WooCommerce Subscription Plugin Options & Why Consider Them

by Octavia D | Jul 25, 2023 | Business

Whether in the learning industry or in eCommerce, subscription businesses are more popular than ever. Subscriptions are an easy way to earn revenue on a recurring basis, offer customers convenience, and build loyalty. The good news is that if you run a WooCommerce website, finding the right WooCommerce subscription plugin can help you embrace the subscription model in a matter of hours.

With the right approach and marketing strategy, a subscription business model can provide you with recurrent, steady, and often almost passive revenue — which, in a world ridden by stress, anxiety, and burnout, is exactly what many dream of.

How do you choose the right subscription plugin for WooCommerce? What features should you look for? How do you ensure the success of your business model?

In this article, we take a deep dive into the world of WooCommerce subscription plugin options, so keep reading if you want to learn more.

Contents

What is a Subscription Business?

In essence, a subscription business model enables customers to sign up for regular (often monthly) payments to access products or services. It’s like having a magazine subscription, but it can apply to anything from beauty products and meal kits to software and digital content.

Some of the most famous subscription businesses in the world include:

Netflix
Dollar Shave Club
Amazon Prime
Adobe Creative Cloud
Blue Apron

Unlike traditional eCommerce businesses, subscription models rely on recurring revenue streams, making them an incredibly attractive proposition for both customers and companies.

What is a Subscription Plugin and What Can It Do?

A WooCommerce subscription plugin is an invaluable tool that extends the functionality of your WooCommerce store to support subscription-based services. It seamlessly integrates into your existing store infrastructure and allows you to offer subscription plans to your customers.

With the right WooCommerce subscription plugin, you can set up various subscription options, manage billing cycles, and provide customers with flexible subscription management features. These plugins empower you to cater to a wider range of customers, from those seeking weekly deliveries to others opting for a monthly billing cycle.

WooCommerce Subscription Business Ideas

The versatility of a WooCommerce subscription model opens up a world of opportunities for eCommerce owners. Here are some innovative subscription business ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

Beauty Boxes: Curate and deliver a monthly beauty box filled with skincare and makeup products, surprising your customers with new and exciting items every time.
Meal Subscription: Offer customers the convenience of meal kits delivered to their doorstep, taking the hassle out of meal planning and grocery shopping.
Digital Content: Create a subscription-based library of exclusive digital content, such as e-books, tutorials, or stock photos, adding value to your subscribers.
Membership Clubs: Establish membership clubs with exclusive perks, discounts, and early access to new products, fostering a sense of belonging among your customers.
Software Subscriptions: Offer software as a service (SaaS) with tiered subscription plans based on the features and level of access.
Fashion Products: Allow customers to rent fashion items on a subscription basis, giving them access to the latest trends without overspending.
Fitness Products: Provide fitness aficionados with at-home gym subscriptions, granting them access to discounted equipment and workout resources.
Helpful Content: If your eCommerce store is a niche-oriented one, you might want to provide people access to exclusive helpful content to help them use your products better. For example, if you sell produce, you could give buyers access to chef-led cooking classes as a subscription.

Advantages of Implementing a WooCommerce Subscription Plugin in Your Business

There’s a very good reason people love subscription businesses so much: they’re a win-win situation for all those involved: customers, businesses, and investors.

Here are a few advantages of implementing a WooCommerce subscription model:

Steady Revenue Stream

Unlike traditional one-time purchases, subscriptions provide a predictable and consistent revenue stream, improving cash flow and financial planning. And this is not just make-believe fake news: according to recent research, subscription businesses have demonstrated a growth rate of 5 to 8 times higher than traditional businesses.

Enhanced Customer Retention

Subscribers are likelier to remain loyal to your brand, increasing customer retention and reducing churn rates. The reason behind this is simple: subscriptions provide value. Subscribers get access to exclusive content, products, and services for a flat fee or at a discounted rate, so they are more likely to stay.

Customer Convenience

Subscriptions simplify the shopping experience for customers by automating repeat purchases, saving time and effort. Because they’re based on recurring charges, subscription businesses make it easier for customers to budget and prepare in advance — and less likely they forget about paying their subscription (or downright canceling it.)

Increased Engagement

Subscribers feel invested in your brand and are more engaged, leading to valuable feedback and insights for further improvements. Subscription businesses are also generally more successful at upselling and cross-selling, resulting in higher customer Lifetime Value (LTV).

Upselling Opportunities

You can upsell higher-tier subscription plans or cross-sell related products, increasing the average customer lifetime value. For instance, if you’re selling software, you can create a tiered subscription plan with different access levels and features.

Top 5 WooCommerce Subscription Plugin Options

Now that you understand the significance of a WooCommerce subscription plugin, let’s explore the top 5 options that can elevate your subscription business to new heights:

Ultimate Membership Pro

If you seek a feature-rich plugin at an unbeatable price, look no further than Ultimate Membership Pro.

With a one-time fee of just $59, Ultimate Membership Pro offers a wide array of functionalities. From multiple subscription levels to content dripping, this plugin has it all. Its flexibility and ease of use make it a top choice for both beginners and seasoned WooCommerce users.

What’s more, Ultimate Membership Pro is integrated with payment processors (such as PayPal and Stripe), email marketing tools, and many other software applications to help you run smooth, efficient, revenue-generating subscription business operations.

WooCommerce Subscriptions

Developed by the same team behind WooCommerce, this official plugin provides seamless integration with your existing store. While it requires an annual subscription fee, its reliability, and continuous updates make it a popular choice for those seeking consistent support.

Although not as complex as other WooCommerce subscription plugin options, the official one does the job quite well, especially considering it comes at a relatively affordable price ($19.92/ month.)

Paid Memberships Pro

Another robust plugin, Paid Memberships Pro, is ideal for businesses that require extensive membership management features. Though it offers a free version, the paid version with advanced functionalities starts at $247/ year (and goes as high as $697/ year for the highest pricing plan.)

YITH WooCommerce Subscription Plugin

YITH offers a simple and easy-to-use subscription plugin for WooCommerce. It includes features like customizable renewal options, trial periods, and more, making it suitable for various subscription-based businesses.

This plugin costs €199.99/ year and it doesn’t come with a subscription plan.

Subscriptio

This tool comes equipped with all the essentials for setting up and managing subscriptions effectively. Subscriptio offers flexible billing schedules and compatibility with various payment gateways, making it a reliable option for your WooCommerce store. To get access to this plugin, you will have to spend $69 (but keep in mind that, for the money, you will only get support from the Subscriptio team for six months; if you want to expand beyond that, you will have to pay an extra $24 for twelve months of support.)

Conclusion

Embracing the WooCommerce subscription model opens up a world of possibilities for eCommerce owners, ensuring consistent revenue flow and improved customer retention. With the right WooCommerce subscription plugin, you can effortlessly manage subscriptions and cater to diverse customers.

So, whether you’re planning to launch a beauty box subscription or a membership club, invest in a reliable WooCommerce subscription plugin, such as Ultimate Membership Pro, to transform your store into a subscription-based powerhouse. By doing so, you’ll embark on a journey toward sustainable growth and customer satisfaction, all while keeping your WooCommerce store ahead of the competition.