Using test mode with PayPal payment system modules requires the use of PayPal’s Sandbox system. The PayPal Sandbox is a test environment that acts just like the real environment, except that you must have:
- A developer account to access PayPal Sandbox tools
- Have buyer and seller test accounts in your developer account
- Be logged into the seller test account during test transactions
Getting PayPal to work in the Sandbox environment is a bit of a pain. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of the hoops you’ll have to jump through:
- Visit developer.paypal.com and click the Sign Up Now button to create a developer account to access the PayPal Sandbox tools.
- Once you have your developer account, login to the Sandbox system with that account
- Under the heading Test Accounts, select the Create a preconfigured buyer or seller account link
- Run through this process twice and create both a buyer and a seller test account
- Select one of the Business (seller) test accounts you created
- Make sure Test Mode is enabled (click the disabled link to enable it)
- Then click the Enter Sandbox Test Site – a new window will appear that looks similar-ish to the regular PayPal landing/login page
- Login with your test business account.
- Click the “Merchant Services” tab, click the “Website Payments Pro” link on the left, then in the “Getting Started” box on the right, you should find the link to accept the billing agreement.
- Back on the Sandbox window, select API Credentials from the left-hand navigation menu
- Copy the API Username, API Password and API Signature for your test Business account into your PayPal Express settings in Shop, tick the PayPal Express/PayPal Standard Use the PayPal Sandbox setting on and hit Save
- Go shopping on your Reclaimed Marketplace store, click the Pay with PayPal button in the cart and… wait for it… ahh there’s the magic!