Adding FFL Dealer Selection to Your E-Commerce Checkout
The FFL selection step is the #1 friction point in firearms e-commerce. Here's how to solve it with automated dealer search at checkout.
Why FFL Selection Matters at Checkout
Every online firearm sale requires the buyer to choose a local FFL dealer to receive the shipment. If this step is confusing or cumbersome, customers abandon their carts. In fact, a complicated FFL process is one of the top reasons for cart abandonment in firearms e-commerce.
The solution: make FFL selection as easy as choosing a shipping address. Enter a ZIP code, see nearby dealers, tap to select.
Manual vs. Automated FFL Collection
Manual Process
- • Text field: “Enter your FFL details”
- • Email follow-up to collect FFL license
- • Manual verification of license validity
- • Days of back-and-forth per order
- • High cart abandonment rate
Automated with FFL Bridge
- • ZIP code search at checkout
- • Interactive map with nearby dealers
- • Allowlisted dealer fields captured with the selection
- • Eligibility checked in the checkout workflow
- • Final dealer verification remains with fulfillment
Integration Options
FFL Bridge offers three ways to add FFL selection to your checkout, depending on your platform and technical needs:
Option 1: Drop-in Widget
The fastest way to integrate. Add two lines of HTML to your checkout page:
Best for: Custom storefronts that permit checkout JavaScript and origin-bound API requests.
Option 2: REST API
Full control over the UI. Make HTTP requests to our search endpoint and build your own FFL selection experience:
Best for: Custom platforms, mobile apps, or workflows that need full control over the UI.
Option 3: Platform Plugins
The maintained WooCommerce plugin adds the supported lower-code path for WordPress stores.
Available for: WooCommerce 1.1.0 is the maintained plugin release.
What Data Do You Capture?
When a customer selects an FFL through the widget or API, you receive:
- •License number — The FFL's ATF license number for your records
- •Business name & address — Where to ship the firearm
- •Phone number — To contact the receiving FFL
- •Transfer fee — So customers know the total cost upfront
- •Verification status — Whether the FFL has verified their profile
Quick Setup Guide
Sign Up for FFL Bridge
Create a free account at fflbridge.com/signup. You get 100 free API calls per day, no credit card required.
Get Your API Key
Your API key is shown on the onboarding page after signup. You can also find it in your dashboard.
Add the Widget to Checkout
Paste the widget code into your checkout page. Check our documentation for platform-specific guides.
Capture the Selection
Listen for the ffl-selectevent to capture the customer's FFL choice and include it in your order data.
Ship with Confidence
Every order comes with verified FFL information. Ship directly to the selected dealer — no manual collection needed.
Try FFL Bridge Today
Free tier with 100 calls/day and no credit card required. Integration time depends on your platform and checkout workflow.