Recurring Payments – One-Click Payment Updates

This document explains the one-click payment updates feature included with the Recurring Payments extension for Easy Digital Downloads.

Note: This feature requires Recurring Payments version 2.13 or later.

Involuntary churn often happens due to a simple issue, such as an expired or canceled card. To combat this, the one-click payment updates feature lets you add a secure “magic” link to renewal-related emails so customers can quickly and easily update their payment method without needing to log in.

Using One-Click Payment Updates

There is no need to manually find or create these links for your customers. EDD handles the one-click payment card updates through a specific email smart tag.

All you need to do is add the tag to your subscription-related email templates — which you can do in 3 quick steps.

1. Go to the Email Template

From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Downloads → Settings → Emails. Within the list of emails, find and select either the Subscription Reminder Notice or Renewal Payment Failed email template.

To make finding it easier, you can change the All Senders filter along the top to Recurring Payments.

2. Insert the Update Link Smart Tag

In the Message body, insert the {update_payment_link} smart tag.

You can manually type it or click on the Insert Tag button and select it from the list.

You can place this in a sentence or embed it in a clickable link for a better user experience.

3. Save the Email Template

When you’re done editing the email template, click the Save button in the top right-hand corner.

Once saved, Easy Digital Downloads automatically generates and includes the unique, secure links for each customer when these emails are triggered.

How It Works for Customers

This is how the process works on the customer’s end.

The customer receives an automated email from your store, such as a Subscription Renewal Reminder or a Subscription Renewal Failed notification.

Inside the email, they click the secure link to update their payment method.

They are taken to a secure, Stripe-powered form. They do not need to log in or remember a password.

The customer enters their new payment details and submits the form.

Their payment method is instantly updated for their subscription, preventing any interruption in service.

This simple, no-login process makes it effortless for customers to keep their payment information current, significantly reducing passive churn.