How to Pay With PayPal in 6 Steps (With Photos)

Digitalization has given rise to many online stores where people can access goods and pay online. Electronic payment methods are widely accepted across the globe because of their convenience, security, broad reach, and speedy transactions. Millions of people worldwide are now purchasing goods and services and transferring money on digital platforms in the comfort of their homes. This has seen a rise in many digital payment systems like PayPal. Transacting on PayPal is straightforward, although many beginners often need help with how to pay with PayPal.

The platform has become the choice for people who work remotely and receive their payments online. PayPal is also convenient when you need to send and receive money from family and friends abroad. This guide aims to simplify the process by providing step-by-step instructions, complete with photos, on how to pay with PayPal. Whether buying a product online, settling a bill, or sending money to a friend or family member, this guide will show you how to use PayPal to complete your transaction quickly and easily. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pay with PayPal.

Step 1: Create a PayPal Account

For you to pay for goods and services with PayPal, you must have a working PayPal account. Here is how to create a PayPal account.

Visit the Official PayPal Website and Request to Sign Up

You can log in or sign up when you open the PayPal home page. The login option is for those who already have an existing account. To sign up for PayPal, click the “Sign Up” button as shown in the image below.

Choose “Sign Up” for a Personal Account

Since you want an account you can use to pay for items online or transfer money to friends and family, a personal account is the best choice. On the other hand, a business account mainly sells goods and services and receives payments online. Signing up for both accounts is free and straightforward, and after this process, you will understand how to pay with PayPal. Check the option Personal Account, as shown below.

Provide Your Contact Details

Paypal will require you to provide your mobile number to verify your account. When you click next, you will receive a short message code to your phone number.

 Enter the Code to Confirm

Once you enter the provided code, the page directs you to the next step. If the code delays, click the “send code again” button to have the code resent to your phone. Ensure you have your phone during the process to get all the prompts.  

Enter Your Personal Details and Create a Password

Enter your email address and full name, then create a password in the provided fields. Ensure all the information you provide here is accurate. The name should match the names on your official documents and bank details to avoid having issues with your bank transfers. Also, ensure you use a strong and unique password to secure your account. After filling in all the fields, click next to continue.

Follow the Onscreen Instructions to Proceed

After completing all the steps and filling in all the necessary information, including your postal address and identification number, you must agree to PayPal’s terms and conditions. Upon checking the box to agree with the policies, you will be ready to create the account. Click the “Agree and Create Account” button to proceed. If you have omitted any field, PayPal will prompt you to fill it out before proceeding to the next step.

Link Your Credit or Debit Card

By adding your credit or debit card to your PayPal account, you can enjoy the convenience of faster online shopping. You can also ensure that your financial information and purchases are protected from potential fraudulent activities. Once you link your card to your PayPal account, you can immediately begin shopping.

Enter the following details in the boxes highlighted below:

• Your credit card number
• Select your card type
• The numerical month/year (last two digits of the year) of your credit card’s expiration date
• The security code of your credit card
• Billing address

Note that PayPal will assume that the billing address for your credit card is the same as the personal address you provided in the previous step. However, if the billing address differs, click the drop-down arrow and enter the correct street address, unit address (if applicable), mailing code, city, and state/province/territory.

Once you have filled in all the required information, click “Link Card” to complete the process.

Step 2: Select the Item to Purchase on a Website That Accepts PayPal and Checkout

Go to the website you want to purchase an item from, search for your preferred item and select it. For instance, if you want a women’s watch from eBay, click the brand you want and proceed to the buy it now option. If you need multiple items, add them to the cart before checkout.  

Step 3: Select PayPal as the Payment Method

Many online retailers and merchants offer PayPal as an option for their customers. For instance, app stores have diverse payment methods to choose from when purchasing with them. However, before you can pay with PayPal, you must ensure that the website accepts this payment method. The checkout page should allow you to select your preferred payment method. Look for the PayPal option and click on it.

Step 4: Provide Your PayPal Account Login Credentials

Paypal directs you to a new window or page where you will be prompted to sign into your PayPal account. Simply click on the field labeled “Email” and enter the email address you linked to your PayPal account. Next, click the “Password” field and type in your selected password to secure your account. Finally, click the “Log In” button to access your PayPal account.

Step 5: Select the Funding Account You Want to Use for Making the PayPal Payment

After selecting PayPal as a payment method for the website you are shopping on, in our case eBay, the default payment option will appear. This is the option you set when setting up your account, and it will be an automatic source of funds for your purchases unless you wish to change. If you want to change the default account, click the highlighted arrow or the change button, as shown in the image below  (the arrow in a rectangle). Then click the button on the left, as highlighted below, to select the account.

If you have some amount in your PayPal account that is more or equivalent to the price of the item you are purchasing, PayPal uses it instead of deducting it from the linked account.

Step 6: Confirm Your Transaction

Once you have chosen PayPal as your payment method and selected the appropriate account to complete the transaction, the next step is to verify the remaining order details. These details include shipping options, addresses, rewards, and coupons. Reviewing these details ensures that everything is accurate before finalizing the payment.

If you’re satisfied with the order information, you can proceed by clicking on the “Confirm and Pay” button. This step will initiate the payment process and finalize the transaction. Be sure to double-check all the information before proceeding to avoid any issues with the purchase.

Check out this informative video tutorial on ‘How to Pay With PayPal.’ Learn step-by-step instructions for using your PayPal account for paying on eBay. Whether you’re a seasoned online shopper or new to digital payments, this video has got you covered.

Bottom Line

Online shopping has become the norm in this digital age, and PayPal is a popular digital payment platform. The good thing is that paying with PayPal is a simple and secure process that you can easily use by following a few simple steps. After identifying the item you want to purchase, it directs you to the checkout page to select your preferred payment option. Select PayPal as your payment option, and it will direct you to the login page. You can now carefully enter your credentials to open and choose your account. Remember to check all the transaction details before finalizing it, and keep track of your receipts and transaction history in your PayPal account. With PayPal, you can enjoy the convenience of online shopping with the added security and protection of this trusted payment system.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Ink Drop/Shutterstock.com.