configure this in your Stripe Dashboard under Settings → Payouts.

Minimum Payout

By default, Stripe pays out when your balance reaches $0.01. You can set a minimum threshold in Stripe settings.

Currency

Payouts are made in your local currency. If you accept payments in different currencies, Stripe handles conversion automatically.

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Fees & Pricing

GuestLoop Platform Fee

Fee Type	Rate	Example
Platform fee	5%	$50 sale → $2.50 fee

This fee is deducted automatically from each transaction.

Stripe Processing Fees

Stripe charges additional payment processing fees:

Card Type	Fee
Domestic cards	2.9% + $0.30
International cards	3.9% + $0.30

Example Calculation

Guest purchases $100 upsell:

Sale amount:           $100.00
- Stripe fee (2.9%+30¢): -$3.20
- GuestLoop fee (5%):    -$5.00
= Your payout:          $91.80

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Testing Payments

Test Mode

Before going live, test your setup:

1. In Stripe Dashboard, enable Test Mode
2. Use Stripe's test card numbers:
   • Success: 4242 4242 4242 4242
   • Decline: 4000 0000 0000 0002
3. Process a test upsell
4. Verify the test payment appears

Going Live

When ready for real payments:

1. Complete all Stripe verification
2. Ensure test mode is OFF
3. Process your first real upsell
4. Verify payout appears in your bank

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Refunds

Issuing Refunds

Refunds are processed through Stripe:

1. Go to your Stripe Dashboard
2. Find the payment under Payments
3. Click "Refund"
4. Enter refund amount (full or partial)
5. Add reason (optional)

Refund Timeline

• Customer receives refund in 5-10 business days
• Stripe refunds their processing fee
• GuestLoop's 5% fee is not refunded

Refund Best Practices

• Process refunds promptly
• Communicate timeline to guest
• Document reason in Stripe
• Consider partial refunds for disputes

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Troubleshooting

Connection Issues

"Connection failed" error:

• Clear browser cache and try again
• Use a different browser
• Ensure no ad blockers are active
• Contact support if issue persists

"Verification required" message:

• Check your Stripe Dashboard for pending actions
• Upload any requested documents
• Wait 1-2 business days for review

Payout Issues

"Payouts disabled" status:

• Complete identity verification in Stripe
• Update expired ID documents
• Verify bank account ownership

Missing payouts:

• Check payout schedule in Stripe
• Verify minimum payout threshold
• Look for failed payout notifications

Payment Failures

Guest payment declined:

• Card expired or insufficient funds
• Bank blocking international transaction
• Guest should try different card

"Not authorized" error:

• Your Stripe account may be restricted
• Check Stripe Dashboard for issues
• Contact Stripe support

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Tax Considerations

Tax Documents

Stripe provides:

• 1099-K (US) for payments over $600/year
• Available in January for previous year
• Download from Stripe Dashboard

Sales Tax

GuestLoop does not automatically calculate or collect sales tax. You're responsible for:

• Determining if sales tax applies
• Setting appropriate product prices
• Remitting tax to relevant authorities

Consult a tax professional for guidance.

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Security

PCI Compliance

Stripe is PCI Level 1 certified. GuestLoop never stores credit card numbers—all payment data is handled by Stripe.

Two-Factor Authentication

We strongly recommend enabling 2FA on your Stripe account:

1. Go to Stripe Dashboard → Settings
2. Enable two-factor authentication
3. Use authenticator app (recommended) or SMS

Fraud Protection

Stripe includes:

• Machine learning fraud detection
• 3D Secure support
• Radar for advanced protection

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FAQ

Can I use an existing Stripe account?

Yes! Connect your existing account during setup. No need to create a new one.

What if I already sell through Stripe?

GuestLoop creates a separate "connected account" that doesn't affect your existing Stripe business.

Can I have multiple properties on one Stripe account?

Yes, all your GuestLoop properties can use the same Stripe connection.

What happens if a guest disputes a charge?

Stripe handles disputes. You'll be notified and can submit evidence through Stripe Dashboard.

Are there monthly fees?

No monthly fees from Stripe or GuestLoop for using Stripe Connect. Fees are only charged per transaction.

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Related Guides

• Upsells System
• Revenue Analytics
• Property Settings