💡 Why Shopify is the Smartest Choice for Building Recurring Revenue
Let’s talk about one of my absolute favorite business strategies: recurring revenue!
Picture this with me: instead of starting each month wondering, “How many sales will I make?” you wake up on the 1st knowing that hundreds (or even thousands!) of dollars are already coming in from loyal subscribers. That’s the power of recurring revenue—it’s steady, reliable, and scalable.
And here’s the good news: with Shopify, creating subscription income streams is not only possible—it’s easy. You know that same Shopify that everyone swears by for building ecommerce stores!
Actually as I’m writing this blog post today is the first day of the month and I woke up to my phone making the Shopify cha-ching sound like crazy today all because of a subscription I set in place years ago that brings me consistent, recurring revenue every single month. That Shopify cha-ching, it’s such a lovely sound…let me show you how you can hear it more consistently.
The Magic of Recurring Revenue
Think of the everyday stores you love:
Skincare & beauty shops – Customers restock on face cream, mascara, or hair products every month. Instead of chasing repeat sales, your store simply delivers their favorites on a subscription schedule.
Coffee or tea brands – Imagine your customer’s morning ritual being powered by your expertly roasted beans, delivered to their doorstep monthly without fail.
Kids’ products – Diapers, craft kits, clothes, education products/magazine or letter subscriptions like my Heritage Letter or American Heritage Adventure—they all lend themselves beautifully to recurring revenue because parents need them regularly.
Wellness & supplements – Vitamins, protein powders, and health snacks are perfect for subscriptions.
T-Shirts/Clothing — Start a shirt of the month club for customers who love your designs. I joined a t-shirt subscription a few years ago and we loved it. Lock in your loyal customers with a new tee each month!
See the pattern? Recurring revenue turns one-time shoppers into long-term, loyal customers—giving you peace of mind and predictable income.
Why Shopify is the Best Platform for Subscriptions
I’ve explored other platforms, but honestly? None of them compare to Shopify when it comes to running a subscription-based business. And don’t shy away from Shopify if you want to sell a digital product subscription, just download one of the many apps (I use Digital Downloads and it works perfectly) and update your files tied to the subscription product just before your monthly product subscription orders run. Here’s why I recommend Shopify for subscriptions & I’ve been selling subscription products through Shopify for over 6 years:
Shopify Subscriptions (built-in).
Shopify now offers its own integrated subscription option. That means you can set up recurring orders right from your dashboard—no complicated coding, no tech stress.Seamless checkout experience.
Customers don’t feel like they’re being redirected somewhere weird. Everything happens inside your Shopify store, which keeps trust high and conversion rates even higher.Scalability.
Whether you start with 10 subscribers or grow to 10,000, Shopify has the power and flexibility to keep up with you.Monetization from day one.
Shopify’s subscription tools let you start with simple recurring payments and upgrade later as your business grows.All in one shopping.
House your individual purchase products alongside your subscription products all in one reliable storefront. Customers know and trust Shopify and many have their payment info already loaded into the Shop Pay app making checkout a breeze.
Beyond the Basics: Subscription Apps That Take You Further
While Shopify’s built-in subscription feature is a dream for beginners, you may want extra features as you grow. That’s where Shopify’s subscription apps shine. Here are some favorites that plug right in:
Recharge – Probably the best-known app for subscriptions. It allows prepaid subscriptions (ex: a 3-month coffee plan) and customer self-management (they can pause, skip, or swap products).
Bold Subscriptions – Flexible billing rules, customizable customer portals, and upsell options. Perfect if you want more advanced features out of the gate.
Skio – A newer player but very customer-friendly. It’s fast, clean, and designed to help you reduce churn (when customers cancel).
Seal Subscriptions – A budget-friendly app with lots of flexibility. Great for smaller shops or those testing the subscription model.
All of these integrate seamlessly with Shopify so you don’t have to worry about messy setups & can get busy building your recurring revenue stream quickly.
The Bottom Line
Recurring revenue is one of the smartest ways to build a business you love. Instead of feeling like you’re always starting at zero, you can create steady income streams that grow month after month.
And the best way to make that happen? Shopify
With built-in subscription tools plus powerful apps like Recharge and Bold, Shopify makes it simple to create a business model that’s not only profitable—but sustainable to give you ease of mind as you take your ecommerce store to the next level.
So if you’ve been dreaming about building an online store with consistent income, this is your sign. Start small. Add one subscription product. And watch as your monthly revenue becomes more predictable—and more exciting—than ever before.
👉 Ready to get started? You can try Shopify free right here and begin building your recurring revenue stream today.
Friend, you’ve got this. And I’ll be here cheering you on every beautiful step of the way. 💕
*This post contains affiliate links & I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at NO additional cost to you.