PayPal Guest Checkout: Let Customers Pay Without an Account

PayPal Guest Checkout allows customers to make secure online purchases without creating or logging into a PayPal account. It’s designed for convenience, so users can pay with a credit or debit card directly through PayPal’s payment gateway. This feature is especially helpful for first-time buyers or those who prefer not to register for an account.

It speeds up the checkout process while still providing PayPal’s trusted security measures, and many online businesses enable Guest Checkout to reduce cart abandonment and improve customer satisfaction. Let’s take a look at PayPal Guest Checkout and how you can utilize it for your business.

What Is PayPal Guest Checkout and How Does It Work

PayPal Guest Checkout allows shoppers to pay with a credit or debit card without logging in or creating a PayPal account¹. Once your cart is ready, you choose the guest checkout option, enter your billing and shipping info, and boom, transaction complete.

For merchants who want to make things smoother for their customers, you can enable this feature under your PayPal Business (or Premier) account settings, specifically by turning on the “PayPal Account Optional” or “Guest Checkout” preference in your Website Payment Preferences.³ Just hit save, test it (maybe in an incognito window to avoid being auto-recognized), and you should see the “Pay with Credit or Debit Card” button appear.

How to Enable PayPal Guest Checkout for Your Online Store

Step One: Log in to Your PayPal Business or Premier Account

To enable Guest Checkout, you’ll need a PayPal Business or Premier account; personal accounts won’t work for this feature.³ Log in to your PayPal dashboard using your business credentials. This will make sure you have access to the settings needed for enabling “PayPal Account Optional,” which is the key toggle for Guest Checkout.³ If you don’t already have the right account type, you may need to upgrade before moving forward with the setup.³

Step Two: Open Website Payment Preferences

Once you’re logged in, head to your Account Settings and look for Website Payment Preferences.³ This is where PayPal stores options that control the checkout experience for your customers. You’ll find it in the My Selling Tools or equivalent section, depending on your account layout.³ Opening this section is the gateway to turning on Guest Checkout and customizing the payment flow your buyers will see.²

Step Three – Enable “PayPal Account Optional”

Inside Website Payment Preferences, find the option labeled “PayPal Account Optional”.³ Switch this setting to On; this tells PayPal to allow customers to pay with a debit or credit card without logging in or signing up for an account.² This is essentially the heart of Guest Checkout. Without enabling it, your customers will always be prompted to log in, which can lead to cart abandonment.²

Step Four: Save Changes and Confirm Settings

After turning on the “PayPal Account Optional” setting, scroll to the bottom of the page and hit Save.² Saving is critical; if you forget, all changes will be lost, and Guest Checkout won’t activate.³ Once saved, you can revisit Website Payment Preferences to double-check that the setting is still enabled. PayPal will typically apply changes instantly, but a quick confirmation prevents potential setup issues.³

Step Five: Test in Incognito Mode

To make sure Guest Checkout is working, run a test transaction using an incognito/private browser window.⁴ This prevents PayPal from recognizing your account cookies, so you can see exactly what a new customer would see.⁴ Look for the “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” button on the checkout page. If it’s there, you’re good to go. If not, you may need to clear the cache or recheck your settings.⁴

Step Six: Troubleshoot if Guest Checkout Doesn’t Appear

If Guest Checkout still isn’t showing up, review PayPal’s troubleshooting resources.¹ Sometimes the option won’t appear if your customer is in a country where Guest Checkout isn’t supported.¹ Other times, PayPal’s risk filters may temporarily hide the guest option.¹ Double-check that “PayPal Account Optional” is enabled and that your account is in good standing.³

Can You Pay Through PayPal Without an Account?

Yes, you can pay through PayPal without having an account by using their Guest Checkout option. Many online stores enable this setting to make the process faster and more convenient for customers who prefer not to register.²

Like we mentioned above, when you select PayPal at checkout, look for the “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” or “Checkout as Guest” button.³ You’ll enter your payment details securely, and PayPal will process the transaction just like a regular card payment.⁴ However, keep in mind that Guest Checkout availability can depend on the merchant’s settings and your location.¹ If you don’t see the option, it’s possible the seller hasn’t enabled it or PayPal requires account login for certain transactions.²

Wise Business Could Help Your Company Save on Global Payments

Step-by-Step Guide to Using PayPal Checkout as a Guest

Step 1: Start checkout:
Click the checkout button on the merchant’s site, select PayPal, then choose “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” or “Checkout as Guest” on PayPal’s page to pay without logging in.

Step 2: Choose Guest checkout:
Look for the guest checkout option near the login fields. If you don’t see it, the merchant might have it disabled. Contact them if needed.

Step 3: Enter payment details:
Fill in your card info and billing address carefully to avoid errors. Provide your phone or email if requested.

Step 4: Provide shipping and contact info:
Enter your shipping address and confirm your email for receipts. Keep your order info handy since no PayPal account is created.

Step 5: Review and confirm:
Check all details, total cost, and merchant name before clicking “Pay Now.” Save confirmation emails for your records.

Step 6: Troubleshoot if guest checkout isn’t available:
If PayPal checkout as a guest isn’t working, try clearing cookies, switching browsers or devices. If still unavailable, contact the seller or PayPal support for help.

Save Time and Money On Overseas Payments With Wise Business

Wise Business can help you save big time on international payments.

Wise is not a bank, but a Money Services Business (MSB) provider and a smart alternative to banks. The Wise Business account is designed with international business in mind, and makes it easy to send, hold, and manage business funds in currencies.

Signing up to Wise Business allows access to BatchTransfer which you can use to pay up to 1000 invoices in one go. This is perfect for small businesses that are managing a global team, saving a ton of time and hassle when making payments.

Some key features of Wise Business include:

• Mid-market rate: Get the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden fees on international transfers

• Global Account: Send money to countries and hold multiple currencies, all in one place. You can also get major currency account details for a one-off fee to receive overseas payments like a local

• Access to BatchTransfer: Pay up to 1000 invoices in one click. Save time, money, and stress when you make 1000 payments in one click with BatchTransfer payments. Access to BatchTransfer is free with a Wise Business account

• Auto-conversions: Don't like the current currency exchange rate? Set your desired rate, and Wise sends the transfer the moment the rate is met

• Free invoicing tool: Generate and send professional invoices

• No minimum balance requirements or monthly fees: US-based businesses can open an account for free. Learn more about fees here

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Final Thoughts

PayPal Guest Checkout is a valuable option for shoppers who want speed and convenience without the commitment of creating an account. It provides the same trusted security measures that PayPal is known for, while removing the extra step of registration. This can help reduce cart abandonment, especially for first-time buyers or those making a one-off purchase. However, it’s worth noting that availability can vary depending on the seller’s settings, payment method, and country.

For merchants, enabling Guest Checkout can open the door to more sales by catering to customers who prefer a simpler checkout process. For buyers, it’s a straightforward way to pay with a debit or credit card while still enjoying PayPal’s protection.

Sources:

1. How Safe Are Guest Checkout Payments? | PayPal
2. How to Enable Guest Checkout on PayPal | POWR Help Center
3. How Do I Check Out as a Guest with PayPal? | ZeroBounce FAQ
4. How to Enable PayPal Guest Payments During Checkout | Thinkific Support