Checkout settings

Checkout settings apply to all checkout types. Use these tools to manage availability, preview checkouts, and create new versions without disrupting customers.

The sections below walk through core settings and management tasks. Select a section or use the TOC on the right to jump ahead.

Checkout states

Checkouts can operate in online or offline mode. Each mode affects how you test, preview, and accept orders.

In the FastSpring app, green and gray indicators show whether a checkout is online or offline. Click the indicator to switch the checkout’s status. New checkouts are offline by default, so you can configure and test them before going live.

Offline checkouts

Offline checkouts stay in test mode so you can configure your checkout, preview updates, and place test orders before publishing. The live checkout URL does not load while offline and may return a 404 (Not Found) error until the checkout is online.

Additionally, offline checkouts:

• Are in test mode only
• Contain .test. in the URL (for example yourexamplestore.test.onfastspring.com/checkout)
• Accept test orders, but do not accept live orders
• Reflect changes immediately because nothing is cached
• May perform more slowly due to uncached updates
• Do not provide an accessible live URL until the checkout is online

Default checkouts remain offline until FastSpring Support activates them. We recommend finalizing all settings before activation so you can fully test the checkout before customers use it.

Online checkouts

When a checkout is online:

• Customers can complete live transactions or request quotes and invoices
• Live orders use the non-test checkout URL
• Test orders must be placed using the .test. version of the checkout

Note: Configure and validate settings thoroughly before switching a checkout online.

Access checkout URLs

Use your live and test checkout URLs to preview or validate your checkout.

Web checkouts

Follow these steps to open the live or test version of your web checkout.

1. In the FastSpring app, go to Checkouts > Web Checkouts.
2. On the checkout you want to preview, click Links.
3. Choose the Live or Test link for either the Homepage or Product Page.

Use Test links when placing test orders.

Popup checkouts

Use the Preview tool to open the test version of your popup checkout.

1. In the FastSpring app, go to Checkouts > Popup Checkouts.
2. On the checkout you want to preview, click Preview to open the Test version.

Live popup checkouts are typically accessed directly on your website after integration.

Embedded checkouts

Use the Preview tool to open the test version of your embedded checkout.

1. In the FastSpring app, go to Checkouts > Embedded Checkouts.
2. On the checkout you want to preview, click Preview to open the Test version.

Live embedded checkouts must be placed on your site to be viewed.

Copy a checkout

Use these steps to duplicate an existing checkout and create a new version quickly.

1. In the FastSpring app, go to Web Checkouts, Popup Checkouts, or Embedded Checkouts.
2. On the checkout you want to copy, click More > Copy.
3. Choose one of the following:
   • To Existing Checkout: Overwrite an existing checkout
   • To New Checkout URL: Enter a new URL name for the checkout
4. Click Finish to create the new checkout.

Note: New checkouts are created offline so you can review and test their settings before going live.

Edit a live checkout

Use this workflow to update a live checkout without interrupting active customer sessions.

1. In the FastSpring app, go to Web Checkouts, Popup Checkouts, or Embedded Checkouts.
2. On the checkout you want to copy, click More > Copy.
3. In To New Checkout URL, enter a name for the new offline checkout.
4. Click Finish to create a copy of the live checkout.
5. Make your updates in the new checkout and place test orders until everything looks correct.
6. When ready to overwrite the live checkout, open the new checkout and click More > Copy again.
7. Select the live checkout under To Existing Checkout.
8. Click Finish to apply the updates.