Loss-leader first period, then full price
Convert browsers with a near-free first period that still captures a real payment, then move to your standard rate automatically from the next cycle.
- $1 first month
- $49/mo from cycle two
- Real payment, not a trial
A loss-leader first period is a paid trial alternative: instead of $0, the customer pays a token amount like $1 for the first month, which captures a real, working payment method and filters out non-buyers — then the price jumps to your standard rate. Unlike a free trial, billing is live from day one. ArraySubs builds this with Different Renewal Price set to apply after the first cycle. This recipe creates $1 for the first month, then $49/month.
- First payment is just $1.00 — but it’s a real charge that validates the card.
- From the 2nd cycle onward, renewals are $49.00.
- Higher conversion than a free trial, with payment captured upfront.
- No trial logic — the subscription is Active immediately.
The exact configuration
Enter these values and you have the setup live. Every field maps to a real ArraySubs setting.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Regular priceProduct → General tab | $1.00 (first period) |
| SubscriptionProduct data panel | Enabled |
| Billing PeriodSubscription tab | Month |
| Billing IntervalSubscription tab | 1 |
| Trial LengthSubscription tab | 0 (no trial) |
| Different Renewal PriceSubscription tab | Enabled |
| Renewal PriceSubscription tab | $49.00 |
| Apply Renewal Price AfterSubscription tab | 1 (cycle) |
When to use this setup
Set it up in 4 steps
A step-by-step guide drawn from the ArraySubs user manual. Open the linked page for the full walkthrough and screenshots.
Set the first-period price
Create the product with Regular price $1.00. This is the price for the first cycle only.
Create & Configure Subscription ProductsEnable Different Renewal Price
Tick Different Renewal Price in the Subscription tab to expose the renewal fields.
Create & Configure Subscription ProductsSet the full price after one cycle
Enter Renewal Price = $49.00 and Apply Renewal Price After = 1, so the full price applies from the second payment.
Create & Configure Subscription ProductsVerify the breakdown and renewal date
Check the product page reads “$1.00 first month, then $49.00/month,” and review how the first renewal invoice is generated.
Renewal Operations
This recipe is built from these ArraySubs user-manual guides:
Notes & edge cases
Modules behind this recipe
The ArraySubs modules this setup relies on.
Subscription Products
Create and manage simple or variable subscription products with trials, signup fees, plan logic, and lifecycle behavior.
Billing and Renewals
How ArraySubs creates, schedules, communicates, and collects recurring payments from first invoice to final renewal.
Related setups to explore
Other configurations you can build with the same modules.
Intro pricing that steps up
Offer a low introductory rate for the first few cycles, then step up to the standard price — e.g. $19/mo for 3 months, then $29/mo.
No-card trial, then monthly
Let customers start a free trial without entering a card — e.g. 15 days free, then $100/month once the trial converts.
50% off first 3 months
A recurring coupon that discounts the first few renewals — e.g. 50% off for 3 months counting the initial order.
Questions, answered
Unlock the complete Pro stack
Start on the free-forever core today, then choose a paid Pro plan when you need the advanced Pro feature set.
No credit card required · Annual and lifetime options available