[djbdr248]

How can I allow someone to download a file only after they pay for it?

[macosxnerd101]

Moved to Web Development.

You will need to use a server-side language to control this. I would also use something like an .htaccess file to prevent linking to the file directly. The server-side language can really simply check if the user has paid (are you tracking this in a database?), and if so, add an <a> tag linking to the File.

How are you handling payment? Paypal has an API you might want to check out.

[modi123_1]

Have a system that validates a transaction and generates a one time virtual path link that maps to a specific file hidden internally.

[Atli]

Interestingly the HTTP protocol specifies a 402 Payment Required header, but only as "Reserved for future use". - That was like 12 years ago. Makes you wonder what "future" they are talking about.

[digitalsoularts]

the alternative is to do this manually, get the customer to send you their e-mail and to specify the way of paying, once you receive their payment send them the file as a mail attachment. This will work for you only for a limited amount of customers. If you think you're going to have so much downloads ,that you won't be able to find the time for handling it, ignore my solution (sending an e-mail shouden't take more than 5 mins ,also you can send the same e-mail to multiple recipients at the same time) .