Complete Guide: Migrating Payments to ThriveCart (Keeping AccessAlly for Access Control)

Complete Guide: Migrating Payments to ThriveCart (Keeping AccessAlly for Access Control)

What Is This Migration?

This is NOT a platform migration. You’re NOT leaving AccessAlly. You’re NOT switching CRMs. You’re keeping everything except your payment processor.

What you’re changing:

• FROM: AccessAlly Order Forms + Stripe/PayPal Direct
• TO: ThriveCart Checkout + Stripe/PayPal (via ThriveCart)
• KEEPING: AccessAlly, your CRM, your WordPress site, your access control

Why this works: ThriveCart handles checkout and payment processing, then sends webhook notifications to your CRM to assign access tags. AccessAlly continues managing access control, course content, and membership logic exactly as before.

Why Migrate Payments to ThriveCart?

Common reasons for adding ThriveCart to your AccessAlly setup:

✅ ThriveCart Advantages Over AccessAlly Order Forms

• Better Checkout Experience: Highly optimized checkout pages with proven conversion rates
• One-Click Upsells: Post-purchase upsells without re-entering payment info (increases revenue 20-30%)
• Bump Offers: Add-on offers right on the checkout page
• Cart Abandonment Recovery: Built-in abandoned cart emails and recovery sequences
• Affiliate Program: Native affiliate tracking and commission management
• A/B Testing: Test different checkout variations to optimize conversions
• Payment Plans: More flexible payment plan options than native AccessAlly
• Subscription Management: Better subscription management dashboard for customers
• Sales Reporting: Powerful analytics dashboard showing revenue, conversions, top products
• One-Time Payment: ThriveCart is a one-time purchase ($495-$690) vs. monthly Stripe/PayPal fees
• Mobile Optimized: Checkout pages highly optimized for mobile conversion
• Coupon Management: Advanced coupon and discount code features

❌ What You’ll Miss from AccessAlly Order Forms

• Direct WordPress Integration: ThriveCart checkout is on external domain (cart.yourdomain.com)
• AccessAlly Form Customization: ThriveCart templates are customizable but less flexible than AccessAlly
• Instant WordPress User Creation: ThriveCart → CRM → AccessAlly has slight delay vs. instant with AccessAlly forms
• Unified Dashboard: You’ll manage payments in ThriveCart, access in AccessAlly (two dashboards)

Who Should Consider ThriveCart?

ThriveCart is ideal if you:

• Want to maximize checkout conversions with proven templates
• Need one-click upsells to increase average order value
• Run an affiliate program (or want to start one)
• Have complex product funnels with upsells/downsells
• Want better abandoned cart recovery
• Prefer one-time payment vs. ongoing subscription fees
• Need advanced sales analytics and reporting

Stick with AccessAlly Order Forms if you:

• Have simple product offerings (1-3 products, no upsells)
• Prefer keeping everything in WordPress/AccessAlly
• Don’t want to manage another platform
• Your current checkout conversion rate is satisfactory
• You don’t need advanced cart features

What You’ll Need Before Starting

✅ Required Access & Accounts

• WordPress Admin Access: Your AccessAlly site (you’re not changing anything major here)
• AccessAlly License: Your existing license (no changes needed)
• CRM Admin Access: ActiveCampaign, Ontraport, Keap, Kit, Drip, or AccessAlly Managed
• ThriveCart Account: Standard ($495) or Pro ($690) – one-time payment
• Stripe or PayPal Account: Your existing payment gateway (same one you use now)
• Domain Access: Ability to add subdomain for ThriveCart (cart.yourdomain.com)

📋 Complete the Pre-Migration Checklist

Before proceeding, work through the relevant sections of the Pre-Migration Checklist. Key items for payment migration:

• Backup of current product/order form settings in AccessAlly
• List of all products, prices, and payment plans
• Current tag assignments for each product (document which tags grant access)
• Staging site for testing (recommended but optional for payment-only migration)
• Test Stripe/PayPal account for testing before going live
• Customer communication plan (optional – payment change is mostly invisible to existing customers)

Phase 1: ThriveCart Setup & Integration (3-4 hours)

Step 1: Purchase and Set Up ThriveCart Account

1. Purchase ThriveCart:
   • Go to ThriveCart.com
   • Choose Standard ($495) or Pro ($690)
   • Pro includes: Affiliate Center, Subscription Saver, JV Contracts, Learn+ Course Platform
   • Most AccessAlly users choose Standard (unless you need advanced affiliate features)
2. Complete Initial Setup:
   • Business name and logo
   • Business address (required for tax/VAT)
   • Default currency
   • Timezone
3. Connect Your Domain:
   • ThriveCart will ask for a subdomain (e.g., cart.yourdomain.com, checkout.yourdomain.com, buy.yourdomain.com)
   • Add CNAME record in your domain DNS settings pointing to ThriveCart
   • ThriveCart will provide the CNAME target (usually something like secure.thrivecart.com)
   • DNS propagation takes 1-24 hours
4. Set Up SSL Certificate:
   • ThriveCart automatically provisions SSL for your subdomain
   • Verify SSL is working (https://cart.yourdomain.com should show ThriveCart page)

Step 2: Connect Payment Gateways to ThriveCart

Connect your existing Stripe and/or PayPal accounts to ThriveCart:

For Stripe:

1. In ThriveCart, go to Settings → Payment Gateways
2. Click Connect Stripe
3. You’ll be redirected to Stripe for authorization
4. Authorize ThriveCart to access your Stripe account
5. ThriveCart automatically configures webhooks
6. Test with $1 charge in test mode

For PayPal:

1. In ThriveCart, go to Settings → Payment Gateways
2. Click Connect PayPal
3. Enter your PayPal email address
4. Complete PayPal authorization
5. Configure IPN settings (ThriveCart provides instructions)
6. Test with $1 charge

Step 3: Connect ThriveCart to Your CRM

This is the critical connection that makes ThriveCart + AccessAlly work together. ThriveCart assigns tags in your CRM, AccessAlly grants access based on those tags.

ThriveCart natively integrates with:

• ActiveCampaign
• Ontraport
• Keap (Infusionsoft)
• ConvertKit (Kit)
• Drip
• Many others (but NOT AccessAlly Managed directly)

To connect your CRM:

1. Go to ThriveCart → Settings → Integrations
2. Find your CRM in the list
3. Click Connect
4. Enter your CRM API credentials:
   • ActiveCampaign: API URL + API Key (found in Settings → Developer)
   • Ontraport: App ID + API Key (found in Administration → Integrations → API Instructions & Key Manager)
   • Keap: OAuth authorization flow (click Connect and authorize)
   • Kit: API Key (found in Settings → Account → API Key)
   • Drip: API Token (found in Settings → Account → API Token)
5. Test the connection (ThriveCart will create a test contact)
6. Verify the test contact appears in your CRM

Step 4: Configure ThriveCart Email Settings

ThriveCart sends purchase receipts and customer account emails. Configure these to match your brand:

1. Go to Settings → Email Settings
2. From Name: Your business name (e.g., “Jane Doe” or “Your Business Name”)
3. From Email: Your support email (e.g., [email protected])
4. Reply-To Email: Where replies should go
5. Email Footer: Your business address (required by CAN-SPAM)
6. Customize Templates:
   • Purchase Receipt Template
   • Access Instructions Template (if using ThriveCart’s Customer Center)
   • Subscription Renewal Reminder
   • Payment Failed Notification
7. Test emails: Complete a test purchase and verify emails look correct

Phase 2: Product Setup & Tag Mapping (2-3 hours)

Step 5: Inventory Your Current Products and Tag Assignments

Before creating products in ThriveCart, document your current setup:

Create a product mapping spreadsheet:

For each product, document:

• Product name and description
• Price and billing frequency (one-time, subscription, payment plan)
• Which CRM tag(s) are assigned on purchase
• Which AccessAlly access rule(s) use that tag
• Any upsells, bump offers, or related products

Step 6: Create Products in ThriveCart

For each product in your inventory, create a corresponding ThriveCart product:

1. Go to ThriveCart → Products → Add Product
2. Product Name: Match your existing product name
3. Product Description: Brief description (shown on checkout page)
4. Price & Billing:
   • One-Time Payment: Enter price (e.g., $297)
   • Subscription: Enter amount and frequency (e.g., $47 every 1 month)
   • Payment Plan: Enter number of payments and amount (e.g., 3 payments of $99)
   • Trial Period: Optional (e.g., 14-day trial for $1, then $47/month)
5. Currency: Select your currency (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.)
6. Tax Settings: Configure if you collect VAT/tax (ThriveCart can auto-calculate)
7. Thank You Page:
   • Option 1: Redirect to your AccessAlly site’s “Thank You” page or course dashboard
   • Option 2: Use ThriveCart’s built-in thank you page with custom message
   • Recommended: Redirect to your site for consistent branding
8. Save product

Step 7: Configure CRM Tag Assignment for Each Product

This is the critical step that connects ThriveCart purchases to AccessAlly access:

1. Edit your ThriveCart product
2. Go to Integrations tab
3. Enable your CRM integration (e.g., ActiveCampaign)
4. Configure actions:
   • Create contact: ✓ Check (creates contact in CRM if doesn’t exist)
   • Add to list: Optional (if you use lists for segmentation)
   • Add tags: ✓ CRITICAL – Enter the exact tag name(s) that grant access
5. Example tag configuration:

   Product: Course 1
   

6. For subscriptions, configure cancellation handling:
   • On subscription cancel: Remove tag “Member: Active” OR add tag “Member: Cancelled”
   • On subscription renew: Ensure tag stays applied (usually automatic)
   • On payment fail: Optional – add “Payment Failed” tag for dunning campaigns
7. Test the integration:
   • Complete a test purchase in ThriveCart test mode
   • Verify contact created in CRM
   • Verify tag assigned correctly
   • Verify tag name matches exactly (case-sensitive!)

Step 8: Design Your ThriveCart Checkout Pages

ThriveCart provides conversion-optimized checkout templates. Customize them to match your brand:

1. Edit your product in ThriveCart
2. Go to Checkout Page tab
3. Choose Template:
   • Classic (traditional multi-column)
   • Modern (clean single-column)
   • Simple (minimal design)
   • Video (includes video embed)
4. Customize Design:
   • Colors: Match your brand colors
   • Logo: Upload your logo (shows at top of checkout)
   • Images: Product image or hero image
   • Headline: Compelling purchase headline
   • Subheadline: Supporting copy
   • Bullet Points: Key benefits/features
   • Guarantee Badge: Money-back guarantee image
   • Testimonials: Social proof (optional)
5. Configure Form Fields:
   • Email (required)
   • Name (required – you can split into first/last or keep as single field)
   • Phone (optional – recommended for high-touch products)
   • Address (required for physical products or tax calculation)
   • Custom fields (optional)
6. Preview checkout page and test on mobile

Step 9: Set Up Bump Offers and Upsells (Optional but Recommended)

This is where ThriveCart shines – maximizing revenue per customer:

Bump Offer (shown on checkout page):

1. Edit product → Bump Offers tab
2. Click Add Bump Offer
3. Create a complementary offer (e.g., “Add coaching calls for $97”)
4. Configure CRM tag for bump offer (e.g., “Product: Coaching Add-On”)
5. Write compelling copy (“Yes, add coaching calls to my order!”)
6. Typically priced 20-50% of main product
7. Best performing bump offers: closely related to main product

Upsell (shown after purchase):

1. Edit product → Upsells tab
2. Click Add Upsell
3. Create upsell product (e.g., “Upgrade to VIP for $197 more”)
4. Configure CRM tag for upsell
5. Design upsell page (ThriveCart templates available)
6. One-click purchase (payment info already collected)
7. Typical conversion: 10-30% depending on offer relevance

Downsell (if upsell declined):

1. Edit upsell → Downsell option
2. Offer lower-priced alternative (e.g., “Not ready for VIP? Get bonus templates for $47”)
3. Configure CRM tag for downsell
4. Typical conversion: 15-40% of those who declined upsell

Phase 3: WordPress & AccessAlly Configuration (1-2 hours)

Step 10: Verify AccessAlly Access Rules Still Work

You don’t need to change AccessAlly access rules – they continue working exactly as before. However, verify they’re configured correctly:

1. Go to AccessAlly → Modules (or Pages/Posts)
2. For each protected content, verify access rule:
   • Tag-based access: “Has tag: Product: Course 1” (or whatever tag you use)
   • Ensure tag name matches what ThriveCart will assign
3. If using multiple CRM tags for one product:
   • Use “Has any of these tags: Tag1, Tag2, Tag3” in AccessAlly
   • Configure ThriveCart to assign all relevant tags
4. No changes needed if your access rules are already tag-based

Step 11: Update Sales Pages with ThriveCart Links

Replace your old AccessAlly order form embeds with ThriveCart checkout links:

Option 1: Direct Link (Simplest)

1. In ThriveCart, edit your product
2. Go to Links & Checkout tab
3. Copy the Direct Checkout URL (e.g., https://cart.yourdomain.com/product-name/)
4. On your WordPress sales page, replace the old AccessAlly order form shortcode with a button linking to ThriveCart URL:

   <a href="https://cart.yourdomain.com/product-name/" class="button">Buy Now</a>
   

Option 2: Popup/Overlay Checkout (Better User Experience)

1. In ThriveCart product settings, enable Popup Mode
2. Copy the ThriveCart popup JavaScript snippet
3. Add snippet to your WordPress page (in HTML block or via plugin like Insert Headers and Footers)
4. Add special link that triggers popup:

   <a href="#" class="thrivecart-button">Buy Now</a>
   

5. Checkout appears in overlay without leaving your site
6. Better conversion (user stays on your site)

Option 3: Embedded Checkout (Most Seamless)

1. In ThriveCart product settings, enable Embed Mode
2. Copy the ThriveCart embed code
3. Paste into WordPress page where you want checkout form to appear
4. Checkout appears inline on your page (similar to old AccessAlly form)
5. Most seamless experience but limited customization

Step 12: Configure WordPress User Creation (Critical for First-Time Buyers)

When someone buys from ThriveCart but doesn’t have a WordPress account yet, you need to create one. Two approaches:

Approach 1: AccessAlly Auto-Creates Users Based on CRM Tags (Recommended)

1. Go to AccessAlly → Settings → CRM Settings
2. Enable “Auto-create WordPress users when tag is applied”
3. Configure which tag triggers user creation (e.g., any product purchase tag)
4. When ThriveCart assigns the tag in CRM → AccessAlly auto-creates WP user
5. AccessAlly sends password reset email to new user
6. User clicks link, sets password, logs in

Approach 2: ThriveCart Customer Center + AccessAlly (For ThriveCart Pro Users)

1. ThriveCart Pro includes “Customer Center” (member area hosted by ThriveCart)
2. You can use ThriveCart Customer Center for basic content delivery
3. Link to your AccessAlly site for advanced course content
4. Hybrid approach: ThriveCart for downloads/videos, AccessAlly for interactive courses
5. Most users skip this – AccessAlly is your member area

Approach 3: Manual Zapier/Make Automation (For AccessAlly Managed)

1. Create Zap: ThriveCart Purchase → Create WordPress User via AccessAlly Managed API
2. Requires AccessAlly Managed API access
3. More complex but necessary if auto-creation doesn’t work for your setup

Step 13: Set Up Welcome Emails and Access Instructions

Coordinate welcome emails between ThriveCart, your CRM, and AccessAlly:

Email Sequence for New Customers:

1. Instant (from ThriveCart):
   • Purchase receipt with order details
   • Brief welcome message
   • Next steps: “Check your email for access instructions”
2. 2-5 minutes later (from AccessAlly or CRM):
   • Welcome email with access instructions
   • Login URL: https://yourdomain.com/login/
   • Password reset link (if new user)
   • Direct link to start course/content
   • Support contact info
3. 24 hours later (from CRM):
   • Check-in email: “Did you access your purchase?”
   • Answer common questions
   • Encourage them to start

Configure CRM automation:

1. In your CRM, create automation triggered by product purchase tag
2. Send welcome email with access instructions
3. Wait 24 hours
4. Send follow-up encouragement email
5. Track engagement (did they log in? did they start course?)

Phase 4: Testing & Validation (2-3 hours)

Step 14: Test Complete Purchase Flow (Test Mode)

Before going live, test EVERYTHING in ThriveCart test mode:

Test Checklist:

1. Enable Test Mode:
   • Go to ThriveCart product → Settings
   • Enable “Test Mode”
   • Use Stripe test card: 4242 4242 4242 4242
2. Complete Test Purchase:
   • Visit your sales page
   • Click “Buy Now” button
   • Fill out checkout form
   • Enter test card details
   • Complete purchase
3. Verify Webhook Fired:
   • Check ThriveCart → Settings → Webhooks → Log
   • Verify purchase webhook sent to CRM
4. Verify CRM Contact Created:
   • Check your CRM for test contact
   • Verify email, name populated correctly
   • Verify product tag assigned
5. Verify WordPress User Created:
   • Check WordPress → Users
   • Verify test user exists
   • Verify Subscriber ID stored in user meta
6. Verify Access Granted:
   • Log in as test user (or use password reset link)
   • Navigate to course/content
   • Verify access is granted (not blocked)
7. Verify Emails Sent:
   • Check inbox for ThriveCart purchase receipt
   • Check inbox for AccessAlly/CRM welcome email
   • Verify links work

Step 15: Test Subscription and Recurring Billing (If Applicable)

If you have subscription products, test the complete subscription lifecycle:

1. Create test subscription in ThriveCart test mode
2. Verify initial access granted (same as Step 14)
3. Trigger renewal manually:
   • In Stripe dashboard (test mode), find subscription
   • Manually trigger renewal (or wait for next billing cycle if testing for real)
4. Verify renewal webhook processed:
   • Check ThriveCart webhook log
   • Verify tag remains applied in CRM
   • Verify access continues in AccessAlly
5. Test subscription cancellation:
   • Cancel subscription in ThriveCart or Stripe dashboard
   • Verify cancellation webhook fires
   • Verify tag removed in CRM (or “cancelled” tag added, depending on your setup)
   • Verify access revoked in AccessAlly
6. Test failed payment:
   • In Stripe test mode, use card that triggers payment failure: 4000 0000 0000 0341
   • Attempt subscription purchase or renewal
   • Verify ThriveCart dunning emails send
   • Verify your CRM automation handles failed payment tag (if configured)

Step 16: Test Bump Offers and Upsells

1. Test bump offer:
   • Visit checkout page
   • Check the bump offer checkbox
   • Complete purchase
   • Verify BOTH tags assigned in CRM (main product + bump offer)
   • Verify access to both products in AccessAlly
2. Test upsell acceptance:
   • Complete main product purchase
   • Accept the upsell offer
   • Verify upsell tag assigned in CRM
   • Verify access to upsell content
3. Test upsell decline → downsell:
   • Complete main product purchase
   • Decline upsell
   • Accept downsell
   • Verify downsell tag assigned
   • Verify access to downsell content
4. Verify correct tags for all scenarios

Step 17: Test Abandoned Cart Recovery (ThriveCart Pro Feature)

If you have ThriveCart Pro, test the abandoned cart recovery system:

1. Start checkout but don’t complete:
   • Visit checkout page
   • Enter email address
   • Leave without purchasing
2. Wait for abandoned cart email:
   • ThriveCart sends first email after 1 hour (default, configurable)
   • Check inbox for recovery email
3. Click recovery link and complete purchase:
   • Form should pre-populate with your info
   • Complete purchase
   • Verify access granted as normal
4. Monitor recovery performance:
   • ThriveCart dashboard shows abandoned cart stats
   • Typical recovery rate: 5-15% of abandoned carts

Phase 5: Go Live & Migration (1-2 hours)

Step 18: Switch from Test Mode to Live Mode

Once all testing passes, switch to live mode:

1. In ThriveCart:
   • Edit each product
   • Go to Settings tab
   • Disable “Test Mode”
   • Verify connected to LIVE Stripe/PayPal (not test mode)
   • Save product
2. Verify payment gateway connections:
   • ThriveCart → Settings → Payment Gateways
   • Ensure Stripe is in LIVE mode (not test mode)
   • Ensure PayPal is pointing to live account
3. Complete one live test purchase yourself:
   • Use real credit card
   • Small purchase amount (or create $1 test product)
   • Verify entire flow works in live mode
   • Refund yourself after verifying

Step 19: Update All Sales Pages with Live ThriveCart Links

1. Audit all pages with buy buttons:
   • Sales pages
   • Homepage
   • Pricing page
   • Email signatures
   • Navigation menus
   • Pop-ups or banners
2. Replace old AccessAlly order form embeds:
   • Remove old AccessAlly order form shortcodes
   • Add ThriveCart checkout links/buttons
   • Test each page to ensure links work
3. Keep old AccessAlly order forms as backup (optional):
   • Don’t delete old order forms immediately
   • Keep them unpublished for emergency backup
   • Delete after 30 days if no issues

Step 20: Handle Existing Subscriptions

Existing customers with active subscriptions through your old payment processor (Stripe direct, PayPal direct, or AccessAlly order forms) need special consideration:

Strategy: Grandfather Existing Subscriptions (Recommended)

1. Existing subscriptions stay on old system
   • Don’t force existing subscribers to switch
   • They continue billing through old Stripe/PayPal subscriptions
   • Their access tags remain intact in CRM
   • No action needed from customers
2. New subscriptions go through ThriveCart
   • All new purchases use ThriveCart checkout
   • ThriveCart assigns tags as configured
   • Access granted via AccessAlly (same as before, different purchase path)
3. Existing subscribers who cancel and re-subscribe:
   • When they cancel old subscription → access tag removed
   • When they re-subscribe via ThriveCart → new subscription created
   • Tag re-assigned by ThriveCart → access restored
   • Seamless for customer
4. Gradual transition:
   • Over time, existing subscribers naturally churn
   • Eventually all active subscribers are on ThriveCart
   • Can take 6-24 months depending on your retention

Strategy: Migrate Existing Subscriptions to ThriveCart (Advanced)

Only consider this if you want ALL subscriptions in ThriveCart for unified management. This is complex and risky:

1. Export existing subscriber list from Stripe/PayPal
2. Email existing subscribers:
   • Explain you’re upgrading payment system
   • Offer incentive (free month, bonus, etc.)
   • Ask them to cancel old subscription and re-subscribe via ThriveCart
   • Provide unique coupon code for seamless transition
3. Risk: 10-20% may not complete transition (churn loss)
4. Not recommended unless you have specific reason to consolidate

Step 21: Monitor First Week of Live Sales

Day 1-3: High Alert

• Monitor every purchase closely
• Check ThriveCart dashboard multiple times daily
• Verify each sale results in:
  • Payment processed in Stripe/PayPal
  • Contact created in CRM with correct tag
  • WordPress user created (for new customers)
  • Access granted in AccessAlly
  • Welcome emails sent
• Respond to support questions within 1-2 hours
• Watch for patterns (same issue multiple times?)

Day 4-7: Stabilization

• Reduce monitoring to 2x daily
• Analyze conversion rates:
  • Checkout page views vs. purchases
  • Bump offer acceptance rate
  • Upsell acceptance rate
  • Abandoned cart recovery rate
• Make minor tweaks based on data
• Gather customer feedback on new checkout experience

Week 2+: Optimization

• Compare revenue before/after ThriveCart
• A/B test different checkout templates
• Test different bump offer copy
• Optimize upsell offers based on acceptance rates
• Refine abandoned cart email sequence

Handling Existing AccessAlly Order Forms

What to Do with Old Order Forms

You have a few options for your existing AccessAlly order forms:

Option 1: Keep as Backup (Recommended for First 30 Days)

• Don’t delete old order forms immediately
• Keep them configured and functional
• If ThriveCart has issues, you can quickly revert
• After 30 days with no issues, you can delete

Option 2: Use Both Systems (Hybrid Approach)

• Use ThriveCart for main products (where you want upsells/bump offers)
• Use AccessAlly order forms for simple products or payment plans
• Both work simultaneously (no conflict)
• Adds complexity but gives you flexibility

Option 3: Delete Old Order Forms (Clean Break)

• If ThriveCart is working perfectly, you can delete old forms
• Export order form settings first (for reference)
• Delete order form posts from WordPress
• Clean, simplified setup
• Only do this after confirming ThriveCart working 100%

Updating Payment Gateway in AccessAlly Settings

You may want to disconnect old payment gateway from AccessAlly (or keep connected for existing subscriptions):

• If keeping old subscriptions active: Leave Stripe/PayPal connected to AccessAlly (for webhook processing of renewals/cancellations)
• If migrating all to ThriveCart: You can disconnect old payment gateway from AccessAlly (ThriveCart handles all webhooks)

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Issue 1: Purchase Completes But Tag Not Assigned in CRM

Symptoms: Customer completes ThriveCart purchase, payment processes, but tag doesn’t appear in CRM.

Causes:

• CRM integration not enabled on product
• CRM API credentials expired or invalid
• ThriveCart webhook to CRM failed
• Tag name has typo in ThriveCart configuration

Solution:

1. Check ThriveCart → Settings → Integrations → verify CRM connection is active
2. Re-test CRM connection (disconnect and reconnect if needed)
3. Check product → Integrations tab → verify CRM integration enabled
4. Check webhook log: ThriveCart → Settings → Webhooks → Log
5. Manually add tag to customer in CRM as temporary fix
6. Fix root cause before next sale

Issue 2: Customer Has Tag But Still Can’t Access Content

Symptoms: CRM shows correct tag assigned, but customer sees “You don’t have permission” in AccessAlly.

Causes:

• WordPress user not created for customer
• Subscriber ID not linked between WordPress user and CRM contact
• AccessAlly access rule misconfigured
• Customer logged into wrong WordPress account

Solution:

1. Check if WordPress user exists: WordPress → Users → search by email
2. If user exists, check user meta for Subscriber ID (should match CRM contact ID)
3. If no Subscriber ID, use AccessAlly → Migration Wizard → “Link Existing Users” tool
4. Verify AccessAlly access rule: Module/Page → “Has tag: [exact tag name]”
5. Have customer log out and log back in (force session refresh)

Issue 3: Subscription Renewal Doesn’t Extend Access

Symptoms: Customer’s subscription renews in ThriveCart/Stripe, but access expires in AccessAlly.

Causes:

• Webhook from Stripe → ThriveCart → CRM chain broken
• Tag removed on renewal instead of kept/re-applied
• Subscription ID not linked correctly

Solution:

1. Check Stripe webhook settings: Stripe → Developers → Webhooks → verify ThriveCart webhook URL active
2. Check ThriveCart webhook log for renewal event
3. Check CRM for renewal automation (should keep tag applied on renewal)
4. Manually re-add tag to customer in CRM
5. Contact ThriveCart support if webhook issue persists

Issue 4: Bump Offer or Upsell Tag Not Applied

Symptoms: Customer accepts bump offer or upsell, but only main product tag assigned.

Causes:

• Bump/upsell CRM integration not configured
• Tag name incorrect in bump/upsell settings
• Webhook for bump/upsell didn’t fire

Solution:

1. Edit product → Bump Offers tab → click bump offer
2. Go to Integrations tab within bump offer settings
3. Verify CRM integration enabled and tag configured
4. Same process for Upsells
5. Test with another purchase
6. Manually add missing tag to affected customers

Issue 5: Abandoned Cart Emails Not Sending

Symptoms: Customers abandon cart but never receive recovery emails.

Causes:

• Abandoned cart feature not enabled
• Email template not configured
• Customer abandoned before entering email
• Email going to spam

Solution:

1. Go to ThriveCart → Settings → Abandoned Carts
2. Verify feature is enabled (requires ThriveCart Pro)
3. Check email template configured
4. Verify timing settings (default: 1 hour after abandon)
5. Test: abandon cart with your email, check inbox/spam
6. Adjust email copy if deliverability issues

Issue 6: ThriveCart Checkout Page Shows Error

Symptoms: Customer clicks “Buy Now” but gets error on ThriveCart page.

Causes:

• Product set to “Draft” or “Archived” instead of “Active”
• Payment gateway disconnected
• Product price set to $0 (not allowed for some payment types)
• Subdomain DNS not configured correctly

Solution:

1. Edit product in ThriveCart
2. Verify status is “Active” (not Draft or Archived)
3. Verify payment gateway connected (Settings → Payment Gateways)
4. Verify product has valid price
5. Check subdomain DNS settings (cart.yourdomain.com should resolve)
6. Test checkout URL in incognito browser

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use ThriveCart with AccessAlly Managed Contacts?

A: Yes, but it requires Zapier or Make as a bridge. ThriveCart doesn’t natively integrate with AccessAlly Managed. Set up a Zap that triggers on ThriveCart purchase and creates/updates contact in AccessAlly Managed via webhook. See AccessAlly Managed Zapier Integration for details.

Q: What happens to my existing customer data when I switch to ThriveCart?

A: Nothing changes. Existing customer data stays in your CRM and WordPress. ThriveCart only handles NEW purchases going forward. Existing members keep their access, subscriptions, and data exactly as before.

Q: Do I need to migrate existing subscriptions to ThriveCart?

A: No (and we don’t recommend it). Keep existing subscriptions on your current system. ThriveCart handles new sales. Over time, as existing subscriptions naturally churn, all active subscriptions will eventually be in ThriveCart.

Q: Can I use ThriveCart for some products and AccessAlly order forms for others?

A: Yes! You can run both systems simultaneously. Use ThriveCart for products where you want advanced features (upsells, bump offers, A/B testing), and AccessAlly order forms for simple products. No conflict.

Q: Will ThriveCart work with my existing CRM automations?

A: Yes. ThriveCart assigns tags in your CRM just like AccessAlly order forms do. Your existing CRM automations triggered by those tags continue working exactly as before. The trigger is the same (tag applied), just a different source (ThriveCart instead of AccessAlly).

Q: How do refunds work with ThriveCart + AccessAlly?

A: When you process a refund in ThriveCart (or Stripe/PayPal), ThriveCart sends webhook to CRM to remove the access tag. AccessAlly then revokes access automatically. Refund process is seamless and automated.

Q: Can I test ThriveCart without affecting live sales?

A: Yes! ThriveCart has robust test mode. Create test products, complete test purchases, verify entire flow works. Test mode uses Stripe test cards so no real charges. Only switch to live mode when you’re 100% confident.

Q: What if I decide ThriveCart isn’t worth it?

A: You can always revert to AccessAlly order forms. Your old forms still exist (unless you deleted them). Switch your buy buttons back to AccessAlly form embeds. No data is lost. ThriveCart is a one-time purchase, so no ongoing financial risk.

Q: Does ThriveCart support payment plans?

A: Yes! ThriveCart has excellent payment plan support. You can create 2-pay, 3-pay, custom installment plans. You can also mix payment plans with one-time and subscription options on the same checkout page (let customer choose).

Q: Will my checkout conversion rate improve with ThriveCart?

A: Most users report 10-20% conversion improvement from ThriveCart’s optimized checkout templates. Plus, bump offers and upsells typically increase average order value by 30-50%. Test your specific results – your mileage may vary based on offer quality and audience.

Q: Can I customize ThriveCart checkout pages to match my brand?

A: Yes! ThriveCart allows significant customization: colors, fonts, logo, images, copy, layout. You can’t change the underlying HTML/CSS (it’s SaaS), but you have plenty of branding control. Most users find it sufficient to match their brand.

Q: Does ThriveCart handle EU VAT and tax collection?

A: Yes! ThriveCart has built-in EU VAT MOSS compliance and can auto-calculate taxes based on customer location. Configure tax settings in ThriveCart → Settings → Tax. Much easier than handling VAT manually with AccessAlly order forms.

Expected Results & ROI

Typical Performance Improvements

Based on reported results from AccessAlly users who added ThriveCart:

• Checkout Conversion Rate: 10-20% improvement (from optimized checkout templates)
• Average Order Value: 30-50% increase (from bump offers and upsells)
• Revenue Recovery: 5-15% of lost sales recovered via abandoned cart emails
• Time Savings: 2-4 hours/month (less manual order management)
• Support Ticket Reduction: 10-20% fewer “checkout issues” tickets (ThriveCart checkout is more reliable)

ROI Calculation Example

Scenario: Online course business generating $10,000/month revenue

Conservative estimate: 15% conversion improvement + 30% AOV increase = 45% revenue increase

ThriveCart investment: $495 one-time = ROI in 3-5 weeks

Post-Migration Optimization

Week 1-2: Baseline Metrics

• Track conversion rate before optimizing
• Monitor bump offer acceptance rate
• Track upsell/downsell acceptance
• Measure abandoned cart recovery
• Compare to old AccessAlly order form performance

Week 3-4: First Round of Optimization

• A/B test checkout templates: Try different ThriveCart templates to see which converts best
• Test bump offer positioning: Above fold vs. below payment fields
• Refine bump offer copy: Test different headlines and descriptions
• Adjust upsell offer: If acceptance rate low, test different price point or different product
• Optimize abandoned cart emails: Test different subject lines and timing

Month 2-3: Advanced Optimization

• Multi-step funnels: Test checkout → upsell 1 → upsell 2 → downsell sequences
• Scarcity elements: Add countdown timers or limited quantity notices
• Payment plan options: Test offering payment plan vs. one-time only
• Coupon strategies: Test different discount levels and urgency
• Post-purchase surveys: Ask customers why they bought (use insights to improve copy)

Ongoing: Monitor Key Metrics

Track these metrics monthly in ThriveCart dashboard:

• Total revenue
• Number of orders
• Average order value
• Checkout conversion rate
• Bump offer acceptance rate
• Upsell acceptance rate
• Abandoned cart recovery rate
• Refund rate
• Top performing products
• Revenue by traffic source

Need Help?

ThriveCart Resources:

• ThriveCart Support: help.thrivecart.com
• ThriveCart Community: Facebook group “ThriveCart Users”
• ThriveCart Training: Included with purchase (video tutorials)

AccessAlly Resources:

• AccessAlly Support: Contact AccessAlly
• Migration Support: Migration Support Policy
• CRM Integration Guides: See tutorials section for your specific CRM

Related Guides:

• Pre-Migration Checklist
• Data Mapping Reference
• AccessAlly Order Forms Documentation
• Tag-Based Access Rules
• Webhook Configuration Guide