Are Traditional Customer Loyalty Programs a Thing of the Past in Today’s Digital Marketplace?
Continuous
customer engagement is the aim of every loyalty app. In contrast, traditional
customer loyalty programs are slowly eroding in value. Loyalty apps have become
a critical means of rewarding loyal customers. Amazing user retention
strategies inspire users to come back on mobile apps time and again. Card and
email-based loyalty programs are being replaced by mobile-first loyalty
programs. Loyalty apps build a marketplace where customers can get everyday
deals.
This
holds true for brands as well. App-based loyalty programs work as an effective
tactic when it comes to increasing customer lifetime value. In the past, small
businesses and startups could not compete with well-developed rewards and
loyalty programs gargantuan and massive brands and giant stores were bringing
to the table. Thanks to web-based loyalty programs and third-party reward apps,
mobile technologies have created a level playing field for all businesses,
replacing the age-old punch cards or outmoded emails.
The Power of Interactive Loyalty Apps
A
mobile app-based loyalty program offers a better environment where customers
interact with your brand and see direct progress. It is simple to implement a
progress bar atop the loyalty tab of the mobile app, representing the headway
customers have made towards rewards. One can even change the desired reward
levels. Different tiers of rewards make it easy to cater to different customer
segments and niche audiences. Rewards should be relevant to products, brands
and companies. But they should also
reflect what customers want. On account of the interactive nature of mobile
phones, understanding the customer becomes easier.
The
mobile app is the ideal place for loyalty programs because benefits work front
to back. For expanding, mobile environments help the loyalty program to
succeed. How do customer loyalty programs work better in a mobile environment? It is easier for
users to observe the progress, improving commitment to continue shopping with
the company and earning loyalty points. It is easier for users to access
loyalty accounts, so the effectiveness of push notifications can be leveraged
to notify customers when there are fresh rewards that can be achieved or bonus
points that can be gained.
App-Based Loyalty On The Rise
Offering
mobile-based loyalty programs can have a dramatic effect on how many downloads
apps receive. It works to create a customer-focused incentive, as the app
encourages more individuals to hit the download button. It also attracts
customers who may not have downloaded the app before. The boost in usage of a
loyalty program on account of mobile technologies is simply undeniable. This
impacts app rankings and downloads, raising the chance of viewers organically
discovering your brand.
From
the earliest form, loyalty programs have a powerful impact on the ability to
develop super loyal customers. Valuable and loyal customers are, in turn, more
likely to promote brands and build word-of-mouth publicity. Mobile apps present
an excellent environment to house loyalty programs on account of an interactive
nature. Consumers desire brands willing to reward long-term loyalty constantly.
From Starbucks to Shopkick, nearly every winning brand has utilized app-based
customer loyalty programs to dominate in a digital marketplace.