[tekspert]

Hey guys,

I'm looking for something that allows for membership sales and that allows paypal payments. Once a member, you users will gain access to a directory on the server.

Is there anything like this available? If not, how do you suggest I approach developing such a project?

Thanks for your help!

[xml]

There are plenty of PHP examples of using the PayPal API for transactions.

Basically (assuming you use a Unix based system):

Use PayPal API > On transaction success confirmation write a new line with user login details to the ".htpasswd" file.

[tekspert]

Yes, that would work.. but if I'm not mistaken, in order for paypal to send back transaction validation.. requires one of the higher packages which includes a monthly cost of something like $30... I don't think I will be having that kind of volume for me to commit to $30 per month..

I was thinking more along the lines of pay per transaction button package they offer... that doesn't come with validation though.

I think paypal sends a "Money Recieved" confirmation email though.. maybe I could do something with that?

[MikeMackay]

Originally Posted by tekspert

Yes, that would work.. but if I'm not mistaken, in order for paypal to send back transaction validation.. requires one of the higher packages which includes a monthly cost of something like $30... I don't think I will be having that kind of volume for me to commit to $30 per month..

This is not *strictly* true, if you want to accept Credit Card payments directly on your site (meaning you'd need your own SSL certificate) without the users needing to go to the PayPal website then you need to pay $30/Month for something called "Website Payments Pro". However, if you don't mind redirecting your paying visitors to the PayPal website to handle the payment/checkout system then you can still use their "Instant Payment Notification (IPN)" API to receive your transaction data under all Website Payments Standard accounts; this is free.

Website Payments Standard - No monthly, startup, or cancellation fees—plus no annual contract.

IPN delivers immediate notification and confirmation of PayPal payments you receive and provides status and additional data on pending, cancelled, or failed transactions.

So, by having a standard free account and using PayPals IPN API, you can build the exact system you're after.

You could use the .htpasswd method that xml has suggested or you could develop a more fully-fledged login system that displays the content you choose (instead of an entire directory listing) to those who have the correct authorisation. Either way it's up to you.

Some people say that using PayPal is nasty, unprofessional and crap. I think this is untrue. Professional/commercial businesses using PayPals standard system may look tacky and inelegant however for smaller people who do not have that much online trade, or for people just doing private subscription based services I think it's more than suitable.

Hope that helps!

- Mike

[weirdz]

PHPAutoMembersarea (PHP Auto Members Area). saw it a while ago, users will only gain access when they pay via paypal. It looked good enough to me. Run a google Search for it.