Shopify discount codes are a great tool for running temporary promotions, like offering an extra 10% off a customer's first subscription order.
However, when it comes to providing ongoing subscription discounts, relying solely on Shopify discount codes can limit the customer experience and flexibility.
This guide explains why combining Shopify discount codes with Ongoing's built-in subscription discounts creates a more seamless and effective subscription strategy.
1. Temporary vs. Long-Term Discounts
Shopify Discount Codes:
Best suited for temporary promotions like "Get 15% off your first subscription order." These codes are ideal for one-time incentives that drop off after the first month or a few orders.Ongoing Subscription Discounts:
Perfect for long-term subscription incentives like "Save 10% forever" or "$12 off every month." These discounts are tied to the subscription plan itself, ensuring consistent and accurate pricing throughout the customer's subscription journey.
2. Accurate Pricing Display
Shopify Discount Codes Limitation:
When using Shopify discount codes for subscriptions, the "Recurring Subtotal" at checkout shows the full price of the product rather than the discounted price, even if the discount code is set to apply to "all recurring transactions" in the future. Shopify does not factor these discount codes into the recurring subtotal, which may make future subscription orders appear more expensive than they actually are.Ongoing Subscription Discounts Benefit:
Ongoing displays the correct discounted price for subscriptions both on the product page and at checkout. The subscription discount is fully baked into the "Recurring Subtotal," giving customers a clear and accurate view of what they’ll pay for their subscription order. This transparency helps build trust and improves conversions.
3. Flexible and Adaptive Logic
Ongoing’s subscription discounts are built with advanced logic to adapt to changes in subscription plans:
If a customer updates their subscription frequency or product, the correct discount is automatically applied based on the new plan.
Merchants can adjust subscriber plans, pricing, and delivery frequencies via the Ongoing dashboard, and discounts remain intact.
In comparison, Shopify discount codes offer less flexibility and often require manual adjustments to accommodate changes.
Shopify discount codes work best for temporary promotions, such as discounts on the first recurring order or the first few orders, while Ongoing subscription discounts are ideal for long-term savings.
4. Seamless Customer Portal Integration
Ongoing's discounts are applied within the customer portal, ensuring they stay consistent across product changes and subscription updates. This allows customers to manage their subscriptions confidently, knowing their discounts will adjust automatically.
Subscribers can view the subscription discounts tied to a frequency
Subscribers can change their subscription plan (which is tied to an Ongoing subscription discount)
Subscribers can add, delete and swap products (tied to subscription discounts)
5. Diverse Discount Options
With Ongoing, merchants can offer a variety of discounts, including:
Percentage-based discounts (e.g., 10% off).
Fixed dollar amounts (e.g., $12 off).
Fixed pricing (e.g., $30 per delivery).
Shopify discount codes are best suited for simpler, temporary use cases, such as flash sales or one-time discounts that can be stacked on top of existing subscription discounts.
6. Subscription Options on the Product Page
Shopify Discount Codes Limitation:
Shopify discount codes for subscriptions are only applied at checkout, not on the product page. This means customers see the full price on the product page, which can be less enticing and may reduce conversions.Ongoing Subscription Discounts Benefit:
Ongoing applies subscription discounts directly on the product page using a fully-customizable "app block" via the Shopify theme builder, showing the discounted subscription price upfront. This transparency gives customers immediate clarity on their savings, creating a better shopping experience and boosting conversions. A merchant has control over colors, copy, position, etc.7. Flexibility for Merchants on the Ongoing Dashboard
Shopify Discount Codes:
Shopify discount codes work well for simpler, short-term promotions but are not designed to adapt to subscription-specific changes, such as updates to frequency, plans, or products.Ongoing Subscription Discounts Advantage:
Ongoing is built specifically for subscription management, giving merchants full flexibility through the Ongoing dashboard. With Ongoing, you can:Adjust discount amounts, types (percentage, fixed amount, or fixed price), or duration effortlessly.
Update subscription plans or delivery schedules, with discounts automatically applied to match the new settings.
Ensure discounts are seamlessly carried over if customers change their plans or products.
This robust integration complements Shopify’s platform by providing merchants with advanced tools for managing subscriptions and offering a smoother experience for customers.
Conclusion:
While Shopify discount codes are excellent for short-term promotions, Ongoing subscription discounts offer unparalleled flexibility, accuracy, and adaptability for long-term strategies.
Combining both tools allows you to maximize your promotional efforts while ensuring your subscription discounts deliver a seamless customer experience.
If you need help setting up Ongoing subscription discounts or integrating them with Shopify discount codes, feel free to reach out to our support team!