WordPress Bitcoin Donation Installation Guide

THESE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET FOR BITCOIN DONATION TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY:

WordPress & Bitcoin Donation

• A self-hosted WordPress website
• Bitcoin Donation installed and activated

Bitcoin Gateways (Coinsnap or BTCPay Server)

For this plugin, you need either a Coinsnap account with a Lightning address or your own BTCPay Server:

• An active Coinsnap account
  -> How to set up a Coinsnap account
  
• A Bitcoin Lightning wallet
  -> How to get a Lightning address
  

or

• A connected BTCPay Server
  -> How to connect a Cponsnap plugin with your BTCPay Server

and

• The installed Coinsnap Bitcoin Donation plugin
  ->How to install the plugin and connect it with your Coinsnap account or your BTCPay Server

Server & Access

• Ability to install and activate WordPress plugins
• HTTPS (SSL) enabled on the website

Bitcoin Invoice Forms Setup

• At least one Bitcoin Donation created (to enable a test payment)

All the requirements listed above are met, and you have successfully installed the plugin in your WordPress. If not, here is a Step-by-step: How to install a Coinsnap plugin in WordPress guide to help you install the plugin.

You will soon be able to accept Bitcoin payments (on-chain and Lightning) directly from simple Bitcoin Donation forms anywhere on your website — without the need for a complex shop system like WooCommerce or traditional payment providers such as credit cards or PayPal. But before you can do that, you need to configure Bitcoin payments in your Bitcoin Donation plugin.

HOW TO CONFIGURE THE PLUGIN

1. Choose and set up your payment provider

After installing and activating the Bitcoin Invoice Forms plugin, you need to configure a Bitcoin payment gateway connection, either with Coinsnap or with a BTCPay Server.

In the WordPress admin dashboard, go to Coinsnap Bitcoin Donation [1] → Settings [2] in the left-hand sidebar.

You will now see the following screen:

You now need to choose between two payment gateways: Coinsnap or your own BTCPay Server, and to enter your Store ID and API Key.

Coinsnap

Coinsnap is the easiest option. Coinsnap handles the technical setup for you and connects your store to Bitcoin and Lightning payments with just a few clicks. It’s ideal if you want a quick, hassle-free solution without managing your own payment infrastructure.

Learn here how to retrieve your Coinsnap Store ID and API Key:

-> Step-by-step explanation: How to connect your Coinsnap account with your plugin

BTCPay Server

BTCPay Server is a self-hosted option for merchants who want full control. You run your own Bitcoin and Lightning payment server, manage your own wallets, and don’t rely on a third party. This option offers maximum independence but requires more technical setup and maintenance.

Learn how to retrieve your Store ID and API Key using our BTCPay Server wizard here:

-> Step-by-step explanation: How to connect your BTCPay Server with your plugin

Check Connection

Whichever gateway you’ve set up, once you’re done, click the check button.

If everything went well, you should now see something like this at the top of the settings screen:

2. Choose a theme

You can also choose the color scheme for your Bitcoin donation forms — light or dark — to match the design and style of your website.

The Simple Bitcoin Donation Form is a compact donation box that allows supporters to enter the amount they wish to give in their preferred currency, optionally leave a short message for the website owner, and initiate the payment with a single click. It is ideally suited for placement within or below blog posts, videos, podcasts, or other low- to medium-value content where readers, viewers, or listeners want to show quick appreciation without friction.

Go to Coinsnap Bitcoin Donation → Donation Forms in the left sidebar of your WordPress backend [1]. Then open the Donation Button tab on the top [2].

Now you’ll need to configure 16 parameters to match your needs:

[3] Active

Enables or disables the donation form. Only when this option is checked will the donation form be available on your website.

[4] Currency

Defines the fiat reference currency used for the donation amount. This currency is used to calculate the Bitcoin and Lightning equivalent shown to the donor. It is also possible to choose SATS as the default currency, which may appeal to more “hardcore” Bitcoiners.

[5] Button Text

Sets the text displayed on the donation button. This is what donors click to start the Bitcoin or Lightning donation process.

[6] Title Text

Optional headline displayed at the top of the donation form. You can use this to describe the purpose of the donation or the campaign.

[7] Default Amount

Predefines a minimum donation amount that is automatically filled in when the form is loaded. Donors can then increase this amount before paying.

[8] Default Message

Sets a predefined message or note that appears in the donation form. This can be used to thank donors or explain how the funds will be used.

[9] Redirect URL (Thank You Page)

URL of a dedicated thank-you page that you have created on your WordPress website, to which the donor will be redirected after a successful donation. If left empty, the default Coinsnap confirmation page is used.

[10] Form Type

Controls the layout style of the donation form. For example, Narrow is suitable for sidebars or embedded sections, while Wide works better in full-width pages.

[11] Collect Donor Information

Enables the collection of donor details such as name, email, and address. If disabled, donations can be made without entering personal information.

[12] First Name, [13] Last Name, [14] Email, [15] Address

If you want to collect any of this information, set the field to optional or required as needed. If you do not want to collect, for example, the address, select hidden.

[16] Custom Field Name, [17] Custom Field Visibility

Allows you to add a custom input field with your own label, for example to collect a reference, note, or campaign identifier. You can then determine whether the custom field is optional, mandatory, or hidden.

[18] Shortcode

Displays the shortcode you will use to embed this donation form anywhere on your WordPress site, such as on pages, posts, or widgets.

Save Settings

Stores all configured options and applies them to the donation form immediately.

The Multi-Amount Bitcoin Donation Form allows website owners to predefine three fixed contribution amounts—such as €10, €20, and €30—giving supporters clear, convenient options to choose from. Instead of entering arbitrary amounts, visitors can simply select one of the suggested values, with the option to leave a short message for the site owner. This format works particularly well for higher-value content or on a dedicated support or contribution page, where visitors are more inclined to make a deliberate and meaningful donation.

To create a multi-amount donation form, go to Coinsnap Bitcoin Donation → Donation Forms in the left sidebar of your WordPress backend. Then open the Multi Amount Donation tab at the top [1]. You will see this screen:

The settings are the same as in the Donation Button above (step 2), with the exception of the three default donation amounts you want to define [2], [3], [4]. Simply enter the donation amounts you want to offer your visitors, for example 10, 20, and 30 € as shown in the image above.

Click Save Settings, copy the shortcode, and start using the Multi-Amount Donation form.

To place the donation form anywhere on your website, simply copy the provided shortcode [coinsnap_bitcoin_donation] and paste it at the position where you want the donation form to appear. You can insert the shortcode directly into the content of a page or post to display the form within or below your text. You’ll find the shortcode at the bottom of the Donation Button tab (see step 2).

The same shortcode can also be used in sidebars, footers, or other widget areas by pasting it into a Shortcode block or a Text/HTML widget. This gives you full flexibility to display the donation form exactly where it fits best in your layout—whether embedded in your main content, highlighted in a sidebar, or shown persistently in the footer.

Done

You’re now all set to receive Bitcoin and Lightning donations for your work or cause. Simply place the donation form anywhere on your website, and visitors can start supporting you right away.

After all settings have been made, a test transaction should be carried out.

Fill out a donation box that you created on your website and click the payment button (Donate Sats now!).

If you are collecting donor information, fill out the form that appears next.

You will then be redirected to the Bitcoin payment page to complete the purchase.

The Bitcoin payment page allows the payer to choose between Bitcoin and Lightning. Both payment methods are integrated into the displayed QR code.

After a successful payment, the invoice can be viewed in detail.