Automatic download after payment

[mark_bowden]

Hi,

I am looking to put Paypal buttons on my website to sell MP3's for my hypnosis business. Is it possible to set something up so they can be redirected to doenload it upon completing the payment?

[Bluefacetech]

Hi,

Yes that should be entirely possible, you'd have to use the return url variable in your button (or see My Profile - Selling Preferences - Website Payments) to point to the page on your website where the MP3s are listed.

I would also look at including some sort of server side code with session variables to make sure they could only access the page after they've paid to make sure they don't come back for free!

Any questions give me a shout

P

[ChrisHegan]

Thanks fort the suggestion, BluefaceTech.

If you still around, could you (or anyone else) point me to a script or two that would help me do that? I'm selling my book, The Fencible Girl (thefenciblegirl.com) and want people to pay and then choose one of three e-formats and download it, all in one operation.

Thank in advance.

[snowshoe]

Just using the return URL alone is not secure as the URL can be shared as previously mentioned. 

A good option is to use PayPal's IPN Feature and some custom scripting on your end.  If you like working with code, you can setup your server to send an email with a link for the download or present web page with the download.

To learn more about IPN and what you can do with it, see the info below:

IPN Overview:

https://developer.paypal.com/webapps/developer/docs/classic/ipn/integration-guide/IPNIntro/

IPN Details:

https://developer.paypal.com/webapps/developer/docs/classic/products/instant-payment-notification/

IPN User Guide:

https://www.paypalobjects.com/webstatic/en_US/developer/docs/pdf/ipnguide.pdf

IPN script template:

http://www.angelleye.com/download-angell-eye-paypal-ipn-template/

Additionally, you can use the Developer's Sandbox for testing before going live.  This helps with both troubleshooting and learning.

https://developer.paypal.com/

Sandbox User Guide:

https://developer.paypal.com/webapps/developer/docs/classic/lifecycle/ug_sandbox/

If you don't want to get involved with coding and such, then try a 3rd party service.  These services do all the work for you, for example, this service is easy to work with:

http://www.e-junkie.com/

And there are many others out there.

[ChrisHegan]

Thanks for that. First, a simple question: what happens if I just put a Buy Now button on the page and do nothing? I'm not anticipating that many transactions at this point, so ideally I would just get an email which would let me post the book or email the E-book and receive the money into my PayPal account, which I could then either use online or withdraw to my bank account. Will that happen?

[snowshoe]

You could do that. 

Someone makes the purchase, you receive the email notification of that purchase. You then follow up by manually sending the buyer an email with the eBook file attached

Best you have a clear policy on your web site as to how the process works.  Most people expect instant downloads, they would need to be aware that they would be contacted by you within a reasonable time from the date of purchase.

Simple and easy for low volume.

The one thing to be aware of, regardless of the method, IPN, manual or what ever, digital goods are not covered for either buyer or seller protection.  It's really easy to be scammed.

[ChrisHegan]

Thanks for the reply. Love the rabbit!

That's a worry I suppose, but since the e-book file has no material value, I can't see the value in building elaborate defenses. Or should I? I'm new to all this. Is there something I should know?

[snowshoe]

That's totally up to you.  If you're selling the item, you should protect it.

[ChrisHegan]

Any idea as to how? Currerntly my intention is to receive the payment advice and send the file, although I intend to automate it at somepoint. Presumably the risk is that when I do so I will need to encrypt the URL or people will share the URL and download for free. But since, having once got the file they can copy it and pass it on I fail to see why they would use a more devious method.

As you can probably tell, I just don't have a clue.

What would you do? And thanks for taking the trouble to reply.

[snowshoe]

From your previous post, you indicated that you could simply send an email to the customer with either an attachment or a link.  (An attachment would be better.)

If you intend to automate, your options are: use PayPal's IPN feature or go with a 3rd party cart.  If you want to use IPN, but, you're not a into coding, you would have to seek the assistance of a Developer.

Personally, I would go with a 3rd party service, no need to reinvent the wheel.