Did you know?

52% of American customers will join a loyalty program with a preferred company.

77% of consumers, including 60% of millennials, have had relationships with specific brands for more than 10 years.

Creating and maintaining customer loyalty is no easy feat. However, it can be a huge driver of business growth – especially in retail. Building a customer loyalty program within your e-commerce store is easier than you think. There are a variety of programs you can implement through your online store to help your customers feel appreciated, increase the amount they spend with you and ultimately build a relationship that can last a lifetime. Here are a few ideas for incorporating customer loyalty measures into your online store:

1) Rewards Program

Most e-commerce platforms make it extremely easy to set up and manage a rewards program. There are a variety of apps that are run through your e-commerce store’s customer accounts that will automatically assign and track points based on purchases, and allow customers to redeem points for discounts or gifts that you deem part of the program.

2) Referral Program

Referral programs are a great way to touch more potential customers using current customers as the conduit. Trust plays a huge part in consumer purchase decisions, and mobilizing your existing customers to act as your sales team by offering them discounts or gifts for each referral is a great way to reach new audiences and show appreciation to your current customers.

3) Veteran or Teacher Discounts

Sometimes it makes sense to show appreciation toward specific groups of people such as veterans, teachers or active military. Automating the confirmation process for these groups makes it quick and easy to offer discounts to approved customers, and thank them for their service.

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4)    Spending Thresholds

Within your online store, you can set up spending thresholds to allow visitors to receive discounts or even free gifts if they spend a certain amount of money with you. This will incentivize visitors to spend more while shopping, and leave your customers with a feeling of goodwill having received something free in return.

5) Annual Birthday Gift

Who doesn't love an unexpected gift on their birthday? Popping in on your customer’s birthday with a free gift or coupon is one of the best ways to maintain an annual touchpoint through giving back to your customers.

If you haven’t noticed yet, all these suggestions have one thing in common: giving to your customer. The best way to build loyalty is to make your customer feel appreciated, so they feel good spending their money with you and not someone else. As the relationship builds over time, ultimately trust and comfort are the byproducts of this relationship, and once those are intact you can be sure to count that person a customer for life.