Setting Up Paypal (and Paypal Subscriptions)

[espmartin]

Paypal has become one of the leading payout/pay-in services on the
internet today. And as such, many eBayers, eCommerce owners, and
webmasters who sell internet services use them very effectively.

So for the newbie webmaster who wants to monetize their website, and
offer services that can be paid for by convienent recurring payments via
the monthly subscription service that Paypal offers, we'd like to give you a
"Starters Course" in Paypal services.

STEP #1 - Join Paypal:

The standard Paypal account you can create will work for most of what you
need in taking payments for services. But to take advantage of the Subscriptions
and Recurring Payments product, so you will be able to offer a weekly/monthly/yearly
subscription service to your clients, you will need to upgrade your account
to the Business or Premier accounts.

Simple enough. Once you goto the Paypal sigup page, you then select "Business Account":

Once you complete the online form, and verify your contact information, as
well as confirming your bank account info (including: Bank name, Account
and routing numbers, Name associated with bank account), you will be
ready to login to your new Paypal account.

STEP #2 - Setting Up A Subscription:

Once you login, you will be greeted by your "My Account Overview" page.
Click on "Merchant Services":

Once here, click on the "Subscribe" link:

Here's where you create your subscribe button that will go on your
webpage. Fill in the details of the subscription you are creating, such as
your subscription name, currency type, etc.

*TIP* If you are offering a service, try using the "Trial Period" option.
This way, you can offer your future client a free period to try out your
services, or something like "buy 3 months, get 1 month free"!

The "Regular billing cycle" options are where you create your subscription to
span either daily, monthy, or yearly:

Once you fill out your necessary information, choose your button style:

http://fiercestreetnetworks.com/images/button.png

Then you click on "Create Button Now". Once that's done, you simply
copy/paste the form code Paypal generates for you new custom button
onto your sales page!

Thats all there is to it!

Additional Images you may find helpful

Paypal Buttons

Subscription Demo 1

Subscription Demo 2

Subscription Demo 3

 

[temi]

Nice tutorial Martin, though its easy for experienced webmasters to set this up but his post will hopefully help newbies save a lot of time when trying to set up paypal subscription. Post dugg. Other digg users please digg

 

[vicdigi]

Excellent post Martin. I remember when first trying to set up subscriptions it was a little confusing but to have a simple guide like this for those who are new to Paypal and want this service - Brilliant.

 

[chilie]

paypay is useful, but if you log in from multiple IP's, then they want you to send in a dozen documents to prove who you are.

 

[espmartin]

Chilie, I don't mind that much security. After all, it's MY money they're holding

I actually have the PayPal Security Key, where after I enter my userID and
password, I then enter in the six-digit code that appears on my key:

 

[SkinnerW]

Never had a reason to use subscriptions before but thanks to you, Martin I may consider trying it.

Good tutorial, thanks! dugged/stumbled...

 

[espmartin]

What I really like is that trial option. It's great for "try before you buy" - as you get them
your service, and you get a commitment via subscription signup, as well as an email "opt-in"

 

[kks_krishna]

very useful

 

[gkd_uk]

I agree, it's a great post

 

[deluxdon]

Really helpful post. Subscription thingy is very helpful.

DON.

 

[George1985]

Thanks for the really helfull tutorial. This will help me with integration, and make my experience better using paypal. Needed help in subscription tutorial and this is perfect.

 

[espmartin]

No problem George1985,

Paypal rocks as far as their services go, and I'm still very happy using them!