Subscription Products on Squarespace
TL;DR:
- Set up subscription products for predictable revenue on goods like packaged foods or recurring services
- Requires Squarespace Core plans or higher with Squarespace Payments or Stripe
- Subscriptions renew automatically and customers can manage cancellations through their accounts
- Product changes only apply to new subscribers unless specifically set otherwise
- Available for both one-time purchases and subscriptions on Squarespace 7.1
Basics of Subscription Products
Subscription products on Squarespace let you sell goods or services with automated recurring payments. This works well for products like meal kits, beauty boxes, or ongoing service fees. Payment details are stored securely for automatic billing at each renewal.
You'll need at least the Core plan and customer accounts enabled. Use Squarespace Payments or Stripe as your payment processor since PayPal and ACH don't support subscriptions.
Setting Up Your Subscription Products
When creating a subscription product, choose your renewal frequency from weekly to annually. You can also set specific billing cycles if you want the subscription to end after a certain number of payments.
For Squarespace 7.1 users, you can offer the same product both as a one-time purchase and as a subscription. This gives customers more flexibility in how they want to buy from you.
Any changes you make to pricing or frequency will only affect new subscribers. Existing customers keep their original terms unless you manually adjust individual subscriptions.
Managing Renewals and Cancellations
Turn on subscription renewal notifications to remind customers before their next payment. This helps reduce cancellations and keeps subscribers informed about upcoming charges.
Customers can manage their subscriptions directly from their accounts, including cancelling if they want to. You can also delay renewals from your end if you have supply issues or if a customer requests a pause.
If you need to adjust renewal dates, tell customers personally to keep their trust.
Maximizing Your Subscription Success
Use Squarespace Email Campaigns to promote your subscription products to existing customers. If subscriptions are your main focus, consider hiding the shopping cart icon to streamline the checkout experience.
Offering an initial discount on subscriptions can attract more long-term customers. You can set discounts for just the first payment or for each renewal, depending on your strategy.
FAQs
Can I offer both one-time purchases and subscriptions for the same product?
Yes, on Squarespace 7.1 you can list a product both ways, giving customers more choice.
How do subscription discounts work?
You can set discounts for just the first payment or for each renewal, depending on your promotional strategy.
What happens to subscriptions if I change payment processors?
Customers will need to resubscribe using the new payment processor. Their existing subscriptions won't transfer automatically.
How do customers manage their subscriptions?
Customers can view and manage all subscription details, including cancellations and payment methods, from their account on your site.
Jargon Buster
Customer Account: A personal area on your website where customers can manage their purchases and subscriptions.
Billing Cycles: The intervals at which a subscription renews, such as monthly or yearly.
Inventory Section: Part of the product setup where you manage stock levels and subscription settings.
Wrap-up
Subscription products can create steady revenue streams while building stronger customer relationships. The key is understanding Squarespace's requirements and using the platform's tools to create a smooth experience for both you and your subscribers. Experiment with different settings and promotions to find what works best for your business.
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