Regular Subscription

Introduction

A Regular Subscription is a recurring payment model where customers are charged automatically at predefined intervals for products or services. This payment method is ideal for subscriptions with predictable billing structures, such as memberships, streaming services, or recurring deliveries.

The Regular Subscription process involves creating plans, defining the billing cycle, and managing recurring payments securely through PortOne's system.


Key Features


Steps to Set Up a Regular Subscription

1. Create a Regular Plan

Before initiating a subscription, a Regular Plan must be created. This plan includes the following parameters:

  • Amount: The recurring amount to be charged.
  • Currency: The currency of the transaction.
  • Frequency: The interval between charges (e.g., monthly, yearly).
  • Period: The billing period (e.g., D for daily, M for monthly).
  • Plan Type: Set to REGULAR.

Refer to the Regular Plan Documentation for detailed instructions.


2. Generate the Subscription Link

Use the subscription API to generate a link for customers to subscribe to the plan. Key parameters include:

  • Merchant Details: Identify the merchant and plan.
  • Customer Information: Collect email, phone number, and name.
  • URLs: Define success, failure, and pending URLs for transaction outcomes.

Refer to the Regular Subscription API Documentation for step-by-step guidance.


3. Monitor and Manage Subscriptions

  • Notifications: Customers and merchants are notified of successful, failed, or pending transactions.
  • Adjustments: Update customer details, payment methods, or subscription plans as needed.
  • Reports: Analyze subscription trends and revenue data.

Benefits of Regular Subscriptions

For Merchants:

  • Predictable Revenue: Steady income from recurring payments.
  • Improved Customer Retention: Automatically renewing subscriptions reduce churn rates.
  • Scalability: Manage thousands of subscriptions with minimal operational overhead.

For Customers:

  • Convenience: No need for manual payments; renewals are automated.
  • Flexibility: Cancel or modify subscriptions easily.
  • Security: Payment details are handled in a PCI-compliant manner.

Example Use Cases

  1. Streaming Services: Monthly or yearly subscriptions for movies, music, or games.
  2. Memberships: Gym memberships or club access with recurring fees.
  3. Educational Platforms: Online course subscriptions with periodic billing.
  4. E-Commerce: Recurring deliveries of essentials like groceries or meal kits.

Best Practices

  1. Environment Testing: Use the sandbox environment for initial testing before switching to live.
  2. Clear Descriptions: Provide detailed descriptions for plans to ensure transparency.
  3. Customer Communication: Send reminders for upcoming charges and successful renewals.
  4. Data Security: Safeguard customer data and follow PCI DSS compliance guidelines.