How to Create a Subscription Product

Learn how to create subscription products that automatically bill customers on a recurring schedule (weekly, monthly, or yearly). Subscriptions provide predictable revenue and allow customers to access services automatically.

Before You Begin

• You must be logged in to your account at https://app.joinzipper.com
• You need permission to manage products (typically organization owners and admins have this permission)
• Stripe must be connected (required for paid subscriptions)

Steps

Step 1: Navigate to Products

1. Log in to your account at https://app.joinzipper.com/auth/login
2. From the dashboard, click Products in the left sidebar
3. You'll see the Products page at https://app.joinzipper.com/dashboard/packages

Step 2: Open the Create Product Form

1. On the Products page, look for the Create product button in the top left corner
2. Click the button (it has a plus icon)
3. A modal window will open titled "Manage package"

What happens next: The product creation form will open.

Step 3: Select Subscription Product Type

1. In the Product type section, select Subscription
   • This tells the system to create a recurring billing product
   • Subscriptions automatically charge customers on a schedule

Note: Product types cannot be changed after creation, so choose carefully.

Step 4: Fill Out Product Details

1. Name: Enter a clear name for your subscription (required, max 100 characters)

   • Example: "Monthly Yoga Membership" or "Weekly Training Program"
   • This is what customers will see

2. Headline: Add a short, one-sentence synopsis (optional, max 200 characters)

   • Example: "Unlimited access to all yoga classes"

3. Details: Provide all the details and features about the subscription (optional, max 1000 characters)

   • Describe what's included
   • List benefits and features
   • Include important terms

4. Product Image: Optionally upload an image to help customers identify it quickly

Note: If you leave required fields empty and try to save, you'll see error messages.

Step 5: Configure Subscription Pricing

1. Price: Enter the subscription price (required)

   • This is the amount customers will be charged per billing cycle
   • Minimum price is typically $1.00

2. Billing schedule: Choose how often customers are billed:

   • Weekly: Customers are charged every week
   • Monthly: Customers are charged every month
   • Yearly: Customers are charged once per year

3. Startup fee: Optionally add a one-time startup fee

   • This is charged once when customers first subscribe
   • Separate from the recurring price
   • Example: $50 startup fee + $30/month subscription

Note: The billing schedule determines how often customers are automatically charged.

Step 6: Configure Integrations and Customer App Settings (Optional)

1. Stripe product ID: Zipper automatically creates a Stripe product. You can view details in Stripe or update the ID here if needed.

2. Customer app integration:

   • Show in customer app and website: Toggle this on to make the subscription visible for purchase via the customer app and your website
   • Prevent booking outside subscription window: When enabled, customers can only book events and appointments during their active subscription billing period

Step 7: (Optional) Configure Additional Settings

1. Forms: Require customers to complete forms during purchase (optional)

   • Select forms that must be completed
   • Forms must have first name, last name, and email fields

2. Visibility: Control where the subscription appears:

   • Shop visibility: Whether it appears in your public shop
   • Category: Organize into product categories

3. Availability: Set product availability:

   • Requires consultation: Hide from public purchase, generate special sign-up URL
   • Requires approval: Customers must request access

Step 8: Save Your Subscription

1. Review all the information you've entered
2. Check that:
   • Product type is set to Subscription
   • Name is filled in
   • Price is set
   • Billing schedule is selected
3. Click Save at the bottom of the form
   • The button will show "Saving..." while your subscription is being created
4. You'll see a success message confirming the subscription was created
5. The modal will close, and your new subscription will appear in your products list

What happens next: Your subscription product will be created and:

• Available for customers to purchase
• Automatically bill customers on the schedule you set
• Create Stripe subscription objects when customers subscribe
• Track subscription status and billing cycles

Tips

• Use clear, descriptive names so customers know what they're subscribing to
• Set appropriate billing schedules based on your business model
• Consider adding startup fees for initial setup costs
• Make subscriptions visible in the customer app to increase sales
• Test the subscription purchase flow yourself before promoting

Troubleshooting

Problem: I don't see the "Create product" button Solution: Make sure you have permission to manage products. Only organization owners and admins can create products. Contact your organization owner if you need access.

Problem: I can't create a paid subscription Solution: Paid subscriptions require Stripe to be connected. To fix:

• Go to Organization Management → Integrations → Stripe
• Complete the merchant onboarding process
• Connect your Stripe account

Problem: I get an error saying "Name is required" Solution: Make sure you've filled in the Name field. This is a required field and cannot be left empty.

Problem: The Save button is disabled Solution: Check that all required fields are filled in:

• Product type is selected
• Name is filled in
• Price is set
• Billing schedule is selected

The button will only be enabled when all required information is provided.

Problem: I can't change the product type after creation Solution: Product types are set when the product is created and cannot be changed. If you need a different product type, create a new product with the desired type.