It's clear that subscription models have a purpose to play in driving growth and building customer loyalty. You see it all the time with popular companies like Netflix, and even platforms like Instagram, which rolled out fan subscriptions in 2022 as another way for creators to monetize their content. Recurring revenue is in, especially in a high-cost acquisition economy.
Katrina Nguyen
Katrina is a Content Marketer with 5+ years of experience in ecommerce across Shopify & Recharge, ranging from technical support engineer to account management, to now marketing. While Katrina was an account manager she managed a rotating portfolio of DTC brands, consulting on growth strategy and product implementation. She has hosted Recharge's podcast, authored blog posts, and interviewed merchants for case studies. Among a diverse portfolio of content, Katrina continues to lean into her passion for learning more about consumer psychology and sharing the merchant story.
Best practices 4 min read
Mastering the shopping cart: 6 key opportunities to enhance the “Add to Cart” experienceThe "Add to Cart" button is one of the most crucial elements on any ecommerce site. It's not just a button; it's a gateway to conversions, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, revenue. For brands looking to optimize their "Add to Cart" rate, you'll be looking to land on a number between 8-11%.
Best practices 4 min read
Maximizing sustainable growth with Shopify subscription apps & recurring revenue modelsYou've likely already heard about rising costs of customer acquisition costs (CAC) being a barrier to acquiring new customers, and with good reason. With saturated markets and advertising costs only increasing, sustainable growth is the goal now more than ever.
Best practices 4 min read
Subscription Model 101: A beginner’s guide to recurring revenue strategiesThe subscription business model has become a dominant force across various industries, from digital streaming and software services to monthly product boxes and membership programs. This model offers businesses a predictable and steady revenue stream while providing customers with continuous access to products or services they value. If you're new to the subscription model, this guide will introduce you to the fundamentals and key strategies for building a successful recurring revenue stream.
Culture 3 min read
Celebrating Pride Month: Meet AlexToday we meet Alex, an Enterprise Support Lead at Recharge. Alex ensures our merchants get the best support, leading a team dedicated to smooth customer experiences. Since joining in April 2022, Alex has enjoyed three years at Recharge, bringing a decade of ecommerce experience with her. Read on to learn more about Alex’s journey, advice for newcomers, and her involvement with the Pride and Allies ERG.
Best practices 4 min read
5 strategies to improve retention through failed payment recoveryThe tides are shifting, and what was once an attention-based economy has now transformed into the routine economy. Consumers are putting their dollars toward building up their routine, and brands can leverage this to position their products as essential parts of customers' daily lives.
Best practices 5 min read
Why customers cancel subscriptions and how to reduce churnFrom streaming services and software solutions to monthly product boxes and membership programs, subscription-based services have transformed the commerce landscape. While the subscription model offers a steady revenue stream for businesses, it also brings the challenge of customer retention, or customer churn.
Culture 4 min read
Celebrating AAPI month at Recharge: Meet CallieCallie is a Partner Manager who collaborates with leading Shopify Plus agencies across North America and Australia. With 2.5 years at Recharge and a wealth of experience in various industries, she brings a unique perspective to her role.
Best practices 5 min read
3 customer retention strategies your ecommerce brand can do in 2024While the standard subscribe-and-save model may not suit every business, one successful retention strategy is actually built on the subscription business model, i.e. selling your products or services on a recurring basis. At the end of the day, your goal is to generate repeat customers who continually come back to your business for their needs, and what better way to do that than to make your business subscription-first?
Culture 4 min read
Celebrating Women’s History Month at Recharge: Meet KaitlynAs a Frontend Software Engineer, Kaitlyn’s impact at Recharge is probably one you’ve encountered as a user. If you aren’t familiar with this line of work, Kaitlyn has helped code some of the product features you see in Recharge’s frontend experience.
Culture 4 min read
Meet our merchants: BLK & BoldI had the wonderful opportunity to interview Rod Johnson, cofounder and Chief Values Officer for BLK & Bold specialty coffee.
Industry insights 5 min read
The evolution of subscription box businessesSubscription boxes have emerged as a popular and convenient way for consumers to discover new products and indulge in their passions. Customers pay a recurring fee for curated packages delivered on a recurring basis and offer a delightful surprise each time they arrive at the customer's doorstep.
Culture 5 min read
Celebrating Black History Month at Recharge: Meet ShonelI sat down with Shonel Symister, Customer Success Manager here at Recharge and one of the leaders of the Black at Recharge employee resource group (ERG). We get a glimpse of her experiences as she shares her insights from her role in customer success to her involvement with the Black at Recharge ERG. With authenticity and resilience at the core of her narrative, Shonel offers valuable perspectives on navigating professional landscapes, fostering community, and advocating for authenticity and inclusivity.
Industry insights 5 min read
3 strategies to maximize retail & ecommerce presence in 2024As 2023 draws to a close, one might be tempted to ask: what pandemic?
Best practices 4 min read
How DTC businesses should think about returns this holiday seasonThere is a certain lifecycle a product goes through between the brand and the customer. Customers may need to return their purchase for one reason or another, and the way that a business addresses this process can largely impact the lifetime value of the customer (LTV) and the perception of the brand itself.
Merchant spotlight 2 min read
Merchant inspiration series: BundlesIn this series, we’ll be sharing a selection of merchants leveraging different Recharge tools and products to match their brand vision. From simple to complex use cases, merchants can draw inspiration from different builds to see what’s possible with Recharge.
Merchant spotlight 2 min read
Merchant inspiration series: Custom notificationsIn this series, we’ll be sharing a selection of merchants leveraging different Recharge tools and products to match their brand vision. From simple to complex use cases, merchants can draw inspiration from different builds to see what’s possible with Recharge.
Merchant spotlight 2 min read
Merchant inspiration series: Customer portalsIn this new series, we’ll be sharing a selection of merchants leveraging different Recharge tools and products to match their brand vision. From simple to complex use cases, draw inspiration from different builds to see what’s possible with Recharge.
Best practices 6 min read
The impact of social media on ecommerce customer retentionRecent years have shown us that social media is here to revolutionize the way we interact with brands online.
Best practices 4 min read
Maximizing shopper value with Primal KitchenBeing able to balance customer acquisition costs (CAC) and lifetime value (LTV) has become a crucial factor for long-term success. While attracting new customers is essential, it is equally important to maximize the value derived from existing customers over their entire lifetime. By focusing on maximizing LTV, businesses can offset the expenses brought on by acquiring new customers and achieve sustainable growth.
Best practices 6 min read
How to build a retention-driving DTC brand communityIn the world of ecommerce, cultivating a devoted customer base can be quite a challenge. In an era of easily accessible alternatives, direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands must find ways to distinguish themselves in saturated markets and generate meaningful connections with their customers.
Best practices 3 min read
How optimizing your customer portal can improve brand loyaltyNowadays, customers expect nothing less than a seamless experience when interacting with a brand. This is where a well-optimized customer portal can make all the difference. By providing a personalized and efficient experience, a customer portal can not only improve customer satisfaction, but also impact brand loyalty and how your customers perceive their relationship with your brand. In this blog post, we’ll explore how optimizing your customer portal can do just that.
Best practices 3 min read
The psychology of cross-selling: how to influence customer behaviorThe best way to increase your conversion rate is to understand the way your customers think.
Best practices 5 min read
How to get your first 1,000 subscribers & beyondIn the world of direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, reaching subscriber milestones can be a major indicator of success. Going from your first 1,000 to 10,000 subscribers is a significant achievement that demonstrates your brand's growth and engagement with your audience. However, this transition can be challenging, and it requires careful planning and execution.
Merchant spotlight 5 min read
Merchant Roundup: Subscriptions led by innovationDirect-to-consumer (DTC) brands have transformed the shopping experience by providing consumers with direct access to high-quality products, eliminating intermediaries and fostering a more personalized shopping experience. Among the popular offerings from DTC brands, subscription programs allow customers to receive their favorite products on a regular basis offering convenience and reliability.
Best practices 5 min read
Merchant Roundup: How these popular merchants optimize their subscription programIn the ever-evolving world of ecommerce, merchants are always looking for ways to improve customer engagement and retention. Recharge has filled that gap by offering subscriptions as a retention strategy that comes with predictable revenue, brand loyalty, and a relationship with customers that extends beyond transactional interactions. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some case studies from well-known merchants and what they've done with their subscriptions to improve their businesses and increase customer loyalty.
Best practices 7 min read
8 tips for creating a successful ecommerce loyalty programWith the shifts in the ecommerce landscape over the last several years, the importance of a solid retention strategy has increased significantly. Retention has historically always been complementary to offsetting customer acquisition costs (CAC), but with factors such as iOS security and third-party data availability changes, the cost to acquire a customer has gone up by as much as 60% in the last five years.
Best practices 5 min read
3 workflow strategies to optimize your subscription businessDirect-to-consumer (DTC) businesses have revolutionized the retail industry in recent years. With the growth of ecommerce and social media, more and more businesses are choosing to sell directly to their customers rather than through traditional retailers.
Industry insights 6 min read
Confessions of a consumer: Last minute gift inspirationIf I’m being honest, I’m probably exactly the kind of consumer that many merchants are looking for. Not only am I personally interested in buying products for myself and the people around me, but I also thoroughly enjoy sharing great deals or cool new products I’ve discovered with my friends and family. And even beyond that—I go out of my way to find and search for product ideas that haven’t been directly marketed to me through ad campaigns.
Best practices 5 min read
The magic of the curated gift box experienceThe avid gift giver is likely looking to outdo themselves at every opportunity they can, whether it’s with a custom gift box wrapped in especially decadent paper, or the gift box itself is full of little gifts that remind you of your loved one. When you think about it, most gifts are curated to a degree.
Best practices 7 min read
Write a product description for your subscription box that sellsIf you’ve ever come across an ecommerce site through an online search for a specific product, you’ve most likely seen a generic and unhelpful product description or two in the search results.
Best practices 8 min read
How to create best-in-class subscription product packagingProduct boxes and packaging are crucial—and yet often overlooked—components of online stores. For smaller merchants or those just starting out in the industry, product packaging is often the first thing to be sacrificed in order to reduce overhead costs.
Best practices 9 min read
Confessions of a consumer: Know thy customer to boost brand loyaltyWith the rise of social media platforms like TikTok which encourage realness and a semblance of unfiltered content, it’s no surprise that consumer behavior is trending towards relatability. Especially with the lack of opportunity to meet with one another in person in the last few years due to the pandemic, relationships and human connection are now at the forefront of a successful marketing strategy.
Best practices 5 min read
Expanding your brand’s international footprint with We Make WebsitesAs the first international Shopify Plus agency, We Make Websites (WMW) definitely knows a thing or two about what exactly it takes to take expand your business to reach an international audience. As ecommerce continues to evolve and grow, considering what needs to be done in the process of branching out into international markets is an important step for many brands at scale.
Best practices 6 min read
The power of data & its role in increasing retention with Tenzo TeaThere are two kinds of people in the world: those who like numbers, and those who don’t. The founders of Tenzo Tea likely lean toward the first as they continue to master the art of data-driven decision-making in their business.
Best practices 7 min read
A brand awareness story with MixhersWith the rise of accessibility to information via social media, learning about your health has never been easier. It seems like everybody wants to share strategies to promote wellness, yet there is still a stigma around conversations about women’s sexual and reproductive wellness.
Industry insights 4 min read
Apps & integrations for every stage of your subscription programAs more and more merchants are turning to ecommerce to fuel their business, creativity and innovation are pivotal for making your company distinct from others in the same industry. Online merchants are turning to a more modular approach through the use of integrations and apps for subscriptions in order to curate a seamless customer experience and efficiently manage subscriptions.