Your customers want easy reorders. They like getting coffee, supplements, or pet food without buying again each month. BigCommerce does not include a built-in subscribe button. You need a third-party app to add subscriptions.
Once you pick an app, you must connect the right payment gateway. You also need to test billing, orders, and customer accounts before launch. BigCommerce Development Services can help when the setup gets more involved.
Recurring billing is simple in concept. Customers choose a schedule for future payments. The system then charges them on that schedule.
A coffee order may renew every week. Vitamins may renew once each month. Customers do not need to place each new order themselves.
E-commerce subscriptions usually fall into three main types:
Subscriptions can work well for both sides. Customers get convenience and may receive a discount. Stores get repeat sales without asking customers to reorder each time.
This can make revenue easier to forecast. It also gives stores a stronger connection with repeat buyers.
For growing BigCommerce stores, this solves a common problem. Customers often forget when they need to reorder. A subscription handles that step automatically.
BigCommerce does not include built-in subscription management. You need an app that works with your store.
Several options are available. Each app handles subscriptions in a different way. Your products and business model should guide the choice.
Focus on a few important areas when comparing apps:
These details matter more than a long feature list. A subscription app must fit how customers already shop.
PayWhirl works well if you:
Recharge works well if you:
Ordergroove works well if you:
May not be the best fit:
Payment setup is where things can get tricky. A subscription app must charge customers again after the first order.
That means the payment method must support future charges. The gateway also needs to work with your chosen subscription app.
BigCommerce supports stored payment instruments with many compatible gateways.
Examples include:
Stored payment instruments let a system securely reference payment details later. This supports future charges without asking customers to enter their card again.
Gateway support can vary by setup. Confirm support with both BigCommerce and your subscription app.
If you connect BigCommerce to an ERP, payment mapping also matters. The NetSuite Connector for BigCommerce explains several payment and shipping setup details.
Once you have a compatible gateway, follow these steps:
Tokenization lets the payment system store a secure payment reference. The store does not need to handle the raw card number.
One common problem is stored payments not working correctly. If payment details cannot be saved, future subscription charges may fail.
Test this before customers start subscribing. It is much easier than finding the problem after renewals begin.
Next, decide which products customers can subscribe to. Then create subscription plans for those items.
Most apps let you control billing schedules and discounts. Some also support trials and minimum commitments.
Your subscription app may let you set:
Keep the first setup simple. Too many choices can make buying harder.
Two or three useful schedules may be enough. You can add more later based on customer behavior.
Subscription products also affect inventory and taxes.
Check these areas before launch:
A subscription order still needs available stock. It also needs the correct tax and shipping rules.
Stores with more advanced inventory needs may need ERP support. A BigCommerce NetSuite Integration can help keep order and inventory data aligned.
A good customer portal makes subscription changes easier. Customers should not need support for every small update.
A simple portal also gives customers more control. That can make the subscription easier to keep.
Your portal should let subscribers:
These tools can also reduce support work. Your team spends less time making routine account changes.
Failed payments can cancel subscriptions customers wanted to keep. This is called involuntary churn.
A common cause is an expired or declined card. Dunning tools help manage these failed payments.
You can set rules for:
A retry plan may try the payment again after several days. Customers should also get clear instructions for updating payment details.
Good dunning practices can reduce involuntary churn by 15-25%.
Subscription orders may also need to reach your ERP. This matters for finance, inventory, customers, and fulfillment.
Businesses using NetSuite Services often need this data connected. Without an integration, teams may need to enter information by hand.
A subscription and ERP connection can help:
The goal is simple. The same order should not need to be entered twice.
That also reduces mismatched data between your storefront and ERP.
Most subscription setups need some way to move data between systems.
Common options include:
An API lets two software systems exchange information. A webhook sends a message when an event happens.
For example, a subscription app may send a webhook after renewal. Your integration can then create the matching ERP order.
Oracle NetSuite supports CSV imports, REST web services, SOAP web services, and RESTlets for system integrations.
The best method depends on your setup. Your app, ERP rules, and order process all matter.
The BigCommerce NetSuite integration guide explains this approach in more detail.
Launching a subscription is only the first step. You also need customers to choose it and keep it.
Focus on clear pricing and useful benefits. Make the subscription easy to understand.
Common approaches include:
Discounts are not the only reason people subscribe. Convenience can be just as important.
Make the value clear before checkout. Customers should understand why subscribing makes sense.
Your subscription option also needs visibility.
Useful tactics include:
Do not hide the subscription option under extra clicks. Customers should see it when deciding how to buy.
For search-focused stores, BigCommerce SEO Services can help subscription pages target useful search terms.
Even a good subscription setup can run into problems. Most issues come from payments, app settings, or data flow.
Start with the simplest cause first. Then test each part of the process.
Testing each step helps isolate the problem.
Create a test subscription first. Then check the initial order, renewal, tax, payment, and cancellation flow.
You can handle it yourself if:
Get support when:
Bring in a consultant for:
The more systems involved, the more testing matters. A small checkout problem can create a large accounting problem later.
Subscriptions involve more than installing an app. Payments, products, customer accounts, inventory, and ERP data all need to work together.
Anchor Group handles BigCommerce Implementation projects that include subscription needs. Our team works with ecommerce stores, B2B companies, and businesses using NetSuite.
We look at the full system instead of one app. That matters when orders must also reach accounting and inventory tools.
If you use NetSuite, we can connect subscription order data with your ERP. We can also help with customer portals and custom checkout needs.
Sometimes you do not need a large project. You just need someone to look at the strange part of the setup.
The BigCommerce 30-minute fix gives you direct access to someone who works with these systems.
Recurring billing is the system that charges customers on a set schedule. A subscription model includes much more than payments. It also covers products, prices, shipping, and the customer experience. Recurring billing handles each future charge. Subscription management controls what happens around those charges. Most subscription stores need both parts working together. That keeps renewals simple for customers and easier for your team to manage.
Yes, compatible subscription apps can offer different billing schedules. BigCommerce itself does not manage those subscription schedules. The app controls the available choices. These may include weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly plans. Some apps offer more flexible schedules as well. Start with options that match how customers use your product. Too many choices can make a simple purchase harder than it needs to be.
Most subscription apps include tools for handling failed payments. These tools are often called dunning features. They can retry a charge after the first payment fails. They can also email customers about the problem. Customers should have an easy way to update payment details. Set clear rules for retries and cancellations. Test the full failed-payment process before launching subscriptions to real customers.
Yes, many subscription apps support discounts for subscription plans. You can offer a lower price than a one-time purchase. Some apps also support special offers for longer plans. You may also use promotional codes for new subscribers. Available options depend on the app you choose. Keep the pricing easy to understand. Customers should see the value without needing to study several discount rules.
You can connect subscription orders to NetSuite through middleware or custom API work. The subscription app can send order events through webhooks. An integration then creates the matching records in NetSuite. This can keep inventory, customers, and financial data aligned. The exact setup depends on your subscription app and NetSuite account. Map the order flow before development starts to avoid duplicate or missing records.
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