Overview
HeyBookMe uses Stripe to process card payments. Connecting a Stripe account is required if you want to take online payments from clients at the point of booking. Stripe is one of the world's most widely used payment processors. It handles all the security, PCI compliance, and card processing - you just connect your account and funds arrive in your bank automatically.
What you'll need
- A Stripe account - you can connect an existing account if you have one, or create a new one as part of connecting to HeyBookMe
- Your business bank account details
- A form of ID for Stripe's identity verification
- Your business address and contact details
Connecting your Stripe account
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Go to Settings > Stripe settings.
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Click "Connect with Stripe". You'll be taken to Stripe's secure onboarding flow. HeyBookMe never sees your banking or identity information - it goes directly to Stripe.
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Log in or create a Stripe account. If you're new to Stripe, you'll be guided through account creation as part of this flow.
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Complete Stripe's verification steps. You'll need to provide your business details, bank account information, and identity verification. This typically takes 5–15 minutes. Stripe may request additional documents by email after initial setup.
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Return to HeyBookMe. Once you complete Stripe's flow, you'll be returned to HeyBookMe automatically. Your payment settings page will show Connected along with your Stripe account details.
Stripe may take a short time to fully verify your account after initial setup. During this period you may not be able to process live payments. Stripe will email you once verification is complete.
How payments work
When a client books and pays, their card is charged immediately via Stripe. The funds are held by Stripe and paid out to your bank account on your payout schedule (typically daily or weekly, configurable in your Stripe dashboard). HeyBookMe never holds your money.
Stripe fees
Stripe charges a transaction fee on every card payment - their standard UK rate is 1.5% + 20p for UK cards, and 2.5% + 20p for international cards (rates may change; check stripe.com/gb/pricing for current rates). These fees are separate from any HeyBookMe platform fees and are deducted by Stripe directly from each transaction.
Disconnecting Stripe
To disconnect your Stripe account, go to Settings > Payments and click Disconnect. Clients will no longer be able to pay online until you reconnect a Stripe account. Any pending payouts from Stripe will still be processed by Stripe as normal.
Common questions
Can I use an existing Stripe account?
Yes. If you already have a Stripe account for your business, simply log in to it during the Connect with Stripe flow. HeyBookMe will connect to your existing Stripe account.
Do clients need a Stripe account to pay?
No. Clients just enter their card details at checkout - they don't need a Stripe account of their own.
What payment methods does Stripe support?
Stripe accepts all major debit and credit cards including Visa, Mastercard and American Express. Apple Pay and Google Pay may also be available depending on the client's device and browser.
Can I accept cash or bank transfers instead?
HeyBookMe is designed around online payments via Stripe. If a client pays you in cash or by bank transfer, you can create a manual booking for them in the dashboard and mark it as paid. The cash or transfer happens outside HeyBookMe and is not tracked in your revenue reports. Note: Manual orders are only available on our Pro plan.
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