Communities: Paid Groups

The "Paid Groups" feature enables community administrators and owners to generate revenue by offering exclusive content and features through Public and Private groups. This tool allows for equitable access to all members while providing a new income stream for content creators.

Understanding Public vs. Private Groups

Administrators can decide whether their groups are Public, allowing open access to all, or Private, restricting membership to selected individuals. These settings can be customized within the group's management options.

Implementing One-Time Payments

To grant unlimited access to a group's content through a one-time fee, follow these steps:

1. Access the Group Settings and navigate to the Subscriptions section. 

2. Click on "Add New Price" to set the desired payment amount. 

3. Select "One-Time Payment" from the available subscription options. 

   • Note that "Trial Days" and "Billing Period" fields will be deactivated for one-time payment setups.

4. Activate Test Mode to run a mock payment process without actual financial transactions. 

5. The group’s description will be updated to reflect the one-time fee requirement for new members.

6. Finalize the setup by clicking "Add Price" and saving your changes.

Setting Up Recurring Subscriptions

For ongoing access with a recurring fee, you can configure a subscription model as follows:

1. Navigate to the Subscriptions settings within your Group. 

2. Add a new price for the subscription. 

3. Choose "Recurring Subscription" from the subscription type dropdown menu. 

4. Set the trial period (if offered) and decide on the billing cycle—either Monthly or Annually. 

5. Enable Test Mode to validate the payment workflow without real charges. 

6. The group’s description will now include details of the subscription model.

7. Save your setup by clicking "Add Price" and confirm by saving.

Managing Access for Paid Groups

Control member access to paid groups as follows:

• For Private Groups: Use the Members tab to review and approve or reject requests to join under the "Requested" section. 

• For Public Groups: Membership is granted instantly upon payment.

Notification System

Both administrators and users will receive automatic email notifications concerning payments, membership requests, and approvals, ensuring that everyone stays informed throughout the process.

Handling Cancellations and Refunds

Members can cancel their subscriptions and request refunds via CRM Payments or Stripe. Upon cancellation:

• A confirmation email is sent to the user.

• Administrators and owners are notified.

• The member is automatically removed from the group.

Restoring Access After Contact Deletion

If a user’s contact information is deleted but later restored, they will regain access to the group without needing to pay again.

Payment Limits

The minimum and maximum payment amounts are subject to currency-specific limits as detailed in the Stripe documentation.

By leveraging the Paid Groups feature, community administrators can effectively manage access and monetize their communities, providing a seamless and rewarding experience for both content creators and users.