All business owners conquer multiple challenges before they reach the top. Apart from hiring the right people, developing new products, and improving internal workflows, one of the biggest obstacles entrepreneurs face is earning clients' trust.
Running innovative marketing campaigns and offering exciting promos can help you get new customers, but it's not guaranteed that they'll stick with you in the long run.
To maximize your customer acquisition efforts, you should find ways to keep your existing clients happy. After all, your current clients are 50% more likely to try and test your brand's new products and spend 31% more on your business.
With the points above in mind, it's clear that your brand should prioritize customer loyalty. Doing so will greatly improve your image in the market, make it easier for you to drive repeat purchases, and bring other benefits to your company. This in-depth guide will help you understand the basics of customer loyalty.
What is Customer Loyalty
Customer loyalty is the consistent emotional attachment between a company and its customers. It's achieved once a customer repeatedly interacts and buys from your business. This relationship results from a pleasant customer experience and the trust you've built over time.
Acquiring loyal customers is highly valuable since they're your brand's greatest cheerleaders. They spread the word of your services with their peers, help secure profits, and tend to be very generous with feedback. These benefits will help you scale your business in no time, so it should be one of your top priorities as a business owner.
The Benefits of a Loyal Customer Base
A loyal client base that consistently and reliably returns to buy your goods is an effective approach to generating a strong, constant income stream and achieving stability for your company.
- Improves brand and market image
Loyal clients help you market your brand and gain new customers. People are far more inclined to accept their testimonials and recommendations since it's genuine and unpaid.
Aggressive marketing, such as PPC advertising, event marketing, and social media campaigns, is outperformed by brand advocacy. About 76% of consumers state that they trust material posted by "regular" people more than content published by businesses.
- Drives repeat purchases
Loyal clients are more likely to make repeat purchases. They can have a favorite staple product from your brand that they can't live without, or you've persuaded them to try your newest offerings.A 5% improvement in client retention can translate into a 25% increase in earnings. Repeat customers can also pay a premium to keep doing business with you rather than switching to unfamiliar brands. As their numbers grow, your operational expenses, including your customer acquisition costs, decrease.
- Reduces financial risks
Walking on a financial tightrope is a nightmare for any company. But the good news is, focusing on client loyalty can solve this dilemma. Given that acquiring new consumers can be 25 times more costly, running a loyalty program can bring about cost-saving benefits since it increases your company's ability to secure revenue streams. - Gives valuable customer feedback
Customer input is critical in developing a successful loyalty program and retaining other customers. You can better understand your customers by utilizing feedback on their preferences and pain points. Use this information to improve your offerings and customer experience.
Remember, loyal customers appreciate your brand and want you to improve! Your loyal clients are often the most responsive to surveys and questionnaires you've sent. They'll gladly offer vital feedback that you may convert into effective marketing and product changes.
- Creates brand advocates
You can transform your customers into brand ambassadors by concentrating on loyalty. Brand advocates use word-of-mouth to distribute positive messages throughout their entire social network .
Word-of-mouth marketing from loyal customers is crucial. Online recommendations from friends and family are trusted by most consumers more than branded material. Additionally, 71% of people don't trust sponsored social media ads. With brand advocates, you'll get to boost your brand's visibility, access user-generated content, and expand your audience.
5 Ways to Acquire Customer Loyalty
Customer loyalty is a deliberate endeavor that takes time and several transactions. To establish a loyal customer base, you must prepare, create programs that fulfill your customers' demands, and strategize your marketing/sales efforts.
- Build a customer loyalty program
Credit card schemes, punch cards, and point systems are examples of customer loyalty programs. These campaigns entice buyers to spend more money on your products or services.
Tiered programs ensure that your most valued customers are recognized and kept in contact. It helps them justify their purchases since they're aiming for a prize they won't get anywhere else. Most loyalty programs include reward criteria, so customers should weigh their spending or efforts to the corresponding bonuses.
- Provide a pleasant customer experience
The quality of customer experience is the primary engine of brand development. It comprises every aspect of the buyer's journey. Almost 93% of customers will purchase from a business that offers exceptional customer service. Satisfied customers will readily refer the brand to their friends and family.
You must give new and current consumers top-notch experiences whenever they interact with your company. A tip: you can begin by extending your channel options or adopting an omnichannel strategy to respond to customer requests faster. That way, you can cater to every customer's inquiry instantaneously.
- Develop a strong retention strategy
A successful retention strategy entails more than just attracting your consumers' attention. It also involves appreciating them for their loyalty. According to 58.7% of internet users, one of the most prized aspects of the purchasing process is accumulating loyalty points and rewards.
Incentives can give your customers something to look forward to, increasing their likelihood of repurchasing. For starters, you may offer product or service discounts. Remember that you should make it as simple as possible for your consumers to redeem their points. Putting an expiry date gives your shoppers a sense of urgency, enticing them to buy before the deadline.
Moreover try to incorporate email marketing into your online loyalty program. This will enable you to send exciting offers, re-engage with past clients, and build customer loyalty with ease! - Ask for feedback
Customer feedback features are available in customer relationship management (CRM) software. Every feedback request for a customer should be brief, simple, and fast to fill out. Convenience increases their willingness to give reviews.
Showing your customers that you respect their opinions demonstrates your commitment to always improve and provide better service. You may request feedback in various methods, but it's best done immediately after a customer interaction.
- Store customer data
Customers are more likely to buy from a brand that keeps their data for future use. You may enable members to create an account on your website to keep their information secure and ready for their next purchase. Instead of re-entering their credit card information every time they want to purchase, it will be a "one-touch system" when ordering.
Establishing Customer Loyalty
A loyal customer will often associate positive experiences with your brand, boosting repeat purchases and recommendations. It's far simpler to keep a client than to gain a new one, so focusing on current customers will most likely increase the likelihood of purchase.
In today's over-saturated eCommerce industry, customer loyalty plans are more important than ever. With the market growing more competitive by the second, your clients will feel at ease with your brand if you have a strong customer-centered strategy. After all, taking care of your customers will lead them to take care of you!
If you're having trouble developing a customer loyalty program, seeking customer loyalty services will be in your best interest. Fortunately, Rush's loyalty solutions can help improve your relationship with your clients in no time! Schedule a call with our Loyalty champs today to learn more.
COO at RUSH Technologies
Jeff Alejandrino is the Chief Operating Officer at RUSH Technologies - the go-to e-commerce services partner of every business in making digital easy, efficient, and effective in the Philippines. His past experiences include Business Development, Account Management and Partnership Management across different industries, from Banking, Service, and Food and Beverage. His pastime involves managing the family business. His interests vary from traveling and exploring new places to eat, to just staying at home watching series and movies.
Jeff Alejandrino
COO at RUSH TechnologiesJeff Alejandrino is the Chief Operating Officer at RUSH Technologies - the go-to e-commerce services partner of every business in making digital easy, efficient, and effective in the Philippines. His past experiences include Business Development, Account Management and Partnership Management across different industries, from Banking, Service, and Food and Beverage. His pastime involves managing the family business. His interests vary from traveling and exploring new places to eat, to just staying at home watching series and movies.