How to Prevent Hosting Service Suspension: Payment Management Best Practices
How to Prevent Hosting Service Suspension: Payment Management Best Practices
**Description:**A practical guide to help you master billing cycles, set up reliable automatic payments, and manage your
payment methods for Brixly shared hosting services—so you can avoid unexpected website suspension or downtime. Learn why
credit and debit cards are the most dependable payment options, and understand common issues with PayPal and direct
debit.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Your Billing Cycle
- Setting Up Automatic Renewals
- Managing Payment Methods
- Why Credit/Debit Cards Are the Most Reliable Option
- Proactive Payment Reminders
- Troubleshooting Common Payment Issues
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Understanding Your Billing Cycle
Your hosting plan is billed on a recurring basis—either monthly or annually, depending on what you selected at
signup.Key points:
- Invoice Due Date: This is the last day to pay before risking service suspension.
- Grace Period: Brixly allows a 14-day grace period after your due date before any automatic suspension or termination
occurs.
- Critical: Services overdue by more than 30 days may be permanently removed from our servers, with all data deleted.
**Example:**If your invoice is due on the 1st of the month, you have until the 15th (thanks to the 14-day grace period)
to pay before suspension.
Setting Up Automatic Renewals
Automatic renewals are the best way to ensure your hosting and domains remain active without manual intervention or risk
of missed payments.
Step-by-Step: Enabling Auto-Renewals
1. **Log in to the Brixly Client Area:**Go to https://client.brixly.uk/ and sign in.
2. **Navigate to 'My Services':**Click on Services > My Services.
3. **Select Your Hosting Service:**Find and select your hosting package.
4. Enable Auto-Renew:
- Look for the Auto-Renew option and make sure it’s toggled ON.
- For domains, go to Domains > My Domains, select the domain, and enable Auto-Renew there too.
5. **Confirm Your Payment Method:**Make sure you have a valid payment method set as default for renewals (see below).
**Tip:**If you use PayPal, double-check that your PayPal subscription is active and linked correctly to your Brixly
account. However, for maximum reliability, we recommend using a credit or debit card (see Why Credit/Debit Cards Are the
Most Reliable Option).
Managing Payment Methods
Keeping your payment details up to date is crucial to ensure uninterrupted service, especially if you rely on
auto-renewals.
How to Set or Change Your Default Payment Method
1. **Access Billing Settings:**In the client area, go to Billing > Payment Methods.
2. Add or Edit Payment Methods:
- Click Add New Payment Method to add a new card or PayPal account.
- Click Edit to update the details of an existing payment method.
3. Set Default Method:
- Mark your preferred method as Default.
- This method will be used for all automatic renewals and invoice payments.
4. **Remove Expired Methods:**Delete any expired or invalid payment methods to prevent failed payments.
**Example:**If your card expires, add the new card and set it as default before your next payment is due to avoid
disruption.
Why Credit/Debit Cards Are the Most Reliable Option
When it comes to ensuring your hosting services remain uninterrupted, credit and debit cards are the preferred and most
reliable payment option. Here’s why:
- Instant Processing: Card payments are processed instantly, so your renewal is applied straight away—no waiting for
funds to clear.
- Automatic Updates: Many card networks now update expiry dates automatically if you receive a new card, minimizing
the risk of missed payments.
- Fewer Complexities: Credit/debit card payments are straightforward—set it as your default, and you’re done.
Challenges with PayPal Subscriptions
While PayPal is a popular choice, it can introduce complications:
- Multiple Subscriptions: Each time you change your service or hosting plan, PayPal may create a new subscription,
which can lead to duplicate payments if old ones aren’t cancelled.
- Manual Management: You must manually cancel old PayPal subscriptions when changing payment methods (see how here).
- Delayed Cancellations: If you cancel your hosting but forget to cancel your PayPal subscription, you may still be
charged.
- Payment Delays: PayPal eCheques and some account types can result in delayed payments, risking suspension if funds
don’t clear in time.
Drawbacks of Bank Direct Debits
- Slower Processing: Direct debits can take several days to clear, which might not be suitable for urgent renewals or
overdue invoices.
- Less Flexibility: Direct debit changes or cancellations may require contacting your bank, which adds extra steps.
**In summary:**For the smoothest, most reliable hosting experience, we recommend setting a valid credit or debit card as
your default payment method in your Brixly client area.
Proactive Payment Reminders
Enable Email Notifications
- Brixly automatically sends invoice and renewal reminders to your registered email address.
- Ensure your contact email is correct and checked regularly.
Set Calendar Alerts
- Add a recurring reminder to your personal or work calendar a few days before your invoice due date for extra peace
of mind.
**Example:**If your invoice is always due on the 1st, create a recurring reminder for the 28th of each month.
Troubleshooting Common Payment Issues
Payment Failed or Declined
- Check Card Details: Make sure your card is valid, not expired, and has sufficient funds.
- Update Payment Method: Replace expired or blocked cards in your client area.
- PayPal Problems: Ensure your PayPal subscription is active and not cancelled. If issues persist, consider switching
to a credit/debit card for reliability.
Missed Payment and Service Suspended
- Act Quickly: Log in to your client area and pay any overdue invoice immediately.
- Automatic Restoration: Services are restored automatically as soon as payment is received, provided they haven’t
been terminated.
Overlapping PayPal Subscriptions
- If you change payment methods, always cancel any old PayPal subscriptions to avoid being charged twice.Learn how to
manage PayPal subscriptions
Invoice Not Received
- Check Spam/Junk Folders: Sometimes our emails can be filtered as spam.
- Verify Email Address: Confirm your contact address is current in your client area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
**Q: Can I get an extension if I can’t pay on time?**A: Brixly provides a 14-day grace period after your due date.
Extensions beyond this are rare and granted only at our discretion. Services overdue by 30 days are permanently removed
and may require a restoration fee if recovery is possible.
**Q: What happens if my service is terminated due to non-payment?**A: Your data may be deleted permanently after 30 days
overdue. If restoration is possible, a per-account restoration fee will apply, and all outstanding invoices must be
cleared first.
**Q: How do I check my payment and invoice status?**A: Just log into your client area and go to Billing > My Invoices.
You can view, download, and pay invoices from there.
Summary
To keep your hosting service active and avoid suspension:
- Stay aware of your billing cycle and payment due dates
- Enable automatic renewals on all hosting and domain services
- Keep your payment methods current—preferably a credit or debit card
- Watch for payment reminders and act promptly
- Pay overdue invoices as soon as possible to avoid suspension or permanent loss
If you have a payment issue or concern not covered here, please submit a support ticket via your Brixly client area and
our team will be happy to help.
Related Articles:
- How do I set a default payment method for my future invoices?
- Understanding PayPal Subscriptions and Payments at Brixly
- How do I cancel my services?