--- title: "GoCardless Gateway" source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/give/gocardless-gateway/" description: "The GoCardless gateway provides your donors with an easy way to pay via Direct Debit. The gateway offers a modern interface and easy integration with support fo…" vertical: "Software" area: "Give" date: "2017-04-19" last_modified: "2026-07-02" --- # GoCardless Gateway The GoCardless gateway provides your donors with an easy way to pay via Direct Debit. The gateway offers a modern interface and easy integration with support for recurring donations. The following article will describe how the plugin works and how you can begin accepting donations via Direct Debit today. ## Getting Started with GoCardless In order to accept payments with GoCardless using GiveWP you will need to have an active [GoCardless account](https://gocardless.com/), the [GoCardless GiveWP add-on](https://givewp.com/addons/gocardless-gateway/ "Stripe Payment Gateway"), and the [GiveWP Core plugin](http://wordpress.org/plugins/give) installed and activated. **[Click here for instructions](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/give/how-to-install-and-activate-give-add-ons/ "Add-ons") on installing and activating GiveWP Add-ons.** **Note:** You can always access your add-on purchase receipts, downloads, and licenses from your [GiveWP Account dashboard](https://givewp.com/my-account/ "My Account"). After the GoCardless add-on is activated, go to **GiveWP > Settings** and click on the **Payment Gateways** tab. There you will see the default Payment Gateways (PayPal Standard, Test Payment, and Offline Donations). You should also see **GoCardless** as an option as well. Click on the GoCardless checkbox to enable it as an active payment gateway for your website. ## Connecting to GoCardless The GiveWP integration with GoCardless offers an fast and easy way to connect your website with the gateway without having to hassle with any API keys or complicated setups. ### Connecting to the GoCardless Sandbox The [GoCardless sandbox](https://manage-sandbox.gocardless.com/) offers an easy way to test your integration *before* going live. The first thing you’re going to need is a separate *test* account on the GoCardless sandbox site. If you don’t have one, please [create a free GoCardless sandbox](https://manage-sandbox.gocardless.com/signup) account for testing. Once you have created a free test account, log into your WordPress website and navigate to **GiveWP > Settings > Payment Gateways > Go Cardless**. Once there, click on the link *below* the main connect button that says “Not ready to accept live payments? Click here to connect using sandbox mode.” ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GoCardless-sandbox-connect.png)Connecting to GoCardless’ SandboxOnce you click that button you will be redirected to the GoCardless sandbox to authenticate with the GiveWP integration. You may have to log in to connect, so be sure to log in with your *sandbox* credentials rather than your live ones. ![Gocardless Connect](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/givewp-gocardless-connect-1024x655-1.png)Click the button to redirect and your site will then be connected to GoCardless’ Sandbox. After you successfully log in to your GoCardless account, you will be redirected back to the GiveWP Settings page. ### Creating the GoCardless Webhook Now that you are connected you will see a new field appears called “Webhook Secret”: [![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GoCardless-webhook-secret.png)](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/GoCardless-webhook-secret.png)The GoCardless Webhook Secret Field**Webhooks are required so that your website can communicate with GoCardless.** To receive webhooks, click on the link within the field’s description and copy-and-paste the webhook URL provided into GoCardless. to open your GoCardless account. In your GoCardless dashboard, navigate to Developers > Developers, click the **Create** button on the top right corner of the screen, and select **Webhook Endpoint**. ![Gocardess webhook](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gocardless-webhook-1-1024x838-1.png)Name the webhook something useful like “My Website – GiveWP Webhook”. Don’t fill out anything into the “Secret” field or check the “webhook client certificate” box. Click the “Create webhook endpoint” button once the URL and name field are completed. This will submit the form and create your webhook endpoint. ![Gocardless Developers](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gocardless-developers-screen-1024x417-1.png)Next, click on the webhook to view its details. You should see it is enabled and a secret key is provided: ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2017-04-19_14-09-00.png)Copy the Secret key from GoCardless into the GiveWP Settings fieldCopy and paste the key from GoCardless into the GiveWP settings field and click Save changes. That’s the last step, GiveWP is now ready for testing sandbox donations with GoCardless. #### Notes on Testing GoCardless To ensure you’re testing properly please ensure that GiveWP is in **Test Mode.** Read more about GiveWP’s [Test Mode](https://docs.nexcess.com/software/give/test-mode/) if you’re not sure how to do that. As well, to complete a donation via GoCardless use their test bank details: #### Test bank details In the GoCardless sandbox, you can set up payments using their test details – this means, for example, that you can test Swedish payments without having your own Swedish bank account: - For ACH, use the bank code `026073150` and the account number `2715500356` and the account type checking - For Autogiro, use the clearingnummer (branch code) `5491` the kontonummer (account number) `0000003` and the personnummer (Swedish identity number) `198112289874` - For Bacs, use the sort code `200000` and the account number `55779911` - For BECS, use the BSB `082-082` and the account number `012345678` - For BECS NZ, use the bank code `12` and the branch code `3113` and the account number `0003869-00` - For Betalingsservice, use the registreringsnummer (bank code) `345` the kontonummer (account number) `3179681` and the CPR-nummer (Danish identity number) `0101701234` - For PAD, use the bank code (Financial Institution number) `0003` and the branch code (Branch Transit number) `00006` and the account number `0000000` - For SEPA, use the French IBAN `FR1420041010050500013M02606` ### Connecting to GoCardless Live When you’re ready to accept live donations, it’s time to connect to GoCardless’ production environment. You’ll notice the process is identical to the sandbox connection described above. Here are the quick steps: 1. Disconnect from the GoCardless Sandbox 2. Click the “Authenticate with GoCardless” button 3. Login with your GoCardless *live* account 4. Set up the webhook URL 5. Take GiveWP out of Test Mode 6. Double-check that the GoCardless gateway is enabled After the steps above are completed your GiveWP-powered donation forms are ready to start accepting donations.