10 Subscription UX Best Practices

Subscription-based businesses are on the rise, and with that comes the need for a great user experience (UX). Subscription UX is the process of designing a user experience that encourages customers to sign up for and stay subscribed to a service.

In this article, we’ll discuss 10 subscription UX best practices that you can use to create a great user experience for your customers. By following these best practices, you can ensure that your customers have a positive experience with your subscription service and are more likely to remain subscribed.

1. Make it easy to sign up

If signing up for your subscription service is too complicated, users will be discouraged from completing the process.

To make it easy to sign up, you should keep the number of steps in the process as low as possible. You can also use features like auto-fill and social login to reduce the amount of time it takes to complete the form. Additionally, you should provide clear instructions throughout the process so that users know what they need to do at each step. Finally, make sure that all forms are optimized for mobile devices since many people now access websites on their phones.

2. Give a free trial or discount for first-time users

By offering a free trial or discount, you’re giving potential customers an incentive to try out your product. This helps them get familiar with the features and benefits of your subscription service without having to commit to it right away. It also gives them time to decide if they want to continue using the service after the trial period is over.

Additionally, by providing a free trial or discount, you can increase customer loyalty and reduce churn rate. Customers who have already experienced the value of your product are more likely to stick around for longer periods of time.

3. Offer an annual plan

An annual plan gives customers the option to pay for a full year of service upfront, which can be more cost-effective than paying month-to-month. This is especially true if you offer discounts on annual plans. Plus, it’s convenient for customers who don’t want to worry about renewing their subscription every month.

Offering an annual plan also helps reduce churn and increase customer loyalty. Customers are more likely to stick with your product or service when they have already made a larger commitment by signing up for a longer period of time.

4. Keep the subscription simple and transparent

When customers sign up for a subscription, they should know exactly what they’re getting and how much it will cost. If the subscription is too complicated or confusing, customers may be hesitant to commit. Additionally, if customers don’t understand their subscription, they may not realize when their payment is due or how long their subscription lasts.

To make sure your subscription is simple and transparent, clearly explain the terms of the subscription on the sign-up page. Include information about the length of the subscription, any fees associated with it, and the renewal process. This way, customers can easily understand what they are signing up for and won’t be surprised by unexpected charges.

5. Don’t lock customers in

When customers feel like they are locked in, it can create a sense of frustration and resentment. This is especially true if the customer feels like they have no control over their subscription or that there’s no way to cancel without incurring fees.

Instead, make sure your subscription UX allows customers to easily manage their subscriptions, including canceling at any time with no penalty. This will help build trust and loyalty with your customers, as well as encourage them to stay subscribed for longer periods of time.

6. Use frictionless payment methods

When customers are signing up for a subscription, they want the process to be as easy and seamless as possible. If there is too much friction in the payment process, it can lead to customer frustration and abandonment of the purchase.

To reduce friction, you should offer multiple payment methods such as credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc. This will give your customers more options and make it easier for them to complete their purchase. Additionally, you should also consider offering an auto-renewal option so that customers don’t have to manually renew their subscriptions each month or year.

7. Allow self-service cancellation

When customers are able to cancel their subscription on their own, it gives them a sense of control and autonomy. This helps reduce customer churn and increases customer satisfaction. It also reduces the amount of time your customer service team has to spend dealing with cancellation requests.

To make self-service cancellation easy for customers, provide clear instructions on how to do so in multiple places throughout your website or app. Make sure that the process is simple and straightforward, and that customers can easily find the information they need.

8. Send reminders before billing

When customers sign up for a subscription, they may forget when their next payment is due. This can lead to missed payments and unhappy customers. To avoid this, send reminders before billing so that customers know when their payment is coming up.

Reminders should be sent at least one week before the payment is due. This gives customers enough time to make sure they have the funds available or update their payment information if needed. Additionally, you can include helpful tips on how to manage their subscription in the reminder emails.

9. Be proactive about customer support

When customers have a problem with their subscription, they want to be able to get help quickly and easily. If you don’t provide them with the support they need, they may become frustrated and cancel their subscription.

To ensure that your customers are getting the best possible experience, make sure that customer support is easy to access. This could include providing an online chat feature, phone number, or email address for customers to contact you. Additionally, make sure that your customer service team is knowledgeable and responsive so that customers can get the help they need in a timely manner.

10. Collect feedback from your subscribers

By collecting feedback from your subscribers, you can gain valuable insights into how they interact with your product or service. This information can help you identify areas of improvement and make changes that will improve the overall user experience. Additionally, it gives you an opportunity to build relationships with your customers by showing them that their opinions matter.

You can collect feedback in a variety of ways, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, and even through social media. Make sure to ask questions that are specific enough to get useful answers, but not so detailed that it becomes overwhelming for your subscribers.