How to Build a Subscription Business on

Subscription-based businesses have exploded in recent years—from beauty boxes and coffee clubs to software services and meal kits. Customers love the convenience of automated deliveries, while businesses enjoy predictable recurring revenue and higher customer lifetime value.

If you run a Shopify store (or are planning to start one), adding a subscription model can transform your business. In this blog, we’ll break down why subscriptions work, how to set them up on Shopify, and the best strategies to grow your recurring revenue.

Why Add Subscriptions to Your Shopify Store?

Recurring Revenue: Subscriptions create predictable cash flow, making your business more stable.
Customer Retention: Instead of one-time purchases, you build long-term relationships with repeat buyers.
Convenience for Customers: Shoppers don’t need to remember to reorder—they get products delivered automatically.
Stronger Brand Loyalty: Subscription members often feel like part of an exclusive community, boosting loyalty.

Step 1: Choose a Subscription Model

There are several types of subscription businesses you can build on Shopify:

Replenishment Subscriptions: Products customers use regularly (coffee, pet food, vitamins).
Curation Boxes: Surprise boxes with themed or personalized items (beauty boxes, snacks).
Membership Access: Exclusive discounts, perks, or content for members.
Hybrid Models: Combining regular products with curated surprises.

👉 Tip: Start by identifying your product type and what customers value most—convenience, discovery, or exclusivity.

Step 2: Install a Subscription App

Shopify doesn’t have subscriptions built-in, but you can use apps to enable them:

Recharge Subscriptions – One of the most popular apps for recurring billing.
Bold Subscriptions – Flexible options for customizing subscription plans.
Appstle Subscriptions – Affordable and beginner-friendly.
Skio – Seamless checkout and retention-focused features.

These apps let you:

Offer weekly, monthly, or custom billing cycles.
Allow customers to pause, skip, or cancel easily.
Manage recurring payments and shipping.

Step 3: Optimize Your Subscription Offer

To convince customers to subscribe instead of making one-time purchases:

Offer discounts: e.g., “Subscribe & Save 10%.”
Add perks: free shipping, loyalty points, or early access.
Flexible options: let customers choose delivery frequency (every 2 weeks, monthly).
Make cancellation easy: A good experience reduces churn.

Step 4: Market Your Subscription

Highlight benefits on product pages: Show cost savings and convenience.
Email & SMS campaigns: Send reminders, upsell subscriptions, and re-engage churned customers.
Social media content: Share unboxing videos, customer testimonials, and subscription perks.
Influencer marketing: Partner with creators to showcase your subscription experience.

Step 5: Measure & Improve

Track these key metrics to refine your subscription business:

Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR)
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV)
Churn Rate (cancellations)
Average Order Value (AOV)

Experiment with perks, packaging, and customer experience to reduce churn and increase retention.

Successful Subscription Brands on Shopify

Birchbox (Beauty): Built a billion-dollar brand around curation.
Hubble Contacts (Eyewear): Simple replenishment model for convenience.
Who Gives A Crap (Eco-friendly products): Subscription toilet paper with a sustainability mission.

These brands show how powerful a subscription model can be when executed well.

Final Thoughts

Building a subscription business on Shopify can turn casual buyers into loyal customers and provide steady recurring revenue. By choosing the right model, using the right apps, and marketing effectively, you can create a sustainable business that grows month after month.

Start small, test your offer, and optimize based on customer feedback—your subscription business could be the key to long-term success on Shopify.

How to Build a Subscription Business on Shopify