OwlCrate
Seamless Migration & Enhanced Subscription Experience for OwlCrate
01 /
The Brand
OwlCrate is a subscription box service that offers a curated selection of young adult books and exclusive bookish merchandise. Each month, OwlCrate subscribers receive a themed box containing a newly released young adult novel along with exclusive, high-quality items that cater to book lovers. OwlCrate’s strong focus on community and its carefully curated content have made it a favorite among readers and collectors worldwide.
Visit Live Site01/
The Brand

02 /
At a Glance
16,000 Active Subscriptions
Successfully migrated from Cratejoy to Shopify Plus.
Custom Recharge API
Integrated for seamless subscription management and user control.
Improved UI/UX
Redesigned site with enhanced navigation and conversion rate optimization.
02/
At a Glance



03 /
The Challenge
OwlCrate required a comprehensive migration from Cratejoy to Shopify Plus to improve the user experience and streamline their subscription management. The primary challenge was migrating complex subscription data for thousands of active subscribers while preserving existing customer information, purchase history, and subscription preferences. Additionally, OwlCrate wanted to upgrade their website design to improve usability, enhance conversion rates, and make it easier for users to manage their subscriptions.
After the migration, OwlCrate also needed long-term support for ongoing website updates, bug fixes, platform improvements, and new feature development. The goal was to ensure that the site could continue to evolve and meet the needs of its expanding customer base.
After the migration, OwlCrate also needed long-term support for ongoing website updates, bug fixes, platform improvements, and new feature development. The goal was to ensure that the site could continue to evolve and meet the needs of its expanding customer base.
04 /
What We Did
Our scope of work for OwlCrate included the following key services:

Migration from Cratejoy to Shopify Plus
We managed the migration of all content, product listings, customer accounts, and historical order data from the Cratejoy platform to Shopify Plus. This included the transfer of approximately 16,000 active subscriptions, and careful handling of the back-end data within Cratejoy’s Stripe and PayPal payment gateways. Our team worked with OwlCrate to ensure that the customer information was accurately transferred and formatted for integration with the new platform.

Custom Recharge Integration
We integrated Recharge for subscription management, providing OwlCrate’s customers with full control over their subscriptions. Using Recharge’s API, we developed a custom 'My Account' page that allowed users to manage their subscription preferences directly within the Shopify environment. This provided a seamless, on-brand experience for all subscription management needs.

Design Upgrade and Custom Theme Development
We worked on redesigning the OwlCrate website with a focus on enhancing user experience and optimizing conversion rates. This involved developing static mockups for desktop and mobile views of key pages, such as the homepage, product detail pages, and subscription flow. Once the designs were approved, we developed a custom Shopify theme using the Liquid templating engine to ensure a cohesive brand experience across all devices.
301 Redirects & SEO Maintenance
Maintaining SEO rankings during the migration was critical. We implemented a detailed 301 redirect plan, which involved analyzing and mapping all existing URLs and implementing redirects to mitigate the risk of SEO degradation. We also submitted an updated sitemap post-launch and monitored SEO metrics to ensure organic traffic remained stable.
Post-Migration Support Retainer
Following the migration, OwlCrate engaged us for ongoing support through a retainer agreement. This support included addressing bugs, updating platform features, managing design and development of new pages, and providing custom functionality support as needed. The retainer allowed OwlCrate to make continuous improvements to their website, ensuring that it evolved alongside their growing customer base and changing business needs.
05 /
The Result
OwlCrate now enjoys a robust, scalable digital platform on Shopify Plus, complete with custom subscription management features and an upgraded website design that enhances usability and conversion rates. Our migration and design solutions have helped OwlCrate provide an intuitive experience that fully supports its growing community of book lovers.


The migration and website enhancements have transformed our platform. The subscription management experience is now seamless and on-brand, making it easier for our customers to interact with our service. Our partnership has strengthened our ability to foster community and engagement, and we couldn’t be happier.
- OwlCrate Team
06 /
Next Steps
We continue to support OwlCrate through the following initiatives:
01/
Enhanced Subscription Management Features
We are working on further enhancing the subscription management experience by integrating more flexible subscription options, gifting features, and additional customization options for customers.
02/
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
We are conducting A/B testing on key landing pages and the subscription flow to identify opportunities to increase conversions and reduce cart abandonment.
03/
Ongoing Feature Development
We are collaborating with OwlCrate on new initiatives, such as adding more interactive elements to the site and creating unique engagement opportunities for their community of readers.


Cultivating a Thriving Community of Readers

Through our partnership with OwlCrate, we have powered up their digital capabilities, enabling them to deliver an enhanced and scalable subscription experience. By migrating to Shopify Plus, integrating Recharge, and providing long-term support, we have helped OwlCrate provide their community with an intuitive, reliable, and enjoyable experience that supports their love for books.
Moving forward, our continued collaboration will help OwlCrate maintain its leadership position in the book subscription market, foster its growing community, and ensure a seamless, enjoyable experience for every reader. By staying innovative and customer-focused, OwlCrate is well-equipped to bring joy to readers worldwide.

Written by Renka
Community Manager
Power your ecommerce with our weekly insights and updates!
Stay ahead with the latest e-commerce insights and strategies. Discover expert tips and trends to grow your business. Sign up now and never miss an update!