Payment problems at checkout can seriously hurt your online store, damaging your reputation and causing cart abandonment, resulting in lost sales.
Therefore, testing Stripe payments before your store launches is crucial, ensuring payment processing for business growth.
We consistently perform this check when setting up a WordPress online store, and this guide walks you through the process.
Continue reading to discover straightforward methods for testing Stripe payments on your WordPress site.
Why Testing Your Stripe Payments Is Important
Testing Stripe payments on your WordPress site verifies proper functionality before your online store launch, preventing potential costly issues.
Consider a checkout failure due to setup problems; this frustrates users and leads to lost sales.
It’s like a physical store with a broken cash register or POS system, forcing customers to leave and seek alternatives.
Customer dissatisfaction from payment issues can be difficult to overcome, potentially harming your online store significantly. Testing payments is essential.
Testing before launch allows you to identify and resolve issues early, safeguarding sales and your reputation.
Simulate situations like successful transactions, rejections, or reimbursements to observe your payment gateway’s behavior.
Being equipped to manage any outcome ensures your Stripe integration is secure and reliable.
Let’s explore different ways to test Stripe payments within WordPress; use the links to navigate to your preferred method.
- Method 1: Test Stripe Payments in WooCommerce
- Method 2: Test Stripe Payments for Digital Products
- Method 3: Test Stripe Payments on WordPress Payment Forms
- Bonus: Tips & Resources for Using Stripe in WordPress
- Frequently Asked Questions About Testing Stripe Payments
Important Notes: Before you follow this tutorial, keep the following in mind:
📝 If you don’t already have a Stripe account, then we recommend creating one first.
🔔 While Stripe is the payment processor, the plugins we’ll use in each method are complete eCommerce tools that you’ll use on your live store.
🧪 Each method offers a ‘test mode’, but it does not hide your payment option from visitors. So, you’ll want to make sure you run these tests before your entire site goes live. Or, if your site is already public, you can test Stripe on a staging site first.
Method 1: Test Stripe Payments in WooCommerce
Stripe is a common choice for WooCommerce stores accepting credit card payments; this method is tailored for WooCommerce users.
Pro Tip:If your online store isn’t ready, consult our in-depth WooCommerce guide.
After setting up your WooCommerce store, install and activate the free Stripe Payment Gateway for WooCommerce plugin. Refer to our guide on WordPress plugin installation for instructions.
This plugin originates from the FunnelKit team, providing tools to build high-conversion sales funnels and automate your marketing efforts.
For more information, check out our comprehensive FunnelKit review.
After you activate the plugin, simply click the ‘Start Onboarding Wizard’ button on the Plugins page.
This action will initiate the FunnelKit setup wizard.
Proceed by clicking ‘Connect with Stripe’ to link your current Stripe account to WooCommerce.
Next, input the email and password you use for your Stripe account.
Then, click ‘Log in’ to proceed.
If you have numerous Stripe accounts under one email, select the one you wish to link to the plugin.
After selection, click the ‘Connect’ button.
The subsequent screen will display available payment options via Stripe, like Card, SEPA Direct Debit, and iDEAL.
Select your preferred options, and then click ‘Save and Continue’.
After that, configure webhooks for your store.
Webhooks are automated notifications from Stripe to your store, verifying payment success and ensuring accurate order statuses.
Refer to our guide on accepting Stripe payments in WordPress for comprehensive instructions.
The plugin then prompts you to select either ‘Test’ or ‘Live’ mode for Stripe. Select ‘Test’ and then click ‘Save and Review Settings.’
You will now be redirected to the ‘Stripe Settings’ page in WooCommerce.
Check ‘Enable Stripe Gateway’ and enter a title and description for the payment method.
Next, scroll to the section for accepted card types and specify the cards your store will accept.
Click ‘Save changes’ to save your configurations.
Go to your WooCommerce store and view the checkout page. Stripe should now appear as a payment method.
A message will also indicate that test mode is active on the site.
To test Stripe payments on your WooCommerce store, you can use the demo card details mentioned in the message, along with any future expiration date and CVV.
After making test purchases, verify that Stripe processed the payments by going to your Stripe dashboard and selecting the ‘Payments’ tab.
This tab displays details for all payments processed in test mode.
Now, if all your test payments have been processed without issue, head back to the ‘Stripe Settings’ page in your WordPress dashboard.
Select the ‘Live’ option from the ‘Mode’ menu to begin processing actual Stripe transactions in WordPress.
Method 2: Test Stripe Payments for Digital Products
For WordPress sites selling digital goods and aiming to process Stripe payments, Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is a solid plugin choice.
It facilitates the sale of digital items such as eBooks, plugins, and PDFs. EDD also features integrated Stripe support, ideal for testing payment processing before your store launch.
We at [Company Name] use EDD for our own plugins and software sales. It is user-friendly and feature-rich. Read our Easy Digital Downloads review for more information.
Begin by installing and activating the Easy Digital Downloads plugin. Refer to our guide on WordPress plugin installation for instructions.
☝ Note: Easy Digital Downloads offers a free version. The pro version unlocks features like enhanced reporting, download limitations, subscription billing, and more.
After activating the plugin, navigate to the Downloads » Settings » Payments area in your WordPress admin panel and enable ‘Test Mode’.
Next, in the ‘Active Gateways’ area, select Stripe as your preferred payment processor.
Then, switch to the ‘Stripe’ tab from the top and click the ‘Connect with Stripe’ button.
A setup wizard will appear, guiding you to link your Stripe account with EDD. After successful integration, save your settings by clicking the ‘Save Changes’ button.
Now, visit the ‘Downloads’ page and click the ‘Add New’ button.
The block editor will open, allowing you to list a digital product for sale.
For detailed guidance, consult our introductory guide on selling digital downloads using WordPress.
Afterward, select the ‘Publish’ button to activate your product.
Next, navigate to your online store and proceed to the checkout section.
Stripe will already be set up as a payment gateway in test mode.
Unlike WooCommerce, which displays a notice on the checkout page, Easy Digital Downloads requires you to use the standard Stripe test card numbers provided below.
Simply input the sample card information and select the ‘Purchase’ button to evaluate the payment procedure.
CVC: Any three-digit number
Card number: 4242 4242 4242 4242
Expiration date: Any future date
Stripe offers these test card numbers, enabling you to securely validate your payment workflow without involving actual funds.
Ultimately, a successful transaction will redirect you to the purchase confirmation screen.
This page will present details concerning your transaction, including the ‘Order Status’ and the ‘Payment Method.’
Nevertheless, you have the option to review the test payments straight from your Stripe account.
To accomplish this, simply access the ‘Payments’ section within your Stripe dashboard.
Now that you’ve confirmed your payment process functions correctly, return to the Downloads » Settings » Payments section.
Proceed to deselect the ‘Test Mode’ option to activate your live Stripe payment system. Remember to select the ‘Save Changes’ button to preserve your configuration.
Method 3: Test Stripe Payments on WordPress Payment Forms
Need to test Stripe payments on your WordPress payment form? This can be handy if you’re selling subscriptions, services, or just a couple of products in your online store.
If you’re not using it already, then we recommend WP Simple Pay. It has an easy-to-use builder, strong spam protection, and works with multiple payment options. You can also use it to sell products and easily accept Stripe payments.
We did a deep dive into this plugin’s features for our full WP Simple Pay review. And we found that it’s great for selling single products, services, memberships, or subscriptions.
The added bonus is that it lets you test Stripe payments before you go live.
First, you must install and activate the WP Simple Pay plugin. For details, see our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
☝Note: WP Simple Pay has a free version that you can use. However, upgrading to the pro plan can unlock more payment options and templates.
After you activate the plugin, a setup wizard will open up on your screen. Here, click the ‘Let’s Get Started’ button.
Now, you will be taken to the next step, where you can enter your plugin’s license key.
You can get this information from your account on the WP Simple Pay website.
Next, you’ll have to connect your existing Stripe account with the plugin to accept online payments.
To get started, click the ‘Connect with Stripe’ button. For details, check our tutorial on how to accept Stripe payments in WordPress.
Once you have successfully connected Stripe and WP Simple Pay, the setup wizard will ask you to configure your emails.
From here, you can enable options to receive email notifications for payment receipts, upcoming invoices, and payment notifications.
Make sure to also enter the email address where you want the plugin to send these messages. Then, click the ‘Save and Continue’ button.
Next, you need to complete the rest of the setup wizard steps according to your preferences.
Once you are done, head over to the WP Simple Pay » Payment Forms page in the WordPress dashboard and click the ‘Create Your Payment Form’ button.
This will take you to the ‘Select a template’ page, where you will see a list of premade templates offered by WP Simple Pay.
There are options to sell subscriptions, services, a single product, and more. Just click the ‘Use Template’ button when you find one you like.
For this tutorial, we will be choosing a simple payment form template.
This will take you to the ‘Add New Payment Form’ page, where you can add a title and description for your form.
Then, you can select your form type as ‘On-site payment form.’
Next, switch to the ‘Payments’ tab from the left column.
You can now choose ‘Test Mode’ as the ‘Payment Mode’ for your form. This will allow you to test Stripe payments on your WordPress site.
You can also choose your preferred tax collection rates from the dropdown menu under the ‘Tax Collection’ option.
At this point, you can refer to our guide on how to create a WordPress form with payment options for more details on customizing and publishing.
After your form is live, a ‘test mode’ indicator appears at the bottom.
This allows you to experiment with Stripe payments using demo credentials; click the ‘Pay’ button after entering them.
These demo credentials are listed in Stripe’s documentation.
- Card number: 4242 4242 4242 4242
- Expiration date: Any future date
- CVC: Any three-digit number
Stripe offers these test card numbers, ensuring secure payment process testing without actual charges.
To confirm successful payment processing, check your Stripe dashboard after clicking ‘Pay’.
Navigate to the ‘Payments’ tab to view the completed transaction.
After testing Stripe payments, go to theWP Simple Pay » Payment Forms page.
Click ‘Edit’ beneath the form you published.
The form builder will appear; switch to the ‘Payments’ tab.
Choose ‘Live Mode’ as the payment setting, then ‘Update’ to save the changes.
The form can now process real customer payments via Stripe.
💡 Expert Tip: If you plan to sell internationally, ensure your online store loads quickly for all visitors, regardless of location.
CanadaCreate provides Site Speed Optimization Services, ensuring your site offers a fast and seamless experience for your customers globally. Visit our CanadaCreate Pro Services page to learn more!
Bonus: Resources and Advice for Integrating Stripe with WordPress
With your WordPress site ready to accept Stripe payments, explore these further resources:
- Expert Advice: Lowering Stripe Transaction Costs on WordPress
- Implementing Stripe QR Code Payments on WordPress
- How to Pass Payment Processing Fees to Customers in WordPress
- Managing Taxes for Stripe Payments within WordPress
- Best Stripe Payment Plugins for WordPress
- Stripe versus PayPal: Determining the Best Option for Your WordPress Platform
- Over 75 Essential Online Payment Statistics, Trends, and Data Points
Common Questions Regarding Stripe Payment Testing
Below are some frequently asked questions from our readers regarding Stripe payment testing within WordPress:
How often should Stripe payments be tested?
Test Stripe payments after major site alterations, like plugin updates, theme changes, or adding new payment options.
Regular, periodic testing is also recommended to ensure consistent functionality.
For example, you might want to run a quick test every few months or before a major sales event like Black Friday.
Routine testing helps maintain a secure and functional checkout, ensuring a smooth customer experience.
What steps should be taken if a test transaction is unsuccessful?
When a test transaction fails, first confirm that your Stripe setup remains in test mode. Next, review the practice card information you’ve input, especially the expiration and CVV.
If the information is correct, inspect Stripe for error messages to pinpoint the problem. Sometimes, the problem stems from a setting or a plugin conflict. Ensure that everything is updated and correctly set up.
Should issues persist, contact the Stripe support team for assistance in resolving the matter.
Can I use real credit card details to test Stripe payments?
No, you shouldn’t use real credit card details to test Stripe payments.
Rather, Stripe supplies test card details made just for testing. These simulate real transactions, but without using actual funds.
This allows you to safely test your payment system, avoiding unauthorized charges or affecting your users. Confirm that you’re in test mode to prevent processing actual payments.
Can I test payments on my live site without affecting real transactions?
Yes, you can test payments on your live site without affecting real transactions by using Stripe’s test mode.
With test mode active, all payments are simulated; no real money is charged, and customers are unaffected. Just ensure Stripe is in test mode and use the provided test card information to perform test transactions.
Can I test subscriptions and recurring payments with Stripe?
Yes, you can test subscriptions and recurring payments with Stripe.
Stripe’s test mode lets you configure subscription plans and mimic recurring payments. This ensures proper functionality. You can test billing cycles and payment retries safely.
Consequently, you can easily confirm that your subscription system is correctly configured before launching it.
We trust this article clarified how to test Stripe payments within WordPress. Review our tutorials for accepting ACH payments, or our guide for processing iDEAL payments.
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