Always enable test mode first and thoroughly test all payment scenarios Use the test card numbers provided to simulate different outcomes Configure webhooks BEFORE going live to ensure automatic payment confirmation Keep your WordPress debug logs enabled during initial setup to catch issues early Monitor your Stripe account daily during first week of live operation Set up email notifications in Stripe Dashboard for transaction alerts Document your Stripe configuration (keys, webhook URL, test cards) for team reference Create a schedule to rotate API keys quarterly for security Test webhook delivery manually before relying on automatic processing Set up customer payment notification emails to build trust and reduce support questions