Re-directing to a Thank You Page

[PeteTheCam]

Hi Gang,

This is my first post to this forum and I need some help with a techy problem if you'll be so kind.

I've used Serif WebPlus X2 to create a dedicated website selling a double DVD training course, which has some downloadable free bonuses (templates and an e-book) to complement the DVDs.

I've successfully integrated PayPal "Buy Now" buttons on the site, but my query is this: Once a customer has made the purchase, how can I redirect that customer to a thank you page where he or she can download the free bonuses?

If anyone is able to help me on this I'd be very grateful, but please remember I'm very non-techy and really do need the "PayPal for Dummies" explanation.

Many thanks - PeteTheCam.

[skier]

One method is to enable the Auto Return feature in your Account Profile. After a successful transaction, the buyer is immediately sent back to a specific page where they could download the item. Note, using this method, the URL can be shared with others as it is not secure.

Another method would be to use PayPal's IPN feature along with Auto Return. This method does require additional programming skills. After the payment is processed, PayPal posts the transaction details to your IPN script. At this point, you could have your IPN script either send out an email with the item as an attachment, or an email that has a link to a secure page where the item can be downloaded from.

"Auto Return" immediately brings your buyers back to your specified URL upon payment completion. This feature replaces the standard PayPal hosted "Payment Done" page with a page hosted on your website.

To set up Auto Return, you need to turn it on in your Account Profile and enter the return URL that will be used to redirect your buyers back to your site.

Log in to your Account
Select "Edit Profile"
Under "Selling Preferences"
Select "Website Payment Preferences"
Note first option - Select "On" - Auto Return for Website Payments
Enter the Return URL.
Click "Save."

The Return URL specified in your PayPal Account is good for all transactions however, you can override this by using the "return" variable in your individual item button code and direct the buyer to a different URL. Example:

<input type="hidden" name="return" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/successful.html">

How it works:
* If the buyer pays with a PayPal account, they are automatically taken back to the site.

* If the buyer pays with the Credit Card Option, they are taken to the receipt page where PayPal gives them the chance to print out a receipt. This is a legal requirement. After that, the buyer must click on the "Return to Merchant" link in order to return to the site.

Regards,

skier

[Vhcle]

Hello,

This is my first time posting so I am not sure if I am doing this right. I'm just trying to figure out why the "redirect to my webpage" comes up with a "failed to connect...can't connect to the server..." message.

I went through the instructions that you posted and double checked to see if it was correct and it's still having problems redirecting. Is there something I have to change with my webhost or somethin?

Needing help thanks,

Vhcle

[jojosaint]

My redirect is just not happening on my donation button.  Is there something wrong with my code?

<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
                      <div align="center">
  <input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick">
  <input type="hidden" name="return" value="http://rediscoveringcatholicism.org/thankyou_donation.html">
  <input type="hidden" name="hosted_button_id" value="M8FQYET62CL8Q">
  <input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_donateCC_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">
  <img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1"></div>
                    </form>

Thanks!

[skier]

Looks like you added a line of code to your "hosted" item button.   As you cannot modify "hosted" item button code after it has been created, what ever line of code you add will be ignored.   This line will be ignored:'

<input type="hidden" name="return" value="http://rediscoveringcatholicism.org/thankyou_donation.html">

You need to add the return URL in your Account.

Regards,

skier

[jojosaint]

Thanks, Skier.

Actually, that was my second attempt.  My original button didn't have that line of code.  I placed the "return" code in the "advanced variables" section of my button... but it still didn't work.  I entered the line exactly like this:

return=http://rediscoveringcatholicism.org/thankyou_donation.html

The code still exists in my account on that button, but it doesn't work even if I my html script does not contain that line you pointed out.

Any chance you might have another idea?

I should add that we have two different thank you pages, so I don't want to use the "auto return" feature described above.

Thanks!

[skier]

Regardless of what URL you want, you must have Auto Return enabled within your Account.

Then you use the "return" variable in your item button code to override what is configured in your Account.

Regards,

skier

[jojosaint]

It works now!   But you knew it would. 🙂  Thank you!

[jbezanson]

Is it possible to send an invoice number like with IPN using the custom or invoice fields?

I am using a hosted button.

[skier]

There is an "invoice" variable.

The "invoice" variable is designed as a passthrouth variable. Passthrough variables are intended for your use. For example, you may have a requirement to update a backend database. The value can be returned in IPN/PDT functions. Note, the value will not appear in the email notification or the PayPal Screens however, the value will appear your Account Profile Transaction History details.

If you using "hosted" item button code:
In "Step 3" of the button creation process, under "Advanced Variables", note the text box near the bottom of the page.
There you can insert extra variables.
For example, to insert the "invoice" variable just enter: invoice=990990999
There's no HTML extras, just the name of the variable, an equal sign and the value.


Because the system recognizes that the invoice has already been paid, should a second customer try to purchase the same item, he or she will get the following message: "This invoice has already been paid. For more information, please contact the merchant". You can also turn this feature off in your PayPal account, select Profile, under Selling Preferences, select Payment Receiving Preferences. Once on this page, look for:

Block accidental payments:
You may prevent accidental payments by blocking duplicate invoice IDs

There you can turn this setting off and this will allow the transactions to go through. Otherwise the invoice value needs to be unique.

Regards,

skier