Launching a subscription website or app can be a daunting task. But the benefits are clear for those who succeed. The snowball effect of a thriving social subscription platform can be extraordinarily impactful and lucrative. With that in mind, here are a few tips and ideas on how to start a subscription service, along with a few subscription service business ideas to get you started.
How to Start a Subscription Service in 2024 (4 Steps)
The successful social subscription based business model depends heavily on consistent growth and a strong start.
When a service relies on users interfacing with one another, scalability and UX (user experience) become crucial. Hitting a critical mass of users quickly is a big part of that. As Sociologist and Interaction Designer Sebastian Greger explains, paying ongoing attention to user experience is key for social media content creators. At the end of the day, the successful social subscription based business model finds ways to sufficiently address scalability and UX (user experience).
The actionable steps below are worth considering for anyone stepping into a project that uses the social network model.
Find a Developer
If you're not a developer yourself, collaborating with a development team is likely going to be the first important step in the process of building your subscription website or app. One benefit of a custom web design studio is that you can customize your app to a dizzying degree.
Working in tandem with a knowledgable dev team can open up countless doors in terms of design, functionality, and strategy. While you may be able to bootstrap a decent basic website without dev expertise, building a subscription based business model and platform is a whole different beast. Browse portfolios, ask questions, and choose wisely.
Line Up Users Ahead of Time
There are a variety of ways to interest users ahead of time. Beta testing, targeted marketing, and plugging into the proper channels can each help to generate buzz. As a B2B platform, AgentPins will exclusively service real estate agents. Obviously, it’s of tremendous benefit to get involved in whatever community your service will cater to. We’ve been identifying relevant channels and connecting with brokerages, lenders, and agencies to put our platform in front of the agents it will serve.
Test Post-Launch
This one should seem obvious, because it is. While building your user base is a high-priority goal, you must also maintain consistent focus on whatever it is that’s keeping those users around. It’s a balancing act. If you drive up your user count but drop the ball on testing, engagement, and usability, those numbers are not going to stay high for long.
Listen to Feedback
That brings us to the final point: Listen to what your users are telling you! This goes back to beta testing, but it also extends beyond that. With AgentPins, it’s our hope to launch with a limited feature set. We’ll see what works well, change what doesn’t, and allow our users to have a direct say in how we grow the platform out from there.
With something like a social subscription service, it's all about mapping a route for your snowball to gain size and momentum. Users beget more users. If you're promoting an engaging platform, maintaining consistent quality, and paying attention to the needs and suggestions of your clientele, you're on the right track.
Looking For Subscription Service Business Ideas?
So, you're sufficiently interested in using a subscription based business model, but you don't have that seed of a golden idea yet. If you're on the hunt for that next million-dollar subscription website idea, consider these popular niches for subscription sites.
- Meal Delivery Boxes
- Educational Content
- Lifestyle products
- Clothing
- Entertainment
Need Help With Your Subscription Based Business Model?
The team at Chek Creative is experienced in building and positioning subscription sites and apps for market success. If you need help understanding how to start a subscription service or execute on your vision, please feel free to give us a call. We look forward to speaking with you and working together to determine your best route forward.
