CartDNA GoCardless Installation & Subscription Setup Guide
Easy instructions to install GoCardless app and create subscription products for your Shopify store

What You'll Learn
This comprehensive guide covers everything Shopify merchants need to successfully install CartDNA GoCardless app and set up profitable subscription products:
Install Shopify Apps
Set up CartDNA GoCardless and DataDNA apps for your Shopify store with direct debit payment processing
Create Subscription Products
Transform your Shopify products into recurring subscription offerings with flexible billing cycles
Accept Direct Debit Payments
Process GoCardless direct debit payments and manage customer subscriptions automatically
Track Subscription Performance
Monitor subscription sales, customer retention, and revenue analytics with free DataDNA insights
PART 1: Install CartDNA Shopify Apps
Create Your CartDNA Account
Start by creating your free CartDNA merchant account. This takes just 2 minutes and gives you access to all our payment tools.
Get Apps Enabled
Contact our support team to enable GoCardless in your portal. This ensures proper setup and gives you dedicated assistance.
Install GoCardless App
Follow These Steps:
- Login to CartDNA: Access your portal
- Find Payment Gateway: Look for this section in your dashboard
- Select GoCardless: Choose "GoCardless (Direct Debit) app"
- Enter Store URL: Add your MyShopify store URL
- Verify Store: Click "Verify Shopify Store"
Set Up GoCardless Configuration
You need two pieces of information from GoCardless:
- GoCardless Access Token
- GoCardless Webhook Secret
Test vs Live Mode
Live Mode: For real payments (requires KYC verification)
Create GoCardless Accounts:
Get Access Token
Simple Steps:
- Login to GoCardless (test or live)
- Go to Developers (top right)
- Click Create → Access Token
- Name it: "CartDNA [Your Store Name]"
- Choose: "Read Write Option"
- Create and copy immediately
Create Webhook
Webhook Setup:
- In GoCardless: Developers → Create → Webhook Endpoint
- Name: "CartDNA Webhook"
- URL: Use format below
- Secret: Leave empty (auto-generated)
- Create and copy the secret
Webhook URL Format:
https://app.cartdna.com/public/gocardless-app/callback?shop=mystore.myshopify.com
Install DataDNA (Optional)
DataDNA is our free analytics app. Installation is super simple:
- Login to CartDNA Portal
- Go to Payment Gateway section
- Select "DataDNA FREE APP"
- Enter your Shopify URL
- Complete installation
Complete Setup
- Enter your access token in CartDNA
- Enter your webhook secret in CartDNA
- Activate the app in CartDNA portal
- Activate again in Shopify when redirected
- Test in test mode first
PART 2: Create Shopify Subscription Products
Now that your apps are installed, let's turn your products into profitable subscriptions!
Set Up Product Variants
First, create product variants in your Shopify store for different subscription options.
Variant Strategy:
Create different variants based on subscription frequency and duration. This gives customers choice and increases sales.
Example: Protein Shake Subscriptions
- 🛒 Single Purchase (one-time)
- 📅 Monthly for 12 months
- 📅 Monthly for 6 months
- 📅 Every 3 months for 1 year
- 🔄 Monthly until cancelled
Sync Your Products
Connect your Shopify products with CartDNA to enable subscription functionality.
Easy Sync Process:
- Go to CartDNA Portal: Login to your merchant dashboard
- Find Configure Product: Look for this menu option
- Click Sync Products: This imports all your Shopify products
- Wait for completion: The system will sync automatically
Configure Subscription Settings
Set up each product variant with specific subscription rules and pricing.
Configuration Steps:
- Find Your Products: See the synced products in the table
- Click Configure: For each product you want as subscription
- Set Frequency: Choose billing cycle (weekly, monthly, etc.)
- Set Duration: Fixed period or until cancelled
- Save Settings: Apply your subscription configuration
PART 3: Advanced GoCardless Features
CartDNA GoCardless app offers powerful direct debit payment tools for Shopify merchants beyond basic subscription products.
Customer Sync
Import existing GoCardless customers and mandates into your CartDNA portal and Shopify store
Subscription Management
Cancel or modify existing GoCardless customer subscriptions directly from CartDNA
Manual Payments
Create one-off payments for existing or custom products outside regular subscriptions
Custom Subscriptions
Create manual subscription plans for existing customers or new custom products
Installment Plans
Set up direct debit installment payments for higher-value purchases
Shopify Markets
Full compatibility with Shopify Markets for international expansion
Testing GoCardless Integration & Going Live
Before You Go Live with Direct Debit Payments:
- Test a subscription signup in test mode
- Verify the payment appears in GoCardless
- Check that Shopify creates the order correctly
- Test the customer experience completely
- Confirm webhook notifications work
- Test subscription management functions
GoCardless Live Mode Checklist:
- Complete GoCardless KYC verification
- Switch to live mode credentials
- Update webhook with live URL
- Test with a small real payment
- Monitor first few transactions closely
Start Your Shopify Subscription Business Today
Get expert CartDNA support to launch your direct debit subscription products successfully