This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Snappy Tuts
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You’ve built a tool, written a course, or launched a SaaS…
Now you want to charge for it. But you're stuck asking:
“How do I protect access without writing a full-blown backend?”
Let’s fix that. Here’s how you can build a dead-simple paywall system that scales — even if you’re just hosting a bunch of HTML files on GitHub Pages or Vercel.
🔑 What You’ll Learn
- Add a paywall without complex backend code
- Protect static pages or tools
- Use Gumroad or Stripe as a gatekeeper
- Deliver paid content securely via redirect logic or download links
- Bonus: Turn this into a micro SaaS starter in one weekend
🧠 The Paywall Logic (No Backend Needed)
Let’s say you have a course or tool at:
/premium-content.html
You don’t want to show this to everyone — only paying users.
You can use this method:
- Use Gumroad or LemonSqueezy for payments
- After successful purchase, redirect to a secret link (auto-generated)
- The link lives for X minutes, or gets refreshed weekly
- Boom. Instant lightweight paywall.
Here’s how it looks visually:
[ Payment Page ] → [ Hidden Link ] → [ Premium Page ]
🛠 Sample Stack to Set It Up
| Tool | Role |
|---|---|
| Gumroad | Payment + Redirect |
| Vercel | Hosting your gated content |
| Netlify Redirect Rules | Optional URL protection |
| Password-Protected ZIPs | Bonus: downloadable content |
| Google Drive / Notion / Dropbox | Quick delivery options |
🧪 Gumroad Redirect Trick (The \$0 Paywall MVP)
Gumroad has a built-in feature:
- Go to your product settings
- Under Advanced, set a “Redirect after purchase” link
- Send users to a “thank you” page or your protected course/tool
Example:
https://yoursite.com/secret-access?token=abc123
On that page, you could:
- Verify token with a lightweight JavaScript logic (optional)
- Or simply rotate this URL every few days to prevent leaks
🧱 Bonus: Password-Protect Without Code
If you’re really in a rush:
- Put your course or tool in a ZIP file
- Add a password
- Sell access + password in Gumroad's PDF delivery or text area
Not elegant, but it works instantly.
💡 What Developers Get Wrong About Paywalls
Most devs wait too long to launch because:
- They think they need auth, subscriptions, and login portals
- They want perfect UX before they monetize
- They underestimate how easy it is to deliver value behind a link
The truth? You can use a static site, a form, and a redirect — and be in business today.
🧨 Real Example: The \$1 Micro-Course Stack
I’ve personally used this system to gate these courses:
| Product | Delivery |
|---|---|
| Launch a Micro SaaS in 10 Days | Static site + Gumroad |
| Go from \$0 to \$10K on Etsy | Notion PDF via paywall |
| Prompt Engineering for Profit | Gated download ZIP |
| AI Automation Toolkit | Direct delivery via secret link |
All of them are just \$1 for the first 50 buyers — and built using variations of the exact system above.
⚡ TL;DR – Instant Paywall for Developers
- You don’t need full-blown user auth to charge for your work
- A redirect + hidden link is a valid paywall
- You can start small, sell fast, and scale later
If you're building tools, ebooks, or micro-SaaS — don’t wait to launch.
Gate your content. Add value. Ship fast.
🔥 Before You Go...
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- ✅ AI Blog Outline Builder
- ✅ FAQ Generator for product pages
- ✅ Bulk SEO Article Writer
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This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Snappy Tuts
Snappy Tuts | Sciencx (2025-08-07T13:33:00+00:00) 🧱 Build a Paywall System in 30 Minutes. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/08/07/%f0%9f%a7%b1-build-a-paywall-system-in-30-minutes/
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