Use Case
When an order is completed, you want to automatically upgrade the customer’s user role. This enables premium access, unlocks gated content, or promotes customers to VIP status based on their purchases.
Common scenarios:
- Promote to VIP status after high-value purchase
- Grant course access after enrollment purchase
- Unlock premium content for buyers
- Upgrade to wholesale role after application approval
- Activate membership tier based on product purchased
Step-by-Step Setup
1. Create a New Workflow
Navigate to Sequensy → Workflows in your WordPress admin and click Add New Workflow.
Name your workflow “Upgrade to VIP on Purchase” or “Grant Course Access”.
2. Configure the Trigger
Select Order Completed as your trigger.
Key filters to use:
- Products: Trigger only for specific products (membership, course, VIP pass)
- Order Total: Upgrade after spending threshold (e.g., $500+)
- Product Categories: Limit to membership or premium categories
3. Set Up the Update User Role Action
Configure the role change:
| Setting | Example Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| User | {customer_email} | Target the order customer |
| New Role | VIP Customer | The role to assign |
| Replace or Add | Replace | Usually replace existing role |
4. Send Notification Email (Optional)
Chain a Send Email action to inform the customer:
Subject: You're now a VIP member!
Hi {billing_first_name},
Congratulations! Thanks to your purchase, you've been upgraded
to VIP status.
Your new benefits include:
- 15% off all future orders
- Early access to new products
- Free shipping on all orders
- Priority customer support
Log in to your account to start enjoying your VIP perks:
{login_url}
Thank you for being a valued customer!
5. Test Your Workflow
- Create the target user role if it doesn’t exist
- Enable the workflow
- Place and complete a qualifying order
- Verify user role was updated
- Confirm access to role-specific content
Pro Tips
Create custom roles: Don’t be limited to default WordPress roles. Create custom roles like “VIP Customer”, “Wholesale Buyer”, or “Course Student” for precise access control.
Cumulative spending: For lifetime value-based upgrades, use order conditions combined with custom user meta tracking total spend.
Role hierarchies: Design role tiers (Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum) and create separate workflows for each upgrade threshold.
Prevent downgrades: Add conditions to check current role before upgrading—you don’t want to accidentally downgrade a Platinum member to Gold.
Example Role Structures
Spending-Based VIP Tiers
| Tier | Spending Threshold | Role | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | $0 | Customer | 0% |
| Silver | $100 | Silver Member | 5% |
| Gold | $500 | Gold Member | 10% |
| Platinum | $1000 | Platinum Member | 15% |
Product-Based Access
| Product Purchased | New Role | Access Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Course | Student | Course content |
| Pro Course | Pro Student | All courses |
| Membership | Member | Member area |
| Lifetime Pass | Lifetime Member | Everything |
Troubleshooting
Role not updating?
- Verify the target role exists in WordPress
- Check that user account exists
- Review workflow execution logs
Customer lost existing role?
- Check if using “Replace” vs “Add” role setting
- Verify no conflicting workflows
- Review role assignment logic
Can’t access premium content?
- Confirm role was assigned correctly
- Check content access permissions match role
- Clear any caching plugins after role change