Stripe API integration PHP

Businesses use Stripe for payments because it is fast, reliable, and easy to set up. It supports multiple currencies and works in many countries. Stripe also provides built-in fraud protection and detailed reporting. Its key features include handling one-time payments and recurring subscriptions, managing customer information, and integrating with web and mobile apps.

Setting Up Your Stripe Account

Creating a Stripe Account

Go to the Stripe website and sign up using your email, full name, and a secure password. After signing up, Stripe will send a verification email. Click the link in the email to activate your account and access all features.

Providing Business Information

Stripe requires details about your business to comply with financial regulations. You need to enter your business type, address, phone number, and tax identification. This helps Stripe process payments correctly and prevents issues with payouts or account verification.

Accessing the Dashboard and API Keys

Once verified, log in to your Stripe dashboard. Here you can view your account balance, track transactions, and generate API keys. API keys are essential for connecting Stripe to your PHP application and securely processing payments.

Getting Ready for Integration

After completing account setup and obtaining API keys, you are ready to integrate Stripe into your PHP project. You can now create payment forms, manage transactions, and handle subscriptions safely and efficiently.

Installing Stripe PHP Library

Using Composer to Install Stripe PHP

The easiest way to install the Stripe PHP library is by using Composer, a PHP dependency manager. Open your project folder in the terminal and run the command to require the Stripe package. Composer will automatically download the library and set it up in your project.

Verifying Installation

After installation, check that the library is working correctly. You can do this by including the Stripe autoload file in your PHP script and creating a simple test object, like a Stripe client instance. If there are no errors, the installation is successful.

Updating the Library

It’s important to keep the Stripe PHP library updated. Use Composer’s update command periodically to get the latest features, bug fixes, and security improvements. This ensures your integration remains smooth and secure.

Configuring API Keys in PHP

Stripe provides two sets of API keys: test keys and live keys. Test keys are used while developing and testing your payment system. They let you simulate transactions without real money. Live keys are used when your site goes live and starts accepting real payments. Always keep them separate to avoid accidental charges.

Storing API Keys Securely

Never hardcode your API keys directly in your PHP scripts. Store them in environment variables or a secure configuration file. This protects your keys from being exposed if your code is shared or published online. Only your server-side code should access the keys.

Adding API Keys to Your PHP Project

Include the Stripe PHP library in your project and initialize it with your API keys. This usually involves calling the Stripe client with the secret key from your environment or configuration. Once set up, your PHP project can communicate securely with Stripe’s servers.

Next Steps After Configuration

After configuring API keys, you can start creating payment intents, managing transactions, and integrating payment forms on your website. Proper key configuration ensures secure and smooth payment processing.

Creating a Payment Intent

A Payment Intent in Stripe represents a single payment from a customer. It tracks the lifecycle of the payment, including authorization, confirmation, and completion. Using Payment Intents ensures that the payment process follows Stripe’s latest standards and supports strong authentication methods like 3D Secure.

Setting Amount, Currency, and Metadata

When creating a Payment Intent, you need to define the payment amount and the currency. You can also add metadata such as order ID or customer details to help track the transaction. Metadata is useful for reporting and managing payments in your dashboard.

Confirming Payment

Once the Payment Intent is created, it must be confirmed. This tells Stripe to process the payment. Confirmation can be automatic during checkout or manual, depending on the payment method. Stripe will handle authentication if required.

Next Steps After Creating a Payment Intent

After creating and confirming a Payment Intent, you can handle the payment result in your PHP code. This allows you to update orders, show success messages to customers, or manage failed payments efficiently.

Managing Webhooks for Real-Time Updates

Webhooks are notifications that Stripe sends to your server when specific events occur, such as a successful payment or a failed transaction. They help your system stay updated in real-time without constantly checking Stripe for changes.

Setting Up a Webhook Endpoint in PHP

To use webhooks, create a PHP script on your server that can receive incoming POST requests from Stripe. In your Stripe dashboard, register the endpoint URL so Stripe knows where to send event notifications. Make sure your endpoint is publicly accessible and uses HTTPS for security.

Handling Payment Events

Inside your webhook script, listen for relevant events, like payment_intent.succeeded or payment_intent.payment_failed. You can then perform actions such as updating order status, sending confirmation emails, or logging transaction details in your database.

Securing Webhooks

Stripe provides a signature for each webhook request. Verify this signature in your PHP code to ensure that requests really come from Stripe. This prevents unauthorized or malicious requests from affecting your system.

Testing Stripe Integration in PHP

Using Stripe Test Cards

Stripe provides special test card numbers that simulate different payment scenarios. You can use these cards in test mode to check if your payment forms and Payment Intents work correctly without using real money. This helps identify issues before going live.

Simulating Successful and Failed Payments

You can test both successful and failed transactions using different test cards. This allows you to see how your PHP code handles confirmations, errors, or declined payments. Testing failures is important to make sure your system responds correctly and informs customers.

Checking Webhook Responses

While testing, also verify that your webhooks are triggered properly. Stripe sends event notifications for test payments just like real ones. Make sure your PHP webhook script receives the events and updates your database or order status as expected.

Preparing for Live Mode

After testing, switch your API keys from test mode to live mode. Double-check that everything works correctly, including payment forms, Payment Intents, and webhook handling. This ensures a smooth transition to real transactions.

Conclusion 

Stripe API integration in PHP makes online payments simple and secure. By setting up your Stripe account, installing the PHP library, and configuring API keys correctly, you can start accepting payments on your website. Creating Payment Intents and handling customer payments becomes easier with Stripe’s tools.

Using webhooks and testing in test mode ensures your system works smoothly before going live. Following security best practices keeps transactions safe. Overall, integrating Stripe with PHP helps you manage payments efficiently, track transactions, and provide a smooth experience for your customers without worrying about complex payment processes.