{"id":1470,"date":"2020-11-30T23:47:09","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T07:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/?p=1470"},"modified":"2025-11-19T20:38:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T04:38:08","slug":"10-ways-to-encourage-ecommerce-retail-customer-loyalty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/10-ways-to-encourage-ecommerce-retail-customer-loyalty\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Encourage eCommerce &#038; Retail Customer Loyalty"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>How to keep your customers coming back for more.<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1471\" src=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-919436.jpg\" alt=\"How to keep your customers coming back for more\" width=\"1280\" height=\"918\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-919436.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-919436-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-919436-1024x734.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-919436-768x551.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/photo\/woman-holding-card-while-operating-silver-laptop-919436\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. If you treat them well and give them an incentive to keep coming back, you will make your business stronger and more sustainable. This is the power of customer loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Customer loyalty counts\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smallbizgenius.net\/by-the-numbers\/customer-loyalty-statistics\/#gref\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">82% of businesses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> agree that retaining customers is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With 24\/7 access to information and a wealth of choices at their fingertips, today\u2019s consumers are in the driver\u2019s seat. But by gaining the trust of your customers, you will encourage loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite the fierce competition, there are several ways of increasing customer loyalty as a retail or eCommerce business owner\u2014and we\u2019re going to explore them here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But first, here are some insights you should know.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Why should customer loyalty be your top priority?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only is customer loyalty a cost-effective way of growing your business, but by converting first-time buyers into loyal repeat customers, you will create brand advocates that will recommend you to their friends and family. When this happens, you will gain even more loyal customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, loyal repeat customers:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.smile.io\/repeat-customers-profitable\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60 to 70%<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more likely to make a purchase from a simple marketing communication like an email, blog post, or Facebook ad.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tend to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.morethanaccountants.co.uk\/importance-repeat-customers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spend more per purchase<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (have a higher average order value) than occasional or one-time customers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are likely to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/business.adobe.com\/resources\/digital-economy-index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">invest in your products or services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during annual events or key times, including Valentine\u2019s Day, Easter, and Christmas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>10 essential tips for building customer loyalty<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know how powerful customer loyalty is in the modern age, let\u2019s look at how you can convert first-time visitors into devoted repeat buyers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Create a customer experience (CX) strategy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to give your eCommerce or retail business a fighting chance of earning customer loyalty, working on your customer experience (CX) offerings is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts predict that by the end of the year, the experience you offer your customers across channels will become more important than product or pricing. Get your CX offerings right, and you will give your customers a reason to come back time after time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/5-steps-to-boost-your-brands-customer-experience\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">step-by-step guide to CX strategy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will help you improve your customer experience offerings and lay solid foundations for increased customer loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Get personal<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eighty percent of customers are more likely to invest in a product or service from brands that provide personalized experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a retail or eCommerce business, personalizing your communications will increase trust and make you more valuable in the eyes of your customers. In turn, this will encourage loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some tips to get you started:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use your site\u2019s cookie data to create personalized landing pages based on the behaviors or preferences of certain segments of your audience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Display recently viewed items to your customers as they browse or revisit your website.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Send emails to your first-time customers sharing content, tips, or product suggestions that suit their specific needs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>3. Offer exclusive deals &amp; discounts<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanding on the previous point: if you give your customers deals and discounts that are tailored to them, you will increase customer loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smartinsights.com\/ecommerce\/web-personalisation\/consumers-personalized-marketing-engagement\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seventy-two percent of digital consumers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> only pay attention to personalized offers or discounts. Once someone has bought something from you, offering them a next purchase deal or discount based on their geographic location or product interest will keep them coming back for more.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Launch a loyalty program<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Launching a customer loyalty program will increase consumer loyalty rates while creating a long-term communication portal between you and your audience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offer your prospective or first-time customers an incentive to sign up for your loyalty scheme or download your loyalty app to gain the ability to send exclusive content, personalized communications, and tailored deals\u2014the key ingredients to cementing customer loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.invespcro.com\/blog\/customer-loyalty-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eighty-three percent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of customers feel that loyalty schemes keep them engaged with certain brands. eCommerce and retail players such as Amazon, Starbucks, and TOMS have all enjoyed success with their innovative loyalty programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Host experiences &amp; events<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re looking to gain the loyalty of younger generations, consider hosting an event or experience.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research shows that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/blakemorgan\/2019\/01\/02\/nownership-no-problem-an-updated-look-at-why-millennials-value-experiences-over-owning-things\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">millennials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prefer experiences over material possessions. And while Generation Z likes gadgets, cutting-edge fashion, and cool products, it also cares about brands that reward them with experiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you hold a brand event, host a virtual Q&amp;A, or launch a Zoom workshop, for instance, you will create a platform that will empower you to personally reach out to new customers and showcase your value in an engaging, practical way.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This will spark the interest of millennials and Gen Zers, earning their customer loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Sweat your data<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We touched on using your cookies data to personalize your landing pages and communications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking this idea one step further, you should work with every single strand of valuable data you have at your fingertips to offer a flawless level of customer service while getting to know your consumers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The better you know your customers, the better your service and communication will become across channels (from your website to social media, email, in-app, and beyond).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Utilizing your Google Analytics data will help you create initiatives that will increase customer loyalty\u2014as will our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/a-guide-to-using-data-to-improve-your-businesss-ecommerce-strategy\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">essential guide to consumer metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Offer multiple communication options<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This might sound obvious, but many retail and eCommerce business owners overlook this simple concept: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">give your customers as many communication options as you can.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The number of communication options you can realistically offer your customers depends on the size of your business (you want your responses to be swift and helpful, after all). In the modern age, you should aim for phone, email, online chat, and at least one social media contact point as a minimum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a small business with many plates to juggle, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/how-4-businesses-are-using-chatbots-to-increase-online-sales\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">investing in chatbots<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for your online chat service will help you boost your output, improve productivity, and increase customer loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Tip: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always prioritize responding to any review or public feedback, positive or negative, as quickly as possible. This will showcase your customer commitment and brand transparency, which, in turn, will earn you loyalty.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Join the conversation<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By meeting your consumers where they are most comfortable, you will get to know how they connect with their peers, allowing you to join the conversation (sharing relevant social media content, leaving comments on feeds, or sparking discussions) in a way that is natural and offers value.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From surveys and polls to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/digitalmarketinginstitute.com\/blog\/why-your-brand-should-shut-up-start-social-listening\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">social listening<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there are plenty of ways to join the conversion\u2014and get to know your customers better in the process. But one of the best ways to tap into your customers and drive loyalty is through user-generated content (UGC).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/crowdriff.com\/resources\/ugc-stats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eighty-five percent of people<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> find visual UGC more useful than branded pictures or videos. Invite an existing loyal customer to share their thoughts, feelings, or opinions on one of your social media channels or share relevant content from your followers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Create valuable content<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-brand-video-that-customers-actually-watch\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Branded videos<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, blog posts, and infographics that are original and speak to your audience on a personal level will position you as a thought leader in your field.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re seen as a trustworthy industry thought leader, you will stand out in your niche and entice people to subscribe to your mailing lists, revisit your branded blog, regularly scour your social media channels, and ultimately, become loyal customers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help you on your quest for loyalty-boosting marketing success, here\u2019s our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/how-to-create-thought-leading-blog-content-for-your-business\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guide to creating thought-leading blog content for your business<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10.<\/b> <b>Retarget<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Last but not least, let\u2019s talk about retargeting. If someone has interacted with a specific page or made a certain product purchase through your website, you can entice them to return with well-placed retargeting messages on other platforms. Retargeting can boost your conversion rates by up to 150%.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These tips will help you get your retargeting efforts off the ground:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promote new products to customers through retargeting ads.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advertise new deals, offers, and discounts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upsell products related to your customers\u2019 previous purchases or interactions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.g2.com\/categories\/retargeting\/small-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tools and platforms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suited to the scale and size of your business.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;When the customer comes first, the customer will last.&#8221;\u2014<\/span><\/i><b><i>Robert Half<\/i><\/b><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If these uncertain times have taught us anything, it\u2019s that customer loyalty will help you survive or even thrive in the most challenging of times. Follow these essential tips, and you will build relationships that will accelerate the growth of your business, one interaction at a time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do you need help in these challenging times? Here is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/full-list-of-covid-19-grants-for-small-businesses\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full list of COVID-19 grants and loans for small businesses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that may interest you.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to keep your customers coming back for more. &nbsp; Source Your customers are the lifeblood of your business. If you treat them well and give them an incentive to keep coming back, you will make your business stronger and more sustainable. This is the power of customer loyalty. Customer loyalty counts\u201482% of businesses agree [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1472,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1470"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1470\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.agiliron.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}