Bubble.io and Stripe Integration: A Comprehensive Guide

by: pdadminPosted on:

With the e-commerce landscape evolving, tools like Bubble.io have emerged as favorites for building web apps without code. Meanwhile, Stripe has firmly planted its flag as one of the leading payment processors in the world. Bringing these two powerful tools together means you can design, develop, and monetize your web application with ease. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to integrate Bubble.io with Stripe.

Prerequisites:

Step 1: Install Stripe Plugin on Bubble.io

  1. Log in to your Bubble.io dashboard and select your app.
  2. Navigate to the Plugins section and click on “Add Plugins.”
  3. Search for “Stripe” in the plugin store. Install the official Stripe plugin by Bubble.
  4. Once installed, you’ll see a new tab in the Plugins section for Stripe. This is where you’ll add your Stripe API keys.

Step 2: Setting up Stripe API Keys

  1. Log in to your Stripe dashboard.
  2. From the left sidebar, navigate to Developers > API Keys.
  3. You’ll see two sets of API keys – Publishable and Secret. The Publishable Key is safe to use in front-end code while the Secret Key should never be exposed.
  4. Copy the Publishable Key.
  5. Back in Bubble.io, under the Stripe plugin settings, paste the Publishable Key into the respective field.
  6. For the Secret Key, you’ll use Bubble’s backend workflows to ensure it’s never exposed to the front end.

Step 3: Designing the Payment Interface

  1. Navigate to the Design tab in Bubble.io.
  2. Drag a button onto the canvas. Label it “Pay with Stripe” or similar.
  3. Add input fields for payment details such as card number, expiry date, CVV, and any other necessary information.
  4. It’s recommended to use Stripe Elements, which are pre-built UI components, to securely collect payment information. They ensure compliance with PCI guidelines.

Step 4: Setting Up the Workflow

  1. Click on the “Pay with Stripe” button.
  2. In the properties panel, choose “Start/Edit Workflow.”
  3. Add a new action. Search for Stripe and choose “Charge the current user.”
  4. Fill in the required payment details using dynamic data from your input fields.
  5. Choose an amount to charge and specify the currency.
  6. Add any additional actions or notifications based on the success or failure of the payment.

Step 5: Testing the Integration

  1. In your Stripe dashboard, toggle “Viewing test data” to ON.
  2. Retrieve the test API keys and replace the live ones in Bubble.io with these test keys.
  3. Make test payments using Stripe’s provided test card numbers. For instance, 4242 4242 4242 4242 is a generic card that will always approve a valid transaction.
  4. Monitor both Stripe’s dashboard and Bubble’s logs for any errors or issues.

Step 6: Going Live

  1. Once you’re satisfied with your tests, retrieve your live API keys from Stripe.
  2. Replace the test keys in Bubble.io with the live ones.
  3. Ensure you’ve also set up your Stripe account with the necessary banking and business information to receive payments.

Important Notes:

  • Always ensure your Stripe integration adheres to the PCI DSS guidelines. Using tools like Stripe Elements can help with this.
  • Regularly check for updates to both the Stripe API and Bubble’s Stripe plugin. Ensure you’re always running the most secure and feature-rich versions.
  • Consider implementing additional features like Stripe’s Radar for fraud detection or using Stripe Connect if you’re building a platform or marketplace.

Conclusion

Integrating Bubble.io with Stripe empowers creators to monetize their applications effortlessly. While the process is straightforward, always prioritize the security and privacy of your users’ data. The seamless blend of design, functionality, and payment processing makes for an enhanced user experience and ensures your application’s success in the market. Happy bubbling!