A subscription turns one sale into income every month. Coaches, tutors, signal groups, gyms, newsletter writers and app builders all want it. In Ghana the hard part has always been the same: how do you get paid again next month without sending fifty WhatsApp reminders?
This guide explains how monthly payments work with mobile money, what to sell on a subscription, and how to set one up so renewals happen on their own.
Why mobile money can't be charged automatically
With a card, a business can save the card and charge it again next month. Mobile money doesn't work like that. Every MoMo payment needs the owner to approve it with their PIN, on their phone, at the time.
So a "subscription" with mobile money is really a renewal: when the month ends, the subscriber pays again. The trick is making that renewal so easy, and so well-timed, that people do it without being chased.
What makes people renew
From what works for sellers who already run monthly groups and classes:
- A reminder before it's due. Three days ahead gives people time to have money on their MoMo.
- A reminder on the day. The most payments come in on the due date.
- A short grace period. Someone who's a day late shouldn't lose access straight away. They should get one last nudge.
- One tap to pay. The reminder must link straight to a payment, not to "send to 024…".
- No surprises. The amount and the date should be in the message.
Doing that by hand for 10 subscribers is tiring. For 100 it's impossible.
What you can sell monthly
- Paid WhatsApp or Telegram groups: trading signals, betting tips, job alerts, study groups, accountability circles.
- Coaching and mentorship: a monthly call plus a group chat.
- Classes: weekly lessons for kids, fitness sessions, language classes.
- Content: a premium newsletter, recipe club, monthly templates.
- Software and apps: a "Pro" plan for your app or website.
- Services: monthly social media management, bookkeeping, website care.
If people already pay you again and again for the same thing, it's a subscription.
How to set it up on Paylead
- In your dashboard go to Products → Add product → Subscription.
- Name it, for example "VIP Signals – monthly", and set the price, say GH₵ 100.
- Choose how often it renews: every week, month, 3 months or year.
- Under What subscribers get, list what's included. It shows as ticks on your page.
- Under delivery, add your group link, a private page or files. Subscribers get it after every payment.
- Save and share the subscribe link on WhatsApp, Instagram or your website.
The steps are also in our subscription guide. Subscriptions are on the Pro and Business plans.
What happens every month
You don't do anything. Paylead:
- Texts and emails the subscriber 3 days before their period ends, with the amount, the date and a link.
- Reminds them on the day it's due.
- Gives them a 3-day grace period with access, and a last-day reminder.
- Ends the subscription if they don't renew. They can start again any time.
Each subscriber also gets a private page to renew early or cancel. Paying early never loses them days: the new month starts when the current one ends.
You see everything in Get paid → Subscriptions: your monthly revenue, who is paid up and who is in their grace period.
What it costs
Every renewal is a normal sale: 4% + GH₵ 1, with payment processing included. On a GH₵ 100 monthly plan that is GH₵ 5, so you keep GH₵ 95 each month. Turn on Customer pays transaction charges if you'd rather the subscriber covers it. Withdrawals to MoMo or bank are a flat GH₵ 5. See pricing.
Tips for more renewals
Price for the month, not the day. "GH₵ 100 a month" is easier to say yes to than a yearly price, and you can offer a yearly plan for people who want to pay once.
Deliver something every week. People renew what they use. A weekly call, post or signal keeps the value fresh.
Make leaving easy. It sounds backwards, but subscribers who know they can cancel any time sign up more readily.
Welcome people properly. The first week decides whether they renew. Send a welcome message and point them to the best thing you offer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge mobile money automatically every month?
No. Mobile money needs the owner to approve every payment. Subscriptions on Paylead remind subscribers to renew and they pay in one tap.
What if a subscriber pays late?
They keep access for 3 days after their period ends. If they pay then, the new period starts from their old end date.
Can subscribers cancel?
Yes, from the link in any reminder. They keep access until the end of what they paid for.
Can I change my price later?
Yes. New subscribers pay the new price; people already subscribed keep theirs.
