💳 PayPal Integration Guide

Why Use PayPal?

PayPal is trusted worldwide and offers:

• Familiar brand (customers trust it)
• No merchant account needed
• Fast setup (minutes, not days)
• Accepts credit cards too
• Buyer protection builds confidence
• Available in 200+ countries

PayPal Account Types

Personal vs Business

• Personal: Receive payments, but limited features
• Business (Recommended): Full features, subscriptions, multiple users, reporting

Upgrade to Business account at: paypal.com/bizsignup

Setting Up PayPal

1 Create/Upgrade Account

1. Visit paypal.com/bizsignup
2. Enter business information
3. Verify email address
4. Link bank account (for withdrawals)

2 Get API Credentials

For advanced integration (subscriptions):

1. Log into PayPal
2. Account Settings → Account Access
3. API Access → Manage API Credentials
4. Choose NVP/SOAP API Integration
5. Copy API Username, Password, Signature

Simple PayPal Integration (Payment Links)

Easiest method - no API needed:

3 Create PayPal Buttons

1. PayPal → Merchant Services → PayPal Buttons
2. Create button for each pricing tier
3. Set item name and price
4. Copy button code or link

4 Add Links to Pricing Table

1. Edit your pricing table in WordPress
2. For each column, paste PayPal link in Button URL field
3. Save table

When clicked, customers redirect to PayPal to complete payment.

Advanced PayPal Integration (API)

For subscriptions and automated workflows:

5 Enter API Credentials

1. WordPress → Premium Pricing Tables → Settings
2. Payment Gateways → PayPal
3. Enable PayPal
4. Enter API Username
5. Enter API Password
6. Enter API Signature
7. Choose environment (Sandbox for testing, Live for production)

6 Configure Settings

• Currency: USD, EUR, GBP, etc.
• IPN URL: For payment notifications
• Return URL: Where customers go after payment
• Cancel URL: If they cancel

Creating Subscription Plans

7 PayPal Subscription Buttons

1. PayPal → Merchant Services → Subscription Buttons
2. Create subscription plan
3. Set recurring amount and frequency
4. Copy subscription button ID

8 Link to Pricing Table

Add subscription button ID or link to each pricing table column.

Testing PayPal Payments

Using PayPal Sandbox

1. Create sandbox account at developer.paypal.com
2. Create test buyer and seller accounts
3. Use sandbox credentials in WP Pricing Tables
4. Complete test purchases
5. Verify in sandbox dashboard

Test Card Numbers

PayPal sandbox accepts any card number for testing. Common test card:

Card: 4111 1111 1111 1111
Expiry: Any future date
CVV: Any 3 digits

Going Live

Pre-Launch Checklist

• ✅ Business account verified
• ✅ Bank account linked
• ✅ Live API credentials entered
• ✅ Sandbox mode disabled
• ✅ Return and cancel URLs set
• ✅ Test purchase successful

Switch to Live

1. Change environment from Sandbox to Live
2. Enter live API credentials
3. Test with real (small) purchase
4. Verify payment received in PayPal account

PayPal vs Stripe

Common Issues

Payment Not Received

• Check PayPal account email notifications
• Verify customer completed checkout (didn't cancel)
• Check for PayPal holds (new accounts)
• Ensure IPN configured correctly

Subscription Cancelled

• Customer can cancel in their PayPal account
• Failed payment (expired card, insufficient funds)
• You cancelled from merchant side