Keto Chow: Advanced API Integration

TL;DR

• Starting Point: Keto Chow was building a NextJS frontend for a store redesign and needed deeper API access to support a fully custom subscription experience
• Approach: Migrated to Loop in May 2024 to build on Loop's REST and GraphQL API suite
• Results Keto Chow measured over the period following migration and implementation:
  
  • 18% YTD subscription revenue growth ($1.16 million)
  • 36% save rate through "Save by treatments" cancellation flows
  • 10% monthly churn maintained alongside the revenue growth

Results reflect Keto Chow's measured experience; outcomes vary by brand, vertical, product, and implementation.

The Starting Point

Keto Chow, a keto meal replacement brand, was redesigning their storefront on NextJS and needed deeper subscription API access to support a fully custom frontend experience.

"When we were with Skio, their API was severely limited to the point that it would have prevented us from building our own custom frontend." — Spencer Shattuck, Dev Team Manager, Keto Chow

In May 2024, the team migrated from Skio to Loop to build on Loop's API ecosystem.

The Team's Priorities

Keto Chow identified the following priorities for their next subscription platform:

• Deeper API endpoint coverage to support a fully custom subscription frontend
• Bundle customization to build a white-labeled BYOB (Build Your Own Bundle) experience with incremental bundle discounts
• Portal customization to develop a personalized customer portal experience
• Custom offer flexibility to support specific promotional structures, such as discount-and-subscribe starter pack offers

"We had already committed to using NextJS as a frontend for our store redesign. The out-of-the-box solution was not going to fit our design or user experience plan." — Spencer Shattuck, Senior Full Stack Developer and Dev Team Manager, Keto Chow

The Solution

1. API Integration

Keto Chow used Loop's storefront API ecosystem to build a custom subscription frontend. By integrating with 30+ API endpoints across Loop's REST and GraphQL APIs, the team built control into product management, subscription processing, customer data handling, and real-time pricing adjustments.

This gave Ketochow full control over product management, subscription processing, customer data, and real-time pricing adjustments.

2. Custom Features Built on Loop APIs

1. Advanced Bundle Builder:
   
   • White-labeled BYOB experience with personalized product bundles
   • Incremental discount structure for larger bundles
   • Custom selection interface
2. Enhanced Customer Portal:
   
   • Personalized dashboard surfacing benefits and savings
   • Subscription management tools matched to Keto Chow's branding
   • Custom subscription insights for subscribers

3. Custom Promotional Structures

The team built custom offer mechanics on Loop's APIs to support specific promotional structures, including a starter pack offer that combines a discount with a subscription sign-up requirement.

The Impact

Following migration and implementation on Loop, Keto Chow's team measured the following results:

• Revenue growth: 18% YTD subscription revenue growth ($1.16 million)
• Save rate: 36% save rate through "Save by treatments" cancellation flows
• Churn stability: 10% monthly churn maintained alongside subscription revenue growth

Future plans: Planned sampler pack program built on Loop's API

Recommendation for Merchants

For DTC brands with custom subscription experience requirements, API coverage is a meaningful platform selection criterion when frontend customization is on the roadmap.