The simplest way to test if the WordPress eStore plugin is working is to create a test product with the price of 1 cent ($0.01) and purchase that product yourself as a buyer.
It is a good idea to turn on debug (check the “Enable Debug” checkbox) from the settings menu and you will be able to see every step of the transaction process (IPN validation, product verification etc) in the ipn_handle_debug.log file.
How to Test Using PayPal Sandbox
You can also use the plugin in SandBox mode (PayPal Sandbox) which will allow you to test it without having to perform a live transaction. To test it using PayPal Sandbox do the following:
- Go to the settings menu of the WP eStore plugin.
- Enter your sandbox seller’s email in the ‘Paypal Email Address’ field.
- Tick the ‘Enable Sandbox Testing’ checkbox.
Please turn on debug from the settings menu and you will be able to see every step of the transaction processs (IPN validation, product verification etc) in the ipn_handle_debug.log file.
If you need a more detailed guide on using PayPal Sandbox then check the following post:
What to do When Something is not Functioning as Expected
If something is not functioning as expected after the payment is made on PayPal (e.g. emails are not getting sent out) it is a good idea to enable debug and perform a test transaction so you can analyze the log file to identify the issue. The following URL will help:
Tips
- Check this plugin testing checklist – setup preparation for testing
- Remember to revert the changes to run the Plugin in Live mode again after you are done with the testing (change the paypal email address and uncheck the ‘Enable Sandbox Testing’ option).
- The debug can be used in live or testing mode and can be very handy when you are trying to figure out an issue.
- I always recommend testing the system in live mode, this way you have the plugin running in live mode and can see if it has any issues that the customers are likely to see.