How to create a subscription product
Create a subscription product
- Go to WordPress Admin → Products → Add New
- Add product name and description (learn more about WooCommerce products)
- Select Simple subscription from the Product data dropdown
- Configure subscription settings (explained below)
- Publish your product
Setting up subscription product fields
When you select Simple subscription as your product type, Smart Subscriptions adds specific fields to control your recurring billing. Here’s what each field does:
Subscription Price: Enter the amount customers pay per billing cycle. This is the recurring charge – not a one-time payment.
Examples:
- $9.99 for monthly subscriptions
- $99.00 for annual memberships
- $29.99 for quarterly services
Billing Interval: The number of periods between charges.
Examples:
- 1 = charge every period (standard monthly, weekly, yearly)
- 2 = charge every 2 periods (every 2 months, every 2 weeks)
- 3 = charge every 3 periods (quarterly if period is Month)
- 6 = charge every 6 periods (semi-annual if period is Month)
Billing Period: Choose when customers are charged: Day, Week, Month, or Year.
Common combinations:
- Monthly subscription: Interval = 1, Period = Month
- Quarterly subscription: Interval = 3, Period = Month
- Bi-weekly subscription: Interval = 2, Period = Week
- Annual subscription: Interval = 1, Period = Year
Trial Length: Number of trial periods before the first payment. Set to 0 for no trial.
Examples:
- 0 = No trial, charge immediately
- 7 = 7-day/week/month trial (depending on Trial Period)
- 14 = 14-day trial
- 30 = 30-day trial
Trial Period: The time unit for your trial: Day, Week, Month, or Year.
Free trial examples:
- 7-day trial: Trial Length = 7, Trial Period = Day
- First month free: Trial Length = 1, Trial Period = Month
- No trial: Trial Length = 0
Note: Customers must provide payment information during signup, even for free trials. They’re charged automatically when the trial ends.
Understanding how it works
How recurring billing works
- Customer purchases subscription product
- Payment method is saved securely via Stripe
- First payment processes (immediately or after trial)
- Automatic renewals occur based on your billing interval/period
- Customer receives email notifications for each renewal
How free trials work
- Customer subscribes and enters payment details
- No charge during trial period
- First payment occurs automatically when trial ends
- Regular billing continues from that point
Important: Make sure your product description clearly states this is a recurring subscription, not a one-time purchase.
Subscription product examples
Monthly membership – $19.99/month
- Subscription Price: $19.99
- Billing Interval: 1
- Billing Period: Month
- Trial Length: 0 (no trial)
Annual license with 14-day trial – $99/year
- Subscription Price: $99
- Billing Interval: 1
- Billing Period: Year
- Trial Length: 14
- Trial Period: Day
Quarterly service – $89 every 3 months
- Subscription Price: $89
- Billing Interval: 3
- Billing Period: Month
- Trial Length: 0
Before you publish
Pre-launch checklist:
- Stripe Gateway configured for automatic payments.
- Subscription price and billing cycle are correct.
- Product description explains recurring billing clearly.
- Email notifications set up for renewals and confirmations.
- Test purchase completed in Stripe test mode (learn about testing).