Customize Your Stripe Statement Descriptor on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Stripe sends business details to your customer's bank after each purchase
- Information like business name, URL, location, and phone number can appear on bank statements
- You can change what appears by editing the statement descriptor in your Stripe settings
- Access this through the 'Public details' section in your Stripe dashboard
- A clear descriptor reduces confusion and potential chargebacks
When customers buy from your Squarespace site using a credit card or Apple Pay, Stripe processes the payment and sends information to their bank. What shows up on their bank statement matters more than you might think.
A confusing or unclear statement descriptor can lead to customers not recognising the charge, which often results in disputes or chargebacks. Taking a few minutes to customise this information can save you headaches down the road.
Why Your Statement Descriptor Matters
Your statement descriptor is the short text that appears on your customer's bank statement alongside the charge amount. If it's generic or unclear, customers might not remember making the purchase, especially if some time has passed.
Common problems include:
- Generic descriptors that don't match your business name
- Abbreviated text that's hard to decipher
- Technical codes that mean nothing to customers
- Inconsistent branding across different payment channels
A clear, recognisable descriptor helps customers immediately connect the charge to their purchase from your site.
How to Update Your Statement Descriptor
Here's how to change your statement descriptor in Stripe:
Step 1: Access Your Stripe Dashboard
Log into your Stripe account using the credentials connected to your Squarespace site. Make sure you're accessing the right account if you manage multiple businesses.
Step 2: Find Public Details
Once you're logged in, look for 'Public details' in your dashboard navigation. Click on this section to access your business information settings.
Step 3: Locate Business Information
Scroll down to the 'Public business information' section. This is where Stripe stores the details that can appear on customer statements.
Step 4: Edit Your Statement Descriptor
Find the 'Statement descriptor' field. Enter your preferred text here. This could be your business name, a shortened version of your domain, or another easily recognisable identifier.
Step 5: Save Your Changes
After entering your new descriptor, click 'Save' to apply the changes. Your new descriptor will appear on future transactions.
What Makes a Good Statement Descriptor
Keep these guidelines in mind when choosing your descriptor:
Keep it short and clear. You have limited characters, so make them count. Your business name or a recognisable abbreviation usually works best.
Make it recognisable. Choose something customers will immediately connect to your business. If your business name is long, consider using your domain name instead.
Avoid special characters. Stick to letters and numbers. Special characters can sometimes display incorrectly on bank statements.
Test it first. If possible, make a small test purchase to see how your descriptor appears on actual statements.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Descriptor not updating: Changes can take up to 24 hours to appear on new transactions. Existing pending transactions will still show the old descriptor.
Character limits: Different banks have different limits for how much text they display. Keep your descriptor under 22 characters to ensure it shows fully.
Multiple descriptors: If you have multiple products or services, you might want to use dynamic descriptors that change based on what the customer bought. This requires more advanced Stripe configuration.
Squarespace vs Stripe settings: Make sure you're editing the descriptor in your Stripe account, not just in your Squarespace settings. The Stripe setting takes precedence.
FAQs
How long does it take for statement descriptor changes to take effect?
Changes typically appear on new transactions within 24 hours. Existing pending transactions will still show your previous descriptor.
Can I use different descriptors for different products?
Yes, but this requires setting up dynamic descriptors in Stripe, which is more advanced than the basic descriptor setting covered here.
Will changing my descriptor affect past transactions?
No, only new transactions will show your updated descriptor. Past transactions on bank statements won't change.
What happens if I don't set a custom descriptor?
Stripe will use default information from your account, which might not be as clear or branded as you'd like.
Jargon Buster
Stripe: The payment processing platform that handles transactions for Squarespace Commerce sites.
Statement Descriptor: The text that appears on a customer's bank or credit card statement describing a charge.
Chargeback: When a customer disputes a charge through their bank, often because they don't recognise the transaction.
Dynamic Descriptor: A statement descriptor that changes based on specific transaction details, like the product purchased.
Wrap-up
Setting up a clear statement descriptor is a small change that can prevent big problems. When customers can easily identify charges on their bank statements, you'll deal with fewer disputes and chargebacks.
Take a few minutes to update your descriptor now, and make sure it clearly represents your business. Your future self will thank you when you're not dealing with confused customers wondering what that mysterious charge was for.
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