# Introductory pricing (/en/businesses/shop/memberships/pricing/introductory-pricing)

Introductory pricing sets what a new member pays for their first billing periods: "the first month free", "the first two months at €25", or "the first month €49, then €19 a month" to charge a joining fee. After those periods the normal price applies. Benefits and the contract stay as they are. For a set number of days before billing starts, use a [trial period](/businesses/shop/memberships/pricing/trial-periods). Introductory prices go to customers who have never held the membership.

## Setting up introductory pricing [#setting-up-introductory-pricing]

Under **Introductory pricing** on a recurring membership, choose **Free** or **Fixed price**, then set the **Number of periods** and, for a fixed price, the **Introductory price** for each period. A period is one billing cycle. A change applies to new members.

Without a trial, the purchase is the first introductory period. With two introductory periods, the customer pays the introductory price when joining and at the first renewal, then the normal price. With a trial, the introductory periods follow the trial.

After a free first period, the first paid renewal arrives as a payment request in the app. The member can turn on [automatic charging](/businesses/shop/memberships/renewals-and-payments#automatic-charging) there.

## A joining fee [#a-joining-fee]

A joining fee lets you keep a low monthly price and still cover what a new member costs you up front. Set one introductory period at the normal price plus the fee. With a €19 monthly price and a €30 fee, the introductory price is €49: the member pays €49 when joining and €19 from the first renewal.

Customers see the price as it is. The shop shows €19 with "First period at €49" under it, without discount wording. A struck-through [regular price](/businesses/shop/sales-settings#regular-price) sits next to the €19, never next to the €49. Discounts and promo codes don't apply to an introductory period. The member pays the fee in full.

The fee goes to customers who have never held this membership. A returning member pays the normal price. A member who moves over from another of your memberships has not held this one and pays its fee.

## Contracts [#contracts]

An introductory period counts toward a contract like any other. On a six-period contract at €40 with two introductory periods at €20, joining is contract period 1 at €20, the first renewal is period 2 at €20, and the remaining four periods are €40 each.

## Ending it early for one member [#ending-it-early-for-one-member]

The member's introductory pricing is first in their **Pricing order**, under **Discounted periods**. **Deactivate** stops its unused periods, and the next entry or the normal price applies from the next renewal. To give a different temporary price, deactivate the entry and add [goodwill pricing](/businesses/shop/memberships/pricing/goodwill-pricing).