Running a pet subscription box business must be one of the best jobs in the world. I mean, who doesn’t love cuddling up with a furry friend?
Just as much as we need our pets, they need us to provide them with ease and comfort. And that’s probably why pet subscription boxes have grown so much in popularity over the past few years.
From subscription boxes that provide monthly supplies to those that provide unique items tailored to a pet’s breed or size, there are many reasons why pet owners are turning to subscription boxes to keep their pets happy and healthy.
With a steadily growing number of sales over the past two years, pet supplements are in for a good run. In fact, it is expected that by 2025, the industry will be worth$47.9 billion, based on a 6.6% CAGR!
Are you running a pet supply company via Shopify? We think you can be part of the fun too. Pets and their hoomans need a consistent source of supplements such as food and treats, and it would most definitely make their lives a lot easier if they could receive their goods at their doorstep, on a regular basis. That’s where you play the most important part.
Fun and furry: Here’s everything you need to know about starting your own pet subscription box on Shopify!
Barkbox: The World’s Most Dog-Centric Company
Looking for inspiration?
Found in 2011, Barkbox is a monthly dog subscription box service that provides a variety of toys and treats for dogs. Every month, Barkbox curates a selection of four to six items tailored to the particular needs of each pet based on its size, age, and breed. These items could include a mix of treats, chews, toys, hygiene products, and even apparel.
The way their pet subscription boxes work is pretty simple. First, customers sign up for a plan, which usually starts at $22 per month. After that, they can create a profile for their dog, which will help Barkbox curate the best items for their pup. The profile includes information like age, size, breed, and dietary needs. With this info, Barkbox can determine which items will be best suited for each dog and include them in the monthly box.
In 2020, BarkBox had over 1.5 million active subscribers.
Over the past year, Barkbox has:
- Generated $507.4 million in revenue, an increase of 34% compared to 2021.
- Collected 1.2 million new subscribers, taking the total annual number of subscriptions to 2.3 million.
- Shipped a total of 15 million subscriptions, an increase of 28% over the previous year.
- Raised the average order value by 4.6%, compared to 2021.
We believe you can be the next Barkbox, and we’re here to show you how.
7 Steps to Launch Your Own Pet Subscription Box!
If you’re an animal lover looking for a way to make money on Shopify, starting a pet subscription box business might be the perfect fit for you between other subscription box business ideas. In no time at all, you can be expecting a flow of subscribers by analyzing your sources and requirements and using the right tools and steps.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
1. Research the Market
Before you begin setting up your business, it’s important to research the pet subscription box market. Look into what similar companies are offering, their subscription pricing models, and their customer base. This will help you understand the competitive landscape and help you determine what makes your pet subscription box business unique.
2. Choose a Niche
Once you have done your research, it’s time to decide what niche your pet subscription box business will focus on. This could include a specific type of pet, such as cats or dogs, a particular breed of pet, or a particular lifestyle. Having a niche will help you create a subscription box that appeals to a specific customer base.
3. Source Your Products
After you have chosen a niche, it’s time to source the products for your subscription box. Consider what items your customers will find useful and interesting, and look for suppliers who can provide them. Make sure to compare prices and look for deals to maximize your profits.
4. Set Up Your Subscription Box with Subify
Once you have created your brand, it’s time to set up the subscription box. Consider what size box you want to use and how you want to package the items. You will also need to decide how often you will send out boxes and how much they will cost. Having your store on Shopify and Subify as your shopify subscription app puts you at the advantage of creating your subscription boxes through fast yet straightforward steps.
On the Subify dashboard, you can create and manage as many subscription rules (with various discounts and delivery frequencies) as you like for any number of products (even on the Free plan!).
5. Market Your Subscription Box
Now that you have set up your subscription box, it’s time to market it. Social media can be a great way to get the word out about your pet subscription box.
BarkBox, for instance, has taken a multi-faceted approach to its social media presence. The company has actively engaged with its customer base by creating informative and entertaining content. From helpful tips on caring for your pet to humorous videos of dogs playing with their toys, BarkBox has found ways to engage its customers through social media platforms.
Consider other subscription marketing strategies as well; negotiate with influencers, and don’t miss the opportunity to use Subify triggers for a practical email marketing campaign.
6. Make your subscription boxes more interactive
Many subscription boxes are simply filled with products, but you can make yours more interactive by including activities or games. This can help customers get more involved in the box and encourage them to keep subscribing.
Remember Glossybox and their surveys for the beauty box subscriptions? You can do the same for your pet subscription box too. In Barkbox’s case, they’ve created a survey with cute yet precise questions, specific to each of their subscription boxes. Taking their subscribers’ experience to the next level, they’re creating a sense of care and personalization.
7. Monitor Your Subscription Box
The final step is to monitor your subscription box. Track your sales and customer demands, and make changes to the box as needed depending on customer experience transformation. You should also keep an eye on the competition and adjust your business strategy as needed.
Allowing you to skip, pause, update, and retry payments, Subify is the best monitoring tool you could ask for!
Conclusion
launching a Pet subscription box on Shopify is an excellent way to tap into the growing pet industry. It can be a great way to reach a predictable revenue stream, increase customer loyalty and boost sales!
Research the market, choose a niche, source your products, set up your subscription box, market it, make it interactive, and monitor it. With a little bit of hard work and dedication, you can make your pet subscription box business a total success.
Make use of Subify tools; we’re here to help you win 9 lives!
