Lock a website preview until the client pays an advance

Build the website first, then ask for the advance. A locked preview shows visitors a lock page with your price and a pay button. When the client pays, the site opens. The money goes to your own Razorpay or Stripe account.

Steps

1. 1

   Open the lock settings

   On: Publish window

   Open the site in the workbench, press Publish and find the preview lock box. Press Set up.

   You should see: Fields for the advance amount and a message.

2. 2

   Set the advance

   On: Publish window

   Type the advance amount and choose rupees through Razorpay or dollars through Stripe. Add a short message for the lock page and the WhatsApp number clients can reach you on.

   You should see: The amount and currency are set.

3. 3

   Limit the preview time

   On: Publish window

   Optionally set how many days the preview stays valid. Press Lock site. To change the amount or message later, edit them and press Save changes.

   You should see: "Locked. Visitors now see the lock page."

4. 4

   Let the client look first

   On: Publish window

   Copy the One-time view link. It is valid for 7 days, works once and only for that visitor. Send it to the client so they can see the full site before paying.

   You should see: The client sees the whole website once.

5. 5

   The client pays

   On: Lock page

   The client opens the site address, sees the lock page and pays the advance.

   You should see: "Payment found — the site is unlocked."

6. 6

   Paid another way

   On: Publish window

   If the client paid you by bank transfer or cash, press Mark as paid. If they say they paid online but the site is still locked, press Check payment. To stop requiring payment at all, press Turn lock off. Re-lock locks the site again and cancels every link you sent.

   You should see: "Marked as paid — the site is unlocked for everyone."

Tips

• Changing the price replaces the old pay link; the old one shows as superseded.
• An expired preview reopens when you set new days and save.

Troubleshooting

The lock page shows a WhatsApp button but no Pay button.

The payment keys for that currency are not set. Add them under Settings, Payment gateway.

"Preview expired — set new days and save to reopen."

The preview time ran out. Type a new number of days and save.