If you publish real news or premium content, you need a fair way to ask for support without pushing people away. We build paywalls that feel natural: read a bit, see the value, and choose a plan. It’s your brand, your rules, and your WordPress as the source of truth.
Readers can try a set number of free articles each month, then pick a plan. You can also lock certain stories from the start or leave public service pieces outside the wall. Checkout is fast—Apple Pay/Google Pay where available—and readers get access right away. If you want day-passes for casual readers, we can add those too.
You keep publishing in WordPress like you already do. Mark a post as free, metered, or subscriber-only. Choose categories that always count as free (for example, emergency alerts). The system tracks each reader’s free reads and unlocks paid posts when they subscribe. Your staff sees a clear dashboard with signups, cancels, and usage.
Metered: a few free articles per month, then prompt to subscribe.
Freemium: most posts free, select pieces for subscribers only.
Hard wall: premium sections always behind the paywall.
Day-passes: 24-hour access for a one-time price.
Bundles: site + newsletter + app access on one plan.
We can start simple and add the rest over time.
We connect Stripe or PayPal and enable Apple Pay/Google Pay when possible. Readers manage cards, receipts, and renewals on their own. You can offer coupons, student rates, or gift subscriptions. If you publish a newsletter, we can bundle it so paid readers don’t land in a separate system.
Paywalls can be reader-first and still play nice with search and social. We structure pages so headlines and excerpts are visible, and we support a “free list” for public-interest posts you want widely shared. You control which categories are always accessible. For returning visitors, the prompt is light until the meter runs out.
You’ll see what converts: top articles that drive signups, where readers drop off, and which offers work best. Export simple reports for your accountant or connect to a lightweight CRM if you want more detail on supporters.
If you have (or plan to add) a phone app, the same paywall can cover it. Readers sign in once and their access follows them. Push notifications can target subscribers or nudge heavy readers who are close to the meter limit.
Every publisher is different. These ranges help with planning:
Add to an existing site: $2,000–$5,000
Meter setup, plan pages, checkout, account screens, light CRM exports, and basic reports. Typical timeline 4–7 weeks.
Part of a new site build:
Included in your website project; see WordPress websites for ranges and timing.
What affects cost? Meter rules, bundles, day-passes, coupon logic, app tie-ins, and any custom dashboards. We map this in a one-page plan before you commit.
We launch in stages. First, testing with fake cards and sample reader accounts. Then we go live with real payments, watch the first week closely, and tune the prompts if needed. Your team gets a short walkthrough and a simple guide for the tasks they’ll do most: change plans and pricing, issue refunds, comp a reader, and mark a post as free or paid.
Will a paywall hurt our traffic?
A smart meter lets new readers sample before asking them to subscribe. You can keep key public-interest posts outside the wall to preserve reach.
Can we give free access to certain partners or staff?
Yes. You’ll have comp codes and account controls for libraries, schools, or sponsors.
What if readers share links to paid stories?
Visitors will see the preview and the prompt. If they’re subscribers and signed in, the full story opens.
Can we run seasonal offers and gifts?
Absolutely. Time-limited discounts, gifting at checkout, and “first month for $1” are common and easy to manage.
Does this work with our newsletter?
Yes. We can sync paid status to your email platform so subscribers get extra editions or ad-light versions.
What about fraud or shared passwords?
We use sensible limits and monitoring to keep abuse in check without annoying real readers.
Ready to earn from your best work?
Tell us how you publish today and the kind of access you want to offer. We’ll reply with a simple plan, a quote range, and a clear timeline.
You tell us what you want your site to do. We design and build it as a plugin—clean, fast, and simple to use. Need an app as well? We’ll make your WordPress the point of truth so everything stays in sync.