Set up PayPal Payments

This guide explains how to connect PayPal to your Time Slot Pro booking form. You will first set up test mode (Sandbox), then switch to live payments when you are ready. Before you begin, make sure you have a PayPal Business account, and the Time Slot Pro plugin installed and activated.

1. Turn on PayPal

   To start, log in to your WordPress dashboard. Go to Time Slot > Settings and open the Payment Methods tab. Turn on the PayPal switch and save your settings.

2. PayPal Developer Account

   Next, open a new browser tab and go to the PayPal Developer Dashboard at developer.paypal.com/dashboard/applications. Log in using your PayPal account. From the dashboard, click Apps & Credentials, then click the Create App button.

3. Create an App

   Enter a name for your app (example: Time Slot Booking). Select Merchant as the app type and leave the default Sandbox Business Account selected. Click Create App to continue.

4. API Credentials

   After the app is created, click on the app name to view your credentials. Under the Sandbox section, you will see a Client ID and a Secret key. Keep this page open so you can copy the information.

5. Sandbox Mode

   Return to your WordPress dashboard and go back to Time Slot > Payment Methods. Turn on Sandbox Mode so the test fields appear. Copy the Sandbox Client ID and Secret from PayPal and paste them into the matching fields in Time Slot. Choose your preferred PayPal button shape and color, then click Save Settings.

6. Sandbox Testing

   You can now test payments. In the PayPal Developer Dashboard, go to Testing Tools > Sandbox Accounts. Use a Sandbox Personal account to complete a test booking on your website. This allows you to confirm that payments are working correctly. If needed, you can edit a Sandbox account or password by clicking the three dots next to it and selecting View/Edit Account.

7. Go Live

   When testing is complete and everything works as expected, you are ready to accept real payments. Log in to your PayPal Business account and return to the Developer Dashboard. Create a Live app and locate your Live Client ID and Secret. Then go back to Time Slot > Payment Methods in WordPress. Turn Sandbox Mode off, paste your Live Client ID and Secret into the fields, and save your settings.
   
   Your booking form is now ready to accept live PayPal payments. It is recommended that you complete a small real payment to confirm everything is working correctly before using it with customers.