How Subscribfy Works
Understand how subscriptions flow through your store - from customer signup to recurring billing to fulfillment
Understand how subscriptions flow through your store - from customer signup to recurring billing to fulfillment.
The Subscription Lifecycle
Every subscription progresses through six key stages:
Customer Signs Up
A customer purchases a subscription product from your store.
First Order Created
Shopify generates the initial order and processes payment.
Subscription Active
The customer becomes an active subscriber with access to benefits.
Recurring Billing
Automatic charges occur on schedule based on your configuration.
Fulfillment
Products are shipped to the customer (for product subscriptions).
Renewal or Cancellation
The cycle either continues or ends based on customer action.
Two Types of Subscriptions
Membership Subscriptions
Customers pay recurring fees to unlock exclusive perks.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Discounts, free shipping, store credits, early access |
| Billing | Charged on a schedule (weekly, monthly, yearly) |
| Delivery | No physical products - benefits apply to orders |
| Example | "VIP Club - $9.99/month for 15% off all orders" |
Best for: Stores wanting to build customer loyalty and predictable revenue without shipping additional products.
Product Subscriptions
Customers receive products automatically on a schedule.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Products delivered on schedule |
| Billing | Charged before each delivery |
| Delivery | Physical products shipped each cycle |
| Example | "Coffee Subscription - Fresh beans every 2 weeks, 10% off" |
Best for: Consumable products, replenishment items, or curated boxes.
How Billing Works
First Order
When a customer subscribes, Shopify processes the initial payment immediately, creating a standard Shopify order.
Recurring Orders
On each billing date, Subscribfy automatically charges the saved payment method, creates a new order, and adds it to your fulfillment queue.
Failed Payments
When a charge fails, Subscribfy sends a notification, retries based on your configuration, and allows customers to update payment info.
Customer Experience
Shopping
- View subscription options on product pages
- Choose between one-time purchase or subscription
- Select delivery frequency
- See subscriber-exclusive discounts
Managing Subscriptions
Through the Customer Portal, subscribers can:
- View active subscriptions
- Skip a delivery
- Adjust delivery frequency
- Update payment method
- Cancel subscription
Receiving Updates
- Email notifications before each charge
- Order confirmation after payment
- Shipping notifications upon fulfillment
Shopify Integration
Subscribfy leverages Shopify's native subscription infrastructure:
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Selling Plans | Display subscription options on product pages |
| Subscription Contracts | Track individual customer subscriptions |
| Payment Methods | Securely stored by Shopify |
| Orders | All orders appear in Shopify Orders |
| Customers | Subscriber data syncs with Shopify Customers |
Key Benefits:
- Orders fulfill through standard Shopify workflows
- Shopify manages inventory
- Centralized customer data management
- Subscription orders included in reports
Key Concepts
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Billing Cycle | The frequency of customer charges (e.g., every 30 days) |
| Next Billing Date | When the next automatic charge occurs |
| Subscription Status | Active, Paused, or Cancelled |
| Dunning | The process of retrying failed payments |
| Churn | Customer cancellation of subscriptions |
| MRR | Monthly Recurring Revenue - predictable monthly income |
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