How to Offer Subscriptions Without a Website and Without Development

Having a business model that incorporates recurring payments is an increasingly popular practice, widely democratised and integrated into consumer habits. Many professionals could offer subscription models for products and services, even if they don't have a website or e-commerce platform. How can they do this? Quite simply by using payment links.

Subscription models on the rise

Offering subscriptions is very popular and has a number of advantages for businesses.

The first advantage lies in the notion of financial predictability. 

Recurring revenues guarantee a predictable and regular income stream, which also makes it easier to anticipate the future and optimise investments.

This model also makes it possible to reduce certain costs, including acquisition costs. Subscribers have a much higher retention potential, and keeping them over the long term will result in significant savings and a rapid return on the investment made to convert them. Processing costs are also positively impacted, insofar as payments are triggered automatically, and require no external intervention.

Customer relations are also strengthened by subscription models. Subscribers establish a stronger communication relationship with companies that sell subscriptions than with others from whom only sporadic 'one shot' purchases are made.

What's more, subscribers are constantly in touch with the company or professional behind the subscription, and not having to manage anything to get what they want on a regular basis provides a high level of comfort, making them more inclined to consume.

And this improved customer relationship is also an aspect on which to capitalise to increase revenue. Subscribers can be offered other products and services in addition to their subscription. And this new revenue strategy has a potential that goes beyond borders, as subscription-based models are relatively easy to duplicate in different countries and markets.

A payment link to take out a subscription is simple, quick and economical

All these promises about the benefits of recurring payments can also create a certain amount of fear, particularly when it comes to setting them up.

However, with payment links, there are no technical or organisational complexities that will cause problems in terms of implementation and follow-up.

A payment link is a link configured and created on a specific interface, such as that offered by the Obvy payment link tool. 

There are three key stages in setting up a subscription logic based on payment links:

Creation

At this stage, the professional or company will create their payment link.

This link will be configured to define the payment methods available, in this case credit card, as well as the subscription terms and conditions, which involve entering the payment frequency (weekly, monthly, yearly) and the amount of each recurring payment.

Distribution

The professional or company will then need to communicate the payment link to their customers. 

A payment link can be distributed via dozens of different channels: email, SMS, social networks, embedded in a QR Code, in a document (invoice, quotation, order form, etc.), etc.

The subscription

Finally comes the customer’s subscription stage. 

When clicking on the payment link, the customer is redirected to a dedicated payment page, on which he will be able to consult the details of his subscription and subscribe.

He will only have to fill in his credit card information, the implementation of recurring payments will be done automatically.

Benefits of using payment links to offer subscriptions

The benefits are numerous, and linking payment links to recurring payment is undoubtedly a winning combo.

A simple implementation : no IT developments, no maintenance or data hosting, the entire payment and transaction management and monitoring infrastructure being directly integrated into the platform that offers the payment link tool, like Obvy.

Great flexibility : subscriptions can be edited, modified, cancelled, and complementary goods and services can easily be added or sold separately.

Increased security : payment link systems rely on secure and robust infrastructures, resistant to computer attacks and ensure the encryption and protection of personal and banking data of professionals or companies, and their customers.

Optimized accessibility and navigation :  Any professional in any industry can use a payment link service without technical requirements or special knowledge. Payment interfaces for the end customer are optimized to increase conversion and ensure an efficient, secure, and simple payment experience.

Many professionals can offer subscriptions, effortlessly

All sectors can expand their revenue streams or sustain their business using payment links for subscription. 

Examples in the Health and Wellness sector

Sports coaches : sports coaching professionals can offer subscriptions for home courses, online courses, the provision of personalized training, or the sale of sports nutrition products or sports accessories. 

Nutritionists : nutrition professionals can offer food plans, regular online or in-office consultations, and additional resources (videos, webinars, documents, food monitoring tools, dietary analysis, etc.). 

Yoga studios : yoga professionals can condition access to their classes, whether they are in the studio, at home, or online at the payment of a dedicated subscription. They allow yogists to benefit from wide access to the studio classes, regardless of their state of form or their agendas.

Examples in the Education Sector

Trainers : training professionals can offer many services via subscriptions, such as webinars, presentations, conferences, individual interviews, or online courses.

Private teachers : teachers from all backgrounds, whether they are related to schooling (private teachers of French, English, mathematics, etc.) or activities (guitar, piano, singing, painting, etc.) may offer their services through the sale of subscriptions.

Examples in the Art sector

Artists and illustrators : creative professionals can offer many resources through the sale of subscriptions, and add exclusivities, such as exclusive pieces, dedicated tutorials or creativity workshops.

Musicians : music professionals can sell their musical creations as subscriptions, including to other professionals, in order to collect a royalty. Musicians can also make access to masterclasses, exclusive concerts online or in a room, or music lessons subject to subscription.

Examples from the Media and Entertainment sector

Bloggers and content creators : content creation professionals can set up exclusive resources for their premium subscribers, on condition that they pay a subscription fee.

Podcasters : podcasting professionals can include many elements in a subscription, such as exclusive or bonus episodes, access to previously unreleased recordings, and much more.

Examples from the Beauty and Fashion sector

Stylists : professional stylists can market subscriptions to their customers so that they can benefit from regular lookbooks, personalised advice, private sales or exclusive discounts on fashion items.

Beauty salons : beauty professionals (hairdressers, beauticians, masseurs, etc.) can offer subscriptions to their services and offer exclusive discounts on additional products or services.

Examples from the Agriculture and Food sector

Local farms : agricultural professionals and other producers can set up box subscriptions for products from their farms, aimed at their customers, with wide geographical coverage.

Culinary professionals : cooking professionals can offer subscriptions for food products, as well as for workshops and other training sessions, aimed at professionals or individuals.

Examples from the Professional Services sector

Advertising agencies, communications agencies, marketing agencies : communications and marketing professionals can create packages of services (graphic design, ideation, strategy, advertising campaigns, packages, etc.) and offer them on a subscription basis.

Service providers : business service professionals can offer maintenance and upkeep, training or hosting packages conditional on payment of a subscription.

Examples from the Technology sector

IT developers : development professionals can offer their customers service packages on a subscription basis, and continue to generate recurring revenue even after the initial deliverable has been delivered, with maintenance packages or packages for the development of additional functionalities.

Service providers : software professionals are used to making access to their services conditional on payment of a subscription fee.

Obvy lets you create subscription payment links in just a few minutes

With its payment link creation tool, Obvy lets you create subscription subscription links for your customers.

Whether your subscriptions are for products or services, Obvy payment links can be fully customised and configured to suit all your needs.

And for product subscriptions, Obvy also integrates delivery with Mondial Relay, Chronopost, Cocolis and Colissimo.