Integration CBSubs with Community Builder

Dear all,

My new site has Community Builder installed and setup with the fields and user data inherited from the old site.

Understand that there is a CBSubs which could manage membership subscriptions and automate the payment processes.

Could we please check how easy it is to:

1. setup/configure CBSubs to manage the subscription process
2. and could the existing fields configured on CB for the registration form be used?

In the Auto Actions Plug-in, there is a CB Paid Subscriptions option.
May we know how does this trigger work?

If possible, we probably would like to easily manage the subscription renewal process where the renewals reminders can be automated, and also payment status to be updated (if paid online).

Would appreciate some advise/guidance on how can this be configured and done using both CB and CBSubs.

Thank you.

Intellitech wrote: Dear all,

My new site has Community Builder installed and setup with the fields and user data inherited from the old site.

Understand that there is a CBSubs which could manage membership subscriptions and automate the payment processes.

Could we please check how easy it is to:

1. setup/configure CBSubs to manage the subscription process
2. and could the existing fields configured on CB for the registration form be used?

In the Auto Actions Plug-in, there is a CB Paid Subscriptions option.
May we know how does this trigger work?

If possible, we probably would like to easily manage the subscription renewal process where the renewals reminders can be automated, and also payment status to be updated (if paid online).

Would appreciate some advise/guidance on how can this be configured and done using both CB and CBSubs.

Thank you.

Short answer is Yes to everything

CBSubs GPL is very powerful, so you might have an initial learning curve, but that is why we have a very detailed CBSubs manual and we are also here to help you if something is not clear.

CBSubs integrates with your existing CB Registration form just adding the proposed subscription plans (if they have been configured to appear during the registration process).

You can also configure which registration fields are hidden when a specific subscription plan is selected during the registration process (if you want).


The CB Paid subscription action can be linked to whatever trigger you want. So for example you can trigger off a GroupJive group join to give someone a free CBSubs subscription. Just an example of course - not sure who would need such a use case

Of course payment process is fully automated with CBSubs. Once payment is confirmed the subscription is activated and CBSubs has a powerful mailer feature that you can use to send reminder emails.

Thanks Nick.

Just installed the Plugin and it looks kinda complicated. :blink: :S


Here's the situation:
The subscription period is from Jan - end Dec annually at $2xx for the year for new subscriptions.
From April onward, each month there will be a pro-rated amount (e.g: $2??.50) for the new subscriptions.

However, the renewal for the following year would be $1xx across the board for ALL existing subscribers.

Qns: How should the price plans be configured easily without complex calculations?
How do we determine the fix expiry date at 31 December for all subscribers, regardless of when they have applied and are approved?


Regarding the import of subscribers - Is it necessary to do so from Comm Builder?
There are historical records of expired subscribers, would these records be imported as well??


Can a specific field be updated, if an action (for example: completed online payment) has been made? Is it done by triggering the Auto Actions?



Or, is there a simpler way of completing the form, then select the subscription plan preferred and proceed with payment?


Appreciate your great advise.

Intellitech wrote: Thanks Nick.

Just installed the Plugin and it looks kinda complicated. :blink: :S

It's powerful and thus has a learning curve.
Suggest you download and start studying the CBSubs Documentation - it has tons of info and examples.

Here's the situation:
The subscription period is from Jan - end Dec annually at $2xx for the year for new subscriptions.
From April onward, each month there will be a pro-rated amount (e.g: $2??.50) for the new subscriptions.

However, the renewal for the following year would be $1xx across the board for ALL existing subscribers.

Ok - will comment on this further down after the questions.

Qns: How should the price plans be configured easily without complex calculations?
How do we determine the fix expiry date at 31 December for all subscribers, regardless of when they have applied and are approved?

When you create a new CBSubs plan (subscription) you need to specify "This calendar year" got the Regular Validity duration: parameter in the Pricing tab.
Once that is set you will see more parameters that let you define how you define your calendar year.

I believe that default is 01-01 for start so you will not need to bother with the extra parameter that appears.

You will also see another parameter further down:

Bonus time before expiry (for calendar-based durations):

This parameter can be used in cases where you really do not want to do complex calculations to figure out different prices depending on when someone first subscribes. So you can for example specify that if someone signs up after October that they get the 3 months free and their subscription will end after 14 months as if they joined on Jan 1st. Something to think about for your use case.

You should also study the

Manual renewal extends expiration date as follows:

as it will help you setup how renewal periods are handled.

Regarding the import of subscribers - Is it necessary to do so from Comm Builder?
There are historical records of expired subscribers, would these records be imported as well??

If the subscribers are not Joomla/CB users then yes, as a first step you will need to import them using CB Juice (see dedicated forum area for this community supported extension). Once your subscribers are Joomla/CB users, you can use the CBSubs Import tool (see documentation) to initialize the current subscription status.

I would not bother with historical data as CBSubs is not really meant to handle external history.

Can a specific field be updated, if an action (for example: completed online payment) has been made? Is it done by triggering the Auto Actions?

No need for Auto Action - CBSubs has a CB Field integration plugin that will help you do this (look in manual for it and for examples). It will do exactly what you want.

Or, is there a simpler way of completing the form, then select the subscription plan preferred and proceed with payment?

Not sure what you are asking here.
If you have existing subscribers in some external system you will need to import them as previously mentioned.

Once everything is initialized, renewals and upgrades can be done via CBSubs workflows and integrated payment gateways.

Appreciate your great advise.

We are here to help you - just keep learning!

Now back to the pricing element.

You will need to configure a set of automated promotions that will automatically discount full price based on date of purchase. As you might need help with this I suggest to study the Promotions chapter and start a new thread when you are ready.

Thanks Nick. Will have to figure and try it out.
We just want something simple enough to administer.

Does this mean that, for every pro-rated amount, a plan should be created?

Could you explain the terms "This calendar year"? So if subscription Plan B starts in May, if "This calendar year" is selected, it would calculate from May on wards to end December??


Qns: if we do not think the Plugin in necessary, and decide to process it using "old school" method, would there be a partial refund for what was purchased?

Intellitech wrote:
Does this mean that, for every pro-rated amount, a plan should be created?

You need just one calendar year plan.
What do you mean by "for each pro-rated amount"?

Could you explain the terms "This calendar year"? So if subscription Plan B starts in May, if "This calendar year" is selected, it would calculate from May on wards to end December??

No, if someone subscribes to a "This calendar year" plan in May they will expire at end of year like everyone else.

Qns: if we do not think the Plugin in necessary, and decide to process it using "old school" method, would there be a partial refund for what was purchased?

We want you to be happy and will do whatever is needed to make you happy.