# Configure Payment Providers by Channel

> Learn how to configure payment providers by channel in GHL Customer Care. Optimize payment routing, manage Live and Test modes, and improve checkout performance.

- Source: https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/getting-started-w-payments/configure-payment-providers-by-channel
- Section: Payments / Getting Started w/ Payments
- Reading time: 4 min
- Images: 9, each explained below

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This article explains how payment providers work across different channels, what is supported today, what is planned, and how Default and Preferred provider settings affect checkout behavior.

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**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

-   [Overview of Configuring Payment Providers by Channel](#overview-of-configuring-payment-providers-by-channel)
-   [Key Benefits of Configuring Payment Providers by Channel](#key-benefits-of-configuring-payment-providers-by-channel)
-   [Supported Channels](#supported-channels)
-   [How Provider Selection Works](#how-provider-selection-works)
-   [Live Mode vs Test Mode](#live-mode-vs-test-mode)
-   [How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel](#how-to-configure-payment-providers-by-channel)
-   [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions)
-   [Related Articles](#related-articles)

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# **Overview of Configuring Payment Providers by Channel**

Configuring payment providers by channel allows you to assign specific payment providers to different parts of your business, such as funnels, forms, stores, and invoices. Instead of relying on a single global default provider, GHL Customer Care enables channel-level control so payments are routed based on where the transaction originates. This provides flexibility to optimize payment experiences, reduce fees, and tailor provider usage to specific use cases.

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## **Key Benefits of Configuring Payment Providers by Channel**

-   **More Flexibility:** Use different payment providers for different sales experiences
-   **Better Optimization:** Route payments based on fees, regions, or provider strengths
-   **Safer Testing:** Experiment with new providers in Test mode without affecting live transactions
-   **Cleaner Setup:** No need to constantly switch your account’s default provider

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## **Supported Channels**

Supported channels are Funnels - One Step Order Forms, Funnels - Two Step Order Forms, Forms, Stores, Calendars

Invoices, Invoice Auto Payment, Payment Links, Courses, Communities and Surveys.

![Supported Channels (image 1 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067633090/original/d0j6u9ylm4TpDI-BrOs4PfEep9Itb8VYXQ.png)

**Supported Channels (image 1 of 9)**

This screenshot appears in the "Supported Channels" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". The text alongside this image reads: Invoices, Invoice Auto Payment, Payment Links, Courses, Communities and Surveys. Immediately after, the guide continues: Payment provider selection in GHL Customer Care follows a simple set of rules that determine which provider is used at checkout.
- What this covers: Invoices, Invoice Auto Payment, Payment Links, Courses, Communities and Surveys.
- Next: Payment provider selection in GHL Customer Care follows a simple set of rules that determine which provider is used at checkout.

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## **How Provider Selection Works**

Payment provider selection in GHL Customer Care follows a simple set of rules that determine which provider is used at checkout.

-   **Provider Priority:** Channel-level settings override the global default provider. If no provider is set for a channel, the global default is used. Only connected providers are available to select when selecting a provider.
-   **Supported Provider Combinations:** You can use **PayPal + one other provider** (e.g., Stripe or NMI). Multiple non-PayPal providers together are not supported (e.g., Stripe + NMI).
-   **Editing Providers:** You can remove any selected provider. PayPal can be added or removed alongside another provider. PayPal cannot be directly replaced by another provider (must be removed first).

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## **Live Mode vs Test Mode**

Separating Live and Test configurations allows you to experiment with providers without affecting real transactions. This is essential for validating integrations and testing checkout experiences safely.  

-   **Live Mode:** Used for real customer transactions  
    
-   **Test Mode:** Used for testing payment flows without processing real payments
    
-   Each mode can have different providers assigned per channel
    

![Live Mode vs Test Mode (image 2 of 9)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067638393/original/vAb6zwylvoef4-UHOhI8aPzxrjKxX9n-4Q.jpeg)

**Live Mode vs Test Mode (image 2 of 9)**

This screenshot appears in the "Live Mode vs Test Mode" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". The text alongside this image reads: Live Mode: Used for real customer transactions Test Mode: Used for testing payment flows without processing real payments Each mode can have different providers assigned per channel. This part of the guide covers 2 fields, listed below. Immediately after, the guide continues: Proper setup ensures payments are routed correctly and prevents failed transactions. Follow these steps to configure providers effectively.
- What this covers: Live Mode: Used for real customer transactions Test Mode: Used for testing payment flows without processing real payments Each mode can have different providers assigned per channel
- Fields: Live Mode: Used for real customer transactions, Each mode can have different providers assigned per channel
- Next: Proper setup ensures payments are routed correctly and prevents failed transactions. Follow these steps to configure providers effectively.

Full procedure:

1. Live Mode: Used for real customer transactions
2. Test Mode: Used for testing payment flows without processing real payments
3. Each mode can have different providers assigned per channel

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## **How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel**

Proper setup ensures payments are routed correctly and prevents failed transactions. Follow these steps to configure providers effectively.

1.  Navigate to **Payments**.
    
    
![Step 1 of 5: Navigate to Payments](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067631348/original/y9zs559O-BlpJo8pGRgUZLOjBnzHxJfXhg.png)

**Step 1 of 5: Navigate to Payments**

This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 5 in the "How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". At this point in the walkthrough you navigate to Payments. For context, this section explains: Proper setup ensures payments are routed correctly and prevents failed transactions. Follow these steps to configure providers effectively. The next step is to click on Integrations.
- Where to go: Navigate to Payments.
- Controls: Payments, Integrations, Configure Providers., Live, Test, +, X'
- Next: Click on Integrations.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Payments.  <- this image
2. Click on Integrations.
3. Click Configure Providers.
4. Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed.
5. Select your preferred payment provider(s) for each channel

    
2.  Click on **Integrations**.
    
    
![Step 2 of 5: Click on Integrations](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067631491/original/0ESzJdAoiZEg8MqdvQy1SnzMCYd12BfCrg.png)

**Step 2 of 5: Click on Integrations**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 5 in the "How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". At this point in the walkthrough you click on Integrations. For context, this section explains: Proper setup ensures payments are routed correctly and prevents failed transactions. Follow these steps to configure providers effectively. The next step is to click Configure Providers.
- What to click: Click on Integrations.
- Controls: Integrations, Payments, Configure Providers., Live, Test, +, X'
- Next: Click Configure Providers.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Payments.
2. Click on Integrations.  <- this image
3. Click Configure Providers.
4. Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed.
5. Select your preferred payment provider(s) for each channel

    
3.  Click **Configure Providers.**
    
    
![Step 3 of 5: Click Configure Providers](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067631597/original/ZiHHcn6x0hQFTZntSoROfbNZufPQxHwOhA.png)

**Step 3 of 5: Click Configure Providers**

This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 5 in the "How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". At this point in the walkthrough you click Configure Providers. For context, this section explains: Proper setup ensures payments are routed correctly and prevents failed transactions. Follow these steps to configure providers effectively. The next step is to toggle between Live or Test mode as needed.
- What to click: Click Configure Providers.
- Controls: Configure Providers., Payments, Integrations, Live, Test, +, X'
- Next: Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed.

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Payments.
2. Click on Integrations.
3. Click Configure Providers.  <- this image
4. Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed.
5. Select your preferred payment provider(s) for each channel

    
4.  Toggle between **Live** or **Test** mode as needed.
    
    
![Step 4 of 5: Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067631664/original/hSdp81mLzvEZ509gfNwCxxH3TMDpi-IeBA.png)

**Step 4 of 5: Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed**

This screenshot accompanies step 4 of 5 in the "How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". At this point in the walkthrough you toggle between Live or Test mode as needed. The next step is to select your preferred payment provider(s) for each channel.
- What to choose: Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed.
- Controls: Live, Test, Payments, Integrations, Configure Providers., +, X'
- Next: Select your preferred payment provider(s) for each channel

Full procedure:

1. Navigate to Payments.
2. Click on Integrations.
3. Click Configure Providers.
4. Toggle between Live or Test mode as needed.  <- this image
5. Select your preferred payment provider(s) for each channel

    
5.  Select your preferred payment provider(s) for each channel
    -   **Adding a Provider:** Click the '**+**' next to a channel and select from connected providers in the dropdown(Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.). You can add PayPal and one additional provider (e.g., Stripe or NMI).” The dropdown only shows providers that are already connected in the account.
        
        
![Step 1 of 3: Adding a Provider: Click the ' + ' next to a channel and select from…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067632534/original/8vaQLn5Y8LhYyGJfGqQiVuntG4SHFd87sA.png)

**Step 1 of 3: Adding a Provider: Click the ' + ' next to a channel and select from…**

This screenshot accompanies step 1 of 3 in the "How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". At this point in the walkthrough you adding a Provider: Click the ' + ' next to a channel and select from connected providers in the dropdown(Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.). You can add PayPal and one additional provider (e.g., Stripe or NMI).” The dropdown only shows providers that are already connected in the account. The next step is to removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted.
- What to choose: Adding a Provider: Click the ' + ' next to a channel and select from connected providers in the dropdown(Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.). You can add PayPal and one additional provider (e.g., Stripe or NMI).” The dropdown only shows providers that are already connected in the account.
- Controls: +, Payments, Integrations, Configure Providers., Live, Test, X'
- Next: Removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted.

Full procedure:

1. Adding a Provider: Click the ' + ' next to a channel and select from connected providers in the dropdown(Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.). You can add PayPal and one additional provider (e.g., Stripe or NMI).” The dropdown only shows providers that are already connected in the account.  <- this image
2. Removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted.
3. Resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.

        
    -   **Removing a Provider:** Click the '**X'** next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted.
        
        
![Step 2 of 3: Removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067632102/original/TlxTt5Z5IhFCCrJa7fuFEENhPgWFwi_gbg.png)

**Step 2 of 3: Removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm…**

This screenshot accompanies step 2 of 3 in the "How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". At this point in the walkthrough you removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted. The next step is to resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.
- How to confirm: Removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted.
- Controls: X', Payments, Integrations, Configure Providers., Live, Test, +
- Next: Resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.

Full procedure:

1. Adding a Provider: Click the ' + ' next to a channel and select from connected providers in the dropdown(Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.). You can add PayPal and one additional provider (e.g., Stripe or NMI).” The dropdown only shows providers that are already connected in the account.
2. Removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted.  <- this image
3. Resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.

        
    -   **Resetting a Provider:** Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.
        
        
![Step 3 of 3: Resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel…](https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.freshdesk.com/data/helpdesk/attachments/production/155067632883/original/YGjbOlnveYthZ6ecEG9S1qLypgDJy5DPIw.png)

**Step 3 of 3: Resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel…**

This screenshot accompanies step 3 of 3 in the "How to Configure Payment Providers by Channel" section of "Configure Payment Providers by Channel". At this point in the walkthrough you resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.
- What this covers: Resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.
- Controls: Payments, Integrations, Configure Providers., Live, Test, +, X'

Full procedure:

1. Adding a Provider: Click the ' + ' next to a channel and select from connected providers in the dropdown(Stripe, PayPal, Square, etc.). You can add PayPal and one additional provider (e.g., Stripe or NMI).” The dropdown only shows providers that are already connected in the account.
2. Removing a Provider: Click the ' X' next to the provider. Confirm removal when prompted.
3. Resetting a Provider: Resetting removes custom configuration. Channel will revert to the global default provider.  <- this image

        

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## **Frequently Asked Questions**

**Q: What happens if a Preferred Provider is disconnected?**

If a provider used at the channel level is disconnected from the integrations page, the system automatically falls back to the default provider. If you reconnect it later, you’ll need to select it again as the preferred provider for the channel.

**Q: Can I configure providers at a more granular level (e.g., per store or funnel)?**  
Not yet. Today, configuration is at the channel level. More granular control (per store, funnel, or asset) is planned for future updates

**Q: Can I remove all providers from a channel to disable payments?**  
No. If all providers are removed, GHL Customer Care will revert the channel to the global default provider to prevent accidental loss of payment functionality. This is designed to prevent accidental removal of payment options for active services. Payments are only hidden if no providers are connected at all.

**Q: How many payment providers can I use on a checkout?**  
You can use PayPal plus one additional provider (e.g., Stripe or NMI). Using multiple non-PayPal providers together is not supported.

**Q: How does the default provider affect channel configuration?**  
The default provider acts as a fallback. If you set a provider at the channel level, it overrides the default. If no channel-level provider is set, the default is used.

**Q: What payment options will customers see at checkout?**  
If both a default provider and PayPal are configured, customers will see both options. If PayPal is not configured, only the default provider will be displayed.

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## **Related Articles**

-   [Getting Started - Connect Stripe](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/getting-started-w-ghl-customer-care/commerce/getting-started-connect-stripe)
-   [Supported Payment Providers & Methods by Product Area (What Works Where)](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/payment-integrations-methods-and-settings/supported-payment-providers-methods-by-product-area-what-works-where)
-   [Authorize.net integration for processing payments](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/payment-integrations-methods-and-settings/authorize-net-integration-for-processing-payments)
-   [How to set up the NMI integration?](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/payment-integrations-methods-and-settings/how-to-set-up-the-nmi-integration)
-   [How to send your first Invoice](https://docs.ghlcustomercare.com/docs/payments/invoices-and-estimates/how-to-send-your-first-invoice-using-ghl-customer-care)

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Documentation for GHL Customer Care. Support: support@ghlcustomercare.com