Getting Started with Donor Merchant: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you ready to take your fundraising to the next level with Donor Merchant? Our powerful and user-friendly donation plugin for WordPress makes it easier than ever to manage and grow your contributions. In this post, we’ll walk you through the easy setup process to get you started quickly. From installing the plugin to configuring your donation forms, we’ve got you covered. Learn how to set up recurring donations, customize your forms, and start accepting contributions in no time.

Step 1: Install the Plugin

The first step to getting started with Donor Merchant is installing the plugin on your WordPress site. Here’s how:

  1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard: Use your admin credentials to access your WordPress site.
  2. Navigate to Plugins: In the left-hand menu, click on “Plugins” and then select “Add New.”
  3. Search for Donor Merchant: In the search bar, type “Donor Merchant” and press Enter.
  4. Install the Plugin: Find the Donor Merchant plugin in the search results and click “Install Now.”
  5. Activate the Plugin: Once installed, click “Activate” to enable the plugin on your site.

Step 2: Configure Basic Settings

With the plugin activated, the next step is to configure the basic settings:

  1. Access Donor Merchant Settings: In your WordPress dashboard, find “Donor Merchant” in the left-hand menu and click on it.
  2. General Settings: Fill in your organization’s details, including name, address, and contact information.
  3. Payment Processors: Select and configure your preferred payment processors (e.g., Authorize.net, PayPal, Stripe). Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your accounts.
  4. Currency Settings: Choose your default currency and enable any additional currencies you want to accept.

Step 3: Create a Donation Form

Now that your basic settings are configured, it’s time to create your first donation form:

  1. Go to Forms: Under the Donor Merchant menu, click on “Forms” and then “Add New.”
  2. Form Builder: Use the intuitive drag-and-drop form builder to design your donation form. Add fields such as donation amount, donor information, and any custom fields you need.
  3. Customization: Customize the form’s appearance to match your website’s branding. Adjust colors, fonts, and layouts as desired.
  4. Save and Publish: Once you’re satisfied with your form, click “Save” and then “Publish” to make it live on your site.

Step 4: Add the Donation Form to Your Site

To make your donation form accessible to your supporters, you need to add it to your site:

  1. Create a Donation Page: Go to “Pages” in your WordPress dashboard and click “Add New.”
  2. Add Shortcode: In the page editor, add the shortcode for your donation form. You can find this shortcode in the form settings or under the “Forms” section of Donor Merchant.
  3. Publish Your Page: Once you’ve added the shortcode, click “Publish” to make your donation page live.

Step 5: Test Your Donation Form

Before promoting your donation page, it’s important to test it to ensure everything works correctly:

  1. Visit Your Donation Page: Navigate to the donation page you created to see your form in action.
  2. Perform a Test Donation: Fill out the form and submit a test donation to ensure everything is working correctly. Make sure to use test payment credentials provided by your payment processor.
  3. Verify Transactions: Check your payment processor account and Donor Merchant’s donation tracking to verify that the test donation was processed successfully.

Step 6: Promote Your Donation Page

With your donation form set up and tested, it’s time to promote your donation page:

  1. Share on Social Media: Promote your donation page on your social media channels to reach a wider audience.
  2. Email Campaigns: Send an email to your supporters with a link to your new donation page.
  3. Website Integration: Add links or buttons to your donation page in your website’s main navigation, footer, and relevant blog posts.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to leveraging Donor Merchant’s powerful features to boost your fundraising efforts. For additional guidance and support, visit our Support Center or contact our support team.