Why MB Way matters
In Portugal, MB Way is part of many consumers' daily lives: they pay with their mobile number and confirm in their banking app, without entering card details. In an online store, offering MB Way at checkout reduces friction for these customers and builds trust, because it is a method they already know.
Even so, you should also offer credit and debit cards, and consider Multibanco references and PayPal, especially if you sell to foreign customers who do not use MB Way.
1. Choose the store platform
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a store extension for WordPress. It is a good choice for stores with a standard catalogue and processes, has many extensions available, and your team can manage products and orders independently.
Custom store
A custom-built store makes sense when speed is critical, when the design has to be unique, or when the business has its own rules: configurable products, customer-specific pricing, stock or ERP integrations. We explain the differences in WordPress vs Next.js for SMEs.
2. Connect MB Way through a payment gateway
The store does not connect to MB Way directly: you need a payment gateway to process the transaction. Several providers in Portugal offer MB Way, usually alongside Multibanco references and cards. When comparing, look at:
- Per-transaction fees and any monthly charges.
- Payment methods included in the same contract.
- Integration with your platform (is there an official WooCommerce plugin? a well-documented API?).
- How long it takes for money to reach your account.
- The refund process.
You will usually need a registered business and company documents to open a gateway account, so deal with this early.
3. Meet your legal obligations
An online store in Portugal has obligations you cannot ignore. The most important:
- The Electronic Complaints Book (Livro de Reclamações Eletrónico), with a visible link on the website.
- Information on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), naming the body consumers can turn to.
- Right of withdrawal: consumers can generally cancel an online purchase within 14 days. Explain the return process clearly.
- Terms and conditions, a privacy policy and a cookie policy in line with the GDPR.
- Full company identification: name, tax number (NIF), address and contacts.
This guide is not legal advice. Confirm the details with your accountant or lawyer.
4. Invoicing
Every sale needs an invoice issued through billing software certified by the Portuguese Tax Authority. Many billing programs integrate with WooCommerce and custom stores, issuing the invoice automatically when payment is confirmed. That saves hours of manual work every week.
5. Shipping
Decide before you open:
- Which carriers you will use and where you ship (mainland Portugal, islands, abroad).
- How you calculate shipping: flat rate, by weight or free above a certain amount.
- Whether you offer in-store pickup, which local customers value.
Unclear shipping costs, or costs that only appear at the last step, are one of the most common causes of abandoned carts.
6. Mistakes to avoid
- Checkout with too many steps. Ask only for the data you need and allow guest checkout.
- A slow store on mobile. Most purchases start on a phone.
- Weak photos. Customers cannot touch the product, so images have to do that job.
- No SEO from the start. Well-structured product and category pages bring traffic without paying for ads.
Quick checklist
- Platform chosen (WooCommerce or custom).
- Gateway with MB Way, Multibanco and cards configured and tested.
- Electronic Complaints Book, ADR, terms, privacy and cookies published.
- Certified billing software connected to the store.
- Clear shipping table and returns policy.
- Full test purchase, from cart to invoice, on a phone.
Want help getting all of this working? See our online stores and e-commerce service or get in touch.