Add subscriptions to your website

Before you begin

Complete the steps in Customize to configure your checkout button and copy the generated code.

Add the code to your website

1. Open your website in a code editor.
2. Find the location in your code where you want the PayPal checkout experience to appear.
3. Paste the code, then make a test purchase on your website.
4. Check your PayPal account to confirm the transaction.

Test your subscription

Before you launch, test your subscription button to confirm the checkout flow works as expected.

1. Select the PayPal button on your website.
2. Log in with a sandbox buyer account to simulate the purchase.
3. Review the subscription details, including the price and billing cycle, then select Agree & Subscribe.
4. Confirm you're redirected to your auto-return URL, if you set one.
5. In your PayPal account, check that the subscription appears with an active status.
6. Optional: Cancel the test subscription to confirm your cancel-return URL and cancellation flow work as expected.

Common errors

Subscription doesn't appear in your PayPal account

• Confirm you pasted the code from the Customize step, and that your PayPal account is active.

Test purchase doesn't complete

• Confirm you're using valid sandbox buyer credentials, and that your sandbox environment is enabled.

Not redirected to your auto-return URL

• Confirm the URL is configured correctly in your account settings.

Next steps

Your subscription button is live and tested. To manage your plan or view subscriber activity, go to Sales > Subscriptions in your PayPal business account.