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You can optimize your digital agency or freelance operations with our step-by-step guide on subscribing to and setting up Client Billing. This comprehensive tutorial ensures you unlock the full potential of Client Billing, making billing and invoicing a breeze. Let's dive in and learn how to subscribe to and set up Client Billing.
Tip
You can explore this article to understand Client Billing and its features comprehensively.
How to Subscribe to and Set Up Client Billing
Prerequisite
To seamlessly accept payments from your clients, you'll need to set up a Stripe account and integrate it with Client Billing in the upcoming steps. If you don't have a Stripe account, you can quickly sign up on their platform to create a new one.
Step #1 — Subscribe to Client Billing
Log in to your Cloudways Platform using your email address and password.
Navigate to the left menu bar and choose Client Billing.
Next, click Setup Your Agency.
Next, you can choose your desired Plan and click Select Plan. You can also compare plans designed to cater to agencies' unique needs at different growth stages.
Congratulations! You have now subscribed to Client Billing. Let's go ahead and move on to setting up your agency.
Step #2 — Set up Your Agency and Connect your Stripe Account
Scenario 1: Connect an existing Stripe Account
1: Start Agency Setup
From your AgencyOS dashboard, click on “Setup Your Agency”. This will initiate the agency configuration wizard where you can connect your payment account and define billing preferences.
2: Agree to Terms & Begin Connection
On the Connect Stripe screen, check the box to accept Stripe's Terms of Service, then click “Connect your Account” to continue.
3: Choose How to Connect
You’ll be prompted to either connect an existing Stripe account or create a new account. Select connect an existing Stripe account. Click Proceed.
4: Connect Stripe for Payments
You’ll be taken to the Connect Stripe screen. If your Stripe account is linked but not fully activated, you’ll see a notice labeled "Activation is Required."
Click on “Activate your Stripe Account” to complete the activation process directly through Stripe. Once done, refresh the page to update the connection status.
4: Stripe Account Successfully Connected
Once your Stripe account is fully activated and connected, you’ll see a green “Connected” badge along with the account name, email, and connection date. This confirms that your Stripe account is ready to process client payments on Cloudways.
Scenario 2: Create a new account
1: Agree to Terms & Begin Connection
On the Connect Stripe screen, check the box to accept Stripe's Terms of Service, then click “Connect your Account” to continue.
2: Choose How to Connect
You’ll be prompted to either connect an existing Stripe account or create a new account.. Select create a new account and click Proceed.
3: Review Requirements for New Account
If you choose to create a new Stripe account, you'll see a checklist of required items — such as a bank account, tax ID, legal entity details, government-issued ID, and more. Once you're ready, click “Proceed” to begin the setup.
4: Activation Pending
After linking your Stripe account, you’ll return to the Connect Stripe screen. If the setup is incomplete, an “Activation is Required” badge will appear.
Click “Activate your Stripe Account” to complete activation. If needed, you can also remove the account and reconnect (Discussed in the next scenario).
Scenario 3: If user choose to ‘Remove Account’
1: Remove the Stripe Account
If your Stripe connection is restricted or you want to start over, click “Remove Account”. A warning will pop up alerting you that deleting the account will permanently erase the current profile and data.
2: Confirm Account Deletion
Click “Proceed & Delete” to confirm. Please note, this action is irreversible, and you won’t be able to retrieve the deleted profile later.
3: Reconnect Your Stripe Account
Once the previous account is removed, the Stripe setup screen will reappear. To reconnect, first check the box to agree with Stripe's Terms of Service, then click “Connect your Account” to start linking a new or existing Stripe profile.
Scenario 4: Re-subscribing to Client Billing with a Previously Used Stripe Account
1: Begin Stripe Connection
From the Connect Stripe screen, accept Stripe’s Terms of Service by checking the box, then click “Connect your Account” to initiate the process.
2: Choose Existing Stripe Account
Select the “Connect an existing Stripe account” option and click “Proceed” to continue.
3: View Saved Profiles
Cloudways will display a list of previously linked profiles retained for up to 30 days after un-subscription. You can:
View creation dates
See which profiles require activation
4: Activate a Saved Profile
If the profile you select shows “Activation is Required,” select it and click “Activate your Stripe Account” to resume using the same profile with fresh activation.
5: Restore an Active Profile
If your previously used profile is still valid and doesn’t need reactivation, select it and click “Restore Profile.” This will reconnect your Client Billing setup without needing to create a new Stripe profile.
Scenario 5: Skipping the Stripe Connection and Proceeding to Billing Details
1: Skip Stripe Setup (Optional)
If you wish to configure your billing details without connecting Stripe at this stage, simply click the “Billing Details” button at the top right corner of the screen. This allows you to proceed while keeping Stripe connection optional for now.
2: Enter Billing Preferences
On the Billing Details screen, configure the following:
Billing Date – Select the date of the month you want invoices to be automatically sent to your clients.
Payment Due After Days – Define the number of days after which a payment will be marked as overdue if not completed.
Tax ID (Optional) – Add any applicable tax identification numbers. You can assign default IDs or customize them per client invoice later.
Note: Stripe must eventually be connected to enable invoice payments, but you can revisit this step anytime.
Step #3 — Setup Completion
Finally, click Finish Setup.
Congratulations on successfully setting up your Client Billing subscription! Now that you've taken this important step, it's time to onboard your clients and services and manage them effectively.
In our article titled 'How to Manage Your Client Billing Subscription,' you'll find comprehensive guidance on utilizing key features such as Dashboard Analytics, Client and Service Management, and Client Payments. This resource will help you streamline your agency's operations, optimize client interactions, and ensure smooth financial processes. Take a moment to review this article and empower yourself with the tools to maximize the potential of Client Billing for your business.
That's it! We hope this article was helpful. If you need any help, then feel free to search your query on Cloudways Support Center or contact us via chat (Need a Hand > Send us a Message). Alternatively, you can also create a support ticket.
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