This is where the plugin gets the keys to your Mollie account, so it can create payments on your behalf. It is two copy-and-pastes and two test buttons.
The plugin also has a Quick start wizard, which does this and the next article for you, one screen at a time. You will find the Start wizard button on the License tab. Whether you use it or the tabs directly, what follows is what happens.
What an API key actually is
Think of it as a very long password that lets the plugin talk to Mollie as you.
Mollie gives you two of them.
A test key. Everything behaves normally, but no money moves. For trying things out.
A live key. Real payments, real money.
You will use both. Test first, then live.
Step 1: Copy your keys from Mollie
Log in at mollie.com.
In the menu, go to Developers, then API keys.
Your test key and your live key are both there. Use the copy button next to each one rather than selecting the text by hand, because they are long and it is easy to miss a character.
Step 2: Paste them into the plugin
In WordPress, go to Mollie Payments, and open the API keys tab.
You will see two fields, Live API key and Test API key. Paste each key into the field with its name.
Above them is a switch called Active mode, with two settings: TEST and LIVE.
Set it to TEST. You want to see everything work before real money is involved.
Click Save.
Step 3: Test the connection
Almost everyone skips this. Do not skip this.
On the same tab, click Test connection.
The plugin now asks Mollie whether the key actually works. If it comes back happy, you are connected. If it does not, your key is wrong or your host is blocking the connection, and you have just found that out in five seconds instead of after an hour of wondering why your checkout is empty.
Step 4: Test the webhook
Further down the same tab you will find a Webhook URL, with a Copy button and a Test webhook button.
A webhook is simply Mollie ringing your doorbell. When a payment finishes, Mollie calls your website to say so, and the plugin then activates the customer’s package.
You do not have to set it up. The plugin does that for you. But you should check that it works, because a blocked webhook is the number one cause of the most maddening problem there is: the payment succeeds, the money arrives, and nothing happens on your website.
Click Test webhook. If it comes back green, Mollie can reach you.
If it fails, something is standing in the way. Usually a firewall, a security plugin, a “coming soon” page, or a site that is still password protected.
Reading the status badge
At the top of the plugin there is a badge. It always tells you exactly where you stand.
TEST. Test mode. No real payments. Right where you want to be now.
LIVE. Real payments are being processed.
LIVE, NO KEY. Live mode is selected but there is no live key. Nothing can be paid. Fix this immediately.
No API key. Nothing connected yet.
Connection issue. The last attempt to reach Mollie failed. Click the badge to try again.
Keeping your keys to yourself
Further down the API keys tab is a setting called Lock API keys to my account only.
If several people have administrator access to your website, switch this on. Then only you can see or change these keys.
What happens next
The plugin can talk to Mollie. But Houzez does not know that yet. The next article is the one that catches most people out, so take it slowly.