How do I collect payments and donations in HighLevel forms
Verified against HighLevel as of August 25, 2026
- Area
- Lead capture
- Time
- 11 min
- Difficulty
- Starter
- Outcome
- more leads captured
- Updated
- August 25, 2026
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Get 30 days freeBefore you start
- An active HighLevel account with access to Forms and the form builder.
- A connected online payment gateway (such as Stripe, Authorize.net, or NMI) or configured manual payment methods.
- At least 1 existing form created in HighLevel ready to accept payment elements.
Steps
PaymentsIntegrationsManual Payment Methods
Navigate to Manual Payment Methods Settings
Open the main navigation menu in HighLevel and click Payments. Next, select Integrations to view your payment gateway and offline payment configurations. Locate and click Manual Payment Methods to access offline transaction controls. This settings area allows you to accept payments without requiring an instant online credit card charge. Verify that the manual payment section loads with options for offline order collection.
Setting What to enter Manual Payment Methods EnabledAccesses offline payment controls You should now see: The Manual Payment Methods management screen opens, displaying toggles for offline checkout options.
Why this matters: Configuring manual payment options ensures prospects who prefer offline payment methods can still submit forms. Skipping this step prevents cash or bank transfer customers from completing form purchases, reducing total lead capture. Ensuring offline choices are available keeps non-card buyers in your sales pipeline.
PaymentsIntegrationsManual Payment MethodsCash on Delivery
Enable Cash on Delivery Payment Method
Click Cash on Delivery within the Manual Payment Methods panel to activate it for forms and surveys. Enter a detailed payment description explaining that cash will be collected upon delivery of services or goods. Next, enter a post-purchase message that will be shown to customers after they submit the form. Confirm the configuration settings and save your changes. The system will automatically display Cash on Delivery as an available checkout option during form submission.
Setting What to enter Cash on Delivery EnabledActivates COD offline payment Description Payment collected in cash at deliveryExplains offline payment process Post-Purchase Message Thank you. Cash will be collected at delivery.Displays after form submission You should now see: Cash on Delivery displays as enabled with saved description and post-purchase message details.
Why this matters: Providing a Cash on Delivery option removes upfront online payment friction for physical product or service buyers. Without this setting, leads who will only pay in cash cannot complete your lead capture forms. This missing option causes high form abandonment for service businesses operating on delivery.
PaymentsIntegrationsManual Payment MethodsCustom Payment Methods
Configure Custom Payment Methods for Offline Transactions
Select Custom Payment Methods inside the Manual Payment Methods settings area. Enable the toggle to accept offline arrangements such as bank transfers, checks, or direct invoicing. Type a clear description that provides exact instructions for bank account details or mailing addresses for checks. Input a post-purchase message detailing the next steps the customer must take to finalize their offline payment. Click to save your custom payment method settings so they render automatically inside form checkout elements.
Setting What to enter Custom Payment Methods EnabledActivates bank transfer or check payment options Description Bank transfer or check payment arrangementsProvides instructions to the lead Post-Purchase Message Please send payment via bank transfer to finalize your order.Post-submission instruction You should now see: Custom Payment Methods toggle shows enabled alongside configured payment instructions.
Why this matters: B2B or high-ticket service leads often require bank transfers or checks rather than credit card checkout. Skipping custom payment method setup forces these prospects to abandon the form, lowering conversion rates. Adding clear post-purchase instructions keeps payment pipeline tracking accurate.
Add Element
Open Form Builder and Select Add Element
Navigate to your desired form within the HighLevel form builder interface. Click the Add Element button on the left sidebar to open the available element selection panel. Review the organized categories of form inputs, fields, and media components. Ensure your form canvas is ready to accept payment integrations. The Add Element panel contains all standard fields as well as advanced payment integrations.
You should now see: The Add Element sidebar opens, displaying available form categories and components.
Why this matters: Opening the Add Element panel is required to access specialized payment fields. Skipping this step prevents you from inserting payment collection fields into your lead generation forms. Accessing this panel gives you full control over field positioning and form flow.
Add ElementIntegrations
Locate Payment Elements in the Integrations Section
Scroll down the Add Element sidebar panel until you locate the Integrations section. Click the Integrations header to expand all available payment and external integration elements. Observe the options for payment processing, including payment collection and custom donation elements. Confirm that your account has active online payment gateways like Stripe, Authorize.net, or NMI, or configured manual payments. This section houses all elements necessary to collect money directly inside form submissions.
You should now see: The Integrations section expands to reveal payment elements including Collect Payment and Custom Amount.
Why this matters: Accessing the Integrations section ensures you place active, gateway-supported payment elements into the form. Skipping this location check causes users to add non-functional standard text inputs instead of secure payment tools. Connected gateways like Stripe, Authorize.net, or NMI ensure live payment processing.
Add ElementIntegrationsCollect Payment
Insert Collect Payment Element into the Form Canvas
Click and drag the Collect Payment element from the Integrations section onto your form canvas. Position the element where you want the user to review order details and enter payment information. Inspect the default layout of the Collect Payment element on the screen. The element displays empty states, product selection areas, and checkout controls. Verify that the element sits cleanly above your form submission button.
Setting What to enter Collect Payment Element Positioned on canvasInserts payment checkout block You should now see: The Collect Payment element appears on the form canvas with default layout settings.
Why this matters: Placing the Collect Payment element turns a basic contact form into an immediate lead-and-checkout funnel. Without this element, visitors can only submit contact information without committing funds or placing orders. Capturing revenue at form submission drastically improves sales efficiency.
Collect PaymentHeader Text
Configure Header Text and Direct Product Options
Click on the inserted Collect Payment element on your form canvas to open its element settings panel. Locate the Header Text field and enter a clear title such as Select Your Payment Option or Complete Your Donation. Use the direct option to add a product while setting up the payment element if you are selling a fixed product or service. Select an existing product from your catalog or define product pricing directly inside the element configuration. Save the header text and product attachments to update the form builder view.
Setting What to enter Header Text Complete Your PaymentSets title above payment block Add Product Selected catalog productAttaches product directly within payment element You should now see: The Collect Payment element displays your custom header text and attached product options on the canvas.
Why this matters: Clear header text and attached products inform prospects exactly what they are purchasing before entering payment details. Confusing or missing headers cause friction and cart abandonment, decreasing lead capture revenue. Direct product attachment connects form submissions directly to catalog pricing.
Collect PaymentSuggest an Amount
Configure Suggested Donation Amounts and Currency
In the payment element settings panel, navigate to the donation settings and select Suggest an Amount. Select your preferred currency from the currency dropdown menu. Click the option to add up to 15 suggested amounts for your prospective donors or buyers. Input specific numerical values into each suggested amount field to give visitors quick selection options. Customize the label or tag that displays when a user selects a specific amount so it aligns with your campaign goals. Note that suggested amount styling automatically matches your form's active visual theme.
Setting What to enter Suggest an Amount EnabledAllows preset donation values Currency USDSelected currency from dropdown Suggested Amounts Up to 15 values (e.g. 10, 25, 50, 100)Preset contribution tiers Amount Label/Tag Custom label textDisplays on amount selection You should now see: Suggested amount buttons appear inside the payment element styled according to the form theme.
Why this matters: Offering up to 15 preset suggested amounts guides donors toward targeted transaction amounts. Without preset amounts, visitors must calculate their own contributions, leading to lower average transaction values. Matching form themes ensures a polished, high-converting checkout user experience.
Collect PaymentSuggest an AmountOther Amount
Enable the Other Amount Option for Payment Flexibility
Scroll to the bottom of the Suggest an Amount customization settings within the payment element panel. Check the box to enable the Other Amount option alongside your preset suggested amounts. This setting allows visitors who do not want to choose a preset value to enter a custom payment amount. Verify that an additional choice button or text input field appears on the form canvas. Save the element configuration to preserve the custom payment entry functionality.
Setting What to enter Other Amount EnabledPermits custom user input alongside presets You should now see: An Other Amount button or input field displays alongside the preset suggested amounts on the form canvas.
Why this matters: Enabling Other Amount prevents lost transactions from donors who want to give amounts outside your 15 suggested tiers. Forcing rigid amounts drives away leads who want to contribute custom figures. Flexible checkout options increase overall form conversion rates.
Add ElementIntegrationsUser-Defined Amount
Set Up User Defined Amount and Placeholder Text
If you are not using suggested amounts, select or verify the User-Defined Amount configuration in your payment element. The User-Defined Amount option enables automatically when no suggested amounts are active. Click into the settings field to add a descriptive placeholder text, such as Enter custom amount. This placeholder text guides donors on what value to type into the input field. Review the updated field on the form canvas to confirm the placeholder renders correctly inside the text box.
Setting What to enter User-Defined Amount Auto-enabledActive when suggested amounts are disabled Placeholder Enter donation amountGuides user input format You should now see: A clean payment text input field renders on the canvas displaying your custom placeholder text.
Why this matters: Clear placeholder text instructs users on expected formatting for open-ended payment fields. Unclear fields cause input errors and form submission failures, losing captured leads. Proper guidance reduces user hesitation during checkout.
Add ElementIntegrationsCustom AmountRecurring Payment toggle
Add Custom Amount Element and Enable Recurring Payment Toggle
Open the Add Element panel, navigate to Integrations, and drag the Custom Amount element onto your form canvas. Click on the Custom Amount element to open its configuration settings panel. Locate the Recurring Payment toggle switch and click it to change the setting to Enabled. Activating this toggle transforms the standard single payment field into a subscription engine. Verify that recurring billing options appear directly below the toggle in the settings panel.
Setting What to enter Custom Amount Element Added to canvasInserts custom amount field Recurring Payment toggle EnabledActivates subscription billing capabilities You should now see: The Recurring Payment toggle shows active, expanding the recurring billing frequency controls.
Why this matters: Enabling recurring payments converts one-time buyers or donors into repeating monthly or yearly contributors. Skipping this toggle restricts you to single transactions, missing out on recurring revenue growth. Recurring contributions significantly increase total payment volume over time.
Custom AmountRecurring Payment toggleBilling Frequencies
Select Billing Frequencies and Save Form
Within the active Recurring Payment settings, select the available billing frequencies you wish to offer your leads. Check the boxes for Weekly, Monthly, or Yearly billing options based on your subscription strategy. Review how the frequency selection dropdown or radio buttons render inside the Custom Amount element on the form canvas. Click Save in the upper right corner of the form builder to preserve all payment, manual method, and recurring settings. Test your published form to ensure payments flow smoothly into your unified Payments dashboard.
Setting What to enter Billing Frequencies Weekly, Monthly, YearlySets selectable subscription intervals Save Form ClickedCommits all form builder changes You should now see: The form saves successfully, displaying selectable billing frequencies inside the published payment form.
Why this matters: Offering flexible billing frequencies like weekly, monthly, and yearly meets diverse customer preferences. Failing to save these settings drops billing intervals, breaking recurring transaction processing. Automated recurring contributions simplify the donor journey and lock in long-term sales pipeline value.
What changes once this is set up
- Ability to collect fixed or custom payments and donations directly inside HighLevel forms.
- Option to accept offline payments using Cash on Delivery or custom methods like bank transfers and checks.
- Ability to accept recurring subscriptions on weekly, monthly, or yearly schedules.
- Centralized payment tracking and transaction management within the unified Payments dashboard.
Common mistakes
Forgetting to select billing frequencies after enabling the Recurring Payment toggle.
Fix: Open the Custom Amount element settings in the form builder and check at least 1 frequency option (Weekly, Monthly, or Yearly) under the Recurring Payment toggle.
Leaving suggested donation amounts without enabling the Other Amount option when custom values are desired.
Fix: Open the Collect Payment element settings, go to Suggest an Amount, and check the Other Amount option so donors can input unlisted amounts.
If it is not working
Offline payment choices such as Cash on Delivery do not show up on the published form.
Likely cause: Manual payment methods are disabled or not saved in the main Payments integration settings.
What to check: Go to Payments > Integrations > Manual Payment Methods and ensure Cash on Delivery or Custom Payment Methods are toggled on with saved descriptions.
The payment element displays an empty state or errors when loaded by a visitor.
Likely cause: No online payment gateway (like Stripe, Authorize.net, or NMI) is connected, and manual payments are not enabled.
What to check: Go to Payments > Integrations to confirm a gateway is connected or activate manual payment methods under Manual Payment Methods.
Donors cannot enter a custom contribution amount on a form with preset suggested amounts.
Likely cause: The Other Amount option is unchecked in the Suggest an Amount settings.
What to check: Click the Collect Payment element on the form canvas, navigate to Suggest an Amount, and enable the Other Amount option.
FAQs
Is setting up payment collection in HighLevel forms worth replacing external checkout forms?
Yes. Collecting payments directly in HighLevel forms eliminates third-party checkout redirects and captures contact data and payments in 1 step. This unifies lead records, allows instant automation triggers, and reduces overall cart abandonment.
Can I collect both online credit card payments and offline payments in the same form?
Yes. HighLevel supports online gateways like Stripe, Authorize.net, and NMI alongside manual methods like Cash on Delivery and custom bank transfers. Customers choose their preferred payment method at submission.
Does HighLevel support recurring subscription donations inside form builder elements?
Yes. By adding the Custom Amount element and enabling the Recurring Payment toggle, you can offer automated weekly, monthly, or yearly billing schedules without buying extra subscription plugins.
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