How to Install the License Manager for WooCommerce

If you want to sell your own software, plugins, themes, templates, or digital tools, you need more than a normal download button. You need a license system.

That is why Xobytes built Xobytes License Manager for WooCommerce. It helps turn your WordPress and WooCommerce website into your own software license server.

In this guide, you will learn how to install the License Manager, activate it, create your first license rule, and test the full license flow.

You can get the plugin here: Xobytes License Manager for WooCommerce.

What the License Manager Does

Xobytes License Manager helps you sell licensed software from your own WooCommerce store.

For example, when a customer buys one of your software products, the plugin can create a license key automatically. Then, your customer can use that key to activate your software on their website.

As a result, you can sell WordPress plugins, themes, WooCommerce extensions, AI tools, automation software, templates, and other digital products with more control.

Before You Install the License Manager

Before you begin, make sure your website has WordPress installed. Also, make sure WooCommerce is active because the License Manager uses WooCommerce products and orders to create license keys.

You will also need your plugin ZIP file and your Xobytes license key.

If you have not purchased the plugin yet, you can view it here: WooCommerce License Manager Plugin.

Step 1: Download the Plugin ZIP File

First, log into the account you used to purchase the plugin.

Then, download the plugin ZIP file from your order or downloads area.

Do not unzip the file unless you plan to install it manually through FTP or your hosting file manager.

The file name may look something like this:

xobytes-license-manager.zip

Step 2: Upload the License Manager to WordPress

Next, log into your WordPress admin dashboard.

Go to:

Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin

After that, click Choose File and select the License Manager ZIP file.

Then, click Install Now.

Once WordPress finishes the upload, click Activate Plugin.

Step 3: Activate Your Xobytes License

After the plugin is active, you need to activate your Xobytes license.

Go to:

WooCommerce > License Manager License

Then, paste your license key into the license field.

Next, click Activate License.

If everything is correct, the page should show your license as active. Because of this, the plugin can now be used on your website.

Step 4: Check Your License Status

After activation, review the license status box.

You should see details like:

• Status
• Plan
• Remote status
• Site ID
• License server
• Last checked date

If the license does not activate, check that you copied the full key correctly. Also, make sure your site can connect to the Xobytes license server.

Step 5: Create a WooCommerce Product for Your Software

Now you can create the product you want to sell.

Go to:

Products > Add New

Then, add your product name, price, description, product image, and download file if needed.

For example, you might create a product called:

My Plugin Pro

After you publish the product, check the product edit URL. You will see a number like this:

post=123

That number is the WooCommerce Product ID. You will need it when you create your license rule.

Step 6: Add a License Rule

Next, connect your WooCommerce product to the License Manager.

Go to the License Manager product rules page in your WordPress admin area.

Then, add a new rule using the WooCommerce Product ID.

You will usually set:

• Product ID: the WooCommerce product ID
• Plan Name: a simple plan name, such as my-plugin-pro
• Max Sites: the number of websites allowed
• Billing Mode: one-time or subscription-locked

For example, a simple one-site license might look like this:

Product ID: 123
Plan Name: my-plugin-pro
Max Sites: 1
Billing Mode: One-time purchase

Then, click Save License Rule.

Step 7: Test a Software Purchase

After the rule is saved, test the checkout process.

You can either place a test order through WooCommerce or create an order manually from the admin area.

When the order status changes to Processing or Completed, the License Manager should create a license key for that customer.

Because of this, you do not need to create every license by hand.

Step 8: View the Customer License

Customers can view their license keys from the WooCommerce account area.

They can go to:

My Account > Software Licenses

From there, they can copy their license key and use it inside your software.

This makes the process easier for buyers. Also, it can reduce support requests because customers can find their own keys.

Step 9: Connect Your Software to the License API

The License Manager creates REST API endpoints on your website.

Your software can call these endpoints to activate, check, and deactivate licenses.

For example, if your website is:

https://example.com

Your license API endpoints would be:

https://example.com/wp-json/xblm/v1/activate
https://example.com/wp-json/xblm/v1/check
https://example.com/wp-json/xblm/v1/deactivate

As a result, your own website becomes the license server for your software.

Step 10: Test License Activation From Your Software

Next, test the license inside your plugin, theme, or app.

Your software should send the customer’s license key to your license API. It should also send the website URL, a site fingerprint, and the site admin email.

If the license is active and the site limit has not been reached, the API should return a successful response.

Then, your software can store the license key, site ID, plan, status, and last checked date.

Step 11: Check Licenses on a Schedule

After activation, your software should check the license regularly.

For example, you can check it once per day.

This helps your software know if a license was revoked, canceled, expired, or changed.

Therefore, your product can respond automatically when a customer’s license status changes.

Step 12: Use Subscription-Locked Licenses for Yearly Billing

If you want yearly payments, use subscription-locked licenses.

With this setup, the customer must keep an active subscription to keep the license active.

This works well for yearly plugin licenses, software updates, premium support, and ongoing product access.

As a result, you can build recurring revenue instead of only selling one-time downloads.

Step 13: Protect Your Software Files

Installing the License Manager is a strong first step. However, you may also want to protect your plugin files from tampering.

Additionally, if you need to protect your own plugins from unauthorized edits, permission changes, or file tampering, you can use Tamper Guard for WordPress plugins.

This can help add another layer of protection around commercial WordPress software.

Step 14: Protect Your Website From Bots and AI Agents

After you start selling software, your website may also attract bots, scrapers, fake users, and automated scans.

Because of that, you may want to protect your store with AgentShield.

AgentShield helps defend WordPress sites against AI agents, AI crawlers, scrapers, bad bots, trap visitors, risky requests, and automated abuse.

You can view it here: AgentShield for WordPress.

Recommended Setup

For most software sellers, the best setup is simple.

• Install WooCommerce.
• Install Xobytes License Manager.
• Activate your Xobytes license.
• Create your software product.
• Add a license rule for the product ID.
• Test a WooCommerce order.
• Confirm the license key appears in My Account.
• Connect your software to the license API.
• Test activation, checks, and deactivation.

Once those steps work, your WooCommerce store can start selling licensed software.

Common Installation Problems

The Plugin Will Not Upload

If the plugin will not upload, check that you are uploading the ZIP file. Also, make sure your hosting account allows plugin uploads.

The License Will Not Activate

If your license will not activate, copy the key again and remove extra spaces. Then, try again.

Also, make sure your website can make outbound requests to the Xobytes license server.

The Product Does Not Create a License

If a license is not created after purchase, check the product rule. Make sure the WooCommerce Product ID is correct.

Also, check the order status. The license is normally created when the order is processing or completed.

The Customer Cannot See Their License

If the customer cannot see the license, make sure they are logged into the same account used during checkout.

Then, check the customer’s order and confirm a license was created.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to install the License Manager is simple once you understand the process.

First, you install the plugin. Then, you activate your Xobytes license. After that, you create WooCommerce products and connect them to license rules.

Finally, your software can use your website’s license API to activate, check, and manage customer licenses.

If you are ready to sell your own licensed software from WordPress, you can get the plugin here: Xobytes License Manager for WooCommerce.