It’s not easy to get customers and it is even more difficult to retain customers and building customer loyalty. So, what does it take to build customer loyalty? How do customers stick to one brand – what makes them long for some specific products and never get tired of using such products again and again? Is it just about offering a good product or service?
Today, daily deal sites or coupons are eating a lot of loyalty, but loyalty marketing is doing its best to bring back customers. No matter what your business is, whether you offer best hosting packages or you are offering the best in ecommerce hosting services, you have to do your bit to win your customer loyalty. Check out some of the best ways of building customer loyalty and stay ahead in the tough competition.
Building Customer Loyalty with Communication
To build customer loyalty the first and crucial step is communication. You need to be in constant touch with your customers – whether it is through a reminder card, through a newsletter or a monthly flier. You should have a database of contact details of all your customers which includes their e-mail address and phone. If your business has a social media presence, you should invite your customers to visit your page or website. Remember that your messages do not have to be about advertising. It is a way to staying in touch.
Building Customer Loyalty by Getting Personal
The best way of building customer loyalty is getting hyper personal. Make your customers feel that you really care for them and you have services or products especially designed to meet their specific needs. You need to build a system which will make your customers feel appreciated and wanted. Push messages like ‘Happy Birthday’ or ‘Congrats On Your Anniversary’ helps in building a special bond with customers.
Building Customer Loyalty with Special Privileges
To build customer loyalty, you need to recognize your returning customers. Offer them special perks like advance purchasing capability, special offers, special rates or anything which makes them feel privileged or special. You need to make them feel, you recognize their loyalty and you are filled with gratitude.
Building Customer Loyalty with Special Loyalty Programs
To reward your customers for their loyalty, you need to reward them in every way possible. It’s good to have special loyalty programs which will offer rewards based on their engagement. You can have special packages which will be tailored to meet specific customers which will make them feel special. They will return to get that special feel once again.
Building Customer Loyalty with True Ambassadors
Customer referral programs help in building customer loyalty. You can allow your current customers to invite their family and friends to the special loyalty club. You can use social media for the purpose. You can also give some real power to your ambassadors. You can help them send invites or offer special discounts for your ambassadors and friends. People appreciate treating their friends, especially when it is FREE. This extra benefit can bring a big gang along as everyone would like to enjoy gifts. Your ambassadors will love their status and will do their best to return to your website for some extra benefit the next time.
Building Customer Loyalty by Being Flexible
For building customer loyalty, you have to be flexible with your policies. The needs of each customer are unique and you have to take care of individual needs. You need to make your customers believe that you are listening and you care. If your response is ‘As per our policy..’, your customer will never come back.
