Types of businesses that work on a subscription basis

When it comes to subscription-based businesses, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Tailoring your offering to meet the unique needs and preferences of your target audience is essential. Here are three primary types of subscription models to consider:

Product-based subscriptions

In a product-based subscription model, customers receive physical goods on a recurring basis. This model is particularly popular in industries like fashion, beauty, food, and wellness, where consumers value convenience and variety. From curated boxes of beauty products such as those from Topbox to monthly deliveries of locally made goods from companies like The Maple Box, the possibilities are endless.

Key features:

• Curated selections: Offering a carefully curated selection of products tailored to your customers' tastes can enhance the appeal of your subscription.
• Customization options: Providing customization options, such as choosing preferences or selecting specific products, can personalize the experience for subscribers.
• Add-ons and upgrades: Offering add-ons or premium upgrades can increase average order value and cater to customers looking for additional value.

Service-based subscriptions

Service-based subscriptions focus on providing access to ongoing services or experiences rather than physical products. This model is prevalent in industries like software, media streaming, education, and fitness, where customers seek continuous value and convenience. From streaming platforms offering unlimited entertainment to online platforms providing team and event management, service-based subscriptions cater to diverse needs.

Key features:

• Unlimited access: Offering unlimited access to services or content for a flat fee can attract customers looking for value and convenience.
• Tiered pricing: Implementing tiered pricing structures with different levels of access can cater to customers with varying needs and budgets.
• Exclusive content or features: Providing exclusive content or features to subscribers can incentivize sign-ups and foster loyalty.

Hybrid subscription business models

Hybrid subscription models combine elements of both product-based and service-based subscriptions to offer a comprehensive value proposition. This versatile approach allows businesses to leverage the strengths of each model and cater to a broader range of customer preferences.

Examples of hybrid models include software companies that combine products with digital content, or membership programs that offer both physical perks and exclusive services, like the digital style profile at Stitch Fix.

This feature from Stitch Fix learns your preferences as you shop, either with stylists or through the Freestyle shop. Both options let you rate and review the curated choices, and the software learns your style to make more effective suggestions with future purchases. That way, the automated subscription deliveries are tailored to your style.

Key features:

• Diversified offerings: Offering a mix of products and services allows businesses to appeal to different customer segments and adapt to changing market trends.
• Flexibility and customization: Providing flexibility and customization options allows subscribers to tailor their experience to their preferences, enhancing satisfaction and retention.
• Cross-promotion opportunities: Leveraging cross-promotion opportunities between products and services can drive engagement and boost overall revenue.

By understanding the nuances of each subscription model and aligning your offering with the needs and preferences of your target audience, you can create a compelling subscription experience that sets your business apart. Whether you choose a product-based, service-based, or hybrid approach, the key is to deliver value, convenience, and delight to your subscribers.

How to start a subscription-based business

Conduct market research and validation

The first step is to determine whether your business offering has a market ready to pay for it.

• Identify niche opportunities: If you’re not yet sure what to offer, conduct thorough market research to pinpoint underserved niches or unmet needs in the market.
• Analyze competitors: Study existing subscription businesses actively operating in Canada to understand their offerings, pricing strategies, and customer demographics.
• Assess market demand: Use surveys, interviews, or focus groups to gauge interest and validate your business idea among businesses or consumers.

Develop your value proposition

Clarify what it is about your offering that will drive businesses or individuals to sign up.

• Define your unique selling proposition (USP): Clearly articulate what sets your subscription business apart from competitors and how it addresses specific pain points or provides unique benefits.
• Tailor offerings to market preferences: Customize your products or services to align with the preferences, cultural nuances, and buying behaviours of Canadian consumers.

Choose the right subscription model

Ensure you’re choosing the best structure for the products or services you’ll offer.

• Evaluate key factors: Consider factors such as your target audience, industry trends, and revenue goals when selecting the most suitable subscription model.
• Determine pricing strategies: Develop pricing tiers that balance perceived value for customers with profitability for your business.
• Consider trial and freemium options: Explore offering free trials or freemium versions of your subscription service to attract new subscribers and encourage conversions.

Build your brand and online presence

The stronger your brand and presence are online, the faster your business will grow.

• Establish a strong brand identity: Develop a compelling brand identity that resonates with your target audience and effectively communicates your values and unique selling proposition.
• Build a user-friendly website: Create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate website that showcases your offerings and facilitates seamless subscription sign-ups.
• Utilize social media and content marketing: Develop a robust social media presence and create engaging content to increase brand awareness, foster customer engagement, and drive traffic to your website.

Set up operations and logistics

Planning for and creating solid logistics for your company from the start saves a lot of potential hassle over time.

• Implement efficient inventory and fulfilment processes: Establish streamlined processes for managing inventory and fulfilling orders to ensure timely delivery of products or services to subscribers.
• Choose secure payment gateways: Select reliable and secure payment gateways such as QuickBooks Payments that support recurring billing and provide a seamless checkout experience for customers.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements: Familiarize yourself with laws and regulations governing subscription businesses, including privacy laws and consumer protection regulations, and ensure compliance.

Acquire and retain customers

Acquiring new customers is often the costliest part of starting a new business, while retaining existing customers is often the cheapest.

• Develop effective marketing strategies: Create targeted marketing campaigns to attract new customers and drive subscription sign-ups, leveraging channels such as social media advertising, email marketing, and influencer partnerships.
• Optimize for search engines: Implement search engine optimization (SEO) strategies to improve your website's visibility in search engine results and attract organic traffic.
• Prioritize exceptional customer service: Provide prompt and attentive customer support to address inquiries, resolve issues, and ensure a positive customer experience that encourages retention and word-of-mouth referrals.

Optimize for growth and scalability

If you’re not prepared for explosive growth, you risk undoing all the hard work you put into starting your new business.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs): Track relevant metrics such as subscriber growth, churn rate, and customer lifetime value to measure progress and identify areas for improvement.
• Iterate and improve offerings: Continuously gather feedback from customers and iterate on your products or services to enhance value, address pain points, and stay competitive in the market.
• Plan for scalable growth: Develop a scalable growth strategy that includes investing in infrastructure, expanding your team, and scaling operations to support increased demand while maintaining quality and efficiency.

How QuickBooks can help

Starting any business involves numerous steps, and subscription-based businesses are no exception. QuickBooks Online can help you track customers, inventory, and rebilling automatically. Learn more and start tracking your small business expenses with QuickBooks today.