Setting Up an Order-Based Series Subscription

Introduction

Order based series subscriptions run on each customer’s own order sequence rather than a shared calendar. Every customer’s sequence always starts at order 1 and moves forward to order X, so timing is individual to that customer instead of tied to a fixed date, which is the main difference from a time based series, also known as calendar swap.

Products across the sequence can stay the same at every step or change at each order, giving merchants flexibility to either repeat a single product or build a progression, such as a starter kit followed by different products at later stages.

Why It Matters

Because the sequence is driven by order count instead of calendar dates, every customer experiences the same progression starting from their own signup date, regardless of when they joined. This fits products or programs where the order matters more than the date, such as a trial-to-full-size product progression or a themed sequence that should feel consistent no matter when a customer starts.

Enabling Repeat Series lets merchants build ongoing, cyclical offerings without setting up a new plan each time a customer finishes the sequence. The cycle restarts automatically at order 1 once the final order in the series is reached.

How to Set Up an Order-Based Series Subscription

Step 1: Enable Series Subscription Settings

1. Log in to the Shopify admin portal.
2. Open the Easy Subscriptions app.
3. Click Growth Tools.
4. Locate Series Subscriptions Settings.
5. Turn the setting on.

Step 2: Create a Subscription Plan

1. Go to the Subscription Plan.
2. Click Create Plan.
3. Select Sequential Subscription, With Series.
4. Click Create.

Step 3: Configure the Subscription Series

1. Complete the standard subscription setup, including plan title and selecting your subscription products.
2. Add the required product.
3. Locate Type of Series.
4. Select Order Based.
5. Enter the total number of orders in the sequence, from order 1 to order X.
6. Assign a product to each order in the sequence. Use the same product throughout, or a different one at each step, depending on what the offering calls for.
7. Check Repeat Series if you want the sequence to restart automatically at order 1 once a customer completes order X.

Configuration Field Reference

Field	What It Does
Plan title	Internal reference name for the plan, not shown to customers.
Select subscription products	Choose the products or collection products to offer in sequence.
Type of series	Choose Order Based or Time Based. Order Based schedules deliveries by each customer’s order count instead of calendar dates.
Number of series	The total number of orders in the sequence, always starting at order 1.
Repeat Series	When checked, the sequence restarts at order 1 automatically after the customer completes the final order in the series.
Add-on products	Optional product a customer can add on alongside the main series.
Products purchased	Defines whether a product is available subscription-only or as a recurring purchase option.
Customer tag	Optional comma separated tags applied to customers on this plan, useful for segmentation.

Best Practice

• Decide upfront whether products should repeat identically or change at each order, since this affects how you assign products across the sequence.
• Only enable Repeat Series if the offering is genuinely meant to be ongoing. Leave it unchecked for a one time, fixed-length program.
• Review the full order sequence before activating, since changes after customers have started can affect where they land in the cycle.

Support

For assistance or clarification, contact support at support@easysubscription.io.

Frequently Asked Questions