Managing Paid Channels on IHUBApp

Paid Channels on IHUBApp allow you to charge users for premium content access using flexible recurring pricing powered by Stripe. This guide will walk you through setting up, managing, and monitoring Paid Channels on your hub.

Multi-Factor Authentication Requirement

Before connecting a Stripe account, you will be required to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). If MFA is not enabled, you will be prompted to set it up, and the Stripe connection will remain disabled until this is completed. Note that MFA is only required for Stripe — it is not required to manage paid channels once your Stripe account is connected.

If you haven't already connected your Stripe account, follow these steps here.

1. Setting Up a Paid Channel

Step 1: Channel Creation

When creating a new channel, you will now see Channel Type as a dropdown option. If you are not sure how to create a new channel, please refer to the instructions here. If you select Paid:

• The channel can only be set to Paid during the creation process. This cannot be changed after the channel has been created.
• You must connect a Stripe account before saving the channel. If you have not completed the Stripe setup, a message will prompt you to connect it.

Once Stripe is connected, you can set a price for the channel.

If a Stripe account is not connected, you won't be able to save the Paid Channel settings, and a message will prompt you to connect a Stripe account.

If you started connecting your account but did not complete the setup entirely, you won't be able to save the Paid Channel settings, and a message will prompt you to complete setting up your account.

Step 2: Setting Prices

• Upon creating the Paid Channel, you will have the option to set up a price.
• Choose whether the price will be one-time (Coming Soon) or recurring. Recurring payments default to monthly but can be customized.
• Note: Any applicable taxes are not included in the price by default.
• Product Name & Description: The name and description will display to the user when your hub has multiple subscription plans set up (Coming Soon).
  

2. Managing Paid Channels

Channel Visibility

Paid Channels are publicly visible to everyone, functioning similarly to "request to join" channels. Instead of a "Request" button, users will see:

• Subscribe for recurring payments, or
• Purchase for one-time payments (Coming Soon).

Clicking these buttons will send users to the Stripe checkout page.

You can also see a list of payments for each user in the channel members list.

3. Checkouts and Canceling Subscriptions

Checkout Process

Once the user completes the payment process in Stripe:

• They are automatically redirected back to the channel.
• Stripe will process the payment, then automatically notify your hub to add the user to the channel once the payment has been processed.
• Welcome Message: The user will see the custom welcome message you've created for paid channels.
  

Canceling Subscriptions

Users can manage their subscriptions directly from the channel:

• Leave or Cancel: For one-time payments, users will see a Leave button, and for recurring payments, they will see a Cancel button. Upon clicking, a confirmation dialog will appear.
• If the user confirms, they will be removed from the channel and their subscription will be canceled in Stripe.
  

Stripe also handles any cancellations or lapses:

• If a user's subscription lapses or is canceled in Stripe, your hub will be notified and the user will be automatically removed from the channel.

4. Content Locking for Paid Channels

IHUBApp offers a unique feature for Paid Channels, allowing you to create locked content for channel guests. Here's how it works:

• Teaser Content: A locked content card will be displayed to guests with an image overlay and lock icon.
  
• Join to Unlock: Guests will see a label prompting them to subscribe to access the full content.
• Clicking the card will either prompt the user to log in or show the pricing table for the channel, depending on their current status.
  

5. Admin Management for Paid Channels

Editing Prices

Admins can manage and edit the prices of a Paid Channel from the channel configuration settings:

• Edit Existing Products: You can link, archive, or reactivate products.
• Add Products: Choose from existing products in Stripe or create a new one directly within IHUBApp. You can specify whether the product is a one-time (Coming Soon) or recurring payment.
• Link/Unlink Channels: You can add or remove channels from a product, and adding a channel as a benefit will automatically grant product subscribers access to that channel.

Upgrading/Downgrading Subscriptions

Users can upgrade or downgrade their subscriptions directly within the channel:

• All available subscription options will be shown, with the current subscription highlighted.
• Users can cancel their subscription at any time, with access remaining until the end of the billing period.
  

Canceling User Subscriptions

When removing a user from a channel, admins will be prompted to confirm whether they want to cancel the user's subscription in Stripe.

6. Coming Soon - Widgets and External Purchase Buttons

IHUBApp allows you to create purchase or subscription buttons as widgets or code snippets to use within and outside the platform:

• Internal Widgets: You can create a widget with a Subscribe or Purchase button to place anywhere on the platform. Each widget is tied to a specific price.
• External Snippets: A code snippet will be available for embedding a purchase button on external websites.

7. Analytics for Paid Channels

Channel admins can track essential subscriber data and revenue. To access analytics, navigate to Reports > Subscriptions in the Builder. The following metrics are currently available:

• Total Number of Subscribers
• Monthly Revenue
• Active Subscriptions
• Average Subscription Value
• Churn Rate

This feature provides key insights into the performance of your Paid Channel.

8. Managing Content Visibility for Guests

Admins have the ability to control whether locked content appears in the home feed for channel guests, or whether specific content is free to view without a subscription. This option can be toggled directly in the post editor.

• Note: If a guest has muted the channel, locked content will not appear in their home feed regardless of this setting.
  

  

This guide covers the core features for setting up and managing Paid Channels on IHUBApp. If you have further questions or need additional help, feel free to reach out to our support at support@inspirehub.com.