Quick Start Guide

 By the end of this guide, you'll have:

• PostGate installed and activated
• Stripe account connected
• First product created
• First post protected with a paywall
• Complete test in sandbox mode​

 Before you begin, make sure you have:

• ​WordPress: Version 6.2 or higher
• PHP: Version 7.4 or higher
• HTTPS: Valid SSL certificate (required for Stripe)
• Stripe account: Free, create at stripe.com
• Site registration enabled: Users must be logged in to make a purchase. So, make sure registrations are enabled in your website from WordPress Dashboard → Settings → General → Membership settings

1. Access your WordPress admin dashboard
2. Navigate to Plugins → Add Plugin
3. Type "PostGate" in the search bar
4. Click Install Now next to the PostGate plugin
5. After installation, click Activate

If you downloaded the .zip file:

1. Go to Plugins → Add Plugin → Upload Plugin
2. Click Choose File and select the postgate.zip file
3. Click Install Now
4. After installation, click Activate Plugin

• Dashboard: Sales and statistics overview
• Orders: List of all orders
• Settings: Plugin configuration
  • General: Global lock settings
  • Payments: Stripe connection
  • Appearance: Paywall customization
  • Email: Email notification settings
  • Advanced: Data management and settings

This is the most important step! Stripe processes all payments on your site.

• Click PostGate → Settings → Payments

• For testing: select Sandbox Mode (recommended to start)
• For real sales: select Live Mode (use after testing)

• Click the Connect with Stripe button
• A new window will open (Stripe OAuth flow)

• If you already have an account: log in
• If you don't have an account: click "Sign up" and create a free account
• Follow Stripe's verification process (may need email/phone)

• Stripe will ask permission for PostGate to access your account
• Click Authorize access or Connect
• You'll be redirected back to your WordPress website

• You'll see a success message: "Connected to Stripe"
• Status will show: Connected

It's like a "phone line" between Stripe and your site. When someone purchases, Stripe "calls" your site and says: "Hey, someone just paid, grant them access!"

• Still in PostGate → Settings → Payments
• Find the "Webhook URL" section
• Click Copy to copy the URL
• Format: https://yoursite.com/wp-json/postgate/v1/webhook

• Go to dashboard.stripe.com
• Make sure you're in the correct mode (Test or Live)

• From the the bottom bar menu click the Developers menu in order to access the Webhooks settings.
• Click the + Add destination button

• Events from: Choose the "Your account" option
• API Version: Keep the default option (2020-08-27)
• Events: Click the All events option

Check the following events (use search to find):

• checkout.session.completed
• payment_intent.succeeded
• customer.subscription.deleted
• invoice.payment_failed
• customer.subscription.updated
• invoice.paid
• charge.refunded
• charge.refund.updated

• Select the Webhook endpoint option
• Click the Continue button

7. Configure webhook URL:

• Destination name: Keep it with the default value​
• Endpoint URL: Paste the URL you copied from PostGate settings as explained in the Step 1 (Copy the Webhook URL)
• Description: Add an optional description, e.g "PostGate purchases)
• Click the Create destination button.

• On the newly created webhook page
• Find Signing secret
• Click Reveal and then Copy

• Return to PostGate → Settings → Payments
• Webhook Signing Secret field
• Paste the secret you copied

Products in Stripe represent what you're selling. Let's create a simple product.

• Stripe Dashboard → Product catalog
• Click + Create product

• Name: "Premium Article" (or as you prefer)
• Description: "Full access to premium articles" (or as you prefer)
• Image: (optional)

• Price: Enter the amount (e.g., 4.99)
• Billing period:
  • For one-time purchase: One time
  • For subscription: Recurring → Monthly (or any other interval as you prefer) 
• Currency: USD (or your currency)

• Click Add product

Now let's "import" your products from Stripe to PostGate.

• PostGate → Settings → Payments

• Find the "Products" section
• Click Fetch & Sync Products
• Wait a few seconds
• You should see your product listed

Important: The default product is a GLOBAL product that grants access to ANY content where no specific product is assigned. If users purchase this product, they will unlock all content without specific product assignments. Always assign specific products to individual posts, categories, or blocks to control access granularly.

Let's finally create a paywall!

• Posts → Add New
• Or edit an existing post

• Add a title and content
• Doesn't need to be complete, it's just for testing

• In the right sidebar of the editor
• Find the PostGate sidebar panel

• From Lock Status settings, select the "Lock" option

• Lock Mode: Select Paywall (requires payment)

• Product Assignment multi-select box
• Type the product name you created (e.g., "Premium Article - $4.99")
• You can type and select multiple products!

• Preview Mode: Paragraphs or Words
• Preview Limit: 2-3 paragraphs (recommended)
• This defines how much content appears BEFORE the paywall

• Click Publish or Update

• Top right corner → Logout

• Browser → Incognito/private mode
• Access the post you protected

• Content preview (first paragraphs)
• Paywall blocking the rest
• Price and "Get Access" or "Unlock Now" button

• You'll be redirected to Stripe Checkout

5. Fill with test data:

• Card number: 4242 4242 4242 4242
• Expiration date: Any future date (e.g., 12/30)
• CVC: Any 3 digits (e.g., 123)
• Email: Your test email
• Name: Any name

• Click Pay to purchase the content
• Wait for processing (a few seconds)

• Back to the post
• Now you should see the full unlocked content!

• You should see the test order
• Status: Completed or Paid
• Amount: $4.99 (or what you configured)

• See updated statistics
• Total Revenue, Orders, etc.

• Webhook is configured and functional
• Test purchase was successful
• Content was unlocked after purchase
• Paywall appears correctly for visitors
• Content preview is adequate (SEO-friendly)
• Paywall design is satisfactory​

• ​Correct prices in Stripe
• Clear product descriptions
• Persuasive paywall messaging
• Stripe confirmation email is OK
• Refund policy defined

• Terms of Service published
• Privacy Policy updated (mention Stripe)​
• Clear Refund Policy

• Email to list announcing paywall (optional)
• Social media posts (optional)
• FAQ prepared​

When you're ready to sell for real:

• PostGate → Settings → Payments
• Select Live Mode
• Save Settings

• Click Connect with Stripe again
• This time, use your Live credentials
• Authorize the connection

• Repeat the webhook process for Live mode
• The URL will be the same, but the secret will be different!

• Fetch & Sync Products again
• Now you'll see products from Live mode

• Make a small real purchase ($1) to verify
• Or ask a friend to test

1. Webhook URL is correct in Stripe
2. Signing secret is correct in PostGate
3. Your site's SSL is valid

1. Check PostGate → Orders if the order appears
2. Check status: should be "completed" or "paid"
3. Did user log out/in after purchase?

1. Disconnect and try again
2. Use a different browser
3. Verify Stripe account is verified
4. Clear cookies

• Support Forum: WordPress.org Support Forum
• Documentation: PostGate Documentation

You now have the tools to monetize your WordPress content. Good luck with your sales!