Scheduling Payment Availability

Reading time: 3 minutes | Difficulty: Beginner

Overview

Control when your payment forms are available by setting start and end dates. This guide covers scheduling forms for specific time periods.

Prerequisites

• A payment form created
• Knowledge of your availability requirements

Accessing Schedule Settings

1. Edit your payment form
2. Click the Restrictions tab
3. Find the Schedule section

Setting Start and End Dates

Start Date

When the form becomes available:

1. Enable Schedule Start
2. Select the start date and time
3. Form is hidden/unavailable before this date

End Date

When the form becomes unavailable:

1. Enable Schedule End
2. Select the end date and time
3. Form is hidden/unavailable after this date

Schedule Options

Configuration	Form Availability
No dates set	Always available
Start only	Available from start date onward
End only	Available until end date
Both set	Available between start and end

Common Use Cases

Limited-Time Sale

Start: December 26, 12:00 AM
End: December 31, 11:59 PM

Purpose: Post-holiday sale period

Event Registration

Start: January 1
End: March 15 (event date)

Purpose: Registration closes on event day

Seasonal Product

Start: October 1
End: October 31

Purpose: Halloween-only product

Early Bird Pricing

Form 1 (Early Bird):
  Start: Now
  End: January 31
  Price: $99

Form 2 (Regular):
  Start: February 1
  End: None
  Price: $149

Pre-Order Window

Start: Announcement date
End: Ship date

Purpose: Accept pre-orders for defined period

Customer Experience

Before Start Date

Customers see:

• Form not displayed
• Or custom “not yet available” message
• No payment option

During Active Period

Customers see:

• Normal form display
• Full payment functionality

After End Date

Customers see:

• Form not displayed
• Or custom “no longer available” message
• No payment option

Unavailable Messages

Customize the message shown when form is unavailable:

1. In Restrictions tab, find Unavailable Message
2. Enter your custom message
3. Save the form

Example messages:

• “Registration opens January 1st!”
• “This offer has ended.”
• “Early bird pricing ends December 31st.”

Time Zones

Schedules use your WordPress timezone setting:

1. Check timezone at Settings > General
2. Ensure it matches your intended schedule
3. All schedule times use this timezone

Combining with Other Restrictions

Schedules work alongside:

• Inventory limits – Stock AND schedule
• Login requirements – Must be logged in AND within schedule
• Role restrictions – Correct role AND within schedule

All conditions must be met.

Shortcodes and Scheduled Forms

When using shortcodes for scheduled forms:

[wppal_checkout form_id="123"]

The shortcode:

• Shows nothing before start date
• Shows form during active period
• Shows nothing after end date

Consider wrapping with context:

[Schedule info here]
[wppal_checkout form_id="123"]
[If not showing, explain why]

Payment Pages and Scheduling

Scheduled Payment Pages:

• URL returns 404 or redirect before/after
• Page only accessible during active period
• Shareable link works only when active

Testing Schedules

Test Future Start

1. Set start date to tomorrow
2. View the form page
3. Verify form doesn’t appear

Test Past End

1. Set end date to yesterday
2. View the form page
3. Verify form doesn’t appear

Test Active Period

1. Set start to past, end to future
2. View the form page
3. Verify form appears normally

Best Practices

1. Buffer time – End sales a day early for fulfillment
2. Clear communication – Tell customers about deadlines
3. Timezone awareness – Consider customer locations
4. Test beforehand – Verify schedule works as expected
5. Email reminders – Notify about ending availability

Common Questions

Can I change schedule after setting?

Yes, edit the form and update dates anytime.

What happens to in-progress checkouts at end time?

Customers actively on the page can complete. New visits after end time see unavailable.

Can I schedule to the minute?

Yes, if your WordPress supports time selection in the date picker.

Troubleshooting

Form shows when it shouldn’t

• Verify schedule settings saved
• Check WordPress timezone
• Clear any caching

Form doesn’t show when it should

• Verify current time is within schedule
• Check both start AND end dates
• Clear any caching

What’s Next?

• Limiting Inventory/Stock – Stock limits
• Requiring User Login – Login restriction
• Restricting by User Role – Role-based access