Today, over 100,000 businesses use Shopify to power their online stores. Shopify has fine-tuned the process for selling online so much that opening a store is relatively quick and easy for almost anyone.
But, today’s demanding customer requires more than just a webstore. In order to build loyal customers to your Shopify store, you need to consider some new strategies.
Increasing Customer Loyalty Online
Loyalty programs can help increase sales, but research shows real customer loyalty develops through a valid relationship; not simply spend more, earn more programs.
Consumers seek real benefits. Whether it’s free shipping, discounts, no-hassle returns or free products, knowing what your customers like will ensure your rewards are valuable.
But loyalty programs are just the begining.
Shopify knows online sellers are always focused on ways to increase traffic and sales. That’s why in addition to helping create effective online stores, Shopify’s App Store offers enhanced tools and capabilities. You can engage more, market better, and exceed customers’ service expectations.
Shopify Customer Loyalty Apps
With so many apps to choose from it can be hard to figure out which ones most help improve customer loyalty. To ensure the biggest bang for your buck (or if you’re lucky, for free), consider using the following apps to help you provide real benefits to your customers.
Mailchimp Shopify App for Email Marketing
Email campaigns are a consistent producer of sales for retailers. According to eMarketer, companies are using marketing automation to drive greater email engagement with triggered messaging.
MailChimp for Shopify allows you to send emails triggered by customer behavior or by personalized product recommendations which when included in email newsletters, can increase your conversions by more than 15-20%.
Using MailChimp for Shopify, keep in touch with customers and send appropriately timed and attractive email offers. Gain repeat business by inquiring on recent purchases or to share news about new products and deals.
Shopify offers many email marketing apps for effective marketing campaigns, but MailChimp for Shopify just happens to be one of the most popular with five stars.
Price: Starts at free, depending on volume
Returns Manager Shopify App for Returns
Did you know the majority of online shoppers review your return policy before determining to buy from you? comScore recently conducted a study and found 82% of respondents saying they would complete a purchase if they could return the item to a store or have free return shipping.
Online shoppers want convenience and offering free and easy returns provides a real cost savings and eliminates purchasing fears.
With Returns Manager, by Bold, sellers can offer hassle-free returns. Customers can quickly and easily log returns online, be provided shipping info and request credit terms. For sellers, variably set store-wide or item based policies, automate communication, make overrides and resolve claims quickly.
Price: 30-day free trial, then $19/month
Loyalty Suite Shopify App for Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs don’t build customer loyalty. Trust, integrity, great service and quality are keys to building loyalty no app can magically reproduce. But with a combined focus on customer experience, loyalty apps like Loyalty Suite can boost engagement with customers.
Loyalty Suite provides the tools for personalized communication and rewards for purchases, reviews, referrals and more. With a five star rating, Loyalty Suite users cite the program’s ability to improve connectivity with customers as well as produce positive interactions by being able to gift discounts, points and other desired perks.
Price: 14-day free trial, then $19.99+/month
Next Steps
Having a powerful eCommerce engine like Shopify is essential for online selling. Having technical tools and capabilities to provide a memorable customer experience is critical for long-term success.
Shopify Apps are great for tactical solutions, but building truly lasting customer loyalty requires a bigger commitment.
We recently published a white paper about creating customer loyalty by creating exceptional customer experiences. In it, you can learn what it takes to build your organization around providing those exceptional customer experiences. Learn how to build loyalty by wowing your customers.
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