--- title: "Shopify subscription guides by stage | Chargezen" description: "Every Chargezen guide, doc and calculator for Shopify subscriptions, grouped by stage: start, grow, keep subscribers and recover failed payments." url: "https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/guides" lang: "en" --- Canonical URL: https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/guides # Subscription guides for every stage. Launch, grow, keep subscribers and get failed payments back. Every guide, doc and calculator we have, in the order you will need them. [Start Subscriptions](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup?product=subscriptions) [See pricing](https://chargezen.com/pricing) Start ## Launch your subscription program. Pick what to sell, how to price it and which app runs it, or move from the app you use today. ### Guides [ ### How to start selling subscriptions on Shopify Products, plan type, delivery schedule, discount, the plan picker, the portal and your first 90 days.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-start-subscriptions-on-shopify) [ ### How to choose a Shopify subscription app 15 questions to ask about pricing, checkout, the portal, payment recovery, moving apps and AI.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-shopify-subscription-app) [ ### Monthly, quarterly, annual or prepaid plans Which plans to offer, how to price longer ones and when to remind subscribers before a renewal.](https://chargezen.com/blog/annual-vs-monthly-subscriptions) [ ### Subscription apps with no transaction fees Which Shopify subscription apps take a cut of every order, and what ten of them cost a year.](https://chargezen.com/blog/shopify-subscription-apps-no-transaction-fees) [ ### What a retention stack really costs A line-by-line look at five retention apps and what changes when you move them onto one platform.](https://chargezen.com/blog/replace-your-retention-stack-costs) [ ### Recharge bought Skio: what to do now What changed for Skio and Recharge merchants, and a checklist for deciding whether to stay or move.](https://chargezen.com/blog/recharge-acquired-skio-what-merchants-should-do) [ ### Launch a pet supplies subscription box Five steps from picking the products to shipping the first box.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-launch-a-subscription-box-for-pet-supplies-in-5-simple-steps) [ ### Memberships for a brick-and-mortar store Ways a physical store can earn recurring revenue with memberships and subscriptions.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-leverage-membership-and-subscription-to-boost-revenue-for-your-brick-and-mortar-store) [ ### Subscription billing for e-learning How courses and online learning businesses can stop billing by hand and sell subscriptions.](https://chargezen.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-expanding-your-e-learning-business-using-subscription-billing-software) ### How Chargezen does it [ ### New to subscriptions A plain guide to launching your first subscription program with Chargezen.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/getting-started) [ ### How subscriptions work for shoppers A page to share with subscribers: billing, skips, swaps and cancelling.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/how-subscriptions-work) [ ### Shopify subscriptions Built on Shopify checkout, Shop Pay and customer accounts.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/shopify-subscriptions) [ ### Prepaid subscriptions Get paid up front for several deliveries.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/prepaid-subscriptions) [ ### Headless and API Subscriptions for Hydrogen and custom storefronts.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/headless-subscriptions) [ ### No revenue share A flat monthly price, with no cut of your subscription revenue and no transaction fees.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/no-revenue-share) [ ### One platform for the whole relationship Subscriptions, texts and email, rewards, checkout, reports and AI agents in one place.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/revenue-ops-engine) [ ### Integrations Klaviyo, Stripe, Shopify and the other tools Subscriptions connects to.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/integrations) [ ### Subscriptions by industry The features that matter most for wellness, beauty, food, coffee, pets and more.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/industries) [ ### Shopify Plus subscriptions Checkout blocks, Cart Transforms and a flat price with no revenue share.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/shopify-plus) [ ### Memberships Paid memberships with member tags, subscriber-only VIP tiers and access to digital content.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/memberships) [ ### Selling subscriptions internationally Renewals bill in the currency each subscriber checked out in, with a translated customer portal.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/international) [ ### Direct selling Autoship for customers, single-level commissions for ambassadors with Spark!.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/industries/direct-selling) ### Moving from another app [ ### All migrations Move your subscribers, schedules and history without double billing.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations) [ ### How a migration works What moves, who does what, testing and cutover day, with no double billing.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/how-migration-works) Migration guide by app * [Recharge](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-recharge) * [Skio](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-skio) * [Loop](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-loop) * [Stay AI](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-stay-ai) * [Appstle](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-appstle) * [Seal](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-seal) * [Smartrr](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-smartrr) * [Bold](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-bold) * [Ordergroove](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-ordergroove) * [PayWhirl](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-paywhirl) * [Upscribe](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-upscribe) * [Stripe](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-stripe) * [WooCommerce](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-woocommerce) * [Sticky.io](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/migrations/migrate-from-sticky-io) ### Docs and tools [ ### Set up docs Create plans, prepaid plans, build-a-box bundles and the plan picker on your product page.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/create-product) [ ### Store settings docs Notifications, the upcoming charge reminder, shipping, price changes and stock.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/notifications) [ ### Migrate docs Move subscriptions with a CSV import or Stripe payment methods, step by step.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/migration) [ ### Recharge cost calculator What Recharge costs a year at your order volume, using its public rates.](https://chargezen.com/tools/recharge-cost-calculator) [ ### Software cost audit Add up what your apps cost each month and compare it with Chargezen pricing.](https://chargezen.com/tools/tech-stack-audit) Terms to know * [Subscribe & Save](https://chargezen.com/glossary/subscribe-and-save) * [Prepaid subscription](https://chargezen.com/glossary/prepaid-subscription) * [Quarterly subscription](https://chargezen.com/glossary/quarterly-subscription) * [Replenishment subscription](https://chargezen.com/glossary/replenishment-subscription) * [Subscription frequency](https://chargezen.com/glossary/subscription-frequency) * [Anchor date](https://chargezen.com/glossary/anchor-date) * [Recurring revenue](https://chargezen.com/glossary/recurring-revenue) * [Automatic renewal law](https://chargezen.com/glossary/automatic-renewal-law) * [Negative option rule](https://chargezen.com/glossary/negative-option-rule) Grow ## Win more subscribers and bigger orders. Turn one-time buyers into subscribers, then add bundles, upsells and offers that hold their margin. ### Guides [ ### Turn one-time buyers into subscribers Offers for the product page, cart, checkout, thank-you page and portal, and how to test them.](https://chargezen.com/blog/convert-one-time-buyers-to-subscribers) [ ### Product bundles for subscriptions Fixed, mix-and-match and build-a-box bundles: when to use each and how to price them.](https://chargezen.com/blog/product-bundles-for-subscriptions) [ ### Black Friday for subscription brands Sell longer plans instead of deeper discounts, and keep the new subscribers through January.](https://chargezen.com/blog/black-friday-subscription-strategy) [ ### Start and grow a build-a-box subscription The build-a-box features that let customers pick what goes in each box.](https://chargezen.com/blog/leveraging-build-a-box-features-to-start-and-grow-a-custom-box-subscription-business) [ ### How to win more subscribers Simple ways to grow your subscriber list.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-acquire-subscribers-like-a-pro) ### How Chargezen does it [ ### Upsells and cross-sells Turn one-time buyers into subscribers and add to every order.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/upsells-and-cross-sells) [ ### Bundles Build-a-box, curated kits and bundle-and-save pricing.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/bundles) [ ### Gift subscriptions Let customers give a subscription, and keep the person who receives it.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/gift-subscriptions) [ ### Subscription rewards Credits, free gifts, milestones and punch cards for subscribers.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/subscription-rewards) [ ### Referrals Turn happy subscribers into your best way to find new ones.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/referrals) [ ### Email and text that know the subscription Messages that know what each customer bought, when they renew and what they need next.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/lifecycle-growth) ### Docs [ ### Growth docs Upsells for subscribers, and subscription changes customers make through Concierge.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/upsells) Terms to know * [Upsell](https://chargezen.com/glossary/upsell) * [Cross-sell](https://chargezen.com/glossary/cross-sell) * [Post-purchase upsell](https://chargezen.com/glossary/post-purchase-upsell) * [One-time add-on](https://chargezen.com/glossary/one-time-add-on) * [First-order discount](https://chargezen.com/glossary/first-order-discount) * [Build-a-box](https://chargezen.com/glossary/build-a-box-subscription) * [Referral program](https://chargezen.com/glossary/referral-program) Keep ## Keep the subscribers you have. Learn why people cancel, give them easy ways to change their plan instead, win back the ones who leave and track what works. ### Guides [ ### How to reduce subscription cancellations Why subscribers cancel, how to measure it and the habits that keep them ordering.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-reduce-subscription-churn) [ ### Cancellation flow examples Seven examples, from skip and swap offers to pauses, and how to build one that stays easy and legal.](https://chargezen.com/blog/subscription-cancellation-flow-examples) [ ### Win back canceled subscribers Who to contact, when, with which offer and what to say by email and text.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-win-back-canceled-subscribers) [ ### Subscription metrics to track Twelve numbers, from monthly revenue to save rate and customer lifetime value, with a formula for each.](https://chargezen.com/blog/subscription-metrics) [ ### How an account page keeps customers The account page features that help customers manage orders and keep buying.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-customer-account-page-improves-customer-retention) [ ### 8 ways to keep subscribers engaged Ideas for keeping subscribers interested enough not to cancel.](https://chargezen.com/blog/8-strategies-to-engage-subscription-customers) [ ### Win customer loyalty with subscriptions How subscriptions turn first-time customers into regulars.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-to-win-customer-loyalty-with-e-commerce-subscriptions) [ ### Membership program metrics The numbers that show whether a membership program is working.](https://chargezen.com/blog/metrics-for-measuring-the-performance-of-your-membership-program) [ ### AI agents and subscriptions What an AI assistant like ChatGPT or Claude can safely read and change in your subscription program.](https://chargezen.com/blog/ai-agents-and-subscriptions-mcp) ### How Chargezen does it [ ### Cancellation prevention Personal save offers that give subscribers a reason to stay.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/cancellation-prevention) [ ### Keeping subscribers Save cancellations, recover failed payments and win back people who left.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/churn-prevention) [ ### Win-backs Bring former subscribers back with one-click reactivation.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/win-backs) [ ### Customer portal A branded portal where subscribers skip, swap and manage everything.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/customer-portal) [ ### Quick actions One-tap skip, swap and reactivate buttons for the emails you already send.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/quick-actions) [ ### Automations Decide what happens after every order: swaps, gifts, discounts and messages.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/workflows) [ ### Manage by text and chat Subscribers skip, swap and update by text, chat or phone with AI.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/customer-concierge) [ ### Help customers stay when life changes AI agents, offers to stay, payment recovery and reports for the moments before someone leaves.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/churn-bursting) [ ### Analytics Revenue, cancellations, customer groups, products and renewals in one view.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/deep-dive-analytics) [ ### Store credit Refund as Shopify store credit, give goodwill credit and show the balance after each order.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/store-credit) ### Docs and tools [ ### Customer portal docs Set up and brand the portal, passwordless sign-in and Shopify customer accounts.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/portal) [ ### Orders and subscriptions docs Skip, swap, reschedule, pause, cancel and reactivate, plus orders, filters and exports.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/skip-swap-reschedule) [ ### Retention docs Cancellation offers and reasons, win-backs, automations and quick actions.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/cancellation-flows) [ ### Analytics docs Dashboards, subscription reports and benchmarks.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/analytics-dashboards) [ ### Cancellation rate calculator Work out your monthly cancellation rate and what it costs over a year.](https://chargezen.com/tools/churn-calculator) [ ### Customer lifetime value calculator Estimate what a customer is worth and compare it with what you pay to win one.](https://chargezen.com/tools/ltv-calculator) [ ### Subscription health score Check your program against six key numbers and get ideas on what to fix first.](https://chargezen.com/tools/subscription-health-score) Terms to know * [Churn rate](https://chargezen.com/glossary/churn-rate) * [Voluntary churn](https://chargezen.com/glossary/voluntary-churn) * [Save rate](https://chargezen.com/glossary/save-rate) * [Skip rate](https://chargezen.com/glossary/skip-rate) * [Skip](https://chargezen.com/glossary/skip-delivery) * [Swap](https://chargezen.com/glossary/product-swap) * [Pause](https://chargezen.com/glossary/pause-subscription) * [Subscription portal](https://chargezen.com/glossary/customer-subscription-portal) * [Reactivation](https://chargezen.com/glossary/subscriber-reactivation) * [Retention rate](https://chargezen.com/glossary/retention-rate) * [Renewal rate](https://chargezen.com/glossary/renewal-rate) * [Gross revenue retention](https://chargezen.com/glossary/gross-revenue-retention) * [MRR](https://chargezen.com/glossary/mrr-monthly-recurring-revenue) * [LTV](https://chargezen.com/glossary/ltv-lifetime-value) * [Cohort analysis](https://chargezen.com/glossary/cohort-analysis) * [Churn prediction](https://chargezen.com/glossary/churn-prediction) Recover ## Get failed payments back. Many subscribers who lapse never meant to leave. Their card was declined. Retry at the right time and ask them to update it. ### Guides [ ### Why subscription payments fail Soft and hard declines, retry schedules, card-update messages and how to measure what you recover.](https://chargezen.com/blog/why-subscription-payments-fail) [ ### Failed payment recovery and retention How reminders and retries after a declined card keep customers and revenue.](https://chargezen.com/blog/how-dunning-can-help-your-d2c-ecommerce-business-with-customer-retention-and-revenue-recovery) [ ### Subscription reminder text examples Texts for upcoming orders, declined cards and plan changes, with timing.](https://chargezen.com/blog/subscription-reminder-text-examples) ### How Chargezen does it [ ### Failed payment recovery Retries and reminders that recover declined payments automatically.](https://chargezen.com/subscriptions/failed-payment-recovery) ### Docs [ ### Payments docs Failed payments, payment methods and currency, and the billing schedule.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/dunning) [ ### Charge errors Every decline reason, whether Chargezen retries it and how to fix it.](https://chargezen.com/docs/subscriptions/charge-errors) Terms to know * [Involuntary churn](https://chargezen.com/glossary/involuntary-churn) * [Dunning](https://chargezen.com/glossary/dunning-management) * [Decline code](https://chargezen.com/glossary/decline-code) ## Grow subscriptions without giving up a cut. $199 a month for Shopify Advanced and Plus stores. No commission and no transaction fees. [Start Subscriptions](https://admin.chargezen.com/signup?product=subscriptions) [See pricing](https://chargezen.com/pricing) ## Common questions ### Where should I start if I am new to subscriptions? Read how to start selling subscriptions on Shopify, then the guide to monthly, quarterly, annual and prepaid plans. Both are in the Start section. ### Are these guides only for Chargezen customers? No. The guides in each stage work with any subscription app. The pages under "How Chargezen does it" and the docs show how Chargezen handles each step. ### Where is the step-by-step setup help? In the Subscriptions docs. Each stage links to the docs sections that cover it, from creating your first plan to handling declined cards.