Developer Archives - FastSpring

AI-Powered Answers, Right in the Docs

Katie Stephan — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 19:29:00 +0000

Finding answers in documentation just got a lot easier. Our new AI search lets you get clear guidance quickly while keeping the conversation flowing — so you can explore topics without starting over.

Example: You want to create a subscription. You can ask:

“How do I create a subscription?”

The AI responds with step-by-step guidance:

“To create a subscription, go to Catalog > Subscription Plans and click Create Subscription. You will need to define the price and interval.”

From there, you can follow up:

“Can you explain the interval options in more detail?”

The AI keeps context and replies:

“Certainly. The interval determines how often the customer is billed. You can choose Adhoc, Day, Week, Month, or Year.”

This conversational approach helps you explore features in depth without having to repeat questions or scroll through multiple pages.

Key features of the new AI search:

Context-Aware Follow-Ups: Keep the AI “in the loop” so follow-ups build on previous answers.
Use Your Own AI Tools: On any doc page, you can use your own ChatGPT or Claude with that page’s content as context and even copy Markdown for internal use.
Faster Navigation: Quickly find the right docs and related topics without guesswork.

Note: The AI works from documented content only. If a topic isn’t covered yet, it may not have an answer. Documentation remains the source of truth.

The new AI search turns documentation into a conversation — making answers faster, exploration easier, and learning more intuitive.

Explore the Ask AI documentation to discover features, tips, and best practices.

The post AI-Powered Answers, Right in the Docs appeared first on FastSpring.

Unlock New Features and Faster Checkouts With Store Builder Library v1.0.5

Katie Stephan — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 21:57:05 +0000

Give your customers a better experience — and your store a competitive edge.

The latest version of the FastSpring Store Builder Library (SBL), v1.0.5, is now available. This release delivers improvements in speed, security, stability, and features to our JavaScript library, ensuring your checkout stays modern, optimized, and competitive. If you’re still on an older version, now is the perfect time to upgrade.

What’s New and Why Upgrade

SBL v1.0.5 brings key improvements that enhance both your store’s performance and your customers’ checkout experience:

Faster Checkout: Optimized load times and responsiveness to boost conversions.
Enhanced Security: Patches for known vulnerabilities to protect buyer data.
New Features: Access functionality and enhancements exclusive to this version.
Improved Compatibility: Smooth performance across modern browsers and mobile devices.
Greater Stability: Bug fixes for a more reliable purchase flow.

Upgrading ensures your storefront stays secure and easy to use while reducing errors and providing the latest tools to improve the buyer experience.

Updating to the Latest Version

To integrate SBL v1.0.5 on your site:

Go to FastSpring Dashboard → Checkouts → Popup Checkout → “Place on your website.”
Copy the updated Resources Web Shop Demo FastSpring Examples Store Builder Library Embedded Checkout Or, if you have another use case you want to explore, speak directly with a solution engineer by signing up for a demo here. The post fsBuilds: How to Add FastSpring to Your Web Shop (Video) appeared first on FastSpring.



How to Track and Address Cart Abandonment With FastSpring
Katie Stephan — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Cart abandonment is a significant challenge for online businesses, with many potential customers leaving their carts without completing their purchases. Fortunately, FastSpring offers tools and integrations to help you track and recover abandoned carts, ultimately boosting your conversion rates. Below is a step-by-step guide to using FastSpring to address cart abandonment effectively.



Need more information on any of the steps below? Visit our FastSpring Docs developer hub.



Step 1: Integration Setup



To automate follow-up emails for abandoned carts, integrate your FastSpring Checkout with an email marketing service like Mailchimp. This integration ensures that cart abandonment data is seamlessly communicated to your email service.



Step 2: Email Collection



During the checkout process, make sure to collect the consumer’s email address. This is a critical step, as it enables you to send follow-up emails to encourage cart recovery. You can also add an optional checkbox for consumers to subscribe to your mailing list. 



To force email address capture during the checkout process, you can configure the settings to ensure that the email address is collected. This can be done by enabling the “Get updates about our products and offerings” checkbox in the checkout process. This checkbox must be checked for the email addresses and cart data to be communicated to your email marketing platform, such as Mailchimp.



Here’s how you can configure this setting:




In the application, select Checkouts, then click the Settings button on the applicable Checkout..



Under Customer Information, there is a drop-down labeled Newsletter Subscription Checkbox.

Choose Show, Checked to include the checkbox for subscription emails and leave it selected by default.






This setup ensures that customers are prompted to provide their email addresses, which can then be used for marketing and communication purposes.



Stay current with FastSpring Checkout settings by viewing the Customer Information section in our Checkout settings documentation page.



Step 3: Identify Abandoned Carts



FastSpring considers a cart abandoned if no activity occurs for 30 minutes after the email address is recorded. The system flags the session as abandoned, creating a data point for follow-up. This Abandon point cant be recorded and tracked utilizing the webhook mailingListEntry.abandoned.



Step 4: Communicate Data



Once a cart is flagged as abandoned, FastSpring communicates the consumer’s email address and cart data to your email marketing service. This automated communication is essential for timely follow-up.



Step 5: Automate Follow-Up Emails



Set up automated email campaigns in your email marketing service to target consumers with abandoned carts. These emails should include:




A reminder of the items left in their cart.



Personalized messaging to re-engage the customer.



Incentives such as discount codes or free shipping to encourage purchase completion.




Step 6: Verify the Integration



Ensure the integration is functioning correctly by checking your audience list in your email marketing service. Abandoned cart email addresses should populate this list, ready for follow-up campaigns.



Using FastSpring Webhooks for Advanced Tracking



FastSpring offers webhooks to provide real-time updates about cart activity. Here are three key webhooks to incorporate into your workflow:




mailingListEntry.removed: Triggered when a customer unsubscribes and their email address is removed from your mailing list.



mailingListEntry.updated: Triggered when a new email address is added to your mailing list, such as when a customer opts in during checkout.



mailingListEntry.abandoned: Triggered when a customer enters their email address but does not complete the purchase.




These webhooks allow you to:




Maintain an up-to-date mailing list.



Monitor abandoned cart activity in real-time.



Trigger personalized follow-up actions based on customer behavior.




To learn more about all of FastSpring’s developer tools — such as webhooks, REST API, and JavaScript libraries, visit our Developer Tools page.



Tips for Successful Abandoned Cart Emails




Timing: Send the first email within an hour of abandonment to capitalize on immediate interest.



Clarity: Include clear visuals of the abandoned items and a prominent call-to-action (CTA) button.



Incentives: Offer discounts or free shipping to entice customers to complete their purchase.



Testing: Test A/B test subject lines, email designs, and incentives to find the most effective strategy.




FAQs




Why focus on cart abandonment? Reducing cart abandonment boosts revenue, enhances customer experience, and recovers potential lost sales.



Must I use Mailchimp with FastSpring’s integration? No, you can use any email marketing platform, but Mailchimp is pre-integrated for seamless setup.




Boost Your Conversion Rates Today



By integrating FastSpring with an email marketing service and utilizing webhooks, you can effectively track and address cart abandonment. These tools not only help you recover lost sales but also enhance the overall shopping experience for your customers. Start implementing these strategies today to drive higher conversions and grow your business!



FastSpring is how SaaS, software, digital products, and video game companies sell online in more places around the world. We handle every payment need — from subscription management to tax collection, remittance, and more — so your business can go farther, faster. Set up a demo or try it out for yourself. 
The post How to Track and Address Cart Abandonment With FastSpring appeared first on FastSpring.



Discover FastSpring’s Recipe Docs: Simplifying Implementation for Users
Katie Stephan — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:00:00 +0000

At FastSpring, we’re always striving to provide our users with the best tools to enhance their FastSpring experience. One of the features that has been quietly revolutionizing the way our users interact with Store Builder Library (our JavaScript library), our APIs, and our webhooks is Recipe Docs. If you haven’t had a chance to explore it yet, let me show you why this feature is so powerful and why it’s quickly becoming a favorite among our users.







What Are Recipe Docs?



Recipe Docs are like your personal cookbook for integrating FastSpring into your business. Whether it be on your website or to backend systems, our Recipe Docs guide you through the steps to build out experiences that are tailored to your specific business use case. Each recipe cuts right to the heart of implementation without the need for any extra storylines like you’ll find in recipes across the web. The recipes include detailed and specific instructions and “ingredients” (e.g., sample code) that you can use to replicate the process in your own environment, making integration easy and quick.



Why Recipe Docs Are a Game-Changer



Not every user has a team of technical experts on staff ready to tackle complex implementations. That’s where our Recipe Docs come in. These step-by-step guides help you navigate the process of integrating FastSpring’s features without needing to rely on back-and-forth with our support team. Recipes empower you to take charge of your implementation by providing clear directions that demystify the process.



Some of the powerful capabilities you can unlock through Recipe Docs include:




Capture Order Data from FastSpring Checkout: Allow for real-time access to transaction details for further processing or integration with your other systems.



Preferred Payment Methods: Customize your checkout to offer the payment options that work best for your customers, boosting conversion rates.



Encrypt the Session Object: Ensure secure, complaint handling of user data to protect user privacy.




What’s Available Now?



Currently, FastSpring offers six detailed recipes, covering both API and SBL integration methods. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, these recipes provide an excellent starting point for integrating key features into your existing workflow.



Some examples include:




Seamlessly adding new payment methods to improve the customer experience.



Authenticate accounts via account ID to ensure proper access to your products.



Using subscription management tools to improve customer retention.




The great part? You can easily assess whether FastSpring’s integration options align with your business goals before diving into a full implementation.



Built for Your Success



One of the standout benefits of Recipe Docs is the ability to self-evaluate FastSpring’s integration capabilities. By following these recipes, users can independently test and explore what’s possible with the FastSpring platform — saving time and avoiding potential roadblocks. 



Got Ideas for More Recipes?



The FastSpring Recipe Docs are continually evolving, and we’re always open to hearing what additional recipes you think would be helpful. If you have suggestions or feedback, we’d love to hear from you!



Explore Recipe Docs and start building your ideal FastSpring experience today. Or, reach out to our team directly.
The post Discover FastSpring’s Recipe Docs: Simplifying Implementation for Users appeared first on FastSpring.



New Guide: How to Implement Direct to Consumer Sales for Video Games With FastSpring
Katie Stephan — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 19:37:10 +0000

Monetizing your desktop or mobile game effectively in the rapidly growing and changing video game industry can be very challenging, and choosing the right distribution channels is just one piece of the puzzle. 



But if you’ve decided to use merchant of record FastSpring to help you monetize your video game or mobile game directly to consumers (D2C), we’re here to make it as easy as possible.



That’s why we’ve released a new guide to implementing D2C sales for video games using FastSpring.







This technical integration guide provides a recap of current industry trends, an overview of FastSpring’s solution for video game monetization as a merchant of record, technical details for implementing FastSpring with your game, and stories from other happy game devs and studios who are already succeeding on FastSpring. 



Click here to download How to Implement Direct to Consumer Sales for Video Games With FastSpring.



FastSpring is how gaming publishers sell in more places around the world. For nearly two decades, FastSpring has been a trusted payment provider you can use to sell games or in-game items on your website, web shop, or embedded directly into your game with fully customizable and branded checkouts just for you. FastSpring allows you to offload the complexity of global payments, sales tax and VAT compliance, player payments support, and many other aspects of payments management. Spend less time managing your payments and compliance and more time making great games! To learn more about how FastSpring supports game developers, visit fastspring.gg.



Related Reading




Why FastSpring Is a Great Complementary Solution for Your Existing Video Game MoR Integration



4 Best Xsolla Competitors in 2024



How to Sell a Mobile App or Game Outside App Stores



Marketing Your Video Game Outside of Game Marketplaces & App Stores



Digital River Alternatives for 2024



Is What Epic Wants for App Stores What Other Game Developers Actually Want?



Merchant of Record for Mobile Games: What It Is and Why You Need One



Videos: D2C Web Shops for Mobile Games at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki



Using a Gaming Payment Gateway to Monetize Your Game’s Web Shop




Find more video games industry ideas and news here.
The post New Guide: How to Implement Direct to Consumer Sales for Video Games With FastSpring appeared first on FastSpring.



Navigating FastSpring’s Owlbot Search: Tips for Clear and Effective Prompts
Katie Stephan — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 16:35:46 +0000

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, AI search has become an invaluable tool for finding information quickly and efficiently. At FastSpring, we aim to continually enhance our AI search capabilities, ensuring you receive accurate and relevant answers. Here, we’ll explore how to make the most of FastSpring’s Owlbot search, why your feedback is so important, and best practices for crafting effective search prompts.



The Benefits of FastSpring’s Owlbot Search



Owlbot search provides numerous benefits:




Speed: Instant responses to your queries save you time.



Accuracy: AI algorithms sift through vast amounts of data to find the most relevant information.



Self-Service: AI assistance empowers users to find answers independently, reducing the need for support tickets.



Continuous Improvement: Feedback loops enable Owlbot to learn and improve over time.




Understanding AI Limitations



While AI search is a powerful tool, it’s important to understand its limitations. AI is not perfect and sometimes provides answers that include terms like “typically” because the exact information might not be in the documentation. If Owlbot provides an inaccurate answer or a “Typically…” response, it often indicates that documentation on that specific query may not exist. This is why it’s so important to provide the thumbs-up/thumbs-down feedback so we can review and make adjustments. 



Here are some examples:




When searching for “How to reset my password,” you might get an answer like, “Typically, you can reset your password via the account settings.”



For “Why is my invoice not showing up?,” the AI might respond, “Typically, invoices may not appear due to incomplete payment information.”




These responses indicate that the AI is providing the best possible answer based on available data, but that data may not cover every specific scenario.



If it seems the AI answer doesn’t solve your problem, rate it with a thumbs-down and reach out to our Support team for personal assistance.



How to Get the Most out of Owlbot’s AI Search



Common Issues With Search Prompts



We often notice that search prompt problems fall into two categories:




Too General: One-word prompts like “invoice” or “payment” are too broad and can lead to vague or irrelevant results.



Too Complex: Prompts with too many variables or overly detailed questions can confuse the AI, resulting in less accurate responses.




Best Practices for Crafting Effective Search Prompts



To get the most out of AI search, follow these two basic guidelines:



1. Be Specific but Concise



Provide enough detail in your query to give the AI a clear context, without including unnecessary information that might confuse it. The goal is to strike a balance where your query is precise and focused, helping the AI deliver the most relevant answer.



Examples:




Too General: “Payment”

This is too broad and doesn’t give enough context for the AI to understand what specific information you’re looking for.





Too Detailed: “I need to know how my customer can update their payment method because they tried doing it last night and encountered an error message saying the card was declined and they want to switch to a different card but are unsure of the steps.”

This includes too much information, which can overwhelm the AI and lead to less accurate results.





Specific but Concise: “How can my customer update their payment method?”

This provides enough context to guide the AI towards the specific information you need without adding unnecessary details.






2. Avoid Ambiguity



Clearly state what you need to know. Avoid vague terms and ensure your query is straightforward, leaving no room for multiple interpretations. This helps the AI understand exactly what you are asking and provides a more accurate and relevant response.



Examples:




Ambiguous: “New payment feature”

This query is vague because it doesn’t specify which functionality you’re referring to or what information is being requested.





Clear and Simple: “Can I hide certain payment methods with the Preferred Payment Method?”

This query clearly specifies the functionality and desired action, helping the AI to provide a precise response.










By avoiding vague terms and being specific about what you need to know, it’s easier for the AI to understand your request and deliver the information you’re seeking.



View Full Documentation via Traditional Search



Sometimes, the AI response you receive may not suffice, and you might need to delve deeper into the documentation. 



If so, you can type in your keyword and click on the Command or Control + K button in the search window (or utilize the keyboard shortcut) for a traditional document search. 







This allows you to review the full documentation, ensuring you have all the information you need. 







You can also provide thumbs up or thumbs down feedback on each full documentation article, as well as providing feedback comments (a text box will pop up once you have clicked on one of the thumb ratings). 



Leave One-Click Feedback on the AI’s Answer



Use the thumbs-up or thumbs-down buttons to rate the AI’s response. 



This helps us understand and address any shortcomings in the way the AI created the answer, which will help us improve the AI’s answers for the next time you use it.



The Importance of Your Feedback



For Owlbot search to be truly effective, your feedback is essential. At FastSpring, we rely on thumbs-up or thumbs-down feedback to understand whether the AI’s response met your needs. 



It’s important to note that this feedback isn’t about whether you liked the answer but whether the answer was helpful and relevant.



Without your feedback, we are limited in our ability to refine and enhance our AI search capabilities. Each piece of feedback helps us fine-tune our algorithms, leading to more accurate and useful responses in the future.



FastSpring Is Your Partner for Support



By following these best practices, you can maximize the effectiveness of AI search and ensure you receive the most accurate and helpful information. 



Your feedback is not just valuable but essential in helping us improve our services. Together, we can make AI search an even more powerful tool for all FastSpring users.



Not yet benefiting from the award-winning support FastSpring provides for software companies and their customers? FastSpring handles the entire payment process, from checkout to remitting end-of-year taxes for SaaS companies. To learn more about how FastSpring can help you scale quickly, sign up for a free account or request a demo today.
The post Navigating FastSpring’s Owlbot Search: Tips for Clear and Effective Prompts appeared first on FastSpring.



FastSpring Levels Up Your Game Monetization at devcom & gamescom 2024!
FastSpring — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:55:09 +0000

Get ready to level up your game’s revenue potential at devcom and gamescom 2024! The video gaming world is converging on Cologne this August, and FastSpring is ready to level up your game monetization strategy. As a global D2C payment platform for video games, we’re excited to be on site at both events to show how we can help you streamline payments, boost sales, and go direct-to-consumer (D2C) without sacrificing convenience.



devcom: Level Up Your Monetization Strategy




Join us at Booth –B4 and connect with the team via the devcom app here.




gamescom: The Next Stage of Growth




Join us at Hall 2.2, Booth C-045a and connect with the team via the gamescom app here. 




Why FastSpring Is the Level-Up Your Game Needs




Don’t Compromise: We offer the convenience of a full-service solution with the flexibility to customize your experience. Go D2C with confidence.



Complete Monetization: More than just payments, we handle everything from our hands-on implementation onboarding and global tax compliance to fraud prevention and subscription management.



Global Reach: Sell your games worldwide with ease, supporting over 180 countries, 21+ languages,  multiple currencies, and a wide array of payment methods.



Dedicated Support: Our team is your partner in success. We offer personalized support and resources to support your long-term growth goals.




Where to Get Tickets



Still need tickets? Head over to the registration pages for devcom and gamescom to grab a ticket to each event and get access to incredible speakers, unparalleled networking opportunities, and even an entire festival that will maximize your experience even more! 



Let’s Connect and Level Up!



We can’t wait to meet you at devcom and gamescom 2024! Connect with the team on the event apps, or shoot over a quick note to request a meeting here. Let’s explore how FastSpring can help you achieve your monetization goals and propel your game business to new heights.



FastSpring is how gaming studios sell in more places around the world. For nearly two decades, FastSpring has been a payment provider you can use to sell games or in-game items on your website, web shop, or embedded directly into your game with fully customizable and branded checkouts just for you. FastSpring allows you to offload the complexity of global payments, sales tax and VAT compliance, player payments support, and many other aspects of payments management. Spend less time managing your payments and compliance and more time making great games!  Sign up for a free account or request a demo today to learn more.
The post FastSpring Levels Up Your Game Monetization at devcom & gamescom 2024! appeared first on FastSpring.



fsBuilds: How to Use FastSpring Within a React Single Page Application (Video)
Braden Steel — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 22:36:59 +0000

About this series: fsBuilds features developer-built projects showing step-by-step examples, code snippets, and advice on how to approach building with FastSpring. The goal of this series is to not only help you build with FastSpring, but also to inspire you with new and unique ways to leverage FastSpring’s systems to best serve your company. As always, our support and sales engineering specialists are available to help if you need assistance along the way.



How to Use FastSpring Within a React Single Page Application



Job to be done: You are a SaaS company using React Single Page Applications on your website and you want to use FastSpring’s Store Builder Library to support your checkout process so you can offload all the hard parts of transacting and run your business.



For this build, Marco Agüero, FastSpring Sales Engineer, shows us how to easily use Store Builder Library within a React Single Page Application, thereby unlocking FastSpring’s embedded experiences for your online store.





  

          
        
          
            
              
            
          
        
      
      



Resources




Git Repo



Demo Site



Store Builder Library




If you have another use case you want to explore, speak directly with a solution engineer by signing up for a demo here.
The post fsBuilds: How to Use FastSpring Within a React Single Page Application (Video) appeared first on FastSpring.



fsBuilds: Improve Authorization and Conversion Rates in Countries Across the Globe (Video)
Braden Steel — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 22:27:50 +0000

About this series: fsBuilds features developer-built projects showing step-by-step examples, code snippets, and advice on how to approach building with FastSpring. The goal of this series is to not only help you build with FastSpring, but also to inspire you with new and unique ways to leverage FastSpring’s systems to best serve your company. As always, our support and sales engineering specialists are available to help if you need assistance along the way.



Improve Authorization and Conversion Rates in Countries Across the Globe



Job to be done: You are offering a product across the globe but have difficulty converting in certain regions across the globe. You want to offer only the payment methods that have the highest conversion and authorization rates in select regions.



For this build, Braden Steel returns to show us how you can use Preferred Payment Method and Store Builder Library to easily offer up specific payment methods in your checkout to buyers in specific regions while also maintaining checkout flows in others to drive up conversion rates for your buyers.





  

          
        
          
            
              
            
          
        
      
      



Resources




Git Repo



Preferred Payment Method Documentation



Store Builder Library




If you have another use case you want to explore, speak directly with a solution engineer by signing up for a demo here.
The post fsBuilds: Improve Authorization and Conversion Rates in Countries Across the Globe (Video) appeared first on FastSpring.



fsBuilds: Increase Conversions in Your React Customer Portal With APIs and Embedded Experiences (Video)
Braden Steel — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 22:15:56 +0000

About this series: fsBuilds features developer-built projects showing step-by-step examples, code snippets, and advice on how to approach building with FastSpring. The goal of this series is to not only help you build with FastSpring, but also to inspire you with new and unique ways to leverage FastSpring’s systems to best serve your company. As always, our support and sales engineering specialists are available to help if you need assistance along the way.



Increase Conversions in Your React Customer Portal With APIs and Embedded Experiences



Job to be done: You want to offer an account management portal for your customers that allows for not only managing existing subscriptions, but also enables them to upgrade as well.



For this build, Braden Steel shows us, using React for the frontend and Laravel for the backend, how to implement a purchase flow in your account management portal, save payment methods for easy checkout, and use APIs to manage your customers’ subscriptions without ever having to leave the customer portal.





  

          
        
          
            
              
            
          
        
      
      



Resources




Frontend Git Repo



Backend Git Repo



Subscriptions API Documentation



Embedded Payment Component



Embedded Checkout



1ClickPay




If you have another use case you want to explore, speak directly with a solution engineer by signing up for a demo here.
The post fsBuilds: Increase Conversions in Your React Customer Portal With APIs and Embedded Experiences (Video) appeared first on FastSpring.