> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://alguna.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Self-Serve (PLG)

> Product-led growth with self-service checkout and upgrades

Product-led growth lets customers discover, try, and buy your product without talking to sales. This motion optimizes for low-friction signups, in-app upgrades, and automated billing.

***

## Self-Serve Billing Flow

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Visitor] --> B[Free Trial / Freemium]
    B --> C[Hits Limit or Wants Features]
    C --> D[In-App Upgrade Prompt]
    D --> E[Self-Serve Checkout]
    E --> F[Card Captured]
    F --> G[Subscription Active]
    G --> H[Auto-Renew Monthly/Annual]
```

***

## Key Characteristics

| Aspect                | Self-Serve Approach               |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Deal size**         | $0 - $10K ARR                     |
| **Sales involvement** | None or minimal                   |
| **Checkout**          | Credit card, instant activation   |
| **Pricing**           | Transparent, published on website |
| **Contract**          | Month-to-month or annual prepay   |
| **Upgrades**          | Self-service in dashboard         |

***

## Recommended Alguna Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create simple, clear plans">
    Navigate to **Plans** → **Create Plan**

    * **Free**: \$0, limited features (optional)
    * **Starter**: \$X/month, core features
    * **Pro**: \$Y/month or per-seat, full features

    Keep plans simple—3-4 options maximum.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure self-serve checkout">
    Navigate to **Settings** → **Checkout**

    * Enable hosted checkout pages
    * Configure plan selection UI
    * Set up success/cancel redirect URLs
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable in-app upgrades">
    Use the Customer Portal to let users:

    * View current plan and usage
    * Upgrade/downgrade plans
    * Add seats or capacity
    * Update payment methods
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up automated billing">
    Navigate to **Settings** → **Billing**

    * Enable auto-charge for renewals
    * Configure dunning for failed payments
    * Set up payment retry schedule
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure upgrade prompts">
    Trigger upgrade flows when customers:

    * Hit usage limits
    * Try to access gated features
    * Reach trial expiration
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Free Trial vs. Freemium

| Model             | How It Works                                | Best For                                    |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Free Trial**    | Full access for limited time (7-30 days)    | Complex products that need time to evaluate |
| **Freemium**      | Limited access forever, pay for more        | Products with clear free/paid value split   |
| **Reverse Trial** | Start with paid features, downgrade to free | Showcasing premium value upfront            |

***

## Conversion Optimization

### Reduce Checkout Friction

* Accept all major credit cards
* Offer both monthly and annual options
* Show pricing in customer's currency
* Minimize form fields
* Display trust badges and security info

### Upgrade Triggers

| Trigger          | When to Show                               |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| **Usage limit**  | Customer at 80% or 100% of included quota  |
| **Feature gate** | Customer clicks on premium feature         |
| **Trial ending** | 3 days, 1 day, and day of trial expiration |
| **Team growth**  | User invites more teammates                |

***

## Metrics to Track

| Metric                         | What It Measures                         |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Trial-to-paid conversion**   | % of trials that become paying customers |
| **Free-to-paid conversion**    | % of free users that upgrade             |
| **Time to first value**        | How quickly new users experience value   |
| **Expansion revenue**          | Revenue from upgrades and add-ons        |
| **Self-serve vs. sales ratio** | % of revenue from each motion            |

***

## Key Features to Configure

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Hosted Checkout" icon="browser" href="/hosted/checkout">
    Set up self-service checkout pages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Customer Portal" icon="user" href="/hosted/customer-portal">
    Let customers manage their own subscriptions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Automations" icon="robot" href="/automations/overview">
    Trigger emails and actions based on customer behavior.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dunning" icon="bell" href="/automations/overview">
    Recover failed payments automatically.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## API Reference

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Customer Portal API" icon="browser" href="/api-reference/customers/createCustomerPortal">
    Generate portal links for customers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Subscriptions API" icon="repeat" href="/api-reference/subscriptions/createSubscription">
    Create subscriptions programmatically.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Plans API" icon="rectangle-list" href="/api-reference/plans/listPlans">
    Retrieve plans for checkout display.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webhooks" icon="webhook" href="/api-reference/webhooks">
    Track subscription and payment events.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Related Quick Starts

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="B2B SaaS" icon="cloud" href="/quickstarts/saas">
    Per-seat and tiered pricing models.
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI & Infrastructure" icon="microchip" href="/quickstarts/ai">
    Usage-based and credit systems.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hybrid Motion" icon="arrows-split-up-and-left" href="/quickstarts/hybrid-motion">
    Add sales-assist for larger deals.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Card title="← Back to Quick Starts" icon="arrow-left" href="/quickstarts/overview">
  See all quick start guides
</Card>