Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

How to Deal with Expiring Download Links in WordPress with PayPal and Stripe

As an online seller, security of your digital products is crucial. One way to ensure this is by utilizing download links that expire after a certain amount of time. However, in WordPress websites that are connected to payment processors like PayPal and Stripe, you may encounter some challenges on how to manage these links.

Here are some ways on how to deal with expiring download links for WordPress sites with PayPal and Stripe:

Option 1: Use a Plugin

In WordPress, plugins are great ways to add functionalities to your website. There are many plugins that can handle expiring download links for you. Some popular ones include WordPress Download Manager and Easy Digital Downloads.

To get started, install and activate the plugin that fits your needs best. Then, configure it according to your preferences. You can set the expiration time, the redirection page after the download link expires, and more.

Option 2: Use Custom Code

If you're a developer or you have access to one, you can create custom code to handle expiring download links. This is useful when you want to have more control over the process.

In WordPress, you can use the wp_get_attachment_metadata function to get the attachment date. Using this, you can compare it to the current date and time to determine whether the download link has expired or not.

Then, you can create a custom function that redirects the user to a specific page when the download link has expired.

Option 3: Use Payment Processor Features

As mentioned earlier, we're dealing with WordPress sites that are connected to PayPal and Stripe. These payment processors have features that can handle expiring download links.

For example, in PayPal, you can use the PayPal IPN (Instant Payment Notification) feature to set up a listener for transactions. When a transaction is completed, PayPal sends a notification to your website. You can use this notification to automatically expire the download link associated with the transaction.

In Stripe, you can use the webhooks feature to accomplish a similar effect. When a transaction is completed, Stripe sends a notification to your website. You can use this to update the status of the download link.

Conclusion

Expiring download links are critical in securing your digital products. If you're using WordPress with PayPal or Stripe, it's important to know how to handle these links. You can use a plugin, custom code, or payment processor features to accomplish this.

Each method has its pros and cons, so choose the one that fits your needs best. With these options, you can ensure that your digital products are safe and secure for your customers.