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Payments Onboarding Wizard

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Overview

The Payments Onboarding Wizard walks you from account creation to payment-ready status in under 5 minutes. Customers add payment methods to fund escrow and start projects immediately. Experts complete Stripe Connect verification to receive payouts without leaving the platform. The system tracks your progress, sends reminders if you pause mid-flow, and updates your dashboard once you’re ready to transact.

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Step-by-Step Guide

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For Customers (Adding Payment Methods)

  1. Navigate to your project dashboard - When you arrive, you’ll see a prominent “Complete payment setup” banner at the top if you haven’t added a payment method yet.
  2. Click “Complete payment setup” - The wizard opens, showing 3 steps with a progress indicator: select payment type, enter details, and confirm.
  3. Select your payment type - Choose between credit card, debit card, or other supported methods. The wizard displays clear icons and labels for each option.
  4. Enter your payment details - The Stripe Payment Element loads. Enter your card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing address. Stripe validates your details in real-time.
  5. Review and confirm - Check your entered information. Click “Confirm” to save the payment method. A success animation plays within 2 seconds.
  6. Return to your dashboard - The “Complete payment setup” banner disappears, replaced by a “Payment ready” badge. You can now fund escrow for any project.

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For Experts (Setting Up Payouts)

  1. Visit your expert dashboard - If you haven’t configured payouts, you’ll see a “Set up payouts” banner with your current status (NOT_STARTED).
  2. Click “Start setup” - The payout wizard opens with 5 steps. The first step displays 9 supported countries: South Africa, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Singapore.
  3. Select your country - Choose where you’ll receive payouts. If your profile includes location data, the system pre-selects your country.
  4. Create your Stripe Connect account - The system creates your account within 3 seconds. A loading indicator shows progress.
  5. Complete Stripe verification - Click “Continue to verification” to open Stripe’s hosted KYC form. Enter your legal name, tax ID, business details, and banking information. The form adapts based on your country’s requirements.
  6. Return to the platform - After submitting the form, Stripe redirects you back to Fiftyknots. Your dashboard shows “Verification typically takes 1-3 business days” with a status card displaying PENDING_VERIFICATION.
  7. Receive verification confirmation - When Stripe completes verification (usually 1-3 business days), your status updates to VERIFIED. You’ll receive a notification via your preferred channel (in-app, Slack, or WhatsApp), and your dashboard displays “Payment ready.”

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If Verification Needs Attention

If Stripe requires additional documents, your status changes to FAILED_VERIFICATION. The dashboard lists exactly what’s needed - usually an ID scan, proof of address, or business registration. Click “Resume verification” to generate a fresh link and upload the requested documents.

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Common Questions

How long does the customer payment wizard take?
Under 3 minutes for most users. The Stripe Payment Element validates your card instantly, and the system confirms your payment method within 2 seconds of submission. What happens if I close the wizard before finishing?
Your progress saves automatically. When you return to the dashboard, the “Complete payment setup” banner persists, and clicking it resumes from your last completed step. You won’t need to re-enter information. Why does expert verification take 1-3 business days?
Stripe performs identity verification and anti-fraud checks required by financial regulations. Most accounts verify within 24 hours. If Stripe flags your account for additional review, the status card shows exactly what documents you need to provide. Can I receive payouts before verification completes?
No. The platform sets your isEscrowReady flag to true only after Stripe confirms charges_enabled and payouts_enabled on your account. You can browse jobs and prepare proposals during verification, but you can’t accept paid work until verification completes. What if I don’t complete payment setup immediately?
If you create a project without adding a payment method (customers) or have an active job without completing payout setup (experts), the system sends a reminder 24 hours later via your preferred channel. You’ll receive up to 3 reminders per week, respecting your quiet hours (no messages between 22:00-07:00 local time).

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Troubleshooting

“Stripe is temporarily unavailable” appears during setup
This means the Stripe API is unreachable. Your progress is saved - wait a few minutes and try again. The banner remains visible until you complete setup. If the issue persists beyond 30 minutes, contact support. My card was declined after initially being added
Your payment method transitioned to INVALID status, but your isEscrowReady flag remains true (you have a method on file, even if expired). You’ll see a notification suggesting you add a new payment method. Visit Payment Methods from your dashboard to add a replacement card. The Stripe verification link says “Link expired”
Stripe onboarding links expire after 5 minutes of inactivity. Click “Resume verification” on your dashboard to generate a fresh link. Your previously entered information is saved - you won’t start from scratch. My status shows FAILED_VERIFICATION but I don’t know what’s missing
The status card lists specific requirements from Stripe’s requirements.currently_due field - typically “Government-issued ID,” “Proof of address,” or “Business registration document.” Click “Resume verification” to upload the exact documents Stripe needs. If the requirements seem unclear, contact support with your Stripe account ID (visible on the status card, last 4 characters shown). Escrow Dashboard - Once your payment setup completes, visit the Escrow Dashboard to fund escrow for active projects, view held amounts, and track release schedules. Payment setup is required before you can deposit funds. Payment Methods - After completing the wizard, manage all saved payment methods from the Payment Methods page. Add backup cards, set a default method, or remove expired cards without re-running the wizard. Payment History - Track all transactions (deposits, releases, refunds) from Payment History. This view activates once you complete at least one payment or payout, showing real-time status for every escrow movement.