A Shopify subscription lets customers buy a product once and receive it on a schedule, without coming back to order again. It suits anything people run out of, such as coffee, skincare, supplements, and pet food. It also suits curated boxes and gifts.
Shopify and subscriptions work well together, but one thing surprises many new merchants: you need an app to run them. This guide covers what to check first, then walks through a launch from start to finish.
What you need before you start
Check these four things before you install anything. Each comes from Shopify’s subscription requirements.
- A subscription app. Subscription data appears in your admin only when you use a subscription app from the Shopify App Store.
- A supported payment gateway. Shopify lists Shopify Payments, PayPal Express, Authorize.net, Adyen, and Stripe. Availability depends on your region and the gateway’s terms, and Adyen and Stripe access is limited.
- A compatible theme. Your theme must support sections and blocks to display subscription products.
- The right sales channel. Subscription products work on the online store, Shopify POS, Shop, and custom storefronts.
Local, manual, and non-credit-card payment methods might not work for subscriptions. If your customers mostly pay that way, sort this out first.
Step 1: Choose what to sell
Start with one product that customers already reorder. Your order history will show you which one. A focused first plan is easier to price and easier to explain.
Then choose a subscription type:
- Regular: the same product on a set schedule.
- Gift: a prepaid subscription for someone else.
- Curated box: you choose what goes in each delivery.
- Build-your-own bundle: the customer chooses the items.
Step 2: Choose your delivery schedule
Match the schedule to how fast the product runs out. A bag of coffee might last a month, while a box of supplements might last three. Offer two or three options at most, because too many choices slow people down.
Step 3: Set a price that still leaves profit
A small discount gives customers a reason to subscribe. Before you pick a number, work out your margin after product, shipping, and payment costs. Also remember that shipping recurs on every order, and recurring shipments default to the least expensive available method.
Step 4: Install a subscription app and create your plan
Install an app from the Shopify App Store, then create your plan with its name, schedule, and discount. In Subsy, you can do this without a developer, and the free plan covers your first 40 subscribers.
Step 5: Add the widget to your product page
Customers need to see the subscribe option next to the buy button. Most apps add this as a theme block, which you place from the theme editor. Check that it matches your store and looks right on mobile.
Step 6: Test the full customer journey
Do not skip this step. Place a test order and check each stage:
- The subscription option appears on the product page.
- Checkout shows the delivery schedule and the recurring terms.
- The confirmation email is correct.
- The customer can find their subscription in their account.
- The customer can skip, pause, or cancel it.
Step 7: Tell your customers
Email past buyers of that product first, since they already like it. Explain the saving and make clear that they can cancel at any time. Shopify also shows a subscription disclosure at checkout, and it can’t be removed on any plan.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Launching too many plans at once. Start with one and learn from it.
- Hiding the cancel option. It damages trust and creates support requests.
- Ignoring failed payments. Cards expire, so you need a way to recover those orders.
- Measuring only new signups. Retention tells you whether the program really works.
Start with one plan
You don’t need a complex program to begin. One product, one fair discount, and a simple way for customers to manage their subscription is enough to learn what works.
Try Subsy on the Shopify App Store and create your first plan.