Declined Payment Notification: Three Approaches

Learn from real notifications from ABC Mouse, Hostek, and Go Daddy, plus a bonus example from Subscription Insider

Declined Payment Notification: Three Approaches

Source: Bigstock

Not all failed recurring payments can be “saved” with an Account Updater update. Failed payments can be for a variety of reasons from cancelled cards, cards opted-out of Account Updater services, or declined transactions due to credit limit issues.  

Here are three very different approaches to notifying subscribers about a failed payment and getting them to update their payment information. (Plus, a bonus at the end, Subscription Insider’s own notice!)  Without updated payment information, those who receive these emails will definitely result in an “involuntary churn”. 

 

ABC MOUSE: Straight Forward

ABC Mouse’s notice is straightforward and simple. It is easy to read and the action is clear.

Declined Payment Notification: Three Approaches

Source: ABC Mouse email to Subscription Insider

 

HOSTEX: Persistent

Hostex gets the award for being the most persistent.  An (almost) identical version of the email arrived every day for two weeks until the under $50 USD payment was updated. They also included a PDF receipt. The notice itself presents detailed information on the subscription. 

Declined Payment Notification: Three Approaches

Source: Hostex email to Subscription Insider

 

GO DADDY: Aggressive and Busy

Go Daddy’s notice is for a similar product renewal to Hostex but much more direct in wording and design. While the orange header is certainly attention grabbing, we find the notice itself rather busy with an additional legal notice, links to its help center, AND an upsell to some of their services.

Declined Payment Notification: Three Approaches

Source: GoDaddy email to Subscription Insider

 

BONUS: Subscription Insider’s Failed Payment Email 

Subscription Insider sends out three notices similar to this one when a payment is declined.

Declined Payment Notification: Three Approaches

Source: Subscription Insider

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