Tip #7 : Integrating online forms with Zoho Subscriptions

Tip #7 : Integrating online forms with Zoho Subscriptions

Hello everyone,

We have been sharing a tip every week to address specific business scenarios which can be implemented for your subscription business. Last week, we shared a tip about accessing external URLs from Zoho Subscriptions. This week, we will be looking at how you can integrate online forms with Zoho Subscriptions.

Business Scenario:

In many subscription box businesses, their primary need is to personalize the subscription box according to their customer's preferences. In such cases, businesses will collect their customers' preferences before they check out.

Usually, businesses use online form building applications to collect customers' preferences. These applications offer customization options which helps businesses to design the form so that it's easier for customers to select their preferences. The forms usually contain a series of questions with multiple choices.

Typically, when customers want to subscribe to a box, they select the box, choose their preferences and the business will redirect them to the payment page. Here, they pay and a subscription will be initiated for them.

In Zoho Subscriptions, we provide the Hosted Payment Page to collect the customer's payment information securely which can be used as the checkout page. However, in this scenario we're looking at today, the business would ideally want to integrate the form building application with Zoho Subscriptions to save customers' preferences along with the subscription details.

Let's consider the following scenario to understand this better. Zylker Beauty runs a subscription box business that ships personalized makeup and beauty products every month. They use a third-party online form builder to collect the customers' preferences like the color of their eyes, hair etc. This helps the business to find the right products for their customers.

After the customers select their preferences, Zylker Beauty uses Zoho Subscriptions' Hosted Page to check them out and start their subscription. However, they need their customers' preferences to be saved along with the corresponding subscription details in Zoho Subscriptions.

To implement this process, we use the API Hosted Page which saves customers' preferences and generates a customized payment URL. The customized payment URL will reflect the customer's preferences. This way, the business can use the form builder application to customize the form and integrate it with Zoho Subscriptions at the same time.

How can you do it?

 For our explanation today, we will be using JotForm as the form builder. You can view the form that we've built to address the above scenario. JotForm lets you send the submitted date (customer's preferences) via a HTTP POST method. All you have to do is:
  1. process the submitted data;
  2. send it to Zoho Subscriptions server; and
  3. redirect the customer to the customized Hosted Payment Page.
In Zoho Subscriptions, we will create Custom Fields for the Subscriptions module to save the customer's preferences and map those preferences to the custom fields. You have to write a script to send an API call to Zoho Subscriptions server with all the data obtained from the form and retrieve the customized hosted payment page URL. Later, you can load this URL for your customers to check out.

There are two ways in which you can do this;

1. Create a custom PHP page:

You can create  your PHP script and deploy it in your server to process the submitted date. Access the code in GitHub.
  • Create a PHP web page using your text editor.
  • For the above example, you can copy-paste the code available in GitHub.
  • Modify the code based on your requirement.
  • Save the file with extension .php.
  • Deploy it in your website and configure the correct URL in the JotForm's Thank You page.
2. Use Google Cloud Function:

If you cannot host a PHP script in your website, don't worry. Google Cloud Functions can act as your script that processes the submitted data.

You can invoke the cloud functions with HTTP requests and configure them to meet our need. Learn more about cloud functions and get started. Once you complete the initial setup and enable the Cloud Functions API, follow the steps below:

  • Visit Google Cloud Functions and click the Create Function button at the top.
  • Provide a suitable name for the function and select the Trigger as HTTP.
  • The source code would be written in the Inline Editor with Node.js 6 runtime environment. So, configure them accordingly.
  • Next, copy the code from GitHub and modify it to suit your needs.
  • Create the function and configure the HTTP trigger URL in the JotForm's Thank You page.
Once the Thank You page of JotForm is successfully configured to redirect to one of the above URLs, the script will be executed successfully and your customers will be redirected to the hosted payment page to check out.

For further clarification, you can checkout this  video to understand this integration. 

Found this useful? Try it our for your subscriptions business and let us know. If you have any queries, feel free to comment below. We are here to answer them.

Cheers,
Sasidaran K,
Zoho Subscriptions.

    • Sticky Posts

    • Tip #4 : Refer and Earn Workflow system for your Subscription Business

      Hello everyone, We've been coming up with a tip every week to address specific business scenarios which can be implemented for your business. In continuation to the previous post, this week we will be seeing about how you can implement the Refer and Earn Workflow system to acquire more customers. Why are Referrals important? Customer Acquisition is crucial for any business to sustain itself in a constantly evolving market. It involves persuading new consumers to purchase your products. Customers

    • Tip #2 - Cancellation of Offline Subscriptions based on the Expected Payment Date

      Hello everyone, As you all know, we are coming up with a custom function workflow every week to address specific business scenarios. In continuation of this previous blog, this week we will be seeing about Cancellation of Offline Subscriptions based on the Expected Payment Date. Business Scenario: In general, for any business, the customers make payments via online as well as offline. In case of subscription where the automatic collection of charge is enabled (aka online subscription), the customer's

    • Tip #3 : Send SMS Reminders for your Subscription Business

      Hello everyone, As you all know, we are coming up with a tip every week to address specific business scenarios. In continuation to the previous blog, this week we will be seeing how you can use SMS reminders for your Subscription Business. Using SMS messages for your Subscription Business: While managing your subscription business, more often than not, you need to keep your customers informed about upcoming renewals, payment reminders and cancellations. By keeping them informed in advance, you can

    • Tips And Tricks - Announcement

      Hello everyone, Every business is unique and each of them follows a specific workflow. While managing your customers' subscriptions with Zoho, you might have some needs unique to your business. Custom Functions helps you address such needs. This is a start to a series of posts, where we will be coming up with a custom function workflow every week that addresses specific business scenarios. Watch this space for further updates! Also, if you have any specific business scenario which needs to be addressed,

    • Tip #6 : Accessing external URLs from Zoho Subscriptions

      Hello everyone, We have been sharing a tip every week to address specific business scenarios which you can implement for your subscription business. Last week, we shared a tip about implementing the Approval Workflow system. This week, let's look at how you can access external URLs with the help of Custom Link. Business Scenario: Every business functions differently and has its unique requirements. At times, businesses might want to access other websites or applications by appending specific information

    • Recent Topics

    • Need warehouse listed on packing slips

      We ship from several locations, and have a separate warehouse set up for each location in Zoho. I need the warehouse related to each SO to show up on the packing list. How do I make that happen?

    • Enhancements to Zoho Corp Help Center "Team Requests" View

      Dear Zoho Team, I hope this message finds you well. The ability to view both my tickets and my team’s tickets in the Zoho Corp Help Center is a fantastic feature, especially as the focal point for Zoho in our organization. However, we’ve encountered a

    • We've revised the pricing model of CRM portal user licenses

      Hello everyone, We’re making important updates to our pricing structure for portal user licenses, effective from the next payment cycle. The new slab-based pricing is as follows: Previously, these portal user licenses were priced at $5/ user/ month. As

    • Kaizen #96 Automatic Mail-Merge Document Creation Using Zoho CRM APIs

      Efficient communication and personalized document generation are crucial for maintaining strong customer relationships in your business. Manual document generation can be time-consuming, repetitive and error-prone, decreasing productivity and customer

    • Zoho and Hostaway webhok integration.

      I want to receive data coming from hostaway webhook and receive it in zoho crm to create or update record in a module based on conditions. The hostaway webhook sends data every time a reservation is created or modified or cancelled. The hostaway sends

    • A recap of Zoho Sprints 2024

    • Unable to create custom fields for shipment order

      I'm unable to create custom fields for shipment orders, even though the custom fields are set up correctly. A request to the following endpoint: https://www.zohoapis.com/inventory/v1/settings/preferences/customfields?organization_id=${ZOHO_ORGANIZATION_ID}&entity=shipment_order

    • Records per page in New UI

      It seems the new UI lack of "Records per page" function, it is very handy if you are looking for a data that you don't know the exact search term, but you know it may "between" few entries. without a "page" function, we kind of have to keep page down and page, the autoload is not that fast, and you are dealing with thousands of entries. Could we please have the "records per page" function back to New UI (also it shows total counts of the record) Looking forward to hear from you.

    • zet pack not working

      We are using the zet pack command to package our Zoho extension. However, after running the command, the extension gets packed, but the resulting package is empty. We've attached a screenshot for reference. Could you please assist us with resolving this

    • CSV File Added to Form - Parse and Map to Fields

      Hi,  I apologize, I can't seem to find a clear explanation or help article on how to parse a CSV file. On validate, I process this deluge script. fileContent = Collection(input.File_upload.content); result = fileContent.values(); info result; What I want to do is create a record (in another form), and map certain fields to fields in the form.  I can get values, which is the whole file but no keys. If I use result = fileContent.keys(); I get "0" As you can see from CSV, my first line is my map and

    • Encountered an error while creating a bill in Zoho Inventory: {"code":6,"message":"Invalid data provided"}

      I attempted to create a bill using the Zoho Inventory API, but I received an error: {"code":6,"message":"Invalid data provided"}. However, when I made the same request again, it was successful. Does anyone have insights on why this happened?

    • Free user licenses across all Portal user types

      Greetings everyone, We're here with some exciting and extensive changes to the availability of free user licenses in CRM Portals. This update provides users with access to all Portal user types for free to help them diversify their user licenses and explore

    • Why do I need to send the Customer ID in the Create Purchase Order Request?

      I'm trying to create a purchase order using this endpoint https://www.zoho.com/inventory/api/v1/purchaseorders/#create-a-purchase-order Unfortunately, I'm getting this error { "code": 4, "message": "Invalid value passed for Customer ID" } The doc doesn't

    • How to Retrieve Serial Numbers of Items in Zoho Inventory via API?

      Hello, I am currently working with the Zoho Inventory API and need to retrieve the serial numbers associated with specific items in our inventory. After reviewing the documentation, I couldn’t find an endpoint dedicated to fetching serial numbers for

    • merging email accounts

      previously I was using 5 mail pop mailboxes within VO , 2 of them are becoming obsolete so I was thinking about deleting the obsolete ones and merge the remainders into my main account mailbox within VO , is this possible ? thnx in advance.

    • ZohoPeople API - Retrieve leave type IDs

      Hi All, I have created a leave type in Zoho People UI. Now I need to fetch the  Leave Type ID of it. As per the documentation[1] I used the  curl request [2]. But I ended up with the error response from the API.  {"response":{"message":"Error occurred","errors":{"message":"Server Error Occured","code":7031},"status":1,"uri":"/api/leave/getLeaveTypes"}} The new API[3] does not tell anything on how to retrieve the Leave Type ID.  Have you done any changes to the API recently. If so please let me know

    • Inadequate Customer Support

      Hello & Greetings! I have been a pro Zoho user since the last 2 years and I would admit that the apps that are being offered are good, however the support we receive has a lot more to achieve. This being a design issue rather than a staff issue. Being

    • Incorrect Closing Stock Amount value

      Act as Zoho Inventory Expert. We are a construction company, OVAL Projects Engineering Limited. We started using Zoho Inventory for Stock Management.I have multiple warehouses. I have encountered a problem while generating custom warehouse wise inventory

    • The Next Chapter for CRM for Everyone: Moving from Early Access to Phased Rollout for Customers

      #CRM25Q1 Hello Everyone, Until now, CRM for Everyone has been available in early access mode exclusively for users who opted to try the new version. We are now transitioning to a phased release, starting with the basic edition. We are thrilled to announce

    • Zoho vault uses only password to unlock not a TouchID

      TouchID works when normally openning app but when called from keyboard while browsing or trying to log to another app it shows only password option to unlock. This behaviour is only on iPad Mini witch latest 18.2OS

    • Unable to add Guest Members

      We are having issues adding Guest Members to our Cliq account. We have sent out a number of request but it seems that only some people are able to access the platform. Others have received a message stating that they need to be granted access from an

    • Webhook when estimate is refused is not firing

      Hello, I use a workflow through make that sends estimate with zoho books (I paid books and sign). -Those estimates when accepted are firing the webhook that I create in zoho sign (photo 1) -However when refused they are not firing the webhook that I created

    • Invoice status on write-off is "Paid" - how do I change this to "Written off"

      HI guys, I want to write off a couple of outstanding invoices, but when I do this, the status of the invoices shows as "Paid". Clearly this is not the case and I need to be able to see that they are written off in the customer's history. Is there a way

    • Create a custom button to modify custom fields in zoho Inventory

      I am needing a script for two buttons, 1. Button will add todays date to a custom field named cf_sent_to_sov 2. Button will mark a checkbox or unmark a checkbox field named cf_parts_ordered I have been trying to figure out deluge but have not got anywhere

    • How to add a record for a different report

      I have one form and it has two reports I need to programmatically add records to both reports For example one report is draft and other is processed After the user performs some action on the draft report I want to create a new report in Processed and

    • Webhook 'when estimate is refused' is not firing

      Hello, I use a workflow through make that sends estimate with zoho books (I paid books and sign). -Those estimates when accepted are firing the webhook that I create in zoho sign (photo 1) -However when refused they are not firing the webhook that I created

    • Amazon Integration

      Hi, I am seller on Amazon , & I would like to sign up for Zoho books. However my question is can we automate/integrate invoicing, charges and returns in amazon with Zoho using API? Do you have a developer for this? I did take a look at zapier however it just has a create Invoice function nothing else.

    • Link project tasks to tasks in CRM and/or other modules.

      Hello, I have created and configured a project in Zoho Projects with a set of tasks. I would now like to link these tasks (I imagine according to the ID of each one) to actions in the CRM: meetings, tasks, analytics). The aim is to link project tasks

    • Count the NUMBER of Contacts for an Account automatically

      Hello. Is there any way Zoho can count the number of CONTACTS for a particular ACCOUNT and have a field in the ACCOUNT module update itself automatically? Currently we use Zoho to administer our language school and the Contacts represent students and Accounts represent Grupos (Classes). It would be very useful for us to have a feature like this enabled, and I can see other similar applications requiring something like this. The solution would be even better if the Contacts met a specified criteria,

    • How to use Twilio to send appointment notification and reminder SMS in Zoho Bookings

      Hit no-shows out of the ballpark by combining Zoho Bookings and SMS providers. SMS notifications help you remind customers of their appointments and reduce no-shows by reaching out where they are. In this guide, we'll configure an SMS provider called

    • geographic search filter in map view

      Hi, I have a recruiting and timesheet system built in Creator. The client wants to enhance the search for candidates based on their location and filter by job skills - currently they look on the Map View which uses the geo location or post code of the

    • Announcement: Upcoming changes to the permission grant flow for OAuth apps

      This announcement is intended for app developers who use the Zoho API console. We're going to implement an important update to the way users grant permission for the OAuth apps created through the API console. What’s changing? Currently, users can grant

    • Add Google Workspace Module to Zoho Flow

      Dear Zoho Flow Team, I hope this message finds you well. We’d like to request the addition of a dedicated Google Workspace module in Zoho Flow. Currently, there are no triggers or actions for Google Workspace, which limits our ability to integrate and

    • How do i remove the Powered by Zoho logo from my careers page

      Can I remove this? ​

    • Totals on Pivot Table

      Is there a way to change the way the subtotal calculates? In this example I have a formula to give me the average monthly attendance ....but I want the grand total of the month to be the sum of all the average attendances...any ideas? Thank you!@

    • Team Inbox is not working AGAIN

      I like Team Inbox in general. It makes using a collaborative inbox easy - when it works. The problem is that it doesn't work at times - and it seems to not work, a lot. It's not catastrophic failure, it's little things. Unable to send messages Unable

    • HOW TO USE ZOHO

      IDK

    • Zoho account sign in with passkey

      Hello, I am trying to sign in using passkey, but the option doesn't show up in the web and is disabled in Oneauth on mobile, saying the admin has restricted the use. On the Admin page in Security MFA I can find no option for passkey. Help would be greatly

    • Pivot table with Text values - "Matrix Report"

      User Story - As a user, I would like the ability to display textual data in a two-way table, matrix format (text datatypes, not numerical datatypes displayed as a dimension) One major feature missing from the Pivot tables in Zoho Analytics is the ability

    • Canvas View in Zoho Recruit

      Is it possible or would it be possible to have the new 'Canvas View' in Zoho Recruit?

    • Next Page