If you’re a Shopify store owner or marketer, you know how hard it is to convert a visitor to a customer.
In the competitive eCommerce market, it is essential to maximize conversions and revenue from each visitor interaction. One strategy to increase revenue is embedding subscriptions with Shopify one-click upsells.
That means, make offers to customers soon after they make purchases to sell subscriptions.
This blog explores Shopify one-click upsells for subscriptions, what it is, how to add one-click upsells on Shopify stores, the drawbacks, and how you can get started to increase your Shopify store revenue.
TL;DR
- This article explains how to convert each one-time customer to a long-term subscriber, generating recurring revenue and maximizing ROI.
- Combining Shopify one-click upsells with subscriptions is easy with subscription and upsell apps.
- Ecommerce brands that implement one-click subscription upsells tend to be more profitable. The article shares examples, tips, and takeaways you can easily apply to your store.
- Learn which success metrics to track and measure to optimize your Shopify store for maximum profits.
What are one-click upsells?
Ever received an email from a brand immediately after making a purchase offering another product at a discount? This is an example of a one-click upsell.
You can offer one-click upsell product recommendations soon after customers make purchases. These can be sent via email, WhatsApp, on the post-purchase page, or other channels. With this strategy, you can offer complementary products, upgrades, or subscriptions.
In this strategy, the one-click factor is important as it removes the other steps in the process, enabling customers to make purchases with a single click. They do not have to re-enter their payment details.
Compared to the traditional upselling process where customers have to repeat the entire checkout process, the one-click upsell feature helps improve conversion rates. This optimized subscription check-out process offers better conversions and ROI.
That’s because instead of selling products, you are offering customers the convenience of making recurring purchases, most often, at a discount. This creates more and predictable revenue for your brand.
Benefits of one-click upsells with subscriptions for Shopify brands
Upselling is an effective sales strategy. Combine it with subscriptions, and you can increase revenue, improve retention rates, and more. Here are the benefits of integrating one-click upsells with subscriptions.
1. Increased revenue
With Shopify one-click upsells, you can convert one-time customers into recurring subscriptions. This leads to increased revenue from each customer as well as higher customer lifetime value (CLV).
2. Improved customer retention
With subscriptions, you can engage customers for the long-term as most people tend to sign up for at least three months, six months, or annual subscriptions. Additionally, if they are satisfied, they renew their subscriptions. This helps increase retention rates.
3. Predictable cash flow
Shopify subscription integration with one-click upsells brings recurring revenue. Subscriptions have a predictable revenue attached. This can help you plan your inventory and business better.
4. Better customer experience
Both upsells and subscriptions offer additional value to customers. This leads to enhanced customer experience. And higher customer satisfaction rates have a positive impact on many areas of business.
How to add one-click upsells on Shopify with subscription integration?
Follow these steps to set up one-click upsells with subscription integration on your Shopify store.
Step 1: Choose your Shopify Subscription app
Your one-click subscription upsell success will depend on how efficient your subscription platform is. Appstle Subscription App is one of the most preferred platforms. When choosing the app, look for these features:
- Easy set up process
- Seamless migration from other apps
- Multiple types of subscription
- In-built marketing features, such as upsell, cross-sell, discounts, etc.
- Quick checkout
- Automated alerts and notifications
- Customization features
- Easy subscription rules control
Step 2. Install and configure your subscription app
The next step is to install your subscription app and configure it with your Shopify upsell app if the two apps are different. If you have an upsell feature within your subscription app, set it up based on your upsell strategy.
- Install your chosen app, for instance Appstle Subscription App
- Connect your subscription app with the upsell app if they are separate
- If upsell feature is integrated in your subscription app, create upsell funnels
- Create your post-purchase upsell experience using Appstle Subscriptions
Step 3. Design your upsell offers
Your Shopify one-click upsell strategy will drive results only if your upsells and offers are relevant to customers. Let’s look at how you can make subscriptions relevant.
- Subscription upgrade offers: To convert one-time customers into subscribers, offer a discount on subscriptions or free shipping to encourage them to sign up. By converting them, you can increase AOV and recurring revenue.
- Complementary subscription products: Offer complementary or related products when customers make a purchase. For example, if a customer buys a coffee machine, upsell a coffee subscription to them.
- Bundle subscriptions: Offer bundles that include the purchased item with other products delivered regularly via subscription.
- Maintenance and care subscriptions: Depending on your products and industry, offer a subscription for ongoing maintenance, part replacement, accessories, etc.
Step 4: Configure payment processing
To ensure seamless transactions for one-time purchases and subscriptions, ensure your payment processing system is set up for both types of transactions. Here are some steps to follow:
- Verify your payment gateway supports recurring billing
- Configure automatic retry for failed subscription payments
- Set up tax and other calculations for recurring orders
- Set up secure storage of customer payment information in the Shopify upsell app
Step 5: Set up customer communication
Set up automated communication and notification systems for various channels, such as email, SMS, WhatsApp, etc. Here are some notifications you should automate:
- Welcome messages to onboard new subscribers
- Billing notifications for recurring subscription fee
- Renewal reminders for subscriptions
- Upsell follow-ups for ongoing communication
Examples of upsell and Shopify subscription integration
Now that you know how to add one-click upsells on Shopify stores with subscription integration, it’s time to look at some real-world examples for inspiration.
Example 1: Glossier Beauty
Glossier is a beauty brand that implemented an upsell and subscription strategy. For example, when customers bought skincare products, the brand offers a skincare routine subscription. Here are some takeaways from this example:
- Send post purchase subscription upsell immediately after checkout
- Offer incentives, such as discount or free shipping on subscription
- Include a few sample size complementary products in the first subscription
- Communicate a clear value proposition to subscribers to keep them engaged
Example 2: Health supplement store
A health supplement brand offers supplements for one-time purchase as well as subscriptions. The upsell offer appears on each product page. The brand mentions the one-time purchase cost and the discounted cost when subscribed. Here are some other takeaways from this example:
- Let customers choose subscription delivery frequency from various options
- Highlight convenience and cost savings
- Offer a free gift, such as a small travel pouch to keep supplements
Common mistakes of one-click upsell and how to avoid them
To maximize returns from your Shopify one-click upsell and subscription strategy, avoid these common mistakes. Better still, turn these mistakes into opportunities. Here’s how.
1. Offering too many options
Customers often experience decision paralysis when they have too many options to choose from. Hence, limit the number of upsells. Offer only relevant subscription upsells. Also, create a clear value proposition that makes decisions easy.
2. Not timing upsells
Offering upsells too early or too late can impact customers’ purchase decisions. One of the best times to offer a subscription upsell is soon after the customer makes the purchase because they are still in the buying mindset.
3. Offering generic subscriptions
Offering subscription upsells that are irrelevant or not related to the original purchase might not encourage customers to subscribe. Hence, create relevant and targeted or personalized upsell subscription offers. Use customer data to offer personalized upsell offers.
4. Not optimizing for mobile
Missing out optimizing upsell pages for mobile can also lead to poor conversion rates. For instance, customers may receive your upsell offers on WhatsApp and click on the link. However, if the link is not optimized for mobile, they may just close the page. Therefore, it is essential to optimize the upsell pages for mobile.
5. Not creating clear subscription terms
When subscription terms are not clear to customers or when they come across surprise terms or costs, they may feel deceived and may not want to continue. Hence, create transparent terms about billing cycles, shipping costs and timelines, and cancellation policies.
Success metrics for Shopify one-click upsells
To ensure your one-click upsell strategy is on track, consistently measure relevant performance metrics. Here are some metrics to measure.
1. Upsell conversion rate: Calculate the percentage of customers who signed up for the subscription via your upsell offer. Upsell funnels that are optimized well achieve better results.
2. Average Order Value (AOV) increase: Track the AOV before and after customers turn into subscribers following your Shopify one-click upsell offers.
3. Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): Measure the CLV of customers who are subscribers and those that aren’t. Track CLV continuously to understand any changes. For example, if there’s a dip, you can optimize and focus on strategies to increase CLV.
4. Monthly recurring revenue: Tracking the monthly recurring revenue from your subscription upsells can help in business planning and growth.
5. Subscription retention rate: Track and measure subscriber retention rate. If there’s a drop, find out the reason for churn and optimize.
6. Subscription fulfillment accuracy: Monitor how accurately your subscription orders are fulfilled compared to one-time purchases.
Wrapping up
Ready to set up your one-click upsells with subscriptions? The key is to implement this strategy and continuously optimize it. To do so, you will need an efficient Shopify subscription app – Appstle Subscription App.
The app is designed for Shopify and Shopify Plus stores and has several built-in features to support one-click upsells.
Install Appstle Subscriptions App on your Shopify store today!
