Admin Manual: New Creator Onboarding
Step-by-step guide for processing new creator signups
Receive Initial Inquiry
New creator contacts via email or website form
Tasks:
- Check email (info@tripswithai.com) for new inquiries
- Reply within 24 hours with welcome message
- Ask for: Brand name, niche, target audience, logo, colors
- Schedule onboarding call if needed
Example Reply Template:
Hi [Name], Thanks for your interest in launching your AI travel app! I'm excited to help you get started. To begin, please send me: • Brand name and preferred subdomain (e.g., yourname.tripswithai.com) • Logo file (PNG/SVG with transparent background) • Brand colors (hex codes for primary and secondary colors) • AI personality/tone you want (e.g., "friendly local expert") • Travel focus (budget, luxury, family, etc.) • Destinations to feature initially Once I have these, setup takes 24-48 hours and includes a 14-day free trial. Looking forward to working with you! Best, [Your Name]
Create Creator Account
Set up the creator in the admin dashboard
Tasks:
- Go to: https://app.tripswithai.com/AdminCreators
- Enter admin password when prompted
- Click "Add Creator" button
- Fill in the form with creator details
Field Details:
Process Payment
Send payment link and verify subscription
Tasks:
- In AdminCreators, click the "💳 Payment" button for the creator
- Select their plan (Starter/Growth/Pro)
- A PayPal checkout page will open
- Copy and send the URL to the creator via email
Payment Email Template:
Hi [Name], Your app is ready! Here's your payment link to complete your subscription: [PASTE PAYPAL CHECKOUT URL] Plan: [Starter/Growth/Pro] - $XX/month • Secure payment via PayPal • Cancel anytime • Full access to all features Once payment is complete, I'll send you your app preview link. Questions? Just reply to this email. Best, [Your Name]
Verify Payment Status
Check PayPal to confirm payment is complete
Tasks:
- Go to: https://www.paypal.com/businessmanage/transactions
- Search for creator's email or name
- Verify payment status shows "Completed"
- Check the transaction details match the plan amount
Field Details:
Send Preview & Launch
Deliver the app and provide support
Tasks:
- Email the creator their app URL: https://[slug].tripswithai.com
- Provide admin login credentials (if they need dashboard access)
- Ask them to test and provide feedback
- Make any requested adjustments
- Officially launch when they approve
Launch Email Template:
Hi [Name], 🎉 Your AI travel app is live! Here's your URL: https://[slug].tripswithai.com Test it out and let me know if you need any tweaks. I can adjust: • Colors, logo, text • AI personality and tone • Destinations featured • Anything else! Once you're happy with it, share it with your audience and start booking those trips! 🌍 Your affiliate links are already integrated, so you'll earn commissions automatically. Need help? I'm here! Best, [Your Name]
Access Control Settings Manual
Quota Plan · Access Mode · Quota Gate — what each setting does and when to use it
Open (toggle ON — green)
When to use: 99% of the time — site is running normally.
What users see: Users flow through the Quota Plan and Access Mode rules as configured.
Closed (toggle OFF — red)
When to use: Maintenance, billing issue, abuse situation, or you want to pause the site immediately.
What users see: Everyone sees: "This app is temporarily closed." No generation is possible.
Unlimited
When to use: You want anyone (guests + registered + subscribers) to be able to try.
What users see: No login wall. Guests get 1 free trip (localStorage), then are asked to register. Registered users get their trial. This is the default for a public launch.
Registered Only
When to use: You want to build a proper user list — no anonymous usage.
What users see: Guests who aren't logged in see a 'Please sign in to continue' prompt immediately. Once registered, users get full trial access.
Subscribers Only
When to use: Site is in paid-only mode — no free trial, no guest access.
What users see: Only users with an active subscription can use the app. Everyone else hits the paywall immediately.
A — Unlimited (3 days free → Purchase full access)
When to use: Normal operation. Users get 3 days free trial after signing up.
What users see: Registered users can generate freely for 3 days. After trial expires → PaywallModal shows with Subscribe button → $39/year PayPal checkout. Guests get 1 free trip.
B — 3 free then restrict
When to use: You want to allow 3 inquiries total (across all users) then auto-lock the site.
What users see: Counter increments per inquiry. At 3, the plan automatically changes to C (restricted) and Access Mode switches to Subscribers Only. Use this for a soft launch with a hard cap.
C — Fully restricted
When to use: Site quota is exhausted OR you manually want to stop all free usage.
What users see: Everyone who isn't a subscriber hits the paywall immediately with: "This app has reached its inquiry limit." Subscribers are unaffected.
| Scenario | Quota Plan | Access Mode | Quota Gate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public launch (normal) | A — Unlimited | Unlimited | Open ✅ |
| Require sign-up before use | A — Unlimited | Registered Only | Open ✅ |
| Soft launch with 3-try cap | B — 3 then restrict | Unlimited | Open ✅ |
| Paid users only (post-launch) | A — Unlimited | Subscribers Only | Open ✅ |
| Emergency maintenance | A — Unlimited | Unlimited | Closed 🔴 |
| Site fully locked (quota used) | C — Restricted | Subscribers Only | Open ✅ |
Creator can't access payment link
• Check if link expired (24 hours). Create a new checkout session.
Payment not showing in PayPal
• PayPal updates can take 1-2 minutes. Refresh the dashboard.
Creator status still "trial" after payment
• Check PayPal webhook logs. The webhook should auto-update status to "active".
Subdomain not working
• DNS changes can take 15-30 minutes. Ask creator to wait and clear browser cache.
Need to refund/cancel
• Go to PayPal Dashboard → Find transaction → Issue refund. Then update creator status to "paused" in AdminCreators.
Starter - $39/mo
- • 1,000 AI messages/month
- • 1-2 destinations
- • Email support
- • 14-day free trial
Growth - $79/mo
- • 2,000 AI messages/month
- • Unlimited destinations
- • Priority support
- • 14-day free trial
Pro - $149/mo
- • 5,000 AI messages/month
- • Everything in Growth
- • Custom domain support
- • 14-day free trial