How do I integrate PayFast with WP eCommerce?

In order to use PayFast with WP e-Commerce, you will need to install the PayFast payment module for WP e-Commerce which is provided by PayFast.

Installation requirements

• A working WordPress installation with the WP e-Commerce plugin installed

Installation and testing

Manual Method

To install the PayFast payment module, follow the instructions below:

1. Download the payment module from our site.
2. Unzip the module to a temporary location on your computer.
3. Copy the 'wp-content' folder in the archive to your base 'wordpress' folder.
   • This should NOT overwrite any existing files or folders and merely supplement them with the PayFast files.
   • This is, however, dependent on the FTP program you use.
   • If you are concerned about this, rather copy the individual files across as per instructions below.
4. Log into the WordPress Administrator console.
5. Using the main menu, navigate to Settings ? Store.
6. Using the WP e-Commerce menu, navigate to 'Payments'.
7. Under 'General Settings', check the PayFast item and click 'Update'.
8. Click the Edit Option for PayFast, the PayFast options will then be shown in the right-hand tab.
9. Ensure that the following details are set correctly:
   • Status for Pending Payments: Incomplete Sale
   • Status for Successful Payments: Accepted Payment
10. Leave everything else as per default and click 'Update'.
11. The module is now ready to be tested with the PayFast Sandbox. To test with the sandbox, use the following login credentials when redirected to the PayFast site:
    • Username: sbtu01@payfast.co.za
    • Password: clientpass

Copying the individual files across 

If you are concerned that copying the entire folder from the downloaded module may overwrite files in your installation, rather copy the files from the extracted module individually into your installation.

Be sure to copy the files from the downloaded module to their corresponding locations within your installation:

The list of files needed in your online installation is as follows:

wp-content/plugins/wp-e-commerce/wpsc-merchants/payfast.log
wp-content/plugins/wp-e-commerce/wpsc-merchants/payfast.php
wp-content/plugins/wp-e-commerce/wpsc-merchants/payfast_common.inc

Using WordPress Plugin System (plugin version 1.31 only)

To install the PayFast payment module, follow the instructions below:

1. Download the payment module from our site.
2. Unzip the module to a temporary location on your computer.
3. Go to WordPress's plugin page.
4. Select to install a new plugin using a file.
5. When prompted for a file, select the “payfast-wp-e-commerce.zip” file from your temporary location.
6. Login to the WordPress Administrator console.
7. Using the main menu, navigate to Settings ? Store.
8. Using the WP e-Commerce menu, navigate to 'Payments'.
9. Under 'General Settings', check the PayFast item and click 'Update'.
10. Click the Edit Option for PayFast, the PayFast options will then be shown in the right-hand tab.
11. Ensure that the following details are set correctly: 
    • Status for Pending Payments: Incomplete Sale
    • Status for Successful Payments: Accepted Payment
12. Leave everything else as per default and click 'Update'.
13. The module is now and ready to be tested with the PayFast Sandbox. To test with the sandbox, use the following login credentials when redirected to the PayFast site: 
    • Username: sbtu01@payfast.co.za
    • Password: clientpass

Testing that it works correctly

If you followed the installation instructions above, the module is in 'test' mode and you can test it by purchasing from your site as a buyer normally would. You will be redirected to PayFast for payment and can log in with the user account detailed above and make payment using the balance in their wallet.

You will not be able to directly 'test' a credit card or Instant EFT payment in the sandbox, but you don't really need to. The inputs to and outputs from PayFast are exactly the same, no matter which payment method is used, so using the wallet of the test user will give you exactly the same results as if you had used another payment method.

Going live

In order to make the module 'LIVE', follow the instructions below:

1. Log into the WordPress Administrator console.
2. Using the main menu, navigate to Settings ? Store.
3. Using the WP e-Commerce menu, navigate to 'Payments'.
4. Under 'General Settings', highlight the PayFast item and click the 'edit' link.
5. In the right-hand tab, change the configuration values as below: 
   • Transaction Server = “LIVE”
   • Merchant ID = Integration Page>
   • Merchant Key = Integration Page>
   • Debugging = Off
6. Change the other fields as per your preferences.
7. Click 'Save'.