Set up Role-Based Payment / Shipping Methods for WooCommerce

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Why You Need Role-Based Shipping and Payment Settings
• Real-World Examples
• How the Plugin Works (Features Overview)
• Step-by-Step Setup Process
• Real-Life Use Cases
• Conclusion

Introduction

Managing an online store can get tricky as your customer base grows. Not every shopper is the same. You may have guests, regular buyers, and wholesale customers. Each of them may need different shipping and payment options. That’s where the Role-Based Payment / Shipping Methods for WooCommerce plugin helps.

This powerful plugin lets you control which shipping and payment options appear for each type of user. It works by assigning shipping methods and payment gateways based on user roles in WordPress. You can even control what guest users see at checkout.

Let’s say you don’t want wholesale customers using PayPal. Or maybe you only want logged-in users to get free shipping. With this plugin, you can set those rules easily, without writing code.

Why You Need Role-Based Shipping and Payment Settings

When everyone sees the same checkout options, it can lead to confusion. Wholesale customers may expect special terms, while retail shoppers prefer quick payments.

Here are a few common problems online stores face:

• Wholesale users shouldn’t see regular shipping rates
• Retail users might not need offline payment methods
• Guests may not be allowed to use premium gateways
• Certain users might get free shipping or local pickup only

By assigning roles and customizing methods, you create a cleaner checkout. This increases trust and enhances the purchasing experience.

Real-World Examples

Imagine you run a WooCommerce store selling office supplies. You sell to both end-users and B2B buyers. With this plugin, you can:

• Show “Invoice Payment” to B2B buyers only
• Provide “Local Pickup” to employees or specific clients.
• Hide credit card options from new guest accounts
• Enable “Free Shipping” for VIP members

Standard WooCommerce configurations don’t offer this level of versatility. You need a role-based plugin to handle these advanced needs.

The Role-Based Payment / Shipping Methods plugin gives store owners real control. It helps tailor the checkout process to different user types. This can reduce errors, improve conversions, and save support time.

How the Plugin Works (Features Overview)

The Role-Based Payment / Shipping Methods for WooCommerce plugin gives full control over checkout options. It lets store owners choose which shipping and payment methods appear for different user roles. The plugin works directly inside your WordPress dashboard and is simple to set up.

Let’s examine the main attributes and their respective benefits.

Control Shipping Methods by User Role

Not every user should see every shipping method. This plugin lets you choose which user roles can access which shipping options.

For example, you can:

• Allow “Local Pickup” for store staff only
• Show “Flat Rate Shipping” to regular customers
• Hide “Free Shipping” from guest users

All shipping methods active in WooCommerce will appear in the plugin. From there, you simply tick or untick roles for each method. It’s quick and doesn’t require technical skills.

Restrict Payment Gateways by User Role

The same control applies to payment methods. You may want certain users to avoid high-fee payment options. Or you may want to allow invoice payments only for approved customers.

Use cases include:

• Show “Bank Transfer” for B2B buyers only
• Hide “PayPal” for wholesale accounts
• Allow “Cash on Delivery” for local buyers

The plugin lists all active payment gateways from your WooCommerce settings. You then select the roles that should see each one. It’s a great way to customize checkout without custom code.

Works with Guest Users Too

Guest users are people who check out without logging in. This plugin treats them as a separate group. You can assign different shipping and payment rules for guests.

For example:

• Guests can use “PayPal” but not “Credit Card”
• Hide “Free Shipping” from guest checkouts
• Force guest users to use one simple payment option

This helps reduce fraud, increase control, and improve customer experience.

Supports Custom User Roles

If you use custom roles like “Distributor” or “VIP Customer,” this plugin supports them. Any role created in WordPress will show in the plugin settings. You can then assign specific shipping and payment options to each one.

This is perfect for:

• Wholesale stores
• Membership sites
• Tiered customer systems

WordPress Groups Plugin Integration

If you’re using the WordPress Groups plugin, this extension integrates smoothly. By allowing you to designate methods by group rather than just by role, it gives you even more control.

Group settings take priority. So, if a user belongs to a group, those rules apply first.

What Customers See at Checkout

Customers only see the shipping and payment methods allowed for their role. This makes the checkout cleaner, faster, and less confusing. It also helps enforce business rules without needing manual steps.

Let’s move on to how to set it up now that you know how it operates.

Step-by-Step Setup Process

Setting up the Role-Based Payment / Shipping Methods for WooCommerce plugin is simple. You don’t need any coding skills. Follow the steps below, and you’ll have full control over checkout options in minutes.

Step 1: Install the Plugin

Start by using your WooCommerce account to download the plugin. You’ll get a .zip file.

Then:

• Go to WordPress Admin > Plugins > Add New
• Click Upload Plugin and choose the .zip file
• Click Install Now, then hit Activate

The plugin is now ready to use.

Step 2: Access Role-Based Settings

Once installed, go to:

WooCommerce > Role Based Methods

Here you’ll find two tabs:

• Payment Gateways
• Shipping Methods

Both tabs work the same way. You’ll see a list of active options and a table of user roles.

Step 3: Configure Payment Methods by User Role

Click on the Payment Gateways tab. Each row shows a payment method, and each column shows a user role.

Do the following:

• Check the boxes for the roles you want to allow
• Uncheck boxes to hide that method from certain roles
• Save your changes

Only active gateways from your WooCommerce settings appear here. Make sure the payment methods are enabled under WooCommerce > Settings > Payments.

Step 4: Configure Shipping Methods by User Role

Go to the Shipping Methods tab. It looks just like the payments section.

Steps:

• Tick the boxes for roles you want to allow
• Untick roles where you want to hide the method
• Save your settings

Only active shipping zones and methods are shown. You can manage those in WooCommerce > Settings > Shipping.

Step 5: Add Custom Roles (Optional)

Want more control? Create roles such as these using a plugin such as User Role Editor:

• Wholesale Buyer
• VIP Member
• Distributor

Once created, these roles will appear in the Role-Based Methods plugin.

Pro Tip: Use WordPress Groups for Advanced Rules

Install the WordPress Groups plugin if you need group-level control. The plugin will detect it and show group settings automatically.

Group settings override standard role settings. This is useful for membership sites or special pricing groups.

Real-Life Use Cases

The Role-Based Payment / Shipping Methods for WooCommerce plugin is built for real-world use. It solves problems that many store owners face every day. Let’s examine some useful applications for it.

Example 1: Wholesale Customers with Custom Payment Options

You run a store that sells to both retail and wholesale buyers. Wholesale customers often want to pay by invoice instead of credit card.

With this plugin, you can:

• Hide PayPal and credit cards for the “Wholesaler” role
• Show “Bank Transfer” or “Check Payment” only to wholesale users
• Rename the payment method to something like “Invoice Payment.”

This makes checkout clear and customized for each buyer type.

Example 2: Guest Users with Limited Options

Not all store owners want guests using all payment options. Guest users may be limited to one or two safe choices.

You can:

• Allow only PayPal for guest users
• Hide “Free Shipping” and offer only “Flat Rate”
• Encourage account creation for more options

This helps reduce fraud and gives more control over checkout behavior.

Conclusion

This plugin is perfect for stores that serve different types of customers. Whether you’re selling to retail, wholesale, or members, it lets you customize the checkout process with ease.

You don’t need coding. Just install, configure, and go live.

If you’re looking to simplify checkout and control who sees what, this is the right tool.

Try the Role-Based Payment / Shipping Methods for WooCommerce plugin and start building smarter checkout flows today.

Need help setting it up? WooHelpDesk is here for you.

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