Step 3: Subscription Setup
The final step in onboarding is setting up your subscription and payment method. This activates your campaign and enables SMS sending.
What is Subscription Setup?
Subscription setup is the process of:
- Creating your subscription account
- Adding your payment method (credit card or bank account)
- Activating your campaign for SMS sending
Why Do I Need a Subscription?
Your subscription provides:
- SMS Credits: Credits to send SMS messages
- Campaign Activation: Enables your campaign to be registered with compliance authorities
- Ongoing Service: Monthly subscription for continued SMS capabilities
The Subscription Process
Step 1: Redirect to Stripe Portal
After creating your campaign, you'll be automatically redirected to our secure payment portal powered by Stripe.
Step 2: Add Payment Method
In the Stripe portal, you'll:
Enter Payment Information
- Credit card or bank account details
- Billing address
- Contact information
Review Subscription Details
- Monthly subscription amount
- Included SMS credits
- Billing cycle information
Complete Payment Setup
- Confirm your payment method
- Agree to terms
- Submit payment information
Step 3: Return to Dashboard
After completing payment setup, you'll be automatically returned to your campaign dashboard. The system will:
- Verify your subscription is active
- Begin publishing your campaign to external services
- Show you the status of your campaign
What Happens After Payment Setup?
Immediate Actions
- ✅ Your subscription is created and linked to your campaign
- ✅ Your payment method is saved securely
- ✅ You're returned to your campaign dashboard
Automatic Publishing (Behind the Scenes)
Once your subscription is active, the system automatically:
Publishes to TCR (The Campaign Registry)
- Registers your campaign for SMS compliance
- Submits your campaign details for carrier approval
- This typically takes 2-5 business days for approval
Publishes to PUC partner (SMS Provider)
- Sets up your campaign with our SMS delivery provider
- Enables SMS sending capabilities
- Links your campaign to your brand account
Updates Campaign Status
- Updates your campaign with registration IDs
- Changes status to "Active" when approved
- Enables SMS sending functionality
Understanding Subscription Statuses
Your subscription can have different statuses:
Active Statuses (Can Use Service)
- Active: Subscription is active and paid
- Trialing: Subscription is in trial period (if applicable)
Processing Statuses
- Incomplete: Payment setup in progress
- Past Due: Payment failed but subscription still valid
Terminal Statuses (Cannot Use Service)
- Incomplete Expired: Payment not completed within 23 hours (requires new subscription)
- Canceled: Subscription has been canceled
- Unpaid: Payment failed
What You'll See on Your Dashboard
After returning from payment setup, you'll see:
Success Messages
- "Subscription Active": Your subscription is active and campaign publishing has begun
- "Campaign Published Successfully": Your campaign has been published to all services
- "Campaign Published": Your campaign is published and ready (or pending approval)
Status Messages
- "Brand setup is in progress": Your brand is still being registered (you'll be notified when ready)
- "Campaign published to TCR but PUC partner publish failed": Partial success - support will assist
- "Failed to publish campaign": Publishing encountered an issue - support will assist
Campaign Status
Your campaign dashboard will show:
- Campaign Registration Status: Whether your campaign is registered with TCR
- Provider Status: Whether your campaign is set up with PUC partner
- Subscription Status: Your current subscription status
Common Questions
How long does payment setup take?
Payment setup takes just a few minutes. You'll enter your payment information and be redirected back to your dashboard.
When will my campaign be ready?
- Immediate: Your campaign is created and subscription is active
- 2-5 Business Days: Campaign approval from The Campaign Registry
- After Approval: You can start sending SMS messages
What if payment setup fails?
If payment setup fails, you'll see an error message. Common issues:
- Card Declined: Try a different payment method
- Incomplete Payment: Complete the payment setup within 23 hours
- Expired Session: Start the subscription setup process again
Can I change my payment method later?
Yes! You can update your payment method anytime from your account settings or by accessing the Stripe customer portal.
What happens if my payment fails later?
If a payment fails:
- You'll receive a notification
- Your subscription status will update
- You'll have time to update your payment method
- Your campaign will remain active during the grace period
Do I need to wait for campaign approval?
No! You can set up everything now. Your campaign will be automatically submitted for approval once your subscription is active. You'll be notified when approval is complete.
Troubleshooting
"Subscription Not Active" Message
If you see this message:
- Check that you completed payment setup
- Verify your payment method is valid
- Contact support if the issue persists
"Brand setup is in progress" Message
This means your brand is still being registered with external services. This is normal and happens automatically. You'll be notified when your brand setup is complete.
Publishing Errors
If you see publishing error messages:
- Don't worry - our support team is automatically notified
- Your campaign is still saved in the system
- Support will help resolve any issues
- You can continue using the dashboard while issues are resolved
Next Steps
Once you've completed subscription setup, your onboarding is complete! Learn about What Happens Next to understand the approval process and when you can start sending messages.