Pay-per-minute Calls via Stripe

Modified on Fri, 18 Oct at 2:45 PM

AtomChat's Pay-per-minute feature enables you to charge users for video calls on a per-minute basis, providing a flexible monetization model for experts, influencers, and service providers. Powered by Stripe, this feature allows for smooth and secure in-chat payments, making it easy for users to pay for calls based on the duration of their session. Whether it's for expert consultations, paid advice, or private sessions, the Pay-per-minute feature is a streamlined solution to generate revenue directly within the chat interface.

How Pay-per-minute Calling via Stripe Works with AtomChat

As the Admin/Website Owner, you will connect your master Stripe account to AtomChat for the Pay-per-minute calling feature. This integration allows users to pay for calls directly within the chat interface, with all transactions securely processed through Stripe’s payment gateway.

Here’s a detailed explanation of how the Pay-per-minute calling feature works:

Payments Flow

The initiator selects the number of minutes and starts a call. When a user joins a Pay-per-minute call, the per-minute rate is applied, and the payment is processed via your connected Stripe account. The user enters their payment details within the chat interface, and Stripe handles the transaction securely in the background.

AtomChat does not store any financial information; all sensitive data is handled directly by Stripe, ensuring safety and reliability for both parties.

Payouts

All payments collected for Pay-per-minute calls will be credited directly to your Stripe account. As the Admin, you are responsible for managing payouts, refunds, and handling any disputes. AtomChat does not interfere with the funds or payout processes; everything is managed within your Stripe dashboard.

Transaction History

Every transaction will be recorded in your Stripe dashboard. You can track and manage all payments, monitor call durations, and handle any financial transactions from your Stripe account. AtomChat simply facilitates the initiation and processing of the payment, while Stripe manages the transaction processing and record-keeping.

Now, let’s walk through how the Pay-per-minute calling feature works using the above examples.

Creator-Subscriber Model

In this scenario, the creator starts the call. Subscribers are prompted to pay for the call when they attempt to join. They will pay the associated fee for the minutes initiated. Once the payment is processed and successful via Stripe, they can enter the call and interact with the creator. A timer is present and the call will end by itself once the time is up.

Expert Session Booking

Here, the expert (or service provider) initiates the call. The user, who has a 15-minute session, is required to pay the charge upfront. Once the payment is confirmed via Stripe, the user can join the call.

Stay tuned for additional use cases and functionalities that can further expand the versatility of AtomChat’s Pay-per-minute calling feature.

This guide will walk you through the process of setting up the Pay-per-minute calling feature via Stripe in AtomChat. Follow these steps to enable and configure the feature:

Step 1: Enable Pay-per-minute Feature

1. Login to your AtomChat Admin Panel.

2. Navigate to Features in the sidebar.

3. Scroll down and find the Pay-per-minute option.

4. Enable the Pay-per-minute feature for one-on-one conversations.

Step 2: Configure Pay-per-minute via Stripe

Once you’ve enabled the Pay-per-minute feature, configure the necessary settings under the Monetize section.

1. Go to the Monetize section in your Admin Panel -> Pay-per-minute via Stripe

Pay-per-minute Settings

1. Set Per-Minute Charge

You can customize the per-minute charge for different roles, individual users, or apply a default charge for all users.

Roles: Set varying per-minute rates for different user roles (e.g., Admin, Instructor, Learner). You can define the cost per role to tailor it based on the value each group provides.

This setting is Coming Soon!

Individual Users: Assign specific per-minute charges for certain users. This can be useful if individual creators or experts require unique pricing.
Default: Set a base per-minute charge that applies to all users when no specific role or user-based pricing is defined.

2. Stripe Payment Mode

Define whether you’re running tests or live transactions.

Test: Select this mode to test payment functionality without processing real transactions. This is important during setup and testing phases.
Live: Once you’re ready to process actual payments, switch to Live mode. This will connect your platform to live Stripe transactions.

3. Stripe Secret Key

Enter your Stripe Secret Key. This key is critical for authentication and processing payments via Stripe. You can find this key in your Stripe dashboard under API keys.

4. Stripe Publishable Key

Enter your Stripe Publishable Key. This is used for interacting with Stripe from the client side and is also found in the API keys section of your Stripe dashboard.

5. Upload Terms and Conditions Link

Upload a link to your website's Terms and Conditions, ensuring users understand and agree to the terms associated with paid calls. You must host the Terms and Conditions document on your site or cloud and provide the link here.

The terms and conditions provided are between the user and your website. AtomChat is not responsible for the content, terms, or conditions of this agreement and acts solely as the platform facilitating the chat and payment integration

6. Pre-set Minutes for Quick Selection

Set predefined minute options (e.g., 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour) that users can select when initiating a paid call. This allows for a seamless user experience and quicker call setup, preventing the need to manually specify time.

7. Choose Currency

Select the currency in which the payments will be processed. Stripe supports a wide range of currencies, allowing you to cater to your global audience.

Make sure the currency chosen aligns with your Stripe account settings.

Step 3: Setting Up Per-Minute Charge

1. In the Pay-per-min configuration settings, If you selected for Individual Users

You can set a custom per-minute charge for specific users.

Go to your AtomChat Admin Panel -> Users
Find the user you want to assign the per-min charge for and click on the Edit User option

Here, you’ll see an option to set the Amount per Minute for the specific user

Enter the desired per-minute charge for this user and update the changes.

This allows you to tailor pricing for influential users or those offering premium services.

2. Setting up per-min charges for Roles is Coming Soon! This feature will allow you to assign different rates based on user roles (e.g., instructors, experts, learners).

Setting Pay-per-minute Permissions

In some cases, you may want to control who can initiate or join a paid call. This is where Role-based access becomes crucial, especially for platforms involving creators, influencers, or experts.

Steps to Set Permissions:

1. Go to Settings -> Role-based Access.

2. Select the role that can initiate or start a Pay-per-minute Call (e.g., Creator, Expert. Admin etc).

3. For roles that should not be able to start a call but can join, check the "Start Pay-per-minute Call" permission. This will ensure that only specific roles (e.g., subscribers or learners) can join after payment, but cannot initiate a paid call.

Why Set Permissions?

Permissions allow you to control the flow of paid interactions, ensuring that only specific roles can start or join pay-per-minute calls. Here are some common use cases:

Creator-Subscriber Model: A creator (e.g., influencer or content creator) can have the ability to start a paid call, while subscribers must pay to join. This enables direct monetization for the creator.

Expert Sessions: If a user has booked a 15-minute session with an expert, the expert initiates the call, and the user pays for the duration upfront. Only after payment is made will the user be allowed to join the session.

These use cases highlight the importance of defining who can initiate a paid call and who must pay to join.

You're all set! The Pay-per-minute calling feature will now be live on your website allowing users to start making smooth paid calls and unlocking new revenue opportunities!

Need help setting this up?

We've got you! Please schedule a Remote Integration Assistance meeting with our team of experts and we'll help you set up In-Chat payments via Stripe for your website! Please Contact Us with your queries.