Looking to grow your subscription business with Square? Whether you’re running a coffee shop , barbershop , fitness studio , or med spa , subscriptions aren’t just a revenue stream - they’re your competitive moat. But Square alone doesn’t give you the full toolbox. That’s where Subport comes in: a branded mobile app that plugs right into your Square POS and unlocks membership revenue without the hassle.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the real-world tactics to onboard subscribers, manage memberships, and retain customers - all using Square + Subport as your growth engine.
TL;DR - Key Takeaway
| Strategy | What It Does | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Branded App Onboarding | Converts walk-ins into members via mobile | Personalized experience + easy signup |
| Square Integration | Syncs payments, redemptions, and analytics | No double entry, full POS reporting |
| Retention Automations | Sends renewal alerts, perks, and thank-yous | Boosts loyalty and decreases churn |
| Tiered Memberships | Different price points for different needs | Increases customer LTV and plan adoption |
| QR Code Signups | Puts memberships in your customer’s hands | Capture sales at checkout, tables, flyers, etc. |
1. Build an Irresistible Onboarding Experience
If your membership isn’t easy to join, it won’t scale. Most local businesses miss conversions because they rely on slow, manual signups or force customers to ask about a subscription.
Subport fixes this with your own branded app - available in both the Apple and Google app stores. A customer can scan a QR code, download your app, and buy a membership in under 30 seconds.
- Discounted first month (e.g., ‘First month $1’)
-
Daily Brew Pass $25/mo 1 drip coffee/day + 10% off Everyday drinkers - Exclusive access (VIP hours, member-only items)
Pro Tip: Print a QR flyer with the text: ‘Join our membership. Earn rewards, skip the line, and unlock VIP pricing.’
2. Manage Everything Through Square + Subport
Managing a subscription program should be automated, not another task. Subport integrates seamlessly with Square, so there’s zero technical lift for your team.
Here’s how it works:
| Feature | Square Alone | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Brew Pass | $25/mo | 1 drip coffee/day + 10% off | Everyday drinkers |
| Branded App | ❌ | ✅ | |
| Subscription Billing | ✅ | ✅ | |
| Customer Perks/Redemptions | ❌ | ✅ | |
| POS Membership Sync | ❌ | ✅ | |
| Automated Renewal Management | ❌ | ✅ | |
| QR Membership Signups | ❌ | ✅ |
3. Retain Members with Smart Automation
Getting a subscriber is just the first step. You need to remind, reward, and retain to keep that recurring revenue going strong.
-
VIP Club $60/mo 12 redemptions + priority ordering Power users - Usage nudges: ‘You have 1 free drip coffee left - don’t miss it’
- Loyalty boosts: Surprise free item after 3 redemptions
- Member-only events: VIP night, priority access, etc.
Subport tracks usage and lets you build automations around it - no extra tools required.
4. Create Tiered Membership Plans
One-size-fits-all subscriptions leave money on the table. Offer multiple tiers - weekly, monthly, prepaid - to match every customer.
| Challenge | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Brew Pass | $25/mo | 1 drip coffee/day + 10% off | Everyday drinkers |
| VIP Club | $60/mo | 12 redemptions + priority ordering | Power users |
| Friends & Family | $100/mo | Shareable + 2/day + exclusive items | Loyal fans/families |
Upsell tip: Suggest upgrades when people max out their current plan.
5. Promote Your Membership Like a Product
Market your subscription everywhere: social, POS displays, email, QR flyers - treat it as your flagship offering.
- Instagram: Showcase perks
- POS tablets: Ask about VIP
- Email blasts: Top 3 member perks
- Tabletop QR codes: Direct to app checkout
Bonus: How Subport Simplifies It All
| Challenge | Without Subport | With Subport |
|---|---|---|
| Manual signups | Paper forms | App-based |
| Poor retention | No reminders | Automated alerts |
| Scattered analytics | Hard to track | Unified dashboard |
| Forgotten membership | No reminders | App notifications |
| Staff confusion | Inconsistent training | Clear dashboard |
FAQ
What’s the best way to get people to subscribe?
Use your branded app + in-store QR flyers. Offer a first-month discount or limited-time perk to drive urgency.
Can I create different tiers for memberships?
Yes. Subport allows full tier customization (basic, VIP, family) with separate pricing and perks.
Will this work with my current Square setup?
Absolutely. Subport integrates natively with Square POS - redemptions, billing, customer data all sync.
Can I track which members are using their perks?
Yes. The Subport dashboard shows redemption history, usage trends, and inactive members.
What if I want to cancel or change a membership?
You can pause, cancel, or edit plans anytime through Subport’s backend - fully synced with Square.
