Use this checklist to go from a new install to selling subscriptions on your store. Three of the steps (the app embed, your first plan and the customer portal) are also on the Setup readiness card on your Appstle Dashboard, which checks them for you.
When all three are done, the card looks like this:
If you closed the card, the Dashboard shows a smaller Setup status bar instead. Click Reopen setup guide on it to bring the card back.
Before you start
Appstle Subscriptions is installed on your store.
Your store uses a payment provider that supports subscriptions, such as Shopify Payments or PayPal Express. If it doesn't, your Dashboard shows a Set up your payment gateway banner.
You have at least one product you want to sell on subscription.
The first time you open the app, a short onboarding wizard asks what brings you here, then helps you turn on the app embed (Step 1). Finish it, or click Exit Onboarding, to reach the Dashboard.
Moving from another subscription app? In the wizard, choose I'm migrating from another app or platform, or chat with us. Our migration team helps you move your existing subscriptions to Appstle.
Step 1: Turn on the app embed
The app embed lets Shopify load subscription purchase options on your storefront. Until it's on, shoppers don't see them.
In the Appstle Subscriptions app, open the Dashboard.
In Setup readiness, click App is active to expand it.
If the row shows Action needed, click Open theme editor. Shopify opens your theme editor at App embeds.
Make sure Appstle Subscriptions is turned on, then click Save.
Go back to the app and refresh the page. App is active now shows a check mark and "The Appstle app embed is enabled on your theme." The card checks your published theme, so turn the embed on there. You can also check it in Shopify admin under Online Store → Themes → Customize → App embeds.
Step 2: Create your first subscription plan
A subscription plan sets which products shoppers can subscribe to, how often orders go out and any subscriber discount.
In Setup readiness, expand First subscription plan and click Create plan to open the Subscription Plans page. You can also open it from the app menu.
Follow Create a subscription plan to name the plan, add products and set up its first subscription option.
To choose between Pay as you go and the prepaid billing types, see Subscription billing types.
Step 3: Check the widget on a product page
The subscription widget is where shoppers choose between a one-time purchase and a subscription. It shows on the product page of products that are in an active plan.
Open a product from your plan on your online store.
Check that the subscription options show on the page, usually near your add-to-cart button.
If you don't see them, work through "Why don't shoppers see the widget?" in Customize your subscription widget. That article also shows how to change the widget's look, text and behavior.
Step 4: Set up the Customer Portal
The customer portal is where subscribers manage their own subscriptions, so they don't have to contact you. What they can change depends on the settings you choose.
In Setup readiness, expand Customer portal.
Follow Set up your Customer Portal to set up the portal and link it from your customers' account pages.
Step 5: Place a test order
Before you tell customers about the offer, subscribe to one of your own products the way a shopper would.
Set up test payments, so nothing is charged. Shopify's guide to placing test orders shows how.
On your online store, open a product from your plan and choose the subscription option.
Check out with a test card.
In the Appstle Subscriptions app, open Subscriptions and check that your test subscription is in the list.
Cancel the test subscription, then turn test payments off so customers can pay.
Next: set up what happens after the first order
These are optional for launch, but they shape what happens after customers subscribe:
Failed Payment Recovery in Appstle Subscriptions: choose how Appstle retries failed payments.
Retention Management in Appstle Subscriptions: choose what customers see when they cancel or pause, and give them reasons to stay.
How to customize emails: edit the subscription emails customers receive.
Create shipping profiles for subscription orders: give subscribers their own shipping rates, such as free shipping. Without one, subscription orders use your store's shipping rates.
Need help?
Email [email protected] or message us through the chat widget in the app. We're available 24×7×365.