/ Ecommerce
Should I offer subscriptions on my shop?
Only for consumables people genuinely reorder. Forced subscriptions on one-off products annoy customers and increase chargebacks.
/ 01
The short version
Subscriptions transform cash flow when the product fits and damage trust when it doesn't.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Best for consumables: coffee, supplements, pet food, refills.
- • Offer a discount for subscribing, not a penalty for not.
- • Make cancellation genuinely one click — it's now expected and increasingly regulated.
- • Send a pre-billing reminder email.
- • Track churn monthly from day one.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Hard-to-cancel subscriptions generate chargebacks, which threaten your payment processing account. It's not worth the short-term retention.
/ 04
What to do next
If you sell a consumable, add a subscribe-and-save option at 10–15% off and measure take-up.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get subscriptions right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
What discount should I offer?
10–15% is typical.
What's a good churn rate?
Under 8% monthly for consumables.
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