Monetization

Test payments, then go live

Run every kind of purchase with test cards in Sandbox, then switch your providers to Live without losing a sale.

Updated 2 min read3 parts
On this page

Every provider card starts in Sandbox, where no real money moves. Use it to prove each thing you sell works from start to finish before a real buyer finds a problem on game night. Plan an hour for testing and a quiet moment for the switch.

Sandbox and Live

SandboxLive
Money movesNoYes
Keys to useYour provider’s test keysYour provider’s live keys
Cards that workThe provider’s test card numbersReal cards
What buyers see at checkoutA “Test mode” label beside the providerNo label
Pill on the Gateways cardSandboxLive

Run your tests

  1. 1
    Connect in Sandbox

    In Studio → Management → Payments → Gateways, set Environment to SANDBOX, paste your test keys, save and click TEST CREDENTIALS.

  2. 2
    Use a viewer account

    Open your site in a private browser window and sign in as an ordinary viewer. Staff accounts skip every paywall, so they can’t test one.

  3. 3
    Buy a plan

    Subscribe to each plan with a test card. If a plan has a free trial, check that no charge is taken at checkout.

  4. 4
    Buy a ticket

    Buy a ticket for a pay-per-event event, then press play to confirm it unlocks.

The Studio
The public plan checkout in a private window, showing the Test mode label beside each provider
  1. 1
    Place a store order

    Check out as a guest with a test card. Confirm the order appears in Studio → Shop → Orders as Paid.

  2. 2
    Try a discount code

    Apply a code at plan checkout and check the discounted total.

  3. 3
    Check the records

    In Studio → Management → Payments, find each test on the Transactions, Event PPE and Shop orders tabs.

Go live

  1. 1
    Pick a quiet moment

    Switch when no sale is likely to be in progress, not an hour before a big event.

  2. 2
    Switch the environment

    Open the provider’s card, set Environment to LIVE and paste your live keys from the provider’s dashboard into every field.

  3. 3
    Save and test

    Click SAVE, then TEST CREDENTIALS. Don’t move on until you see a success message.

  4. 4
    Make one real purchase

    Buy your cheapest item with a real card. Confirm it appears as Completed or Paid, then refund it in the provider’s dashboard.

  5. 5
    Repeat for each provider

    Work through Stripe, PayPal and Square one at a time.

The Studio
Studio → Management → Payments → Gateways, all enabled providers showing Ready and a Live pill
Did this guide help?

Related guides