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Frequently Asked Questions

General​

What is PaywallWP Pro?​

PaywallWP Pro is a WordPress plugin that lets you monetize your content through subscriptions. It protects premium content behind a paywall and manages member subscriptions with Stripe and PayPal integration.

Do I need coding knowledge?​

No. PaywallWP Pro is designed for non-developers. Everything is configured through the WordPress admin panel. Developers can further customize the appearance with CSS.

Does it work with my theme?​

Yes, PaywallWP Pro is designed to work with any well-coded WordPress theme. The frontend components use minimal, clean CSS that adapts to your theme's styling.

Can I use it with page builders?​

Yes. PaywallWP Pro works with:

  • Gutenberg (Block Editor)
  • Elementor
  • Beaver Builder
  • Divi
  • And other major page builders

Is there a free version?​

PaywallWP Pro is a premium plugin. There is no free version available.

Payments​

Which payment gateways are supported?​

We support:

  • Stripe — Credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay
  • PayPal — PayPal accounts and credit cards

Do I need an SSL certificate?​

Yes. SSL (HTTPS) is required for accepting payments. Most web hosts offer free SSL certificates.

Can I accept multiple currencies?​

You can set one currency for your site. The currency must be supported by your payment gateway.

How do I test payments?​

Both Stripe and PayPal offer test/sandbox modes:

  • Stripe: Use test API keys and test card numbers
  • PayPal: Use sandbox credentials and sandbox accounts

Are payments secure?​

Yes. We never store sensitive payment data on your server. All payment processing is handled directly by Stripe or PayPal, which are PCI-compliant.

How do refunds work?​

Refunds can be issued through:

  1. Your Stripe/PayPal dashboard
  2. The Members section in PaywallWP Pro

Webhooks automatically sync refund status.

Subscriptions​

Can I create multiple subscription plans?​

Yes. Create unlimited subscription plans with different prices, access levels, and features.

Can I offer yearly discounts?​

Yes. Each plan can have both monthly and yearly pricing. The pricing page shows both options with a toggle.

Can I offer free trials?​

Yes. Configure trial periods in plan settings. Members need a payment method but won't be charged until the trial ends.

What happens when a subscription expires?​

When a subscription expires:

  1. Member loses access to protected content
  2. Status changes to "Expired"
  3. Member can resubscribe at any time

Can members upgrade or downgrade?​

Yes. Members can change plans from their account page:

  • Upgrades: Immediate access, prorated charge
  • Downgrades: Takes effect at next renewal

Can I manually add subscribers?​

Yes. You can add members manually without requiring payment. Useful for:

  • Complimentary access
  • Staff accounts
  • Press access
  • Migrations

Content Protection​

How do access levels work?​

Access levels range from 0-10:

  • Level 0 = Public (no protection)
  • Level 1-10 = Protected (requires subscription)

Members can access content at or below their subscription's level.

Can I protect part of a post?​

Yes. Use the [paywp_protected] shortcode to protect specific sections within a post while keeping the rest public.

Does protection work with custom post types?​

Yes. Enable protection for any post type in Settings → Content.

Will search engines index protected content?​

By default, yes. Search engines can see protected content for SEO purposes, but regular visitors cannot. This is configurable in settings.

Can I allow some free articles?​

Yes. Use metered access to allow logged-in free members to read a limited number of protected articles per month before requiring a paid subscription.

Members​

Where is member data stored?​

Member data is stored in WordPress:

  • User accounts in wp_users
  • Subscription data in wp_usermeta
  • No custom user tables

Can members manage their own subscriptions?​

Yes. The account page lets members:

  • View subscription status
  • Update payment methods
  • Cancel subscriptions
  • View billing history

What emails do members receive?​

  • Welcome email (new subscription)
  • Receipt (each payment)
  • Cancellation confirmation
  • Subscription expired notification

Can I export member data?​

Yes. Export member data as CSV from PaywallWP → Members.

Technical​

Does it affect site performance?​

PaywallWP Pro is built for performance:

  • Lightweight vanilla JavaScript (no React/heavy frameworks)
  • Minimal database queries
  • Cache-compatible design
  • Lazy loading where appropriate

Is it compatible with caching plugins?​

Yes. Enable "Cache Compatibility" mode for full compatibility with:

  • WP Super Cache
  • W3 Total Cache
  • WP Rocket
  • LiteSpeed Cache
  • And others

Does it work with CDNs?​

Yes. Works with Cloudflare, StackPath, and other CDNs. Configure the CDN to bypass cache for logged-in users or use cache compatibility mode.

Can I customize the appearance?​

Yes, multiple ways:

  • Settings → Styles for basic customization
  • Custom CSS in your theme
  • Template overrides in your theme

Are there hooks for developers?​

Version 1.0 focuses on core functionality. Developer hooks (actions and filters) may be added in future versions based on demand.

Troubleshooting​

Payments work but subscriptions don't activate​

This is a webhook issue. Check:

  1. Webhooks are configured in your gateway dashboard
  2. Webhook URL is correct and accessible
  3. Signing secret/webhook ID is saved in settings

See the Webhooks Setup Guide.

Protected content is showing to everyone​

  1. Verify access level is greater than 0
  2. You may be logged in as admin (admins see everything)
  3. Enable Cache Compatibility mode
  4. Clear all caches

See Troubleshooting for more solutions.

Email notifications aren't sending​

  1. Test if WordPress can send email
  2. Use an SMTP plugin for reliable delivery
  3. Check spam folders
  4. Verify email settings are enabled

Licensing & Support​

How many sites can I use it on?​

Check your license type:

  • Single Site: 1 website
  • Multi-Site: Multiple websites
  • Developer: Unlimited websites

How do I get support?​

Visit our Support Center to submit a ticket. Include your system report from PaywallWP → Help → System.

Do you offer refunds?​

Please refer to the marketplace's refund policy where you purchased the plugin.

How often is the plugin updated?​

We regularly update PaywallWP Pro with:

  • Security patches
  • Bug fixes
  • New features
  • Compatibility updates

Updates are available through your WordPress dashboard.

Migration​

Can I migrate from another membership plugin?​

PaywallWP Pro uses standard WordPress user data, making migration possible. Contact support for guidance on specific migrations.

What happens if I deactivate the plugin?​

  • Content protection is removed
  • Subscriptions remain in gateway (Stripe/PayPal)
  • User data remains in WordPress
  • Plugin settings are preserved

What happens if I delete the plugin?​

If "Delete Data on Uninstall" is enabled:

  • All plugin settings are removed
  • Subscription meta data is removed
  • User accounts remain
  • Gateway subscriptions remain