How to Build Shopify Subscription Models That Drive Monthly Recurring

For most Indian D2C founders, the biggest challenge isn’t getting sales—it’s getting consistent, predictable revenue month after month. Running only on one-time orders makes cash flow unstable, marketing expensive, and inventory planning chaotic.

That’s why some of the fastest-growing D2C brands in India are turning to subscription models on Shopify. From coffee and wellness products to skincare and groceries, subscriptions are helping brands lock in repeat buyers and increase LTV (lifetime value).

At WebInterest, we’ve implemented subscription strategies across categories, helping brands grow revenue by 20–40% within six months. In this blog, we’ll explain exactly how to build a successful Shopify subscription model in 2025.

Why Subscriptions Are the Future of D2C in India

Predictable Cash Flow – Monthly recurring revenue helps brands manage growth and inventory better.
Customer Convenience – Customers don’t want to reorder essentials repeatedly.
Higher Retention – Subscription customers are less likely to churn.
Increased LTV – One customer relationship = multiple orders.
Upsell Potential – Easier to cross-sell related products once a customer is locked in.

Step 1: Identify Products Suitable for Subscriptions

Not every product works for subscriptions. Focus on items that:

Run out regularly (coffee, protein, atta, shampoo).
Have habitual use (skincare routines, vitamins).
Work well as bundles (meal kits, festive hampers).

Examples:

Coffee brand → 250g/month plan.
Skincare brand → 3-month serum subscription.
Grocery brand → Monthly flour and oil combo pack.

Step 2: Choose the Right Shopify Subscription App

Shopify doesn’t have built-in subscription functionality. You’ll need third-party apps.

Best Options in 2025:

Recharge Subscriptions – Most powerful, great for scaling.
Bold Subscriptions – Flexible customization.
Loop Subscriptions (India-specific) – Built for Indian D2C, integrates with Razorpay/UPI.

Step 3: Offer Flexible Plans

Rigid subscriptions don’t work in India. Customers want control.

Features to Offer:

Pause or skip subscription anytime.
Multiple delivery frequencies (weekly, monthly, quarterly).
Easy cancellation process to build trust.

Step 4: Use Pricing Psychology for Subscriptions

Make subscription plans more attractive than one-time purchases.

Tactics That Work:

Offer 10–20% discount on subscription vs one-time.
Highlight savings in rupees (“Save ₹200 per month”).
Bundle free gifts with longer-term plans.

Step 5: Promote Subscriptions Through Ads and Funnels

Don’t just place subscription options quietly on PDPs—actively promote them.

Channels That Work:

Meta Ads: Showcase “Subscribe & Save” offers.
WhatsApp Funnels: Send reorder reminders and upsell subscription options.
Email Flows: Educate on convenience and cost savings.

Step 6: Reduce COD for Subscriptions

COD breaks the flow of recurring revenue. Shift customers to prepaid.

Solutions:

Razorpay recurring payments via UPI/credit card.
Incentives like “₹50 OFF prepaid subscriptions.”
WhatsApp reminders for payment confirmation.

Case Study: Coffee Brand Achieves 38% Subscription Revenue

A Shopify coffee brand partnered with WebInterest to build a subscription model.

What We Did:

Added “Subscribe & Save 15%” option on all PDPs.
Integrated Loop Subscriptions with UPI support.
Ran Meta ads highlighting the convenience of automatic delivery.
Set up WhatsApp flows to reduce prepaid drop-offs.

Results in 90 Days:

38% of monthly revenue from subscriptions.
Churn rate under 8%.
Repeat orders became stable and predictable.

How WebInterest Builds Shopify Subscriptions

We help brands go beyond one-time sales by:

Setting up subscription apps on Shopify.
Designing subscription landing pages and PDP options.
Creating ad funnels for “Subscribe & Save” campaigns.
Setting up retention flows via WhatsApp and Klaviyo.
Monitoring churn and optimizing plans.

Conclusion

Subscriptions aren’t just a feature—they’re a growth engine. By offering recurring purchase options, you reduce dependency on ads, improve retention, and stabilize revenue.

In 2025, the Indian D2C brands that thrive will be the ones that combine Shopify + subscriptions + retention funnels into one powerful ecosystem.

Ready to Build Your Shopify Subscription Model?

👉 Book Your Free Subscription Strategy Session

How to Build Shopify Subscription Models That Drive Monthly Recurring Revenue