This article will guide you through the global and plan-level settings that affect when plans begin and when clients are charged, as well as the options available to staff when processing plan purchases at the front desk.
Global Setting: Allow client to pick start date
The "Allow client to pick start date" setting is a Global Setting that affects the behavior of plans with the "Start immediately at checkout unless alternate date is selected" option enabled.
By configuring this Global Setting, you can control whether your clients have the flexibility to choose a future start date for their plans when purchasing through your digital platforms, while still allowing your staff to manage plan start dates as needed.
ℹ️ What is a global setting?
A Global Setting is a site wide configuration that applies to all locations. The Global Setting Allow clients to choose their plan or intro offer start date at checkout affects the behavior of all plans, whereas plan-level settings are specific to each individual plan.
👇 Follow these steps to access this setting:
Select your profile icon on the top right
Choose Business Settings
Select Widget & App Settings
Choose the Preferences tab
When this Global Setting is enabled (checked):
Clients can choose a future start date for their plan when purchasing through the Walla App, Branded App, or Widget.
If a client selects a future start date, their plan will begin on the chosen date.
If a client does not select a future start date, their plan will start immediately upon checkout.
When this Global Setting is disabled (unchecked):
Clients will not have the option to select a future start date when purchasing a plan through the Walla App, Branded App, or Widget.
All plans will start immediately upon checkout, regardless of the plan's individual settings.
✋ Important Staff members will always have the ability to select a future start date when checking out a client with a plan that has the "Start immediately at checkout unless alternate date is selected" setting enabled, regardless of whether the Global Setting is enabled or disabled.
Plan-Level Setting: First payment due
The "First payment due" setting determines when a client is charged for their plan purchase. This setting is configured for each individual plan and is not affected by the global "Allow client to pick start date" setting. You have two options for this setting.
Immediately on checkout
When this option is selected, the client is charged for their plan as soon as they complete their purchase, even if they have chosen a future start date for their plan.
On plan start date
When this option is selected, the client is charged on the date their plan is set to begin. However, this option is not available if the plan is configured to start on the client's first visit.
Plan-Level Setting: Plan starts on
Choosing the right plan configuration is key to ensuring a smooth experience for your business and clients. The "Plan starts on" and "First payment due" settings determine when a plan activates and when the client is charged. Consider your preferences and client needs when deciding between having plans start on the first visit or immediately at checkout, and whether to charge clients upfront or on the plan's start date.
First visit
The client is always charged immediately upon purchasing the plan.
The "First payment due: on plan start date" option is not available for this type of plan.
After the client purchases the plan, it remains in a pending state until the client attends their first visit.
Neither staff members nor clients can select a future start date for plans with this setting enabled.
Start immediately at checkout
The client's plan activates as soon as they complete their purchase, unless they select a future start date.
If the global setting "Allow client to pick start date" is enabled, clients can choose a future start date for their plan when purchasing through the Walla App, Branded App, or Widget.
If a client selects a future start date, their plan will begin on the chosen date and remain in a pending state until then.
If a client does not select a future start date, their plan will start immediately upon checkout.
Staff members can always select a future start date for clients when processing plan purchases at the front desk, regardless of the global setting.
Front Desk Functionality
When staff members are checking out clients at the front desk, they have the following options and considerations regarding plan start dates and payments.
Selecting a future start date
If a plan's "Plan starts on" setting is configured to "Start immediately at checkout unless alternate date is selected," staff can always choose a future start date for the client's plan. This flexibility is available regardless of the global "Allow client to pick start date" setting.
Respecting the "First payment due" setting
The "First payment due" setting for each plan is always respected when staff members are processing plan purchases at the front desk.
Two possible scenarios for the "First payment due" setting
Scenario A: If the "First payment due" setting is "Immediately on checkout," the client will be charged for their plan at the time of purchase, even if a future start date is selected.
Scenario B: If the "First payment due" setting is "On plan start date," the client will be charged on the selected start date of their plan.
☝️ Important For plans that start on the first payment, clients cannot book classes before the plan start date, and the start date is permanent and cannot be changed or reset once the first visit is booked, even if the first visit is canceled.
Configuring Plan Start Dates and Payment Settings: Scenarios and Outcomes
Scenario 1: Client Flexibility with Immediate Payment
Plan settings enabled
✔️ Plan starts immediately at checkout unless alternate date is selected
✔️ First payment due setting Immediately on checkout
Global setting Enabled
✔️ Allow client to choose start date
If a client chooses a future start date:
The plan is pending until the selected start date
The client is charged immediately at the time of purchase
If a client does not choose a future start date:
The plan starts immediately
The client is charged immediately at the time of purchase
On the front desk, staff can sell plans with either
Immediate start: Plan activates and client is charged immediately
Future start: Plan is pending until selected date and client is charged immediately
What happens when a client purchases on a plan on the Walla App, widgets, or Branded App?
Clients have the option to choose a future start date for their plan when purchasing the plan on the widget, Walla App, and Branded App checkout.
Scenario 2: Immediate Start with Immediate Payment
Plan settings enabled
✔️ Plan starts immediately at checkout unless alternate date
✔️ First payment due setting Immediately on checkout
Global setting not enabled
✖️ Allow client to choose start date
Clients can not choose a future start date:
The plan starts immediately
The client is charged immediately at the time of purchase
On the front desk, staff can sell plans with either
Immediate start: Plan activates and client is charged immediately
Future start: Plan is pending until selected date and client is charged immediately
What happens when a client purchases on a plan on the Walla App, widgets, or Branded App?
Clients do not have the option to select a future start date when purchasing a plan.
Scenario 3: Client Flexibility with Immediate or Future Payment
Plan settings enabled
✔️ Plan starts immediately at checkout unless alternate date
✔️ First payment due setting Immediately on checkout
Global setting enabled
✔️ Allow client to choose start date
If the client chooses immediate start
The plan activates immediately
The client is charged immediately
If the client chooses a future start date
The plan is pending until the selected date
The client is charged immediately
On the front desk, staff can sell plans with either
Immediate start: Plan activates and client is charged immediately
Future start: Plan is pending until selected date and the client is charged immediately on checkout
What happens when a client purchases on a plan on the Walla App, widgets, or Branded App?
Clients are able to choose a future start date when purchasing a plan.