Paypal Configuration

PayPal is a globally trusted payment gateway that enables customers to make secure payments using credit cards, debit cards, or their PayPal balance. This guide outlines the steps to configure PayPal in your Webcommander store.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A PayPal Business account
• Your PayPal API credentials (Client ID and Client Secret)
• Access to your Webcommander admin panel

Don't have a PayPal Business account? You can sign up at paypal.com/business.

Accessing Payment Gateway Settings

1. Log in to your Webcommander admin panel
2. Navigate to Settings from the left sidebar
3. Click on Payment Gateway from the settings dashboard
4. Locate PayPal in the list of available payment gateways
5. Click the Edit button (three-dot menu) next to PayPal

General Configuration

Once you're in the PayPal configuration page, you'll see the General tab. Here's what each setting means:

Make PayPal as Default Gateway

Tick this checkbox if you want PayPal to be the primary payment option for your customers. If enabled, PayPal will be pre-selected at checkout.

Version

Select the PayPal API version you're using. The default is Standard, which is suitable for most businesses.

• Standard (recommended for most users)
• Classic

Client ID

Enter your PayPal REST API Client ID. You can find this in your PayPal Developer Dashboard under your app credentials.

Where to find it:

1. Log in to developer.paypal.com
2. Go to My Apps & Credentials
3. Copy your Client ID from your app details

Client Secret

Enter your PayPal REST API Secret Key. This works together with your Client ID to authenticate your store with PayPal.

Important: Keep your Client Secret confidential. Never share it publicly or commit it to version control.

Mode

Choose the environment for your PayPal integration:

• Test – Use this for testing payments without processing real money.
• Live – Use this when you're ready to accept real payments.

Tip: Always test your integration thoroughly in Test mode before switching to Live mode.

Zone

Select the geographical zone where PayPal will be available:

• Any Zone – Available worldwide
• New Zone – Create a custom zone
• REST_OF_THE_WORLD – Available except excluded zones

Additional Settings

Information

Use this text area to add special instructions about PayPal payments. This message appears during checkout.

"You will be redirected to PayPal to complete your payment securely. You can pay with your PayPal balance or use any major credit or debit card."

Visibility

• Everyone can see
• Customers
• Selected Customer

Surcharge Type

Add an additional fee for PayPal transactions if needed. This helps offset PayPal's transaction fees:

• No Surcharge – No additional fee
• Flat Surcharge – Add a fixed amount (e.g., $0.30)
• Percent Surcharge – Add a percentage of the order total (e.g., 3%)
• Surcharge On Amount Range – Apply different surcharges based on order value

Flat Surcharge

If you select Flat Surcharge, enter the fixed amount to add to each PayPal transaction.

Example: If you enter 0.50, customers will pay an extra $0.50 when choosing PayPal.

Percent Surcharge

If you select Percent Surcharge, enter the percentage to add.

Example: If you enter 2.9, customers will pay an extra 2.9% of their order total.

Surcharge On Amount Range

This advanced option lets you set different surcharge rates based on the order value. You'll need to click Add Surcharge to define your ranges.

Pending Message Configuration

PayPal transactions may sometimes require additional time to process. You can customise the message customers see while their payment is being confirmed.

How to Set a Pending Message

1. Navigate to the Messages section
2. Click on the Pending Message tab
3. Enter your custom message in the text editor

This displays a standard "payment pending" message. You can replace it with your own text.

Example Custom Message:

"Your payment is being processed by PayPal. You'll receive a confirmation email once the payment is complete. This usually takes just a few minutes."

Formatting Tips:

• Keep the message clear and reassuring
• Let customers know what to expect next
• Include an estimated timeframe if possible
• Avoid technical jargon

Testing Your PayPal Integration

Before going live, it's crucial to test your PayPal setup.

Step 1: Enable Test Mode

1. Set Mode to Test
2. Enter your PayPal Sandbox credentials (from developer.paypal.com)
3. Click Save

Step 2: Make a Test Purchase

1. Visit your store's front end
2. Add a product to your basket
3. Proceed to checkout
4. Select PayPal as your payment method
5. Complete the purchase using PayPal Sandbox test accounts

Step 3: Verify the Transaction

1. Check if the order appears in your Webcommander orders
2. Verify the order status is correct
3. Confirm the payment details are accurate

Step 4: Go Live

Once testing is successful:

1. Change Mode to Live
2. Update with your live PayPal credentials
3. Click Save
4. Make a small real purchase to confirm everything works

Common Issues and Solutions

PayPal Option Not Showing at Checkout

Possible causes:

• Zone settings are restricting availability
• Visibility is set to specific customers only
• PayPal is disabled in Payment Gateways

Solution:

1. Check your Zone settings and set to "Any Zone" for testing
2. Ensure Visibility is set to "Everyone can see"
3. Verify PayPal is not in the "DISABLED PAYMENTS" section

Payment Stuck on Pending

Possible causes:

• PayPal account verification required
• Suspicious activity flagged by PayPal
• Customer hasn't completed payment

Solution:

1. Log in to your PayPal account to check for notifications
2. Contact the customer to confirm they completed payment
3. Check the PayPal transaction in your PayPal dashboard

Wrong Credentials Error

Possible causes:

• Incorrect Client ID or Secret
• Using sandbox credentials in live mode (or vice versa)
• Credentials expired or revoked

Solution:

1. Double-check your credentials in PayPal Developer Dashboard
2. Ensure you're using the correct mode (Test vs Live)
3. Generate new credentials if needed

Best Practices

Security

• Never share your Client Secret
• Use strong, unique passwords for your PayPal account
• Enable two-factor authentication on your PayPal account
• Regularly review your PayPal transaction history

Customer Experience

• Set clear expectations about the payment process
• Use the Information field to explain PayPal payments
• Keep your pending messages friendly and informative
• Test the checkout process regularly from a customer's perspective

Business Operations

• Reconcile PayPal transactions with your Webcommander orders regularly
• Keep your PayPal email notifications enabled
• Monitor for any unusual transaction patterns
• Keep PayPal's transaction fees in mind when pricing products