How SaaS Providers Get Emerging Markets To Subscribe

Global subscription businesses looking for a fresh crop of customers are setting their sights on emerging markets. These economies are modernizing, and consumers are increasingly becoming connected, making them compelling sources of potential customers.

Subscription providers can’t just copy the payment approaches that helped them in developed markets, however. They must instead examine each country’s local payment preferences, and ensure they are meeting them, or be willing to experience the reduced sales and conversion rates that result from ignoring local payment demands.

The October/November Global Recurring Payments Tracker explores these issues, and details how subscription providers can create compelling repeat payment experiences in emerging markets.

Around The Global Recurring Payments World

Stripe is eyeing the Malaysian market for its next expansion. The payment software company recently partnered with Payments Network Malaysia (PayNet) to enable merchants in the country to accept online payments, which can be made through bank transfer and major credit cards.

Amazon, meanwhile, is offering a new recurring payment method in India that lets local consumers make voice commands through Alexa to have their bills paid with money from their Amazon Pay wallets. Customers can also use Amazon Pay for home deliveries by scanning delivery associates’ QR codes with smartphones.

Developed markets are still refining their payment experiences as well. Europe’s announcement of its strong customer authentication (SCA) policy — which imposes two-factor authentication requirements — raised concerns among European subscription merchants. These companies need to ensure that customers’ first payment experiences are smooth and completely successfully, something that will not happen if they do not become SCA-compliant. European authorities eased these fears recently by issuing delays in the deadlines, by which companies must adhere to SCA requirements.

Find more on these and all the latest headlines in the Tracker.

Keeping SaaS Payment Renewal In Emerging Markets

Software-as-a-service (SaaS) subscription providers wishing to enter emerging markets must carefully tailor their payment acceptance options to each country. These businesses must accept popular local payment methods, and ensure easy recurring payments and subscription renewal experiences.

In this month’s feature story, Rob Charlebois, executive vice president of global eCommerce and digital marketing for global SaaS provider Corel, details the challenges and strategies for reaching markets like Brazil and China. To read the feature story, download the Tracker.

Deep Dive: Why International Subscription Providers Should Not Overlook Boleto Bancário

Brazilian consumer and business customers are unlikely to be drawn to an overseas subscription service that only accepts mainstream credit card payments. The majority of the country’s 132 million internet-connected residents do not have credit cards capable of making international purchases, and many will not bother with companies that do not offer Boleto Bancário, a local payment method.

This month’s Deep Dive examines the use of Boleto Bancário for recurring payments, the advantages of leveraging it for international subscription payments and the difficulties involved in doing so. Read the full Deep Dive in the Tracker.

About The Tracker

The Global Recurring Payments Tracker, a collaboration with GoCardless, is a go-to monthly resource for examining the complexities and challenges of the international recurring payments space, as well as the latest efforts to enable smoother cross-border transactions for global business growth.