This guide explains how to set up the PayPal Payouts API in ZipLeads. It also shows you how to use PayPal Auto Payouts to pay affiliates directly from Affiliate Manager. PayPal is the supported method for automated payouts. Bank and other payment methods are handled manually.
Requirements
A PayPal Business Account
Payouts must be enabled on your PayPal account. Follow the steps below to enable it.
Affiliates receiving PayPal payouts must have a valid PayPal payout method set up in Affiliate Manager.
1. Setting up PayPal for Auto Payouts
Before you can start paying affiliates, you need to set up PayPal Payouts so it works with ZipLeads.
Step 1: Access the PayPal Developers page
Go to the PayPal Developers page.
Log in to the developer dashboard by clicking the "Log into dashboard" link in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Enable Payouts
In the dashboard, click My Account in the top-right corner.
Scroll down to the Permissions table. Check whether "Payouts" has a green tick under the Live column.
If it doesn't, click Enable and follow the prompts. You may need to contact PayPal to enable the Payouts API.
Step 3: Create an app on PayPal
In the left-hand menu, click Apps and Credentials.
Click Live, then click Create App.
Enter an app name you'll recognise, such as "ZipLeads Payouts", and click Create App.
If you've already created an app, you can skip this step.
Please note: If you see "Live/Sandbox" in the top-right after creating the app, make sure "Live" is selected.
Step 4: Get your app details
After creating the app, you'll be given a Client ID and Secret Key.
Keep these handy. You'll need them to connect ZipLeads with PayPal.
Step 5: Connect ZipLeads and PayPal
In ZipLeads, go to Payments → Integrations and select PayPal.
Enter your Live Client ID and Secret Key from Step 4.
If you're testing in the sandbox, repeat the process with your sandbox credentials. Make sure "Sandbox" is selected on PayPal's Apps and Credentials page.
2. Using PayPal for affiliate payouts
Once PayPal is set up, you can pay your affiliates using the Auto Payouts feature.
Step 1: Go to the Payouts page
In Affiliate Manager, go to the Payout page.
Step 2: View approved payouts
Affiliate payouts first appear in the Pending tab. Review and approve eligible payouts so they move to Approved for Payout.
Switch to the Approved for Payout tab to see the approved payments waiting to be paid.
Step 3: Select affiliates to pay
Tick the box next to the payouts or affiliate names you want to pay.
Step 4: Start the payout
Important: You need the Pay Affiliate Manager Payout permission to start an affiliate payout. Without this permission, the Pay actions are hidden.
Once you've selected affiliates, click the Pay button to pay several affiliates at once.
Or click the blue Pay icon next to an affiliate's name to pay them on their own.
Step 5: Review and confirm
Review the selected payouts and check the details.
Click Pay Now to start the transfer.
Important: If your PayPal Business account isn't linked, you'll see an error message asking you to link it.
What happens after a payout?
After you click Pay Now, successful payouts appear under the Paid tab.
Payments that start successfully move to the Paid state. PayPal may still show a processing or pending status while the transfer finishes.
After a successful payout, both the admin (sender) and the affiliate (receiver) get a confirmation email.
3. How to add an affiliate's PayPal account for payouts
Check the affiliate's PayPal email address carefully. PayPal doesn't validate the affiliate's email address through the API. To learn how to add or link an affiliate's PayPal account, see How to add/link an affiliate's PayPal account for payouts.
