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How to Sell Subscriptions on Shopify: 6 Steps to Recurring Revenue

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One of the most desirable goals in the e-commerce world is to build recurring revenue streams. In other words, folks aspire to capitalize on Shopify’s ability to generate ongoing revenue time and time again. 

You can realistically build a recurring revenue stream when you sell subscriptions on Shopify. You can sell subscriptions on Shopify in various ways. Doing so ensures you get a recurring revenue stream month after month.

So, the big question is, “how to sell subscriptions on Shopify?” In this article, we are going to explore how you can sell subscriptions on Shopify. Also, we’re going to look at the most effective ways you can ensure recurring revenue month after month.

Can You Sell Subscriptions on Shopify?

The short answer is yes!

Now, the long answer requires us to explain how you can sell subscriptions on Shopify.

how to sell subscriptions on shopify
Source: supplementxpress.com

Shopify allows you to use its tools to sell subscriptions alongside other products and services. However, there is a small trick to it. Shopify doesn’t automatically allow you to sell subscriptions. You need a subscription app to help you add this function to your e-commerce site.

Is it hard to integrate a subscription app into your site?

Not at all. Shopify uses a plug-and-play system that allows you to include apps and without coding easily. 

What are the Benefits of Shopify Product Subscriptions?

There are five key benefits you can expect with Shopify product subscriptions:

#1: Ensure your e-commerce site’s revenue

Shopify subscriptions allow you to build predictable income weekly, monthly, and annually. In particular, you can project your e-commerce site’s revenue based on the term for your product subscriptions. 

For example, if your subscriptions have a set term (three, six, or twelve months), you can be confident that you’ll have the same income every month. This helps you when it comes to setting sales goals and e-commerce KPIs

#2: Control your business’s costs

Predictable revenue also leads to predictable cost controls. For instance, a food subscription service can project how much inventory they need to keep to fulfill their monthly orders. 

Similarly, e-commerce sites can predict the staff they need to meet their customers’ demands. Knowing your monthly sales in advance is the best way to ensure you never run out of inventory.

#3: Avoid unsold stock

One of the biggest issues that most businesses face is unsold products. This situation generally occurs when demand dips or businesses fail to estimate sales adequately. Unsold stock practically disappears with Shopify product subscriptions. 

The likelihood of unsold stock drastically drops when you know many orders you must fulfill monthly. Moreover, most subscription-based companies keep a 10% excess to ensure they can cover new orders. When you think about it, a Shopify product subscription service saves you a ton of headaches in the long run.

Grow your sales with high-performing deals.

#4: There are no limits to what you can sell

You can practically sell any product via a subscription service. 

Yes, that’s right.

The secret is to focus on the right structure for your product subscription service.

#5: Shopify gives you the tools you need to sell product subscriptions easily

Here’s what you can expect when you sell product subscriptions on Shopify:

On the whole, working with Shopify is a much simpler process than with other e-commerce platforms. As such, Shopify is a great option for beginner-level entrepreneurs and newcomers to the online marketplace.

What are the Best Industries for Shopify Product Subscriptions?

Let’s take a look at the top five industries for Shopify product subscriptions:

#1: Food & Beverage

Food and beverage products are a natural fit for Shopify product subscriptions. You can easily convert returning customers into subscribers by offering great deals on leading products. 

For example, creating product bundles delivered weekly, monthly, or quarterly allows you to provide customers with great deals and offers.

Here is a look at how Joshua Tree does Shopify product subscriptions:

shopify product subscriptions
Source: jtcoffee.com

Joshua Tree delivers bundle packs of its best coffee at a discounted rate. Subscribers get a 10% discount off the retail price. This approach entices customers to become subscribers. 

Subscribers can choose to get weekly, bi-weekly or monthly deliveries. So, customers forget about placing orders. All they need to do is enjoy their favorite coffee.

#2: Apparel

Apparel may not seem like an obvious choice for a subscription service. But take a look at Foot Cardigan. Foot Cardigan’s fun sock subscription delivers a new sock bundle with every pack. Customers pay a monthly subscription to get the latest in fun and colorful socks.

Here’s a look at how Foot Cardigan does it:

sell subscriptions on shopify
Source: footcardigan.com

This Shopify product subscription service works because customers don’t need to think about shopping or browsing for fun socks. Foot Cardigan takes the guesswork out of finding the best in delightful foot apparel. Best of all, customers get their delivery every month. It’s as easy as that!

#3: Beauty and cosmetics

Beauty and cosmetic items make perfect sense for a Shopify product subscription format.

How so?

Beauty and cosmetics are products that customers consistently purchase. As a result, customers need to shop for routinely. But what if you could eliminate the need to shop for these items? Myro Refillable Deodorant does just that.

Let’s take a look at how Myro Refillable Deodorant does Shopify product subscriptions:

shopify subscription products
Source: mymyro.com

Myro makes sense because customers get a neat product bundle every month with all the products they need. Plus, customers save on the retail price and shipping by signing up. 

Ultimately, this approach entices customers to subscribe. They save time, effort, and money. Myro makes it easy for customers to get their favorite products with an easy subscription.

#4: Household Items

Household items are common products we must all shop for. While they are easy to find, environmentally conscious consumers may have a hard time finding the best option. 

Green Up Box solves that issue. Green Up’s subscription box delivers common household and hygiene products in an environmentally friendly package. Talk about a walk to help customers save time and effort by saving the planet as well.

Here’s how Green Up Box does Shopify product subscription:

shopify subscriptions guide
Source: greenupbox.com

Green Up Box offers various product subscriptions, including monthly, quarterly, and annual options. Green Up Box takes the guesswork out of finding environmentally friendly products. Best of all, this Shopify product subscription service is the kind you can set and forget.

#5: Pet food

Shopping for pet food can be a time-consuming matter. Well, not anymore. Shopify product subscriptions work very well for pet food shopping. Ollie is a pet food subscription service that takes saves time, money, and effort. Ollie delivers top-quality food right to your door.

Let’s look at how Ollie does Shopify product subscriptions:

benefits of shopify for subscriptions
Source: myollie.com

Customers can choose the best subscription plan for their needs. As a result, Ollie eliminates last-minute shopping trips and confusing online or phone orders. Ollie helps customers hit the ground running with their starter box. 

The starter pack contains a two-week supply based on the dog’s breed and size. Plus, customers can save up to 50% on their first purchase. That sounds like a good deal that entices customers to sign up.

As you can see, the possibilities for Shopify product subscriptions are limitless. So, don’t be afraid to use your imagination!

How to Sell Shopify Product Subscriptions in 6 Steps

If you’re wondering how to begin selling Shopify product subscriptions, wonder no more. Get started with Shopify product subscriptions in six easy steps:

#1: Get started with Shopify

Shopify allows you to try everything on their platform free for three days. Three days is enough to get a fully functioning site running. Shopify’s platform makes it extremely simple to build a brand-new e-commerce site. If you already have an existing site, transferring it to Shopify is much easier than you think.

Please note that Shopify plans begin at $29 a month. The Shopify basic plan is a great way to get started building your e-commerce site without any complex coding or programming. You can upgrade your plan as your shop’s needs change.

#2: Create your online store

Creating your online store is much easier than you think. Shopify’s drag-and-drop system allows you to build a professional-grade e-commerce site without any coding. You can use Shopify themes to build your site easily and effectively. 

You can also include third-party Shopify apps for various functions such as shipping, inventory management, and customer service, among many others.

#3: Choose the right product(s)

Now that you have an online site running, it’s time to choose the right products for your Shopify product subscription service. Take the time to research the item you’re interested in, or choose one from our top five above. 

Once you have decided on a product, Shopify allows you to build your subscription service with a few clicks.

#4: Add a Shopify product subscription app

Once you have chosen the right product for your Shopify product subscription service, getting the right product subscription app allows you to get started.

Choosing the right product subscription app allows you to manage, customize, and track your Shopify product subscription service from your dashboard.

#5: Test your subscription service

Testing is an important part of ensuring your Shopify product subscription service works optimally. Please note that Shopify product subscription apps typically give you a free trial period. Take advantage of it. You can test apps to determine which ones work best for your specific product types. 

Once you have found the best subscription app, you can commit to paying for it. In general, Shopify product subscription apps come with a monthly payment. Finding the right app for your e-commerce site is a worthwhile investment.

#6: Collect customer feedback

After your e-commerce site is humming along, don’t neglect customer feedback. Customer feedback allows you to spot issues before they become serious problems. 

Furthermore, customer feedback allows you to fix issues without shutting your entire site down. This approach is a critical part of running a successful Shopify product subscription service.

Please remember that customer feedback is the most important kind of feedback you can get. Customers are willing to give it to you, but you need to ask first!

Selling Subscriptions on Shopify: Summing up

Setting up a Shopify product subscription service is much easier than you think. Product subscriptions allow you to find the right products you need to produce consistent revenue while controlling your costs. The best part is that practically any product can become a subscription.

So, what are you waiting for?

There are limitless opportunities out there. Use your imagination to build the best product subscription service on the market. Shopify simplifies the entire process for you. All you need is some good old-fashioned elbow grease to get started making some serious revenue.

Grow your sales with high-performing deals.

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