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Taking payment for Subscriptions

12 points| lakeeffect | 18 years ago | reply

We want to be able to offer paid subscription accounts on our site for advanced features. Any recommendations on what services to use to collect payments? On a quick overview Amazon seemed incredibly expensive while something like Google checkout didn't seem to offer recurring payments. What are the hidden gems you are using to facilitate these transfers?

Also, we are using Django.

16 comments

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[+] azsromej|18 years ago|reply
I use PayPal and IPN to set up subscriptions. You can include a code in your link to indicate the frequency of payment. You can also provide links that allow a user to modify their subscription (eg, upgrade to the next plan). It's worked well so far.
[+] whyleyc|18 years ago|reply
+1 for PayPal and IPN, it's relatively easy to setup - no waiting around to get a merchant account etc. However we do have some reservations about abandonment rate through PayPal - a lot of users are put off by having to signup for an account with them if they are new to the service.
[+] coglethorpe|18 years ago|reply
I used PayPal with it's Instant Payment Notifications for one time payments. It works ok for now.. I seem to recall something about recurring payments there. You might want to check their docs.
[+] ajbatac|18 years ago|reply
Advice: Once you find the page, bookmark it. It's really frustrating navigating around PayPal. You can get lost easily.
[+] lanej0|18 years ago|reply
I just found internetsecure.com when I was looking for the same. Best I've found so far.

Paypal makes me uneasy because they've already locked my account once "for suspected security reasons". If I'm running a business, I can't just have my payment processor arbitrarily lock my account without further explanation.

[+] spencerfry|18 years ago|reply
We use PayPal and Credit Cards (Visa, MC, Discover, and AmEx) through Chase Paymentech (http://www.chasepaymentech.com/). We don't support Google Checkout, because nobody uses it, but I do want to take a look at Amazon eventually.
[+] nazgulnarsil|18 years ago|reply
paypal is garbage, avoid them like the plague.
[+] j0ncc|18 years ago|reply
Some people might not like paypal but a vast majority of users will be hoping for this option (me for one). If you can add it as an option i'd recommend it.