Using the PayPal Sandbox to test transactions

The PayPal sandbox allows you to process transactions on your website, without the official exchange of money.  This is the best way for PayPal users to test purchases on their online store, prior to going live.

Creating the Test Accounts

To effectively test your shopping system, you need to create a test buyer and a test seller account.

  1. In your browser, navigate to https://developer.paypal.com.
  2. Click Sign Up Now
  3. Enter the requested details and choose Yes to agree to the User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
     
    NOTE:Do not use the same email address you used for your PayPal merchant account.
  4. Click Sign Up.

You will receive a confirmation email that will require you to click a link to log in.

  1. Click the link in your confirmation email.
  2. Enter the email address you specified for use with the PayPal Sandbox.
  3. Enter your Password.
  4. Click Log In.
Creating a test Buyer

When using the PayPal Sandbox you can create test accounts for buyers and sellers. These accounts provide the information such as credit card numbers, etc. for you to easily test the checkout process.

  1. In the PayPal Sandbox, choose Test Accounts.
  2. Next to Create Account, choose Preconfigured.
  3. Select the Buyer radio button.
  4. Enter a Login Email for your buyer.
  5. Enter a password.
  6. Click Create Account.
Creating a test Seller
  1. Next to Create Account, choose Preconfigured.
  2. Select the Seller radio button.
  3. Enter a Login Email for your buyer.
  4. Enter a password.
  5. Click Create Account.
  6. Back on the Test Accounts page, click the Disabled link under Payment Review for each account.  This will then change to Enabled.
    You will want to do this to enable both the Seller and Buyer accounts.
Accept Billing Agreement

After creating a Buyer account you will need to accept the PayPal Billing Agreement before you can start receiving test transactions.

  1. Select the radio button beside your Business Account.
  2. Choose Enter Sandbox Test Site.
  3. Enter your PayPal password for your test account.
  4. Click Login.
  5. Scroll down to Step 3: Set up your payment solution.
  6. Click Complete Billing Agreement.
  7. Accept the Billing Agreement.

    8. Once the Billing Agreement is accepted, you can proceed to obtain the API credentials and make test purchases.

     
    NOTE:Accepting the Billing Agreement must be done each time you create a Business account in the PayPal Sandbox, and also each time you create a live PayPal merchant account.
Obtaining the Sandbox API

When using the PayPal sandbox you need to obtain PayPal testing API credentials from their developer website.

  1. Choose the API Credentials link.
  2. In the Sandbox Test Accounts with API Signatures window, take note of the API Username, API Password, and Signature.
     
    NOTE:These API credentials will be asked of you in different locations depending on the WebAssist product you are using. For PowerStore 3 users, you will have the opportunity to enter this information from within the Installation Wizard or Settings panel. eCart users can enter these details from within the Checkout Wizard.
     
    NOTE:If you are using PowerStore, you will need to select the Use Sandbox checkbox under the Settings panel. This will change the PowerStore checkout functionality to reference the Sandbox API server instead of the real server.
Making test purchases

On your site, you can now make test purchases using the Buyer account you just created.  The following details how to obtain fake credit card details that you can test with associated with your buyer account.

  1. Choose Test Accounts.
  2. Click the View Details link under the Personal account you created.
  3. The credit card details are listed below.
  4. Use those details listed to perform test transactions of your checkout functionality.
     
    NOTE:You are not provided with a CVV code.  Instead, enter any 3-digit code in the appropriate field.
What to do next...

Once you have completed testing your transactions, you will want to update your payment gateway settings in your particular product to the live settings instead of the Sandbox settings.

PowerStore Users: Enter the PowerStore 3 Admin panel, choose Settings > Payment Information. Uncheck the Use Sandbox checkbox and enter your PayPal account details instead of the Sandbox test accounts details.

eCart 5 users: After running the Checkout Wizard, open the Local Checkout option from the Server Behaviors panel and enter your live PayPal account details instead of your Sandbox test account details.

Last Updated: October 27, 2010
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