SubscriptionBridge: recurring billing and subscription management system - Documentation

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====== Simple Integration ======

===== Overview =====

The Simple Integration method allows any business to sell subscriptions, handle recurring payments, and provide automated customer service.

  * You don't need any e-commerce software
  * You will not need to change virtually anything on your existing Web pages
  * All you will do is adding to one or more pages links to the products/services that you wish to sell
  * SubscriptionBridge will take care of the rest
  * [[http://www.earlyimpact.com/subscriptionbridge/demo.asp|See a demo of how it works]].

===== Signing Up =====

   - [[https://www.subscriptionbridge.com/subscriptionbridge-free-trial.asp|Sign up for a free trial]]
   - You will receive an email with further instructions.

===== How it Works =====

Using the SubscriptionBridge Merchant Center, you will set up the subscription-based products and/or services that you wish to sell. The system will generate a link for each of them. You will take that link and place it on one or more of your Web pages (or even an e-mail newsletter) as a text link (e.g. "Buy Now"), image button (e.g. "Buy Now" button), or HTML form.

When customers click on the link or button, they will be taken through a quick checkout process. When an order is successfully placed, SubscriptionBridge will setup their new subscription and inform all parties involved.

===== The SubscriptionBridge Shopping Cart =====

The checkout process is a simple, two-step process where customers:

  * Click on one of the links you have placed on your Web site (e.g. two subscriptions to your gymnasium: "Gym Membership - Nights & Weekends" vs. "Gym Membership - Extended Access")
  * Review the product/service that they are subscribing to including terms and conditions, trial pricing (if any), regular pricing, etc.
  * Select additional features, if any (e.g. add "Locker Rental" to a "Gym Membership - Nights & Weekends")
  * Add their selection to the shopping cart
  * Use a quick, one-page checkout system to place their order.

===== What Happens Next =====

SubscriptionBridge will setup a new subscription based on your merchant settings (e.g. which payment system to use) and the customer's selections (i.e. selected items, total price).

  * Depending on which payment system is being used, the customer's credit card will either be immediately charged or temporarily authorized for a small amount for verification purposes (more about [[:merchant_guide:store-settings-paymentgateway#card-authorization-settings|credit card authorizations]]).
  * If there is a trial period, the trial will start and the trial price (if any) will be charged
  * If there is no trial period, the regular subscription amount will be charged
  * E-mail notifications will be sent to both you and your customer.
  * Developers: a [[merchant_guide:notifications_list|silent post]] will be sent to the [[merchant_guide:notifications_list_callbackurl|Callback URL]] if any has been specified.
===== Ready to Get Started? =====

These reference materials can help guide you through the process of creating your subscription-based products/services:

  * [[:merchant_guide:getting-started|Getting Started]]: Learn how to log in to your merchant account for the first time.  Setup your first SubscriptionBridge store.  Configure the basic settings.
  * [[:merchant_guide:merchant_guide|Merchant User Guide]]:  Learn how to create packages and add features.  Setup your Payment Options and Notification Preferences. 
  * [[:merchant_guide:links|Package Links]]: Find all about Package Links and how to add them to your web site, store, blog, or newsletter.