Introduction

This detailed summary provides an in-depth overview of how UChat partners can seamlessly set up and manage automated billing using Stripe.

The process involves configuring plans, integrating Stripe, managing subscriptions, handling upgrades/downgrades, and addressing payment failures—all within an automated framework designed for ease and efficiency. This guide is structured to walk you through each step, highlighting essential features, best practices, and troubleshooting tips to ensure a smooth setup and operation.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of Stripe Billing Automation for UChat Partners

1. Understanding the Demo Workspace

• Client Interface Overview:

  • Users see a 14-day free trial with access to all pro features.

  • The billing page displays available plans and prices.

  • Clients can subscribe, upgrade, downgrade, manage billing, and view invoices.

  • The Stripe customer portal allows clients to:

    • Update payment methods.

    • View transaction history.

    • Cancel subscriptions directly.

• Key Features Demonstrated:

  • Subscription purchase with a coupon code.

  • Automatic plan updates post-refresh.

  • Plan management (upgrade/downgrade).

  • Invoice viewing.

  • Payment method updates.

  • Subscription cancellation.

2. Prerequisites for Setup

3. Configuring Your Stripe Account

• Connect Stripe:

  • Navigate to Integrations > Stripe in your workspace.

  • Connect your Stripe account in live mode.

• Create Subscription Products:

  • For each plan, create a product with:

    • Proper name.

    • Currency.

    • Recurring monthly billing.

    • Corresponding price.

• Create Discount Coupons:

  • Generate 100% off coupons for testing.

  • Assign coupons to specific products.

  • Create promotion codes for easy application during testing.

• Set Up Billing Settings:

  • Enable automatic retries (e.g., 4 retries over a week).

  • Configure failed payment handling:

    • Retry schedule.

    • Cancellation after retries.

  • Ensure subscription cancellation is configured to auto-cancel upon failure.

4. Integrating Stripe with UChat Platform

• Partner White Label Settings:

  • Set billing type to internal billing.

  • Save changes to activate Stripe billing automation.

• Mapping Plans:

  • Link each internal plan in your platform to the corresponding Stripe subscription product.

  • Use the internal billing dropdown to assign the correct Stripe plan.

• Designing Plans:

  • Use the plan configuration to:

    • Enable/disable features.

    • Set limits (bots, users, members).

    • Assign prices.

• Testing Plans:

  • Use test coupons and Partner Credit to simulate transactions.

  • Verify upgrade/downgrade flows.

  • Confirm invoice generation and payment methods updates.

5. Managing Customer Subscriptions

• Downgrade to free plan.

• Cancel via portal.

• Partner-initiated cancellation in Stripe. |

• Important:

  • Automatic cancellation is recommended for seamless management.

  • Manual downgrades outside the platform may not automatically cancel the Stripe subscription, risking charges.

6. Handling Subscription Cancellations & Downgrades

• Client-Initiated:

  • Use self-service portal to downgrade or cancel.

  • Downgrade to free plan cancels billing.

• Partner-Initiated:

  • Cancel directly in Stripe dashboard.

  • Choose immediate or end of cycle cancellation.

• Best Practices:

  • Use portal cancellation for clients.

  • Avoid manual plan changes via API or Stripe dashboard to prevent desynchronization.

  • Ensure auto-renewal is turned off when canceling plans.

7. Testing and Refunds

• Test Environment:

  • Use discount coupons to simulate free trials.

  • Use Partner Credit to cover costs during testing.

  • Verify plan upgrades/downgrades.

  • Confirm invoice generation and payment method updates.

• Refunds & Credits:

  • After testing, Partner Credit can be refunded.

  • For real transactions, ensure payment retries are configured.

  • Failed payments trigger automatic cancellation after retries.

• Important:

  • During testing, real cards can be used with 100% off coupons.

  • Partner Credit is deducted for each transaction and refunded after testing.

8. Handling Payment Failures

• Stripe Settings:

  • Configure retry schedule (e.g., 4 retries over a week).

  • Set automatic cancellation after retries.

• Workflow:

  • When a payment fails, Stripe retries per schedule.

  • After retries, Stripe auto-cancels the subscription.

  • The platform detects cancellation and downgrades the workspace to free.

• Partner Cost Management:

  • You are billed for the first 7 days.

  • After cancellation, remaining costs are refunded to your Partner Credit.

  • To minimize costs, reduce retry attempts or cancel manually.

9. Best Practices & Recommendations

• Use the three recommended cancellation methods:

  • Client cancels via portal.

  • Partner cancels in Stripe.

  • Client downgrades to free plan.

• Avoid manual plan changes via API or Stripe dashboard outside the platform.

• Maintain sufficient Partner Credit for testing.

• Regularly monitor subscription statuses and invoices.

• Test thoroughly before going live to prevent billing issues.

• Document all plan configurations and procedures for team consistency.

Summary

In conclusion, setting up automated Stripe billing for UChat partners is a straightforward process that, once configured correctly, offers seamless management of subscriptions, upgrades, downgrades, and cancellations.

The system is designed to minimize manual intervention, reduce errors, and provide a professional experience for your clients.

Remember to test thoroughly, keep Partner Credit topped up during testing phases, and adhere to best practices for handling payment failures and cancellations. With this setup, you can focus on growing your YouTube channel while the platform handles billing efficiently.