If your program charges for submissions, you should test payments before opening for entries. This confirms that your payment gateway is configured correctly and can accept live payments. Testing helps identify issues early.
Prepare for testing
Before submitting a test entry create a discount code with limited uses. Learn how in Payment configuration.
Test your payment setup
To test payments:
Open the Enter workspace
Go to Entries
Create and submit a test entry
Complete payment through the checkout
Payments must be completed from the Enter workspace. Submitting entries from other areas bypasses the cart.
Verify the payment
After submitting a paid test entry:
Log in to your payment gateway account
Confirm that the payment was received
Refund the payment if required
Good to know
Using the test mode in Settings > Payments > General does not process real payments. Test mode checks connectivity only.
The season being tested must be set to Active.
Payment amounts must be at least $0.50
Submitting from outside the Enter workspace skips payment.
Payments can be refunded through your payment processor, not Award Force.
