Messaging & Email Templates
Customize email notifications sent to your customers
Customize the email notifications your customers receive throughout their subscription journey.
Email Templates Overview
Upcoming Charge
Notify customers before their next billing
Failed Charge
Alert customers when payment fails
Refund
Confirm refund has been processed
Membership Activated
Welcome new members
Skip Membership
Confirm skipped billing cycle
Membership Paused
Confirm membership pause
Membership Cancelled
Confirm cancellation
Template Configuration
Each email template has the same configuration options:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Subject | Email subject line |
| From | Sender name (appears in recipient's inbox) |
| Reply-To Email | Email address for customer replies |
| Body | HTML content of the email |
Available Variables
Use these variables in your email templates. They will be replaced with actual values when the email is sent.
| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
PLAN_NAME | Name of the membership plan |
ATTEMPTS_LEFT | Remaining billing retry attempts |
NEXT_ATTEMPT_DAYS | Days until next billing attempt |
MANAGE_MEMBERSHIP_URL | Link to customer portal |
Using Variables
Include variables in your email body like this:
<p>Hi there!</p>
<p>Your PLAN_NAME membership payment is coming up.</p>
<p><a href="MANAGE_MEMBERSHIP_URL">Manage your membership</a></p>Email Template Details
Upcoming Charge Email
When it's sent: Before the customer's next billing date.
Purpose: Remind customers about upcoming charges and give them a chance to update payment methods or make changes.
Best practices:
- Send 3-7 days before charge
- Include the amount and date
- Provide a clear link to manage subscription
- Mention what they're paying for
Example subject: "Your PLAN_NAME renewal is coming up"
Failed Charge Email
When it's sent: After a payment attempt fails.
Purpose: Notify customers their payment didn't go through and encourage them to update their payment method.
Best practices:
- Be clear but not alarming
- Explain what happens next (retry attempts)
- Make updating payment easy
- Include deadline before cancellation
Example subject: "Action needed: Update your payment method"
You can also configure this email in Settings > General Settings for more control over when it sends.
Refund Email
When it's sent: After a refund is processed.
Purpose: Confirm the refund amount and timeline for the customer.
Best practices:
- Confirm the exact refund amount
- Explain when funds will appear
- Thank them for being a customer
- Invite them back if appropriate
Example subject: "Your refund has been processed"
Membership Activated Email
When it's sent: When a new membership becomes active.
Purpose: Welcome new members and explain their benefits.
Best practices:
- Celebrate their new membership
- List key benefits
- Explain how to access perks
- Provide support contact
Example subject: "Welcome to PLAN_NAME!"
Skip Membership Email
When it's sent: When a customer skips a billing cycle.
Purpose: Confirm the skip and set expectations for next charge.
Best practices:
- Confirm which cycle was skipped
- State the next billing date
- Remind them of the plan they're on
- Link to manage subscription
Example subject: "Your PLAN_NAME billing has been skipped"
Membership Paused Email
When it's sent: When a customer pauses their membership.
Purpose: Confirm the pause and explain what happens during the pause period.
Best practices:
- Confirm pause duration
- Explain which benefits continue/pause
- State when the pause ends
- Make it easy to resume early
Example subject: "Your PLAN_NAME membership is paused"
Membership Cancelled Email
When it's sent: When a membership is cancelled.
Purpose: Confirm cancellation and leave the door open for return.
Best practices:
- Confirm effective date of cancellation
- Explain remaining access if any
- Thank them for being a member
- Offer a way to reactivate
Example subject: "Your PLAN_NAME membership has been cancelled"
Editing Templates
Navigate to Messaging
Go to Subscribfy → Messaging in your Shopify admin.
Expand the Template
Click on the email template you want to edit.
Test Your Email
Click Send test email to preview how it looks.
Save Changes
Click Save to apply your changes.
HTML Email Tips
Testing Emails
Before activating your templates:
- Click Send test email on each template
- Enter your email address
- Check how it renders in your email client
- Test on mobile and desktop
- Verify all links work correctly
Test emails use placeholder data for variables. Real emails will contain actual customer and order data.
Troubleshooting
Integration with Email Marketing
For advanced email marketing, consider integrating with:
- Klaviyo - Advanced segmentation and flows
- Postscript - SMS marketing
- Attentive - SMS and email automation
See Developer > Integrations for setup guides.
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