7 Simple Tips to Boost eCommerce Customer Loyalty

Let's face it — most shoppers want value for money. Good deals drive loyalty in 64% of customers, according to Deloitte. However, over 50% of survey participants placed trust near the top of the list when it comes to brand loyalty, valuing it even higher than high-quality products.

Whether you have a small or large business, it's essential to win customers from the first interaction. This allows you to introduce new products to a loyal audience. Additionally, once customers purchase from you for the first time, they are far more likely to do so again.

Here are few truths that make loyal shoppers so valuable:

• Customers who know your brand often spend more per purchase.

• Loyal customers return to your store time and again.

• It's easier to keep an existing customer than to attract new ones.

• Loyal customers are more likely to forgive occasional glitches in software or customer service.

You cannot overestimate the value of fostering loyalty and nurturing relationships with your existing customers. So, how do you go about doing that? We're glad you asked.

Customer Loyalty in the Short-Term: 7 Simple Actionable Tips

Do you have a customer loyalty program that works? If not, it may be time to look at what you can do to fix it. Following the tips below can help build your relationship with each customer early in the retention cycle.

1. Keep your promises.

Customers respond to authenticity. If you want to build trust, make sure that your products live up to the claims made in your marketing and advertising efforts. Keeping your promises means providing consistent customer service and proactively responding to problems that arise. Your brand, logo and word should all mean something positive to each client — especially if you want to keep them.

2. Check in with your customers frequently.

You don't want to spam new customers. However, checking in at milestones and touchpoints can help keep your brand top of mind when they need to purchase other products. For example, you can send a friendly email welcoming customers making first-time purchases.

Personalizing messages can incorporate everything from mentioning specific products they purchased to including the CEO's signature and name on an email. You can also encourage customers to subscribe by email to receive news and deals in the future.

3. Offer flexible payment options.

Customers like options when it comes to determining how they will pay for their purchases. For example, many people like to pay cash when buying from a physical store. Others value the ability to use debit cards online to minimize their debt. Some people want to pay for everything with a credit card to track their purchases and incorporate spending into a single monthly payment.

Whether you have an in-house credit card option or allow clients to pay in installment plans, it's important to provide flexible payment options for current and future purchases.

4. Make customer service your top priority.

Unfortunately, customers may remember bad experiences longer than good ones. That's why it's important to invest in customer service training that maximizes client satisfaction. When you win over a customer, they are likely to share information about your brand with family and friends online and offline. So, it's far better if you control the narrative with positive experiences.

5. Give back to loyal customers.

Offering discounts and special offers to your most loyal customers encourages them to come to your eCommerce store first. Your competitors may already have a loyalty program that provides points customers can use to redeem products and gifts. If you don't already have a robust loyalty program, consider starting one as part of your retention program and watch your repeat sales grow.

6. Add VIP levels.

Once you have a basic customer loyalty program, you can add levels to incentivize customers to spend more money or make additional purchases. Everyone wants to feel special, whether they admit it or not. Creating a VIP status with greater benefits and rewards can help boost customer loyalty dramatically.

Create levels by giving small rewards to new clients and offering them access to higher levels with valuable benefits.

7. Gamify your loyalty plan.

When you gamify your loyalty program, you go beyond offering incentives for purchases. Leaderboards, badges and other strategies keep customers excited about their interaction with your brand. You can use these tools to award prizes or allow access to special pricing.

Adding depth to your customer loyalty program can increase positive reviews and create a more robust online community.

Customer Loyalty in the Long Term: Rewards & Loyalty Program

At Stamped.io, we offer Customer Loyalty Software that makes it easy to reward your VIPs with tailored benefits. Efficient tracking and communication tools facilitate a customized referral program that builds excitement and generates trust.

When you use our software, you can incorporate your brand colors, logos and aesthetics for a cohesive look that supports multichannel marketing efforts. (The platform is mobile-friendly too!) Do you want to reach your users on social media, via text messages and through email distribution lists in a smart, intuitive platform? Then, adopt an innovative tool that increases engagement with every customer interaction.

Motivated customers come back more often and buy more products. So, let us help you deliver a customized loyalty plan that benefits your customers and grows your business.

Reach out to Stamped.io today to access AI-powered Points & Rewards, VIP Tiers, and many other options to improve your customer loyalty.