Paid Memberships Pro – Pay by Check Add On

Empower Your Membership Site with the Pay by Check Add On

In the world of online membership management, speed and efficiency often reign supreme. Instant credit card transactions and digital payments via platforms like PayPal became the norm, ensuring members can dive into content without unnecessary delays. However, there emerges a unique necessity for certain membership models to implement manual payment options, such as checks or in-person transactions. This is where the Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On comes into play, bringing versatility and increased accessibility to your membership structure.

Understanding the Importance of Manual Payments

Manual payments, while seeming counterintuitive in the e-commerce domain, serve important functions across various types of membership businesses:

1. High-Value Transactions:Consider a premium course or exclusive coaching program where participants might be hesitant to input their credit card information or simply prefer to handle larger transactions through direct bank transfers. The Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On allows these transactions by routing payments directly to your bank account, reducing the burden of credit card transaction fees and gateway charges.

2. Localized Communities: If you operate a community-based organization, your members may wish to engage face-to-face. Accepting membership dues via check or cash upon meeting can enhance the sense of community and save you from unnecessary transaction costs.

3. Security and Compliance: There’s often a segment of your member base that might be reluctant to use credit cards online. These members may represent businesses with stringent payment policies, or they may simply feel more comfortable with traditional payment methods such as checks. The Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On addresses these needs by allowing optional manual payment methods.

Setting Up the Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On

The installation of the Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On is straightforward. To begin using this powerful tool, make sure you have the main Paid Memberships Pro plugin installed and activated on your website:

• Access your WordPress admin panel.
• Navigate to Memberships > Add Ons.
• Look for the Pay by Check Add On and click on ‘Install Now’.
• If you prefer a manual installation, download the Add On as a zip file and upload it via Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.

After activation, you can configure the manual payment methods to best suit your membership offerings.

Configuring Your Payment Gateway

Once you have the Pay by Check Add On installed, it’s essential to set up your manual payment gateway. This process allows members the option to pay via check or other manual methods:

• Head over to Memberships > Settings > Payment Gateway.
• Choose Pay by Check from the dropdown menu.
• Customize the Gateway Label to align with your payment acceptance goals (for instance, “Check” or “Direct Deposit”).

Next, detail the specific instructions for your members. This can include your bank details for transfers, your mailing address for check submissions, or your Venmo username for users opting for mobile payments.

By saving these changes, members will now have the option to make payments manually during their checkout process.

Allowing for Flexible Membership Levels

One of the key features of the Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On is the ability to determine which membership levels can utilize this manual payment option. To enable the manual payments on your membership levels:

• Go to Memberships > Levels and select the level you wish to edit.
• In the Pay by Check/Manual Settings section, set the parameters regarding manual payments:
• Allow Pay by Check/Manual: Determine whether manual payment is optional or required.
• Renewal and Reminder Emails: Set preferences for when members will receive reminder emails prior and subsequent to payment failures.
• Membership Cancellation: Decide the timeframe for membership cancellation should payments be missed.

Once you’ve updated these settings, your members will now have clear options for managing their payments.

Managing Orders and Access Levels

When your members select manual payments, their checkout status will initially show as “pending.” This indicates that the system is awaiting confirmation of payment receipt before granting full access to membership benefits.

• Once the payment is received, whether by check, cash, or other methods, administrators will need to manually update the order status to “success” to complete the transaction.
• Members whose orders remain in a pending status will not have access to protected content. Admins can customize the notice displayed to these members, fostering better communication.

Existing customers will experience a grace period, allowing them access until payment is processed, which is favorable for retaining member satisfaction.

Email Notifications for Manual Payments

Clear communication is paramount in managing membership expectations. To this end, the Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On includes three customizable email templates for member notifications about the payment process:

• Pay by Check – Check Pending: A notice sent to members indicating their invoice status is pending.
• Pay by Check – Check Pending Admin: Alerts administrators that an invoice requires attention.
• Pay by Check – Check Pending Reminder: A follow-up notification sent to members for overdue payments.

These templates can be tailored in Memberships > Settings > Email Templates, allowing for an enhanced user experience and encouraging timely payments.

Maintaining Administrative Control

With the implementation of the Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On, it’s also vital to ensure that your administrative processes remain efficient. As admin, you will have the ability to swiftly change order statuses and manage payment tracking to minimize disruption for your members.

Integrating manual payments might seem challenging at first, but through careful configuration and management, you can create a seamless experience that caters to all member preferences, thus increasing satisfaction and retention.

Conclusion

The Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On enhances the operational capabilities of your membership site by providing flexible and varied payment options that resonate with diverse member needs. From catering to high-ticket sales without the burden of credit card fees to allowing community members to engage in cash transactions, this Add On promotes inclusivity and security in membership management.

By efficiently setting up this feature, you not only protect your members’ payment preferences but also maximize your organization’s operational efficiency. Allow your members the autonomy to choose their payment methods while fortifying your business’s account management. With the right strategies in place, embracing the Paid Memberships Pro Pay by Check Add On can foster smoother transactions, greater member satisfaction, and a flourishing membership model.