After much preparation and analysis, you’re finally on the cusp of launching your web cam business. But before you welcome that first customer, there may be one very important aspect of this specialized type of ecommerce that you have neglected to consider. Take some time to learn about how recurring billing software from your high risk payment processor can help you to gain — and keep — loyal customers for the long haul.

What is recurring billing?

You probably know something about the subscription model, which has long been popular with fitness and daycare centers and can now be seen in all types of retail business such as fashion, wine, software as a service, pet items, snacks, and much more. What you may not have been aware of is that recurring billing is also taking webcam and other adult entertainment sites by storm as well.

The configuration is very simple. You and your customer agree to have a set or variable amount of money withdrawn from their credit card or bank account on a particular day. This happens on a regular basis, usually monthly, and you can also decide upon how long the arrangement will last, i.e., for one year, until an item has been paid for in full, or indefinitely. When you accept payments for adult services, recurring billing provides you with many advantages that can help your business to flourish and rise above your many competitors.

A word about merchant account providers.

If you are a novice in this industry and are still in the process of setting up your infrastructure, you may be surprised to learn that your business will automatically be seen as representing a higher-than-average level of risk to your merchant account provider. That’s because this sector is notorious for chargebacks (when customers ask their bank to refund what they have spent on your site). Additionally, lenders know that the industry is highly regulated and age-restricted, factors that they fear will require them to spend more of their time and resources on administering your account. Then there is the fact that your clients’ payments are card-not-present and thus more vulnerable to fraud, and the deck is stacked against you.

Fortunately, you can find a high-risk payment processor who will be glad to take on your potentially lucrative business. As you go about selecting the one that is right for your site, you will soon discover that you have many choices. Take care to pick one with specific experience in the adult sector, and shop around to ensure that you find one with reliable, prompt customer service and fair and reasonable fees. Finally, choose a payment service provider that allows you to take recurring payments. If you’re still not convinced of their advantages, take a few minutes to learn about the many benefits subscriptions can bring to your company.

Convenience and ease of use.

Often, your customers will access your site on impulse. They would like to be entertained in their method of choice immediately, without needing to spend time entering tedious payment details.

When payments are pre-scheduled, this frustration is removed entirely, leaving your client free to enjoy all your site has to offer. When people don’t need to pay per-service, they are more likely to pay you repeat visits and become a long-term, satisfied customer.

Boosted brand loyalty.

When a customer agrees to enter into a recurring billing arrangement with you, they have made an initial commitment to your company and everything you have to offer. In subsequent months and years as they come to appreciate your quality services and customer care, they will become more likely not only to renew their subscription but also to refer you to others.

Predictability.

The subscription model leads to consistency for everyone involved. Your customer knows exactly how much money will be billed and when. Additionally, they never need to worry about forgetting to resolve their bill. Consequently, they will have ongoing access to all your site has to offer, with no frustrating interruptions.

As the merchant, you too benefit from this predictability. Each month, you will know exactly how much cash will be flowing in from your subscription customers. Because of this consistency, you might even be able to offer access to your products and services at a slightly lower cost.

Added choice and flexibility.

Although personalization is the gold standard for most businesses today, never is it more important than in the intimacy-based adult industry. Some of your clients will prefer to pay on a per-service basis while others will lean toward a set-it-and-forget-it subscription model. Your recurring billing software will allow you to take all manner of payments from various sources, including ongoing and one-time transactions. This will lead to higher satisfaction rates among your clients and more sales for you.

Enhanced access to customer data.

The subscription model enables you to cultivate a long-term relationship with your customers. Yes, you will be communicating to them about payment details and confirmations, but you can also begin to learn about their history and preferences on your website. Ultimately, this will enable you to market more efficiently to them as well as to more intelligently market to future clients.

The adult industry is brimming with websites and entertainment options, with more coming into the marketplace every day. Your challenge will be finding ways to stand out from your countless competitors. Offering recurring billing, although it might seem insignificant and not very glitzy, is a perfect way to please your clients, bring in regular profits, and customize your future marketing initiatives. You need to do everything possible to foster brand loyalty in your customer base, and recurring billing is a powerful tool that will enable you to furnish your clients with the flexibility, choice and reliability that is so important to today’s online customers.