Mobile Customer Loyalty Programs

Majority of the stores these days are offering various loyalty cards, this can be difficult to keep safe and monitor the rewards points in each loyalty card. Having so many loyalty cards makes it more difficult to find a specific card when you need it, as well as the chances of losing some loyalty cards also increases. As a result, retail businesses are providing a new way to get rid of producing tangible cards, and better keep track of loyalty cards.
 

Why should you use mobile loyalty cards?

The mobile loyalty program offers customers to keep track of their loyalty cards; therefore increasing the chances of using the cards at the cash register. Loyalty programs are portable making it more accessible to monitor points or discounts customers earned. Furthermore, mobile loyalty programs can be customized fitting to customers’ preferences instantly on the phone. On the business aspect, this type of program offers a way to promote the business when loyalty program members share information about this app (application) on social networks, encouraging others to join the loyalty program. Loyalty cards are beneficial for both the retail businesses as they can better understand customers' purchase behaviour; increase card usage and customers who would then have an incentive to buy more at a particular store and receive rewards/ points for purchases made at their store.

How Mobile Loyalty Programs Work?

Mobile loyalty programs work two ways. One method to join this program is by downloading the app (application) onto the mobile device. This can be done by going onto a particular store's website, click on the download app according to the type of phone you have. You then make an account by entering your personal information such as name, address, mobile phone number as well as the e-mail. Another way to enable this type of program onto your mobile device is by contacting the customer loyalty program helpline phone number which is given on the store’s website in order to provide step by step assistance to download the app and make an account.

Small Business and Customer Loyalty Programs

The presence of customer loyalty programs plays a vital role in boosting profits for businesses and maintaining existing customers.

One way small businesses can improve their business is by enabling customer loyalty programs. It's a misconception that only big businesses such as Fortinos and Loblaws have these programs, they are many small businesses that offer these programs as well to their customers.

The significance of having these programs is simply to be more personal and build a relationship with their customers. Small businesses should offer these programs in order to encourage customers to shop more frequently at their stores; this in turn builds loyalty amongst customers. Furthermore these programs help spread the word, and using word-of-mouth can be an effective and efficient way to promote a small business.

Another benefit of small businesses having these programs is the competition factor. Small businesses can gain a competitive advantage among other small businesses that don't offer such programs as well as big businesses. Some customers tend to be price sensitive, therefore they may buy products from big retail stores that may not be up to the mark, or not their preferred choice but offer better discounts or points to earn, for example a box of cookies. However if a small business that offer homemade cookies can provide a customer loyalty program, for instance a points card system, then customers will be motivated to purchase cookies from the small business.

Moreover, these customer loyalty programs are cost effective to place in small businesses. In the modern society, advanced technology makes it easier for small businesses to enable customer loyalty programs by incorporating online and digital rewards programs. For instance, The PC Plus points card has a mobile app that displays an image of the points card with a barcode which can be scanned at the cash register to earn points. This method allows small businesses to spend less money in producing cards, by printing and buying ink. Also it reduces the chance for customers to lose their points cards.

 

These are some of the benefits that I have come up with, if you have more ideas on how small businesses can improve customer relations, please feel free to share with us in the comment box. Also let me know if you have ever seen a small business that provides a loyalty program and how it operates.

The Benefits of Customer Loyalty Programs

Customer relationship management plays a vital role in the success of a retail organization. It allows companies to work more effectively by responding to customer's demands. One way, companies respond to customers and be more effective is by creating customer loyalty programs. It allows customers to be more involved and have a say in terms of products, services and the quality of the shopping experience.

Customers' Benefits

- Save money by using points earned and deals offered on certain products

- Get updated on what's happening in the store such as weekly promotional offers

- Receive discounts on other services such as flight travel

- Are more knowledgeable, and remain informed about the status of the card, and how many points have been earned

- Online access to customer loyalty programs provide more convenience

- Improved quality of the shopping experience

Company's Benefits

- A method to gain competitive advantage in the retail industry by encouraging existing customers to purchase more items as well attracting potential customers to shop at a particular store, thus increasing company's profits.

- Observe and learn about the different types of customers in the market

- To gain a better perspective of the customers' purchase behavior in terms of what items are bought; quantity of items purchased and the frequency of shopping

- A method used to maintain good relationship with customers

- Retail companies would then have a better idea on what items or services to promote, therefore loyalty programs play a key role in marketing

So these are some positive factors you may want to consider when joining a loyalty program or to incorporate it in your business. Please send me your feedback in the comment box below. Thanks