Shopify digital-download apps e-mail a file or a download link – once it is downloaded, it can be forwarded to anyone. Keep your Shopify checkout and let HelpRange deliver the PDF instead: every paid order creates a personal link to a protected copy with the buyer’s e-mail on every page.
Customers pay in your store as usual – no second checkout, no Stripe setup in HelpRange.
Shopify’s "Order payment" webhook creates the buyer’s access and e-mails the link within seconds.
Add ?only=<product id> to the webhook address – other products in the store never touch this PDF.
Set an access length in the folder (for example 30 days) and each buyer’s access ends that many days after their own purchase.
Every page shows the buyer’s e-mail – a screenshot or photo points back to the order.
A second webhook for "Order cancellation" with &action=revoke removes access; refunds can be revoked with one click.
| Delivery method | Buyer gets | Can forward it? | Traceable leak? | Revoke later? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital-download app (file or link) | A PDF file | Yes – the file or link works for anyone | No (unless the app stamps the file) | No – the file is already delivered |
| Download limits / expiring links | A PDF file, limited downloads | Yes, after the first download | No | No |
| HelpRange view-only link | A personal link to an online reader | No – e-mail code login, no download or print | Yes – buyer e-mail on every page | Yes – cancellation, refund, or after N days |
Upload the e-book or workbook to a HelpRange folder and open its Buyers tab to copy the webhook address.
Shopify admin → Settings → Notifications → Webhooks → Create webhook: event "Order payment", format JSON, URL = the folder address with ?only=<your product id>.
Create a second webhook for "Order cancellation" with the same URL plus &action=revoke. Test with one order.
Buyer access is part of Pro ($39 per team per month, unlimited buyers), Unlimited and the 3-day trial – no per-buyer or per-view fees. Shopify plan: any plan that lets you create webhooks in Settings → Notifications. Plans & pricing
No. They open their personal link and confirm their e-mail with a one-time code.
Open the product in Shopify admin – the number at the end of the page address is the product id.
No – downloads and printing are off for buyer folders; they read in the browser or in the HelpRange viewer app.
Order cancellation does, with the revoke webhook. A refund on an order that is not cancelled can be revoked with one click in the Buyers tab, or automatically through Zapier.
Yes – set "Access length" in the folder’s Buyers tab; each buyer’s access ends 30 days after their own purchase.
Yes. Set "Access length" in the folder's Buyers tab, e.g. 21 days: every buyer's access ends that many days after their own purchase, independently of other buyers, and a repeat purchase starts a new period. It only closes the PDF in HelpRange – nothing changes in your shop, course or community.
Choose the "Maximum" protection level for the folder: buyers get watermarked page images instead of the PDF, so there is no text to copy, and a screenshot mask covers the page when they leave the window or press screenshot keys. No browser viewer can stop a photo of the screen – the buyer's e-mail or ID on every page makes such a copy traceable.
Each buyer signs in with a one-time code sent to their own e-mail, so a forwarded link alone does not open the book. If one buyer's access is used from many places and countries, you get a forwarding alert with a one-click switch-off.
On Pro the viewer has "Ask AI", which answers only from the open document. If you do not want that, turn it off for all readers in Settings ("Turn off Ask AI for readers").
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