Recharge Shopify Customization Case Study | SmartLifeco

Recharge Shopify was the starting point for SmartLifeco.com’s subscription program, but the default widget came with challenges: slow load times, limited customization, and an experience that didn’t feel on-brand. For a wellness company built around everyday essentials, the question wasn’t whether to use subscriptions, but how to make them faster, more engaging, and better aligned with their customers’ needs.

SmartLifeco had already invested in the Recharge app Shopify setup, but needed a partner to reimagine the experience. That’s where Vonnda came in. Because we’re technology-agnostic, our goal wasn’t to push a different platform; it was to make the right tool work harder and create a subscription flow that truly fit SmartLifeco’s brand.

In this article, we’ll break down how we customized the Recharge Shopify setup into something unique, performant, and customer-friendly. For more examples of our work, explore our Shopify development services or view the SmartLifeco case study.

Moving Beyond the Standard Recharge Widget

Out of the box, the Recharge Shopify widget can add subscription functionality quickly, but it doesn’t always deliver the branded, fast-loading experience customers expect. For SmartLifeco, the widget created friction with slow load times and lacked flexibility for things like bundles and quizzes.

Instead of relying on the default integration, we built a fully custom solution that:

• Preserved Recharge as the billing and subscription engine
• Removed unnecessary widget overhead for faster performance
• Matched SmartLifeco’s brand look and feel
• Added unique subscription options tailored to their business model

1. Quick Subscription Add-to-Cart on Collection Pages

We made it possible to subscribe right from collection pages, without forcing shoppers to click through to individual products.

Customers can:

• Choose one-time or subscription options for each variant
• Add items directly to their cart while browsing
• Build a subscription with minimal clicks

This approach removed barriers and made subscribing as easy as adding to cart.

2. A Custom, Fast-Loading Subscription Selector on Product Pages

Instead of embedding the Recharge subscription widget, we created a lightweight, branded subscription selector.

• Performance first – Eliminated slow load times by building a custom UI
• On-brand design – Subscription options look like a native part of the storefront
• Smarter choices – Integrated with a quiz that recommends subscription volume and frequency based on household size and usage

The result is a subscription flow that feels intuitive, helpful, and consistent with the SmartLifeco brand.

3. A Fully Custom Bundle Subscription Page

One of SmartLifeco’s biggest goals was to let customers build their own subscription bundles.

We developed a custom Subscribe & Save page where shoppers can:

• Mix and match products into one subscription order
• Unlock savings by adding more items
• Still rely on Recharge Shopify in the background for seamless billing

This “build-your-own box” experience gave customers control while driving larger recurring orders.

Results: Subscription That Works for the Brand, Not Against It

By customizing SmartLifeco’s Recharge Shopify setup, we solved the slow widget problem and delivered a subscription experience that:

• Loads quickly
• Feels fully branded
• Supports bundles, quizzes, and one-click subscription adds

For SmartLifeco, this meant higher conversions, larger recurring orders, and a smoother customer experience. Read more about this work in the SmartLifeco case study.

Thinking About Customizing Your Subscription Flow?

If you’re using the Recharge app on Shopify or another subscription platform, you don’t have to settle for default widgets or clunky experiences. The right development approach makes all the difference.

At Vonnda, we implement the right tool for the right job, whether that’s Recharge, another Shopify subscription app, or a fully custom build. Our focus is always on creating the best customer experience and the strongest business results.

Explore our Shopify development services to see how we can support your growth, or check out the SmartLifeco case study for a closer look at this project.