> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://helpdesk.ldtsoft.work/ldt-online-course/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://helpdesk.ldtsoft.work/ldt-online-course/enroll-and-price/a-step-by-step-guide-to-setting-up-an-automated-subscription-course.md).

# A Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up an Automated Subscription Course

Set up a course that renews itself every billing cycle

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough to help you create and sell your first subscription-based course with automatic timed access.

### Step 1: Create Your Subscription Product on Shopify

Before setting up the course content, you need to create a product in your Shopify store. This product will be the item customers purchase to gain access.

* From your Shopify Admin, navigate to **Products** -> **Add product**.

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-55f1df2bdb93bcae81e9f96010465120292e8f01%2Fcourse%206.2.png?alt=media" alt="Creating the subscription product in the Shopify admin"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Fill in the necessary details like the title, price, description, and images.
* Crucially, go to the Variants section and create a new Option named "Plan".
* Add the Option values: "Monthly" and "Yearly".
* Set a specific price for each variant.
* Note: Don’t forget to uncheck the box "This is a physical product".

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4737f41614751d21767d8004c5ab271029128e99%2Fcourse%206.3.png?alt=media" alt="Adding Monthly and Yearly variants with their own prices"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step 2: Set Up Recurring Payments with the Shopify Subscriptions App

This step activates the automatic billing feature for your monthly and yearly plans.

* Install the [Shopify Subscriptions app](https://apps.shopify.com/shopify-subscriptions) from the Shopify App Store.
* In the app, select **Subscription plans**.

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-dbd8a317c171125d292530cfe70fe3f7191c522f%2Fcourse%206.4.png?alt=media" alt="Installing the Shopify Subscriptions app"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Create the Monthly plan:
  * For Products, select the product you created in Step 1.
  * IMPORTANT: Be sure to select the specific "Monthly" variant for this plan.

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1368d14b9721f6516d7d8db2ea874f2d7d66355f%2Fcourse%206.5.png?alt=media" alt="Selecting the product and its Monthly variant for the first plan"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-cd5113205e68b23e756bbef22a698e707532d682%2Fcourse%206.6.png?alt=media" alt="Setting the billing interval for the Monthly plan"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-066df1af1eefdc046a18ace8bc4b268af23316cb%2Fcourse%206.9.png?alt=media" alt="The Monthly plan saved in the subscriptions app"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Create the Yearly plan:
  * Repeat the process, selecting the product and the specific "Yearly" variant.

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-02fcbd1904ec7e97abc1e6d31f128c5d9c002467%2Fcourse%206.10.png?alt=media" alt="Creating the Yearly plan on the Yearly variant"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Common Error: A frequent mistake is selecting only the product without choosing the specific variant, which prevents the system from distinguishing between your plans.

### Step 3: Link the Course and Activate Timed Access in LDT

This is the most critical step, connecting your Shopify product to your course content and enabling automatic access management.

* Go to **Apps** -> **LDT Online Courses** -> **Courses**.
* Choose the course you want to set up.

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-91fde9a5c42ee56283cea0e28c362e6afa4abc29%2Fcourse%206.12.png?alt=media" alt="Opening the course that will be sold by subscription"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Find the **Auto enroll via Shopify Products** section and click **Link product**.

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a2f44cf01e9fc15728f5b0995da0591b502d0910%2Fcourse%206.13.png?alt=media" alt="Clicking Link product in the Auto enroll via Shopify Products section"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Select the subscription product you created in Step 1.

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9eda9657bc0c183b6455234fd9e2eec85accaeaf%2Fcourse%206.14.png?alt=media" alt="Choosing the subscription product to link"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* The Most Important Configuration:
  * After linking the product, click on "Specific variants".
  * CHECK BOTH the Monthly and Yearly variants.
  * Toggle on "Limit time access".
  * Set the corresponding access days for each variant:
    * For the Monthly variant: Enter 31 days so the course will be renewed for the next 31 days after the customer pays for the next monthly cycle
    * For the Yearly variant: Enter 366 days so the course will be renewed for the next 366 days after the customer pays for the next yearly cycle

<figure><img src="https://3532245007-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FuRJ3j93eHyen8t2flj5y%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ff23159daa3a68963b29ef00eef1aa45c1153268%2Fcourse%206.17.png?alt=media" alt="Setting a different access time for each variant"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Click Save to finish.

### Step 4: Test Your Setup

To ensure your entire system is working correctly before you go live.

* Instructions: Follow our guide on [how to grant free course access using a 100% discount code](https://helpdesk.ldtsoft.work/ldt-online-course/get-started/how-to-grant-free-course-access-using-a-100-discount-code) to simulate a customer's purchase and verify that the enrollment and timed access features function as intended.

Conclusion: Once you complete these steps, you will have a fully automated subscription course system that manages billing and access seamlessly. Always remember to double-check that you have selected the correct variants in both Step 2 and Step 3.