Many retailers ask us this question:

“Can New Media Retailer set up subscriptions on my Shopify store?”

For example:

• Auto-ship pet food

• Monthly garden boxes

• Feed delivery programs

• Recurring product deliveries

These types of programs are called subscriptions.

The short answer is no — we don’t manage subscription systems.

But don’t worry. In this article, we’ll explain why subscriptions are more complex and how you can set them up the right way on Shopify.

What New Media Retailer Manages for Your Website

First, let’s talk about what our team does manage for retailers.

Our job is to help independent retailers get found online and sell what’s in their store.

We help manage things like:

• Product catalog merchandising

• Product images and descriptions

• Connecting your POS system to your website

• Keeping inventory and pricing accurate

• Website content updates

• Promotions and special offers

• Marketing announcements

If you are in our Marketing Pro program, we also help with:

• Google Business Profile updates

• Email marketing

• Social media posts

• Website content marketing

Our goal is simple:

Make sure what’s on your store shelves is also available online and visible to local customers.

What we do not do is build custom ecommerce software.

And that’s exactly what subscription systems require.

Why Product Subscriptions Are More Complex

Subscriptions are not just another product setting.

They are actually a whole new system layered on top of your store.

Subscriptions include features like:

• Recurring billing

• Secure payment storage

• Automatic order creation

• Failed payment management

• Customer subscription portals

• Delivery schedules

• Pause or cancel options

• Product substitutions

• Payment processor compliance

Because of this, subscriptions are essentially their own ecommerce system.

That is why Shopify does not offer subscriptions as a built-in feature.

Instead, Shopify created an entire ecosystem of subscription apps.

Examples of Subscription Programs Retailers Consider

Retailers often think about offering subscriptions such as:

• Auto-ship dog food

• Monthly garden club boxes

• Coffee subscriptions

• Feed delivery programs

• Lawn care product subscriptions

These can be a great way to create recurring revenue.

But they require the right tools to manage them properly.

How to Set Up Subscriptions on Shopify

The correct way to add subscriptions to your Shopify store is by using Shopify apps.

Shopify created a large ecosystem of companies that specialize in subscription technology.

The first step is to visit the Shopify App Store.

Search for terms like:

• Subscription apps

• Recurring orders

• Auto-ship programs

You will see many companies that offer subscription software.

Some examples include:

• Recharge

• Skio

• Bold Subscriptions

• Loop Subscriptions

• Seal Subscriptions

There are actually hundreds of subscription app companies.

Each one offers different features and pricing models.

How to Choose the Right Subscription App

If you want to launch a subscription program, you should talk directly with these app companies.

Here are some important questions to ask them:

• What are the monthly fees?

• Do you charge per subscriber?

• How does billing work?

• What happens if a payment fails?

• Can customers pause or skip deliveries?

• Will it work with my POS system and inventory setup?

Every Shopify store is different.

Make sure the subscription app company reviews your store setup carefully before implementation.

This will help ensure their system works correctly with your website.

How New Media Retailer Can Still Help

While we don’t implement subscription software, we can help with the marketing around it.

For example, we can help with:

• Creating a page on your website explaining your subscription program

• Promoting subscriptions through website updates

• Marketing announcements and promotions

• Email campaigns announcing your subscription program

• Google Business Profile posts about subscription delivery

If you are part of Marketing Pro, we can help promote your subscription offering across multiple marketing channels.

Final Thoughts for Retailers

Subscriptions can be a great revenue opportunity for retailers.

They work especially well for products customers buy again and again.

But it’s important to understand that subscriptions add another technical layer to your ecommerce system.

Just like New Media Retailer helped build your Shopify website, product catalog, and POS connection, subscription programs require their own specialized tools and experts.

The key is choosing the right Shopify subscription app partner to manage that system.

Getting Started

If you’re interested in launching subscriptions:

1. Visit the Shopify App Store

2. Search for subscription apps or recurring orders

3. Speak directly with subscription software companies

4. Choose the app that best fits your store and goals

Once your subscription system is set up, New Media Retailer can help you market it to your local customers.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out to our team.

We’re always happy to help.