Keep environments separate
Use Sandbox Client ID and Secret only while Sandbox testing is enabled. Replace both values with the separate Live credentials when you launch. Never mix a Sandbox credential with a Live credential.
Contest Gallery documentation
Connect PayPal
Create PayPal Sandbox and Live credentials, prepare test accounts and inspect webhook events before enabling real payments.
Contest Gallery 33.xPROPayPal SandboxPayPal Live
Open the official PayPal tools
Use the Sandbox environment while configuring and testing Contest Gallery. Switch to Live only after the complete integration has been verified.
Apps & Credentials
Sandbox Accounts
Webhook Events
Create an app and copy credentials
Open Apps & Credentials, keep Sandbox selected and create or select the application used by Contest Gallery. Copy the Client ID and Secret into the matching plugin environment.
Protect the Secret: A Client ID is public application identification. The Secret is private and must never be sent by email, pasted into public content or shown in a screenshot.
Open PayPal Sandbox Apps & Credentials →
Prepare Sandbox accounts
A normal test payment uses a Personal account as the buyer and a Business account as the merchant. Retrieve their test login data from Sandbox Accounts and keep those credentials separate from real PayPal accounts.
Open PayPal Sandbox Accounts → Read the official Sandbox Accounts guide →
Inspect webhook events
The Webhook Events dashboard lists notifications for the selected Sandbox or Live app. Filter by date, resource and event type when a payment status does not reach WordPress as expected.
Open Sandbox Webhook Events → Read the official Webhook Events guide →
Recommendations before going live
Use these checks after connecting PayPal and before accepting real customer payments.
Choose guest checkout deliberately
PayPal Account Optional set to On allows eligible buyers to pay by debit or credit card without creating a PayPal account. Set it to Off if your checkout should require a PayPal account. Availability can still depend on the buyer, region and PayPal risk checks.
In PayPal, open Account Settings → Website payments → Website preferences → Update. Then review PayPal Account Optional.
Use Sandbox test cards only
Never enter a real customer card in the Sandbox. Use PayPal test card data with a future expiration date and the documented CVV format. Also test a rejected payment so the customer error path is verified.
Do not fulfil a pending payment
Treat PENDING as unfinished. Deliver downloads, activate paid actions or mark an order paid only after the payment reaches COMPLETED. If the status remains pending, inspect the matching Webhook Event and provider response before retrying.
How guest checkout can appear
The option to continue without a PayPal account is shown only when the buyer and transaction are eligible for guest checkout. The exact wording and screen design can change as PayPal updates its checkout.
Where the account requirement is configured
Review this preference in both the environment used for testing and the Live merchant account. Choose On for eligible card checkout without an account or Off when every buyer must use a PayPal account.
Final launch check: Complete one successful Sandbox order, one rejected payment and one webhook verification before switching to Live credentials.
Connect Contest Gallery
Enable PayPal API
Open Ecommerce options and enable PayPal checkout.
Enter Sandbox credentials
Paste the Sandbox Client ID and Secret, save the options and use the built-in key test.
Verify Sandbox first
Use a test ecommerce gallery and confirm payments, webhooks and order status before switching environments.
Add Live credentials
Enter the separate Live Client ID and Secret and run the Live key test before public launch.
