EXPANDING YOUR GLOBAL REACH

Adding Alipay & WeChat Pay to Drupal Commerce 

For B2B companies embarking on an ecommerce project, payments and how they are processed are a topic of conversation that often comes up in discovery and strategy. Acro developer Jingsheng Wang walks us through a payment solution that he contributed to that has multiple advantages, especially for companies with a global reach.

The world of online commerce is increasingly becoming borderless, and embracing diverse payment options can be a key differentiator for your business. Today, we're excited to highlight how two popular Asian payment methods, Alipay and WeChat Pay, can be integrated into your ecommerce payment options using the Drupal Commerce Stripe module. Adding this payment capability means opening up exciting possibilities for revenue worldwide.

(A screenshot of an example payment option for a customer)

Beyond Borders: Reaching a Broader Audience

While often associated with China, Alipay and WeChat Pay aren't limited to one region. These digital wallets boast hundreds of millions of users globally, including Chinese communities around the world and international travellers, particularly those venturing into Asia. 

By integrating these options, your Drupal Commerce store instantly taps into this vast and lucrative customer base, allowing them to pay in their preferred currency and using familiar methods. By adding this feature, you are also improving user experience, which in turn improves brand recognition and brand sentiment.

Beyond Convenience: A Powerful Integration Advantage

In October 2023, Commerce Stripe release added Apple Pay + Google Pay support via the Stripe Payment Element integration. The Stripe Payment Element integration through the Drupal Commerce Stripe Module goes beyond simply adding new payment buttons. This integration leverages Stripe's powerful Payment Gateway API, offering key benefits:

• Centralized Management: Manage all your payment methods, including Alipay and WeChat Pay, directly from your Stripe Dashboard. No need for juggling separate gateways or APIs.
• Seamless Checkout: Offer a smooth and familiar checkout experience for your international customers, minimizing friction and cart abandonment.
• Enhanced Security: Stripe's robust fraud prevention and data security measures extend to supported payment methods like Alipay and WeChat Pay, ensuring all financial interactions are protected.
• Automated Operations: Stripe handles much of the heavy lifting, from payment processing to reconciliation, streamlining your administrative workflow.

(A screenshot of the Stripe Payment Method configuration management)

Unlocking Potential for Diverse Businesses

This integration transcends specific industries. Whether you run an ecommerce store selling handmade crafts, a travel agency offering global tours, or a subscription service with international reach, leveraging Alipay and WeChat Pay opens doors to new customer segments and revenue streams. Imagine:

• Reaching Chinese tourists across the globe, from Paris to Patagonia.
• Catering to the growing expat community with familiar and convenient payment options.
• Expanding your subscription base to include international audiences.

Enabling Alipay and WeChat Pay on your Drupal Commerce site

Below is a list of actions to take in order to have Alipay and WeChat Pay supported on your Commerce site:

• Enable Alipay and WeChat Pay on your Stripe Dashboard’s Settings -> Payment methods
• Upgrade your Commerce Stripe Module to the last dev. (A composer command would be composer require 'drupal/commerce_stripe:1.x-dev@dev')
• Apply these two patches: Add the option to not setup payment methods for future usage and Add Alipay and WeChat Pay payment methods to Stripe Payment Element 
• Create a new payment gateway based on “Stripe Payment Element,” and fill out your credentials
• In the configuration above, make sure to select “Payment method usage - Single use: the payment method will not be made available for subsequent transactions”
• Provision and deploy your changes depending on your project DevOps process.

Embrace the Possibilities: A Collaborative Open Source Spirit

Integrating Alipay and WeChat Pay with Drupal Commerce Stripe is a testament to the power of open-source collaboration. This achievement unlocks new possibilities for businesses worldwide, and it wouldn't be possible without the dedication and expertise of the Drupal and Stripe communities. As of the time of publishing this article, the two patches are still pending review. If you'd like to contribute to Drupal, Drupal Commerce and Commerce Stripe, please provide your reviews on the patch links above. Once they are merged in, the installation process will be simpler, and the new Alipay and WeChat Pay support will be better maintained.

We encourage you to explore these powerful tools and discover how they can help your business reach new heights in the global landscape. Remember, embracing diverse payment options isn't just about expanding your customer base; it's about offering flexibility, convenience, and a touch of familiarity that can win loyal customers and set your business apart.