Post Credits let you monetize blog posting by charging credits for publishing. Members can purchase credits, receive them through memberships, or get them assigned manually.
What You’ll Learn
- How the credit system works
- Setting up credit pricing and limits
- Integrating with membership plugins
- Creating WooCommerce credit packs
- Managing member credit balances
How Post Credits Work
The credit system is straightforward:
- Members receive credits (via membership, purchase, or manual assignment)
- Publishing a post deducts 1 credit from their balance
- Members with 0 credits cannot publish new posts
- Credits can reset periodically (subscription) or be lifetime
Enable Post Credits
First, enable the Post Credits module:
- Go to Member Blog → Features & Modules
- Toggle Post Credits to On
- Click Save Changes
- New Post Credits tab appears in settings
Configure Credit Settings
Go to Member Blog → Post Credits to configure:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Credits | Master toggle for the credit system |
| Default Credits | Credits given to new users automatically |
| Credit Cost | Credits deducted per post (usually 1) |
| Block at Zero | Prevent posting when credits exhausted |
| Low Balance Warning | Show warning at this threshold |
| Custom Zero Message | Message when out of credits |
| Purchase URL | Link to buy more credits |
Credit Sources
Members can get credits from multiple sources:
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Membership Integration | Auto-assign credits based on membership level |
| WooCommerce Credit Packs | Members purchase credit bundles |
| Manual Assignment | Admin assigns credits to individual users |
| Hybrid | Combine multiple methods |
Membership Plugin Integration
Map membership levels to credit amounts for automatic assignment.
Paid Memberships Pro
- Go to Post Credits → Membership Mapping
- For each PMPro level, set credits amount
- Choose credit type (lifetime or subscription)
- Save changes
Example configuration:
| Membership Level | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 5 | Lifetime |
| Basic | 20 | Monthly |
| Pro | Unlimited | Monthly |
Other Supported Plugins
- WooCommerce Memberships – Map subscription plans to credits
- MemberPress – Similar level-to-credit mapping
Selling Credit Packs with WooCommerce
Let members purchase credits directly through WooCommerce.
Create a Credit Pack
- Go to Member Blog → Post Credits → Credit Packs
- Click Create New Pack
- Configure the pack:
- Pack Name: Display name (e.g., “10 Post Credits”)
- Credits Amount: Number of credits included
- Price: WooCommerce product price
- Description: Pack description
- Click Create Pack
Display Credit Packs
Use this shortcode to show purchasable packs:
[bpmb_credit_packs]This displays available credit packs with prices and Add to Cart buttons.
Credit Types
| Type | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Lifetime | Credits never expire, accumulate over time |
| Subscription | Credits reset on a schedule (monthly, yearly) |
For subscription credits, unused credits can optionally roll over to the next period.
Manual Credit Management
Admins can adjust individual user credits:
- Go to Member Blog → Post Credits → Manage Credits
- Search for a user
- View their current balance
- Add or subtract credits
- Add a note (for audit trail)
- Save changes
What Members See
Credit Balance: Displayed on post creation page and Author Dashboard.
Low Balance Warning: “You have 2 credits remaining. Purchase more credits to continue posting.”
Zero Balance: “You’ve used all your post credits. Purchase more to publish new posts.”
When Credits Are Deducted
Credits are deducted when:
- Post status changes to “publish”
- Scheduled post auto-publishes
Credits are NOT deducted for:
- Saving drafts
- Submitting for review (pending)
- Editing existing published posts
Common Use Cases
| Scenario | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Freemium model | 3-5 free credits, sell packs of 10/25/50 |
| Subscription site | Tie credits to membership levels |
| Pay-per-post | 1 credit = 1 post, sell individual credits |
| VIP members | Unlimited credits for top tier |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Credits not deducting | Check if credits module is enabled |
| Purchase not adding credits | Verify WooCommerce order completed |
| Member can still post at zero | Check “Block at Zero” setting |
| Membership credits not syncing | Verify membership plugin integration |