We’re always working to improve our branded apps. Helping any genre of subscription video creators reach their audience — and new audiences — on any device is huge. That’s why we built in-app subscriptions! It’s a payment feature for Vimeo OTT-powered apps that allows customers to subscribe instantly inside iOS, Roku, and Android devices. After downloading your app to their Apple TVs, iOS devices, and Android smartphones, customers can use their existing Apple or Google Play account to subscribe with a tap. And your fans with Roku devices can pay for your subscription channel with a simple click of their remote. In-app subscriptions give sellers a new avenue to grow their subscription base on devices everywhere. Some other stellar benefits that we’ve noticed include:
  • Better conversion. A one-click payment option inside your app means way less friction for your customers to become subscribers. Viewers who find branded apps in the app store are 33% more likely to start a free trial than viewers on the web.
  • Better retention. Credit card expiration is one of the most common churn factors for subscription networks (churn = your customers leaving). Customers who subscribe with their Apple, Roku, or Google Play accounts are less likely to drop off, because they have up-to-date credit cards saved that they use for many different purchases.
  • Marketplace discovery. A marketplace like Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store are great opportunities to reach new and curious customers. They have their own search and discovery algorithms for consumers to browse — and the power of becoming a “featured app” is very real, when you have potentially millions of new eyeballs.
  • Focused marketing. With the addition of in-app subscriptions, sellers don’t necessarily have to market a website first. You could go all-in on app marketing, focusing on app downloads, where viewers can quickly become subscribers.
The biggest benefit? We are constantly improving Vimeo OTT-powered apps. We care deeply about all of the aspects of subscribers buying and watching your videos on any device. Plus, we do all the dirty work — the tedious process of app store submission and approval. It’s not dirty work, but it’s technical work. We take care of it all, so you can keep focusing on making great content that your subscribers love. And they can watch all those videos on any device. See some in-app subscriptions in action: