Ecommerce Subscriptions: The Future of Shopping

ecommerce subscriptions guide shopify

Written by Adriana Pope

February 3, 2023

Imagine a world where your customers never run out of the products they love, and you never miss a sale – welcome to the future of ecommerce subscriptions.

Ecommerce subscriptions are the wave of the future, promising a sea of benefits for both consumers and merchants alike.

No longer will customers have to worry about running out of their favorite products or scrambling to make a last-minute purchase.

Instead, they’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with regular deliveries right to their doorstep.

And as a merchant, you’ll benefit from the predictability of recurring revenue and the ability to form stronger, more loyal relationships with your customers.

So buckle up, because the future of ecommerce is here, and it’s all about subscriptions!

In this article, we’ll guide you on how to get started with ecommerce subscriptions, introduce you to the best subscription service, highlight key benefits, and share insider tips on how to become a leader in your niche.

  1. Definition and explanation of ecommerce subscriptions
  2. The history and evolution of ecommerce subscriptions
  3. Advantages of ecommerce subscriptions for consumers
  4. Advantages of ecommerce subscriptions for businesses
  5. Case studies of successful ecommerce subscription companies
  6. Predictions and projections for the growth of ecommerce subscriptions
  7. Key factors driving the growth of ecommerce subscriptions
  8. Best practices for businesses looking to start an ecommerce subscription service
  9. The impact of ecommerce subscriptions on traditional retail
  10. Is Ongoing™️ the Best Ecommerce Subscription Service?

1. What are Ecommerce Subscriptions?

Ecommerce subscriptions are a type of recurring payment model where consumers pay a fee in exchange for a selection of products or services.

This can be in the form of monthly, quarterly, or yearly payments, and the products or services can range from beauty and grooming products, to gourmet food, to household items, and beyond.

The key to ecommerce subscriptions is that they offer a more curated and personalized shopping experience, as subscribers receive a tailored selection of products that meet their specific needs and preferences.

2. The History & Evolution of Ecommerce Subscriptions

Ecommerce subscriptions have been gaining popularity in recent years as a convenient and cost-effective way for consumers to purchase and receive products.

According to recent studies, the global ecommerce subscription market size was valued at USD 10.34 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 22.45 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 16.3% during the forecast period.

Ecommerce subscriptions have been gaining popularity in recent years as a convenient and cost-effective way for consumers to purchase and receive products.

If current trends continue, we can expect to see even more businesses jumping on the subscription bandwagon and more consumers opting for the convenience and benefits of ecommerce subscriptions.

There are several advantages of ecommerce subscriptions for businesses, including:

3. Advantages of Ecommerce Subscriptions for Consumers

There are several advantages of ecommerce subscriptions for consumers, including:

  1. Convenience: Subscriptions allow consumers to receive products automatically on a regular basis, saving them time and effort.
  2. Flexibility: Ongoing offers flexible subscription management options, allowing subscribers to easily cancel, change frequency, pause, or skip deliveries as needed, providing a convenient and customizable experience.
  3. Savings: Many ecommerce subscriptions such as Ongoing offer discounts or exclusive deals to subscribers, allowing them to save money in the long run.
  4. Personalization: Subscriptions allow for tailored recommendations and experiences based on individual preferences and purchase history.
  5. Discover new products: Ecommerce subscriptions can introduce consumers to new products and brands they may not have tried otherwise.
  6. Predictable spending: Subscriptions allow consumers to budget and manage their spending more effectively.
  7. Environmentally friendly: Subscriptions reduce waste and packaging compared to one-off purchases.
  8. Convenient delivery: Subscriptions ensure that consumers never run out of essential items and have them delivered right to their doorstep.

🎉 Convenience: Customers Love AutoPay

One of the biggest benefits of ecommerce subscriptions is the convenience factor. No more endless scrolling through websites or trips to the store.

Subscribers can simply sit back and wait for their products to arrive.

This is particularly useful for busy individuals who don’t have the time or energy to go shopping, or for people who live in remote areas where access to shopping centers can be limited.

With ecommerce subscriptions, all the shopping can be done from the comfort of your own home.

Moreover, ecommerce subscriptions offer a more efficient way of shopping, as subscribers don’t have to spend time searching for the right products.

Instead, the products are delivered directly to their door, saving time and reducing the stress and frustration that can often come with shopping.

🎉 Flexibility: Subscribers Can Make Changes

Ecommerce subscriptions also provide consumers with the opportunity to try new products without the commitment.

Subscribers can test out new brands and products without having to spend a lot of money upfront, and they can cancel anytime.

This is particularly beneficial for people who are always on the lookout for new and innovative products but are hesitant to commit to a full year subscription and would rather try it out on a monthly basis.

With ecommerce subscriptions, subscribers can experiment with new products and brands without any risk or obligation.

With a Shopify app like Ongoing™️, subscribers can always choose to pause, cancel, or skip a delivery, or even swap/change out items in their subscription order.

🎉 Savings: Exclusive Subscriptions Discounts

Another advantage of ecommerce subscriptions is the access to exclusive discounts and deals.

Many subscriptions offer special promotions and discounts to their subscribers, making it an even more appealing option.

For example, a beauty subscription service may offer a discount on full-priced items in their online store, or a food subscription service may offer a free gift with each delivery.

These discounts and deals make ecommerce subscriptions a cost-effective option for people who are always on the lookout for a good deal.

Ongoing offers subscription discounts for refill orders, subscription boxes, prepaid subscriptions, gift subscriptions, and product bundling.

🎉 Personalization: Subscriptions Made Just For Your Customers

Personalization takes ecommerce subscriptions to the next level!

Personalized experiences with ecommerce subscriptions can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.

With tailored recommendations based on individual preferences and purchase history, subscribers are able to receive products and services that truly align with their needs and interests.

This level of personalization can result in a more enjoyable shopping experience and higher likelihood of repeat purchases.

Check out Ongoing’s Build a Box feature where customers can customize their own subscription box.

🎉 Discover New Products: The Wow Factor

Ecommerce subscriptions are a fantastic way for customers to discover new and exciting products and brands.

This curation aspect of subscriptions helps to deliver a “wow” factor that keeps them subscribed.

Subscribing opens the door to a world of endless possibilities, giving consumers the chance to try out things they may not have come across otherwise.

It’s like receiving a surprise package each month filled with new and interesting products tailored to their individual preferences.

This level of personalization not only adds a fun element to shopping, but also allows customers to expand their horizons and try new things they may not have considered before.

Whether it’s trying out a new skincare brand or trying a new type of snack, ecommerce subscriptions provides the opportunity for your customers to try something new.

🎉 Convenient Budgeting with Autopay: No Surprises with Subscription Billing

Offering autopay as a payment option for your ecommerce subscriptions provides numerous benefits to your customers.

By setting up autopay, they’ll know exactly how much they’ll be charged and how often, allowing them to easily factor this into their monthly budget.

This eliminates any surprises and gives them peace of mind when it comes to managing their finances.

Additionally, with autopay, they won’t have to worry about missing a payment or having to manually enter payment information each time their subscription renews.

It’s a convenient and hassle-free way for them to ensure their subscription remains active, without having to think about it each month.

Providing this option for your customers not only demonstrates your commitment to providing a seamless shopping experience, but also helps build trust and loyalty.

Ongoing™️ offers AutoPay, we automatically charge your subscribers based on their subscription frequency.

Ongoing™️ even sends out helpful notifications and emails to let customers know when they’ll be charged, & about upcoming subscription orders.

🎉 Subscription Refills are Eco-Friendly

Let’s take a moment to talk about sustainable subscription companies.

One of the key trends in ecommerce subscriptions is the focus on sustainability and eco-friendliness.

Subscription services that offer sustainable and environmentally-friendly products are gaining popularity, as consumers become more conscious of the impact their shopping habits have on the planet.

Retailers who adopt this trend and focus on offering sustainable products and packaging will be well positioned to benefit from the growing demand for eco-friendly ecommerce subscriptions.

Ongoing subscriptions offers the ability to offer refills on any product, plus prepaid subscriptions. Having customers pay more upfront for their subscriptions can help offset the more expensive packaging & ensure they’re committed for 3/6/12 months at a time.

🎉Convenient Delivery: AutoShip

Imagine never having to run to the store for those pesky “oh shoot, we’re out of toilet paper” moments again!

That’s right, with subscriptions, your customers can kiss goodbye to those inconvenient and often panic-inducing trips to the store.

They’ll never have to worry about running out of essential items, because they’ll always have a steady stream of deliveries right to their doorstep.

Think of it like a magic genie that always knows when your customers need more of their favorite products.

Subscriptions take care of the rest and ensure that they’re always fully stocked and never caught off guard.

It’s like having a personal assistant, but for their bathroom and pantry!

And the best part?

No need for fancy lamps or rubies, just a click of a button and your customers will be living their best, never-run-out-of-essentials life.

Ongoing™️ gives your customers the “good life” with automated subscriptions, so they’re happy & you’re happy.

4. Advantages of Ecommerce Subscriptions for Businesses

  1. Repeat customers: Subscriptions encourage repeat purchases, resulting in a predictable and stable revenue stream for businesses.
  2. Increased customer loyalty: Subscriptions foster long-term relationships with customers, leading to increased customer loyalty and satisfaction.
  3. Customer data and insights: Subscriptions provide valuable data and insights into customer preferences, behaviors, and purchase patterns, allowing businesses to better target and personalize their offerings.
  4. Improved cash flow: Subscriptions provide a recurring source of revenue, improving a business’s cash flow and allowing for better planning and forecasting.
  5. Reduced marketing costs: Subscriptions allow businesses to reach and retain customers at a lower cost than traditional marketing methods.
  6. Improved supply chain management: Subscriptions enable businesses to better manage their inventory and supply chain, reducing costs and waste.
  7. Increased brand awareness: Subscriptions can increase brand awareness and reach through customer word-of-mouth recommendations and social media sharing.

Subscription Data Collection & Insights

Ecommerce subscriptions also provide valuable data and insights to both consumers and retailers.

Subscribers’ purchase history, feedback, and preferences provide valuable information for retailers, who can use this data to improve their product offerings and create more personalized experiences for their customers.

For consumers, the data collected through ecommerce subscriptions can help them make better purchasing decisions.

For example, they can see which products they use most frequently and which ones they rarely use.

This information can then be used to optimize their subscriptions and ensure they are getting the most value for their money.

Valuable Insights into Consumer Behavior

Ecommerce subscriptions can also provide retailers with valuable insights into consumer behavior, enabling them to better understand their target market and tailor their offerings to meet their needs.

This data can also be used to identify trends and inform future marketing and product development strategies.

Here are three ways ecommerce subscriptions can help gather insights:

  1. Purchase history tracking: Subscriptions allow businesses to track what products are being purchased, how frequently, and in what quantities. This information can provide valuable insights into customer preferences and buying habits.
  2. Customer feedback: Subscriptions offer an ongoing customer relationship, providing an opportunity for businesses to solicit customer feedback and make improvements based on that feedback.
  3. Cancellation analysis: By tracking cancellation rates, businesses can identify and address any issues that may be causing customers to cancel their subscriptions. This information can also provide insights into the overall customer experience and areas where the business may need to improve.

5. Case Studies: Successful Ecommerce Subscription Companies

Here are 5 successful ecommerce subscription companies:

  1. Birchbox: Birchbox revolutionized the beauty industry with its monthly subscription service, which delivers personalized samples of beauty and grooming products to subscribers.
  2. Dollar Shave Club: Dollar Shave Club disrupted the traditional razor industry by offering a monthly subscription service for razors and grooming products.
  3. Blue Apron: Blue Apron revolutionized meal planning and delivery with its subscription service, which delivers pre-portioned ingredients and recipes to subscribers’ doorsteps.
  4. BarkBox: BarkBox offers monthly subscription boxes for dogs, including toys, treats, and other dog-related products.
  5. HelloFresh: HelloFresh is a meal kit subscription service that delivers ingredients and recipes to subscribers, allowing them to easily prepare healthy and delicious meals at home.

6. Predictions & Projections for the Growth of Ecommerce Subscriptions

All signs point to the subscription economy continuing to grow and thrive in the next 5 years.

Some industry experts predict that the global ecommerce subscription market will grow by leaps and bounds, reaching a staggering value of around USD 50 billion by 2028.

This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for personalized shopping experiences and the convenience of having products automatically delivered to customers on a regular basis.

So, if you’re a business owner looking to stay ahead of the curve, or a consumer who loves the idea of hassle-free shopping, it’s clear that the subscription economy is definitely worth keeping an eye on in the next 5 years and beyond!

Is Shopify the Best Ecommerce Subscriptions Platform?

The short answer is Yes, and here’s why.

In the next 10 years, Shopify subscriptions are likely to continue growing as more businesses adopt the platform and seek to capitalize on the benefits of ecommerce subscriptions.

Shopify has positioned itself as a leader in the ecommerce space and has a strong ecosystem of tools and apps that allow businesses to easily implement and manage subscriptions with apps such as Ongoing.

The Shopify Subscriptions app called Ongoing is one of the best options for businesses looking to launch and manage a subscription service.

The Ongoing Subscriptions app (for Shopify) provides a comprehensive solution for businesses, including support for recurring billing, customizable checkout experiences, and detailed reporting and analytics.

With its ease of use, flexible features, and robust support, Ongoing is well-positioned to thrive over the next decade and beyond.

So, whether you’re a small business just starting out or a large enterprise looking to scale your subscription offering, Ongoing Subscriptions is a solid choice to help you achieve your goals.

7. Key Factors Driving the Growth of Ecommerce Subscriptions

The key factors driving the growth of ecommerce subscriptions on Shopify include the growing demand for convenient and personalized shopping experiences, increasing consumer preference for subscription-based models, and the ability for retailers to generate predictable revenue streams and gain valuable customer insights.

Shopify’s user-friendly platform and ease of integration with subscription apps make it an attractive option for businesses looking to launch or expand their subscription services.

Here are some of the key factors driving the growth of ecommerce subscriptions:

  1. Convenience: Subscriptions offer consumers a convenient and hassle-free way to receive their favorite products on a regular basis, without the need to continuously place orders or run out of stock.
  2. Personalization: Subscriptions allow businesses to provide personalized experiences to their customers, by delivering products tailored to their individual needs and preferences.
  3. Cost savings: For many consumers, subscriptions offer cost savings compared to traditional one-time purchases, especially for products that are frequently used or needed on a regular basis.
  4. Increased engagement: Subscriptions encourage customers to engage with a brand on a regular basis, helping to build brand loyalty and increase customer lifetime value.
  5. Data collection: Subscriptions provide businesses with valuable data and insights into customer preferences, purchase history, and buying habits, which can be used to improve products, services, and the overall customer experience.

These key factors are contributing to the growth of ecommerce subscriptions, and driving the trend towards a more subscription-based model for businesses in a variety of industries.

8. Best Practices for Businesses Looking to Start an Ecommerce Subscription Service

Starting an ecommerce subscription service can be an exciting adventure, and with the right approach, it can also be a huge success! Here are some tips to help you make the most of your journey:

  1. Get to know your peeps: Dig into the minds of your target audience to understand what they need and want. Use this knowledge to tailor your subscription offerings and blow their minds with value.
  2. Choose the Right Subscription App: Not all subscription services are created equal, so make sure to pick the best one. You’ll be happy if you choose Ongoing™️ Subscriptions which works with all Shopify stores.
  3. Flexibility is key: Give your customers the power to customize their subscriptions, tweak their delivery frequency, and choose from a wide range of amazing products. This will keep them happy and reduce the risk of them hitting the road.
  4. Checkout should be a breeze: Make the checkout process as smooth and simple as possible. You want your customers to sign up for a subscription and fall in love with your service as quickly as possible! If you can avoid requiring an account registration, that’ll help increase conversions.
  5. Keep it crystal clear: Communicate your pricing loud and clear, and make sure your customers understand exactly what they’re paying for. No hidden fees or surprises!
  6. Customer support is king: Make sure you have a top-notch support team in place to help your customers with any questions or concerns they may have. This will keep them loyal and coming back for more.
  7. Keep on evolving: Keep your subscription service fresh and exciting by regularly evaluating it and making improvements based on customer feedback and data. This will keep your service relevant and on top of its game!

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating an ecommerce subscription service that your customers will love, and that will drive long-term success for your business!

9. The Impact of Ecommerce Subscriptions on Traditional Retail

Ecommerce subscriptions have had a major impact on traditional retail, shaking things up with their convenient and personalized shopping experiences. Subscriptions have completely changed the game for consumers.

These subscriptions have offered businesses a new revenue stream and the opportunity to build deeper relationships with their customers.

As a result, many traditional retailers have had to step up their game and incorporate subscriptions into their offerings in order to stay relevant in today’s digital marketplace.

With a mix of innovation and a commitment to customer satisfaction, the subscription economy is changing the game for both retailers and consumers alike!

10. Is Ongoing™️ the Best Ecommerce Subscriptions Service?

Yes. Ongoing™️ is the future of ecommerce subscriptions.

Our excellence in boosting subscription sales, ability to elevate the average order value for subscription orders, and proven reliability as a recurring billing software make us stand out from the crowd.

If you’re looking for the best subscription app on the Shopify store, look no further than Ongoing.

Our app offers a collaborative approach that allows merchants to vote on the features they’d like to see built.

We understand that subscriptions can be complex, which is why we strive to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for our users.

One of the key benefits of Ongoing is our super reliable recurring billing system. We ensure that your billing runs smoothly and seamlessly, so you can focus on growing your business. Our system is designed to handle the complexities of subscriptions, so you can be confident that your billing will be handled correctly, every time.

Another advantage of Ongoing is that we are an all-USA business. Our team is made up of experts with extensive experience in the ecommerce industry, and we’re committed to providing the best possible service to our users. With Ongoing, you can be confident that you’re working with a team that has your back.

Finally, our incentivized approach to helping merchants grow is what sets us apart. Our transaction-based pricing model means that as you grow, so do we. This aligns our interests with those of our merchants and ensures that we are always working to help you achieve success. We are dedicated to providing the best possible experience for our users, and our pricing model ensures that our success is tied to your success.

Ongoing is the best subscription app on the Shopify store.

Our collaborative approach, super reliable recurring billing, all-USA business, and incentivized pricing model make us the top choice for merchants looking to launch or expand their subscription services. If you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use app to manage your subscriptions, look no further than Ongoing.

Embracing the Future: The Rise of Ecommerce Subscriptions

In conclusion, ecommerce subscriptions are the future of shopping.

Ecommerce has revolutionized the way we shop, making it easier and more convenient than ever before.

With just a few clicks, you can purchase anything you need and have it delivered right to your doorstep.

They offer a new and innovative way of shopping that provides consumers with a more personalized, convenient, and cost-effective experience.

Ecommerce subscriptions are set to become an increasingly popular shopping method in the coming years. With the growth of ecommerce and the increasing demand for more personalized and convenient shopping experiences, subscriptions are set to become a mainstay in the retail industry.

They offer a more personalized, convenient, and cost-effective shopping experience, and provide valuable data and insights to both consumers and retailers.

As the demand for more personalized and sustainable shopping experiences continues to grow, ecommerce subscriptions are set to become an increasingly important part of the retail industry.

So, it’s time to consider whether a subscription service is right for you and start enjoying the benefits of a more convenient and personalized shopping experience.

Try Ongoing Subscriptions today for free!

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