A subscription-based product sales app that can be used in Japanese has been released
As mentioned in this article , Shopify does not have the functionality to sell subscription-based products, which are ordered and shipped on a recurring basis.
However, you can enable the subscription feature by installing an app such as Bold Subscriptions.
However, until now, most apps have been made by overseas developers, and once installed, they can be difficult to use and there is a lack of support available.
So, this time we would like to introduce an app called " Subscription Purchase " created by our Japanese app development partner.
- I want to start a subscription service, but I don't know which app to use.
- Installation of the theme seems complicated...
- I want to receive support in Japanese for how to use the app.
If you are having trouble with the above, please refer to this article.
Benefits of regular purchases and subscriptions
- App name: Subscription purchase
- Price: Free (free for use in test mode; paid plans start at the end of May 2021)
- Supported languages: Japanese (including in-app explanations and support)
This is the first subscription app available in Japanese on Shopify. Unlike apps made overseas, the setup screen is explained in Japanese, so installation and setup are very smooth. There is also a Japanese manual, so you can start using it right away after installation.
Additionally, the app has the following unique features:
- Intuitive and simple settings screen
- It is also possible to measure the results of advertisements, etc. (A separate app or Liquid file editing is required to install measurement tags)
- Customers can be given membership ranks based on the number of purchases they make
- Report function that lets you see subscription sales at a glance
In addition, future feature updates are planned. At present, the following features are scheduled to be implemented in the future.
- Ability for customers to change subscription products
- Customer relationship management (CRM) features, such as tagging customers
- Analysis features such as channels
Not only will we be adding a subscription feature, but we will also be adding more features to enhance the effectiveness of subscriptions, so we believe it will be useful to a wide range of people, including those who just want to start subscriptions and those who want to further grow their subscription customer base.
It's great that even as your child grows, they can use all the functions in one app.
How is it different from other subscription apps?
There are already apps, including some made overseas, that allow for subscription purchases, but what makes this app different from those existing apps?
The biggest difference is that not only does it support Japanese, but it also utilizes the "Shopify Subscription API."
Until now, Shopify itself did not have a recurring purchase function, so if you wanted to sell with a subscription model, it was common to use an app. However, apps could not use Shopify's payment system, and had the following disadvantages:
- Separate payment service application required on the app side
- If you want to customize it, you have to develop it using the API provided by the app.
- Tags cannot be embedded in the thank you page after purchase, making advertising effectiveness unclear
- Customers have different checkout flows for single purchases and subscriptions, which can be confusing
This was the situation up until now, but in October 2020, Shopify officially released the new Shopify Subscription API, which made it possible to use Shopify's standard checkout flow. By using this API, the subscription app in question can now accept subscriptions without compromising the normal purchasing experience.
Therefore, it has the following advantages over previous subscription apps:
- No need to apply for a separate payment service
- Unify your customers' purchasing experience
- Tags such as ad tags can be installed
- You can customize the thank you page by editing the app or template.
Unlike previous apps, the biggest benefit is that it is now possible to quickly utilize Shopify's API, allowing for a smooth purchasing experience.
Examples of stores that are actually using the service
How do shops that actually use subscription purchasing apps make use of them?
Here we will introduce some examples of shops.
Sell monthly membership events as subscriptions
ITONAMI Co., Ltd., a denim manufacturer, offers a membership-based event called "Fuku no Tane" on a subscription model, where members can take part in the entire clothing production process over the course of a year, from growing the cotton that becomes denim to manufacturing the finished product.
By registering the right to participate in the project as a product and selling it under a subscription model, monthly membership fees can be paid automatically.
It is clear that subscription apps are well suited not only for selling things such as existing products, but also for selling experiences such as services.
Steps from installing the app in the app store to registering for a subscription
Applying is easy, and you can start using it just by installing the app from the app store.
The steps are explained below.
*As a prerequisite, you must enable "Shopify Payments" to use the app. If you haven't done so yet, enable Shopify Payments from the settings menu.
[1] Add a subscription app from the Shopify App Store.
Subscriptions‑Huckleberry Subscriptions - Shopify App Store
[2] Use the easy installation function to add the code to display the subscription plan to the theme. (You can also set it manually if you want to display it in a specific location.)
[3] Create a membership rank. By creating a membership rank, you can set ranks and discount rates for each order amount. By increasing customer loyalty, you can encourage customer growth, such as turning repeat customers into fans.
[4] Create a subscription plan. Set basic settings such as the delivery interval, minimum purchase number, and discount amount for subscriptions.
[5] Link the plan to the product for which you want to set up a subscription. Go to the product management page, click "Add options" in the "Subscription" menu, and select the plan you registered in the steps above.
[6] Once you have linked a plan to a product, try it out in your own shop to see if you can actually subscribe to the plan.
Registration can be completed easily in five steps, and the management page is fully explained in Japanese and easy to operate, so you can start using it right away.
If you get unsure about individual settings, you can easily ask Japanese customer support via chat on the app management page, which is very helpful.
For installation and inquiries from shops and dealers, please click here!
Subscription purchases, which enable both stable sales and building good relationships with customers, can be said to be a must-have measure for online shops of the future.
In addition, Huckleberry Co., Ltd., which operates the subscription service, also provides lectures and forms alliances with Shopify development vendors and advertising agencies on Shopify's customer acquisition tools.
If you are an interested construction company/agency, please contact us using the form below.
For installation and inquiries from shops and dealers, please click here
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