As an online brand, you already know that shoppers love getting a bonus or special offer. So, how are you making it easy for them to continually get that ‘high’ of the next big deal?
That’s where having a custom loyalty program comes in.
Customer loyalty programs aren’t a new idea. After all, your local grocery store and many national restaurant chains have used them for decades. What you might not know is that there are easy and effective ways to add them to your Shopify store with special apps.
In fact, our CAKE team wants to make it easy for you to choose the right one for your needs. That’s why we’ve broken down a few of the most popular options and given you crucial information to help you select one. Here’s what you need to know about the three top loyalty programs to consider for your Shopify store.
Top Loyalty Programs to Consider
After looking through countless options, our team of eCommerce marketing experts has come up with three loyalty programs that are best for your online store: Smile.io, Yotpo, and Loyalty Lion.
Smile.io
One of the more popular eCommerce loyalty programs is Smile.io. Not only is this app incredibly easy to add to your online store, but it also comes with a number of perks that your customers are sure to love.
For example, a points system helps you create engagement by awarding points for actions such as writing product reviews, sharing items on social media, and celebrating birthdays. It also allows you to assign VIP status to customers that have supported your brand the longest or those who have a high average order value.
Further, a special referral program helps you encourage customers to share store links to friends and family. This is a great way to encourage word-of-mouth marketing, which is just as important today as it was when retail stores didn’t have an online presence.
Smile.io integrates with both Shopify and Klaviyo for a seamless process. The cost is $59 per month.
Yotpo
Another eCommerce customer loyalty program option is Yotpo. This one is a little more intuitive, as it harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to determine what your customers want to see the most.
Yotpo allows you to collect and display customer content, including the opportunity to showcase customer photos and videos across your website. Meanwhile, data-driven tools make it simple for customers to give their feedback on products, customer service, and more.
Another unique option of Yotpo is the ability to use short message service (SMS) to reach customers in an effective manner. Plus, you can create custom loyalty groups and offer rewards tailored to each segment.
Essentially, Yotpo is a great choice if you’re highly concerned about customer reviews and social proof as part of your marketing strategy.
Yotpo also integrates with Shopify and Klavyio. It is only $29 per month, which is great if your brand is just starting out or is on a tight budget.
Loyalty Lion
Of course, we had to add the loyalty program luxury option to this list for those who have unlimited budgets and want to get the most out of their investment. Think extra frosting and sprinkles on top here.
Loyalty Lion allows customers to earn points for any on-site activity. This includes leaving reviews, referrals, purchasing, and more. You can also opt to use loyalty emails and real-time on-site notifications to ensure customers keep engaging with your program.
The app is also fully customizable. That means you can design the features you want and, with a little bit of coding, choose how it appears on your website. This is probably the closest you’ll get to a bespoke option, so it is worth taking advantage of.
But the best part about Loyalty Lion? The reporting. A backend dashboard allows you to see instant reporting about customer engagement, referrals, and much more.
Loyalty Lion also fully integrates with Shopify and Klavyio. The monthly fee is $159, which is pricier than the other two options above. But, considering the added features, worth the investment.
Why Your eCommerce Business Needs a Loyalty Program
Now that you’re familiar with three of the best loyalty programs for your eCommerce store, let’s talk about why having one is so important.
Customer loyalty programs entice shoppers to do more than just consistently buy from your brand. They give them a reason to interact and provide reviews, share links with friends, and so much more.
While you might be hesitant to integrate one into your online store, you really shouldn’t be. Most eCommerce marketing experts will tell you that customers are starting to expect this type of program and not having one can really hurt sales in the long run.
Finding the Best eCommerce Strategies for Your Brand
Does the thought of adding a customer loyalty program to your online store seem a little daunting? Hiring an eCommerce consulting company like CAKE can help make the process much easier. As Shopify experts, we can assist in finding the right loyalty app for your needs and seamlessly integrate it into what you’re already doing. Please contact us today for details.
