Integration with PayPal
OctopusPro also integrates with PayPal for payment processing, benefiting not only customers but also administrators and fieldworkers who need to collect payments.
The integration process requires a crucial intermediary, Braintree – a PayPal service specifically tailored for business transactions, which acts as a bridge for a fully functional integration between PayPal and OctopusPro.
In order to start accepting PayPal with Braintree, you’ll need to:
- Have a compatible Braintree account
- Have a free, verified PayPal Business Account
- Enter your PayPal credentials in the Braintree Control Panel
This guide will provide you with a detailed walkthrough of the process, explaining how to set up a Braintree account, link it with PayPal, and finally integrate it into your OctopusPro account. We’ll also discuss the benefits, features, and how to utilize sandbox testing before going live.
Step 1: Apply for a Braintree Account
- Visit the Braintree website Sign Up page and follow the instructions to apply for an account. A Braintree representative will reach out to help finalize the setup.
- Braintree also provides a Sandbox account for testing purposes. It simulates a live environment allowing you to test transactions before you actually start processing real payments.
Step 2: Switch from Sandbox to Live Mode
The Sandbox is a testing environment that allows you to get a feel for the Braintree experience before applying for a merchant account or going to production. Sandboxes are region specific, be sure to select the country your business is domiciled in when signing up.
The expected behavior in sandboxes can be simulated using sandbox testing values such as credit card numbers and transaction amounts. These testing values can be found on the Braintree Testing page. Actions taken in the sandbox do not result in actual funds being processed.
IMPORTANT
Your sandbox account is not linked to your production account in any way. Nothing created in the sandbox will transfer to production. This includes processing options and recurring billing settings. Your login information, merchant ID, and API keys will also be different.
When you feel confident about your setup, you can transition from the Sandbox environment to the live Braintree environment. Here’s how:
- Log into the Braintree Control Panel.
- Click on the gear icon in the top-right corner to open the Settings dropdown.
- Select ‘Processing’ from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down to the ‘Live Transactions’ section.
- Toggle the switch to move from ‘Sandbox’ to ‘Production.’
- Save your changes.
Remember, if you experience any difficulties or inconsistencies with these steps, it’s always a good idea to consult the Braintree Help Center or reach out to their support team for assistance. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date instructions.
Step 3: Sign Up for a PayPal Business Account
To use PayPal with Braintree, you’ll need a verified PayPal Business Account. Here’s how to get one:
- Visit the PayPal Business Account page and click “Sign Up”.
- Fill in your business information as prompted.
If you already have a PayPal account, you can upgrade it to a business account:
- Go to your PayPal account settings.
- Click “Upgrade to a Business account”.
- Follow the prompts to enter your business information.
Step 4: Ensure Your PayPal Account is Ready for Integration
Before linking your PayPal account with Braintree, make sure you have a PayPal Business account. If you don’t have one, you can create one on the PayPal website. If you already have a personal PayPal account, you can upgrade it to a Business account from your account settings.
Remember, the email you use for your PayPal Business account should be the same one you plan to use for Braintree and OctopusPro. This is necessary to ensure seamless integration across all platforms.
The actual linking process will be covered in Step 6.
Step 5: Verify your PayPal Business Account with Braintree
Before you can use your PayPal Business Account with Braintree, it needs to be verified. This process involves confirming the bank account linked to your PayPal account.
- Login to your PayPal Business Account: Go to the PayPal website and log into your PayPal Business Account.
- Go to your account settings: Once you’re logged in, navigate to the “Account Settings” by clicking the gear icon at the top right of the page.
- Verify your bank account: In the “Account Settings” page, find the section called “Bank Accounts”. Click on the bank account you want to confirm, and then click on “Confirm”. PayPal will then send two small deposits to your bank account. This process may take up to two or three business days.
- Confirm the deposit amounts: After you see these deposits in your bank account, go back to PayPal’s “Bank Accounts” section and click “Confirm”. You’ll be asked to enter the two deposit amounts to verify your bank account.
By doing this, you confirm that you have control over the bank account linked to your PayPal account, which is a security measure required by Braintree.
Step 6: Enter Your PayPal Business Account Details in Braintree
Once your PayPal Business Account is verified, you’ll need to link it to Braintree:
- Log into your Braintree account: Go to the Braintree website and log in using your Braintree credentials.
- Navigate to Payment Methods: In the Braintree dashboard, click on the gear icon in the upper-right corner and select “Processing” from the dropdown menu. Scroll down to find the “Payment Methods” section.
- Link your PayPal account: In the “Payment Methods” section, find “PayPal” and click on the toggle next to it. Click the “Log in with PayPal” button.
- Enter your PayPal credentials: In the new window that appears, enter your PayPal Business Account credentials and click “Log In”.
- Enter your website details: Back in the Braintree dashboard, you’ll be asked to enter the URLs for your website’s Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. This is to ensure compliance with PayPal’s user agreement.
- Submit the form: Click “Submit” to finalize the linking process. If you see an “Active” status next to PayPal in the “Payment Methods” section, this means that your PayPal account is successfully linked with Braintree.
Remember, to accept PayPal payments, you need to use Braintree Direct. If you’re only using the Braintree gateway, your account is not eligible to accept PayPal. For more information or help with this process, contact Braintree.
Step 7: Set up PayPal in OctopusPro
After the setup is complete, you should now connect your OctopusPro account with your PayPal account. In order to link a PayPal account to any other software, you will need the API credentials for that PayPal account. To get the API credentials:
- Log in to your OctopusPro account.
- Navigate to “Settings > Financial Settings > Payment Integration”.
- Click on “PayPal” and enter your Braintree credentials (Merchant ID, Public Key, and Private Key), which can be found under the API section in your Braintree control panel.
- Click “Save” to finish the integration process.
Your PayPal account should now be integrated with OctopusPro through Braintree, enabling you to accept and process customer payments seamlessly.
Integrating PayPal with OctopusPro via Braintree allows for a more seamless and effective payment processing system that benefits customers, administrators, and fieldworkers. The Sandbox mode provides a safe and realistic environment to test transactions, ensuring a smooth transition to the live environment. While the setup process might seem intricate at first, the comprehensive functionalities and the ease it brings to your operations make it worth the effort. For any issues or guidance during the setup process, the PayPal, Braintree, and OctopusPro support teams are always ready to help.
Remember, this integration requires a verified PayPal Business account and a Braintree account. If you run into any issues during the integration process, be sure to contact the respective support teams for assistance.
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