The banner ad in your customer portal is prime real estate. Dynamic banner ads let you go further, showing each subscriber a banner personalized to who they are and what they need at that moment.
Before you get started: All of the personalization plays in this playbook are powered by customer segments you build in Stay. If you haven't set up any customer segments yet, start there first.
Creating Universal Segments — how to build and save segments in Stay
Universal Segments Playbook — three foundational segments to create right now.
How a banner ad carousel works
When a subscriber qualifies for more than one segment, they see a rotating carousel of banners: one for each segment they match. A high-LTV subscriber who buys strawberry protein powder might see two banners rotating: one showing the loyalty rewards applying to their next order, and another promoting a chocolate flavor they haven't tried yet. You set the rules; Stay handles the rotation.
Play 1: Personalize by Subscription Status
When to use this play
Use this when you want active subscribers to see something different from canceled ones — so every portal visit shows the most relevant message for where each subscriber stands.
Note: The setup in Universal Segments currently supports active and inactive status only. Paused subscriptions cannot be targeted separately at this time.
What to do
For active subscribers: Use the banner to promote relevant add-ons, seasonal products, or subscriber-exclusive offers.
For inactive (canceled) subscribers: Surface reactivation messaging. Highlight what they're missing, prompt them to reactivate, or remind them to update their payment information if that was the reason they left.
For example
A canceled subscriber logs into the portal. Instead of a product promotion, they see a reactivation banner: "You're missing out. Reactivate your subscription today." The banner links to a reactivation Quick Action so they can re-subscribe without any extra steps.
Play 2: Personalize by Subscribed Product
When to use this play
Use this when you want to cross-sell subscribers on products that complement what they already buy — using what you already know about them.
What to do
Identify natural product pairings in your catalog.
Set up a banner targeting subscribers of one product and promoting the complementary one.
Link the banner to an Add Item Quick Action so subscribers can add the product in one click.
For example
A subscriber buys vanilla protein powder. They see a banner promoting the chocolate flavor: "Have you tried Chocolate? Add it to your next order." The banner links to a one-click add-on so they never have to leave the portal to add chocolate to their next order.
Play 3: Personalize by Lifecycle Stage
When to use this play
Use this when you want to meet subscribers where they are in their journey — a new subscriber needs different messaging than someone who has been with you for two years.
What to do
Define the lifecycle stages most meaningful to your brand — for example: new subscriber, approaching a milestone order, long-term loyalist.
Build segments in Stay using Subscriber Order Number or Subscriber Lifetime Value conditions to capture each stage.
Create banner creative that speaks to each stage — onboarding education for new subscribers, loyalty reward visibility for long-term ones.
Pair lifecycle banners with other segment banners so subscribers see a full rotating carousel that reflects who they are.
For example
A subscriber on their first order sees an educational banner explaining how to manage their subscription and what to expect next. A subscriber on their twelfth order sees a banner showing the loyalty rewards accumulating on their account, reinforcing why staying subscribed is worth it.
Play 4: Personalize by Location
When to use this play
Use this when your product relevance varies by region — different climates, seasonal timing, or geographic preferences mean different recommendations make sense for different subscribers.
What to do
Identify products or messaging that apply differently by region.
Build segments in Stay using Shipping Location or Zip Code conditions.
Create banner creative for each target geography
For example
A skincare brand has subscribers in both areas with dry climate and regions with high levels of humidity. Desert subscribers see a banner for a deeply hydrating winter moisturizer; Humidity subscribers see a banner for a lightweight SPF formula. Each subscriber gets a recommendation that fits where they actually live.
Play 5: Personalize by Language
When to use this play
Use this when you serve international subscribers — so your messaging connects with them, not just translates at them.
What to do
Create banner creative in each language you support.
Set up language-targeted banners to match each subscriber's language preference.
For example
Your brand ships to subscribers in the US, France, and Germany. Each subscriber sees banner copy written natively for their language; not just your English creative.