Payment Forms Overview

The Direct plugin creates a custom post type called “Payment Forms” (internally named “direct”) that allows you to create standalone, customizable payment forms for specific products. These forms can be embedded anywhere on your site using shortcodes.

What are Payment Forms?

📋 Standalone Payment Solutions

Payment forms are independent checkout forms designed to sell specific WooCommerce products without requiring customers to navigate through your regular shop pages. They’re perfect for:

Landing pages for marketing campaigns
Email marketing promotions
Single-product sales funnels
Simplified purchasing for specific audiences

Accessing Payment Forms

After installing the Direct plugin, you’ll find the Payment Forms section in your WordPress admin:

Navigate to WordPress Admin → Direct
Click on “All Payment Forms” to view existing forms
Click “New Payment Form” to create a new form
Access “Options” for global plugin settings

Creating a Payment Form

Step 1: Basic Information

Title: Enter a descriptive name for your form (e.g., “Summer Sale Special Offer”)
Description: Use the WordPress editor to add detailed information, images, or promotional content
Content Purpose: This content appears at the top of your payment form

Step 2: Product Selection

Choose one or multiple WooCommerce products to sell through this form
Products can virtual or downloadable
The form will display product names, images, and prices automatically
Total price is calculated and displayed to customers

Step 3: Payment Gateway

Select which WooCommerce payment gateway to use for this form
Each form can use a different gateway if needed
Gateway must be active and properly configured in WooCommerce

Step 4: Configuration Options

User Access: Enable for logged-in users, guests, or both
Email Verification: Choose verification method for security
Name Collection: Decide whether to collect customer names
Styling: Customize colors, layout, and appearance
Text Customization: Modify all displayed text and labels

Shortcode Generation

Automatic Shortcode Creation: Every payment form automatically generates a unique shortcode for easy embedding.

[direct id=”123″]

Where to Find Shortcodes

Form Editor: Copy shortcode from the sidebar meta box when editing a form
Forms List: View shortcodes in the “Shortcode” column on the All Payment Forms page
Click to Copy: One-click copying functionality for easy use

Form Features

🔒 Security Features

Email verification with OTP codes
CSRF protection for all form submissions
User authentication and session management
Secure payment gateway integration

🎨 Customization Options

One-column or two-column layouts
Custom colors for all elements
Flexible positioning of titles and descriptions
Hide/show specific form elements
Responsive design for all devices

👥 User Experience

Streamlined checkout process
Real-time form validation
Loading indicators during processing
Error handling and user feedback
Mobile-optimized interface

Technical Details

Database Information: Payment forms are stored as custom posts in the WordPress database with the post type “direct”. All form settings are stored as post meta data.

Post Type Specifications

Post Type: “direct”
Public: Yes (publicly queryable: No)
Supports: Title, Editor (description content)
Menu Position: 5 (high priority in admin menu)
Capabilities: Standard post capabilities
REST API: Enabled for modern WordPress features

Management Features

Admin Interface

List View: Overview of all payment forms with shortcodes
Editor Integration: Standard WordPress editor for descriptions
Meta Boxes: Dedicated settings panels for configuration
Copy Functionality: One-click shortcode copying
Status Management: Draft, published, private status options

Best Practices

Recommended Workflow

Plan Your Form: Define purpose, target audience, and products
Create Compelling Content: Write persuasive titles and descriptions
Configure Settings: Set up verification, styling, and text options
Test Thoroughly: Verify functionality with different user types
Deploy Strategically: Place shortcodes in high-conversion locations
Monitor Performance: Track conversion rates and user feedback

Common Use Cases

Product Launches: Dedicated forms for new product introductions
Limited Offers: Time-sensitive promotional campaigns
Lead Magnets: Combine with free products for email collection
Upsells: Additional product offers after main purchases
Event Tickets: Simplified booking for events or courses