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Charge for premium content
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- Jeff Kershner
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 220
- Thanks: 0
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I am using a Rocketthemes template and I am interested in learning about how to create a paid subscription to premium content on my website. (Either pay per article or pay for time much like this rockettheme website works).
Can anyone point me in the correct direction?
Thanks!
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- Ben Simon
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 4301
- Thanks: 8
- Full-time web developer
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You'll need something to dish out permissions to your users, giving them access to pay only areas. You could use a forum framework like Community Builder or JomSocial.
Something will also need to take care of accepting payments and informing the system above that a user has "paid" or "upgrade" for more access. Both CB and JomSocial have addons that will do this. WHMCS, Modernbill, or ClientExec can also help automate billing and account creation.
These are just ideas. I don't know what you have experience with or are willing to learn. I don't know if you already have a merchant account you use or are planning to accept PayPal. As always it all depends.
- B
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- Jeff Kershner
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 220
- Thanks: 0
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I have some experience with WHMCS for a web hosting company I am working with and I really like it but I didn't really like how WHMCS integrated with Joomla. Do you recommend using WHMCS?
I will look into JomSocial. With JomSocial, is there a way to lock down a section that will allow some areas to be public and others requiring login?
I will start using paypal and hope to move to a more fluid option later.
Thanks for your advice,
--Jeff
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- Macmaster
- Jr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 47
- Thanks: 0
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Hi Jeff and everyone, my first of hopefully many posts here!
I was exploring this several months ago for a website that I was building and tested both Community Builder and JomSocial.
Although out of the box I think JomSocial looks the more attractive of the two, for paid subscriptions and content control, I found Community Builder, with their CBSubs add-on to be very flexible, powerful and adaptable. JomSocial, even with plugins to me lacked the seamless functionality of CB with CBSubs. Also at the time when I looked JomSocial lacked the features I needed to create and fully manage multiple profile types - e.g. Basic member, Standard Member, Premium Member.
Here's why I went with CB and CBSubs:
1) You can create multiple subscription plans, each with their own configurable sign ups, that can include automated Joomla user account creation.
2) CB and CBSubs can handle user and group ACL's (Access Control List) permissions, in Joomla 1.5, 1.6 or 1.7. For example, CBSubs can upgrade a Registered user to Author (or any other group) when they subscribe, then downgrade them to Registered when their subscription expires.
3) CBSubs can control access to articles, categories, modules, menus and extensions based on subscription level and status.
4) if you like, you can setup CBSubs so that it gives a preview of an article, then will require you to subscribe or log-in to see more. It uses Joomla's Read More functionality to determine how much of the article is visible in the free preview.
5) This I really like - you can configure CB/CBSubs so that it promotes membership upgrades to a user. Just like here on RT where as a normal subscriber you see a module on the right that promotes upgrading to a Developer account. A normal visited would see "Join Now" instead.
6) You can completely configure the registration, sign-up, upgrade and renewal process. You can also use one of several popular payment gateways, including PayPal.
One thing, I think the Joomlapolis team could use some help from a designer, as out of the box, CB looks horrible! But you can change that pretty easily using CSS and templates etc.
Hope this helps.
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- Ben Simon
- Elite Rocketeer
- Posts: 4301
- Thanks: 8
- Full-time web developer
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Yes, JomSocial supports subscription services (jSubscription) and a slightly different system called User Points. You buy the points and can use them as credit. With JS you use "groups" and CB uses "profiles". Both JS and CB have large user bases, good size extension libraries, and I consider both as pay for extensions (even though CB is "free", you'll eventually pay for additional add-ons or support).
I personally use CB but don't let that stop you from checking out JS. I'm sure both will work. I looked up billing options for both again and either has PayPal integration.
With regards to WHMCS, I use it for my hosting subscriptions, which is the biggest part of my business. It makes sense for me to use it basically everywhere. I would just think about if you'll need a master billing system that controls many subscription websites and/or services in the future. - B
e courteous to staff and members that volunteer their time helping you
E ssential Tool - FireBug
N ever assume I know what version you're talking about
S earch the forum for a solution first
I nclude a link to the problem
M ark your resolved issues as [SOLVED]
O nly PM moderators if they request it first
N o...
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- David Goode
- Preeminent Rocketeer
- Posts: 17058
- Thanks: 890
- Web Designer and Host
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Hi all,
I have used CB Subs on several sites and my clients are quite happy with it. It isn't cheap but for what it does I have to say it is value for money.
Couple of tips....
CB Subs pricing works on a member level - This includes non-paying Joomla members so read the pricing carefully before you buy the license.
CB Subs is fine with Joomla SEF but after that you are on your own. So users of sh404SEF and other extensions, you may find a few odd behaviours.
I was part of the initial testing group and although progress was slow at times I think the reliability and quality makes up for that.
It is a steep learning curve and the manual is close to 400 pages of instructions, examples, screenshots and case studies.
Hope this helps
Please search forums before posting. Please make sure your post includes the version of the CMS you are using and a link to the problem. Annotations on screenshots can also be helpful to explain problems/goals. Please use the "secure" tab for confidential information
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- Jeff Kershner
- Sr. Rocketeer
- Posts: 220
- Thanks: 0
- Thanks for all the information. I will be reviewing each suggestion!
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