Subscriptions are one of the methods of service provision. The client subscribes to the service, and money for using this service is automatically deducted from the customer at specified intervals. The client links a particular payment method for these deductions. It can be a bank card or an e-wallet.
Payment methods can be saved in BILLmanager to be later used for:
- buying new services;
- auto-renewal of existing services.
For example, the client has saved the bank card details. For payments with the same card, entering its details or confirmation of payment will no longer be required.
Subscription in BILLmanager means auto-renewal of the service using a saved payment method.
How to configure subscriptions
Configure payment methods that support recurring payments to enable customers to save the payment method and use it for subscriptions.
Recurring payments are automatic deductions of funds, which occur at set intervals.They do not require re-entering of bank card or e-wallet details. In BILLmanager, recurring payments are used to create subscriptions and to automatically replenish a personal account (auto payment). For more information about auto payments, see the article Account automatic replenishment.
The following payment methods can be used for subscriptions:
- YooKassa (New protocol) — when configuring integration with this payment method, choose payment methods Bank card and/or YooMoney;
- YooKassa (outdated protocol) — when configuring integration with this payment method, choose the payment method YooMoney;
- PayMaster — when configuring integration with this payment method, choose payment methods Bank Card and/or WebMoney;
- Payment.Center;
- Stripe.
To enable recurring payments in the settings of these payment methods, go to Provider → Payment methods → Edit. Enable the Recurring payments option.
The option is also available at the second step of adding the new method of payment: Provider → Payment methods → Add.
After activating the option, you will see settings in the form that are unique for each payment method. Read more about each payment method in Payment gateways.
If the provider enabled recurring payments in payment methods, its clients will see the Payment methods item in their client area. For instructions to customers on how to create a subscription, see the article Payment methods
How do subscriptions work
To create a subscription, the customer must enable auto-renewal for the service. The auto-renewal component is available both in the payment form and in the cart. Auto-renewal is enabled by default in the payment form. The client can turn it off with the button No, I will control it myself.
The payment form displays all possible payment methods. If the client enables auto-renewal and selects for payment:
- a payment method that supports recurring payments, then auto-renewal of service will be charged to the selected bank card. For example, the provider sells shared hosting services. The client buys the service at "Start" tariff for month. Then, the client enables auto-renewal and selects a saved bank card for payment. In month, this card will be automatically charged for the next month of service use. Money will be debited until the client disables the auto-renewal.
- a payment methods that does not support recurring payments, then BILLmanager will activate auto-renewal for that service from the personal account. For example, when paying for shared hosting services, the client enables auto-renewal and selects the "Paysera" method for payment. This payment method does not support recurring payments and the service will be automatically renewed from the client's personal account. In this case, the client tops up its personal account balance manually or by means of auto-payments.
If the client has enabled auto-renewal, BILLmanager will attempt to pay for the service one day before its expiration (for domain names and SSL certificates 60 days before). If the payment fails, the status of the saved card will change to "Disabled".
In case of unsuccessful payment, an alert will be sent to the email specified in the settings of your client area. If the card's balance was insufficient for the payment, you may top it up and make payment again. The card status in Payment methods will change to "Enabled".
If on the next day the card has the status "Enabled", BILLmanager will attempt to make the payment again.
The statuses of saved payment methods are updated only at the time of payment.