Subscription lifecycle
Understand the subscription lifecycle.
Last updated
Understand the subscription lifecycle.
Last updated
Subscriptions allow customers to make recurring payments to access a product like a video game or streaming service.
The following image shows the lifecycle of a subscription from beginning to end when a customer purchases a new subscription to a product. You receive a notification when the customer creates a new subscription. After the trial period expires, the system bills the customer, and you receive a trial to active conversion notification. As the customer continues to use the product, you receive renewal notifications at the start of every new subscription period. Finally, you receive a cancellation notice when the customer no longer needs the product and their subscription lapses.
The following image shows the lifecycle from the beginning of a free trial subscription to the end.
The following table defines the terms used in the subscription lifecycle.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
Purchase Date | The date the subscription was purchased |
Activation Date | The date the paid subscription was activated. If the subscription was not activated, the date appears as |
Free Trial Activation Date | The date the free trial subscription was activated. If the subscription was not activated, the date appears as |
Free Trial Conversion Notification Date | The date when you send the customer a free trial conversion notification for their subscription. |
Free Trial Conversion Confirmation Notification Date | The date when you send the customer notification that their free trial converted to a paid subscription. Note: Auto conversion to paid subscription only occurs for an auto subscription product. Manual subscriptions require the customer to manually renew the subscription. |
Purchased Duration | The selected recurrence from the product setup GUI. The amount (in days) of service purchased excluding any extensions or trials. |
Purchased Duration Date | The date when the subscription ends based on the amount of service purchased. Note: This is not the expiration date. |
Renewal Notification Date | The date when you send the customer a renewal notification for their subscription. |
Conversion Notification date | The date when you send a conversion notification for their free trial, informing the customer that their free trial will become a paid subscription. |
Extension Period | Additional length of service given beyond the purchased duration. |
Bill | The date you bill the customer. You could send a bill to remind the customer to renew their subscription on milestone dates, such as the Renewal Date, Expiration Date, and the Grace Date. |
Renewal Date | The date when the customer should renew their subscription. |
Expiration Date | The date when the subscription completes. This includes the amount of service purchased plus any extensions. |
Total Duration | Also known as the Subscription Period. The length of time that the subscription provides services. This includes the purchased amount of service plus any extensions. |
Grace Period | The length of time a subscription continues to provide the service after the expiration date. |
Grace Date | The date when the grace period ends. No service is provided after this date. |
Cancellation Date | The date when the subscription was cancelled. If the subscription is not cancelled, the date appears as |
Digital River uses these invariants to define the subscription lifecycle.
Activation Date < Purchased Duration Date <= Expiration Date <= Grace Date
Activation Date < Renewal Date <= Expiration Date <= Grace Date
Activation Date < Renewal Notification Date < Renewal Date
Renewal Notification Date must be one or more days before the Renewal date
Free Trial Conversion Notification Date = Free Trial Conversion Confirmation Date − Notification Days
Free Trial Conversion Date or Trial Term End Date (for example, June 20th) = Free Trial Start Date (for example, June 10th) + Free Trial Product Term (for example, ten days)
Purchase Duration = Purchase Duration Date − Activation Date
Purchase Duration Date = Activation Date Purchase Duration
Extension Period = Activation Date + Purchased Duration + Extension Period
Expiration Date = Activation Date + Purchased Duration + Extension Period
Grace Period = Grace Date − Expiration Date
Grace Date = Expiration Date + Grace Period
A subscription can't be activated if it has been cancelled.
Activation Date = 01/01/9999 00:00:00 if not activated
