Are you a restaurant owner looking to attract new customers and keep your regulars coming back? A retail store manager trying to sell the latest must-have item? Or a service provider hoping to increase customer loyalty? Whatever industry you’re in, a virtual loyalty card could be just what you need to take your business to the next level.
Not only are virtual loyalty cards more convenient for customers than traditional paper punch cards, but they also provide businesses with valuable data that can be used to improve the customer experience and drive sales. Some even come with cool features, like social sharing and shopping passports, to further engage customers.
There are a lot of different virtual loyalty programs out there, so it can be hard to know which one is right for your business. Our guide, ‘Top 10 Digital Stamp Card Apps, ‘ narrows down the options and provides an overview of the best digital loyalty programs available, so head over there for more information.
In the meantime, we wanted to touch on some of the top industries that would benefit from a virtual loyalty card program. As they say, ‘the proof is in the pudding’—just take a look at how some of these businesses are already using virtual loyalty cards to increase customer loyalty, drive sales, and promote their brand.
#1 Restaurants
As any restaurant owner knows, customer loyalty is essential to the success of your business. After all, it costs five times as much to attract a new customer as it does to keep an existing one.
As restaurants continue to face stiff competition, many are turning to virtual loyalty programs as a way to differentiate themselves and build customer loyalty. Programs like these allow restaurants to track customer behavior, identify spending patterns, and target promotions – all of which can be used to improve the customer experience.
One restaurant that’s reaping the benefits of a virtual loyalty program is Domino’s, the king of pizza delivery. Customers who order through the Domino’s app or via their website can collect 10 points for each order. Once they reach 60 points, they can redeem them for a free medium 2-topping pizza. Score!
But it’s not just big chains that are seeing success with virtual loyalty programs – smaller, independent restaurants are benefiting too. In fact, many restaurants partnering up with us at Flex Rewards have seen an increase in customer loyalty and repeat business.
Our innovative virtual loyalty card program allows customers to collect stamps, share their progress with friends, and earn rewards at their favorite restaurants – all from their phone browser (no need to download an app!). And the best part? You can try it for free before committing. Try Flex out today and see how it can benefit your business.
#2 Service Businesses
Service businesses, such as hair salons, spas, and gyms, are always looking for ways to increase customer loyalty and repeat business. But they don’t necessarily have the same marketing budgets as big retailers.
This is where virtual loyalty programs can be a game-changer. By offering customers digital punch cards or rewards for referrals, service businesses can increase customer loyalty without breaking the bank.
Take Supercuts, for example. This popular hair salon chain offers its customers a virtual loyalty card that gives them a free haircut after every 10 visits. This is an excellent way to keep customers coming back, without having to offer deep discounts, which ultimately eat into profits.
Of course, it makes sense to tailor your virtual loyalty program to the unique needs of your service business. Think about what would be most valuable to your customers and what would incentivize them to keep coming back. If you’re not sure where to start, our team at Flex Rewards would be happy to help.
#3 Supplements and Vitamins
Any business that sells supplements or vitamins can benefit from a virtual loyalty program. After all, these products are often purchased on a recurring basis, so they keep customers coming back month after month. And you know what that means – more opportunities to engage customers, build loyalty, and drive sales.
BodyBuilding Warehouse, a leading supplement retailer in the UK, has seen great success with its virtual loyalty program. BBW rewards customers who refer their friends to buy from the site with 5 protein pounds for referrals. The program also rewards its customers per action, so customers can earn points for writing reviews, taking surveys, and more. These points can then be redeemed for discounts on future purchases.
This is just another example of how a virtual loyalty program can be used to enhance the customer experience. You won’t have to worry about losing customers to the competition with a digital punch card; they’ll be coming back to you again and again.
#4 Retail Stores
As the retail industry continues to be disrupted by eCommerce, brick-and-mortar stores are under more pressure than ever to find new ways to engage customers and drive sales.
Virtual loyalty programs can be a powerful tool for retail stores, providing them with valuable data about customer behavior and spending patterns. This information can be used to improve the customer experience, target promotions, and increase sales.
Sephora, a leading beauty retailer, is a great example of a retail store that’s using a virtual loyalty program to engage customers and drive sales. Customers who sign up for Sephora’s Beauty Insider program earn one point for every dollar spent at Sephora stores, online, or at Sephora inside JCPenney. These points can then be redeemed for beauty products, services, and exclusive experiences. It’s an excellent way for Sephora to reward its best customers and keep them coming back for more.
Retailers worldwide are benefiting from virtual loyalty programs – and you could too. With Flex Rewards, it’s easy to set up a digital punch card that will engage your customers and help drive sales.
#5 Travel and Tourism
The travel and tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. But as vaccine rollout continues and restrictions continue to lift, there’s reason to be optimistic about the future.
With a virtual loyalty program, businesses in the travel and tourism industry can offer customers rewards for booking future trips. For example, a hotel chain could offer its guests a free night’s stay after they’ve stayed 10 nights total. Or, an airline could give its frequent flyers a free flight after they’ve taken 10 flights.
Emirates Skywards is a great example of a virtual loyalty program done right. This airline offers its customers points for every flight they take, which can then be redeemed for future flights, upgrades, and more. Of course, this is a very common loyalty program in the airline industry. But it’s a great example of how a virtual loyalty program can keep customers returning, even in the wake of a global pandemic.
For travel agents facing stiff competition, a virtual loyalty program can be a great way to stand out from the crowd. Think about what you can offer your customers to make them want to book their next trip with you.
Again, if you’re unsure where to start, our team at Flex Rewards would be more than happy to help.
#6 Gaming
Mobile apps have revolutionized the gaming industry, making it easier than ever for people to access their favorite games from anywhere. And as the industry continues to grow, so too does the opportunity for businesses to engage their customers with a virtual loyalty program.
A virtual loyalty card can be used to give customers rewards for making in-app purchases, referring their friends, or simply for playing the game. For example, a customer could earn points for every dollar they spend in an app, which they can then redeem for in-app purchases or discounts on future purchases. Or, a customer could earn points for referring their friends to download the app, which they can then redeem for a free month of premium content.
Clash of Clans is a great example of a gaming app that uses a virtual loyalty program to engage its customers. In this app, players can earn points by completing achievements, which they can then use to purchase in-game items. This not only keeps players coming back to the app, but it also encourages them to spend more money.
While this isn’t technically a digital punch card, it does stand as a great example of how businesses in the gaming industry can use virtual loyalty programs to engage their customers.
Ready to Get Started With Your Own Virtual Punch Card?
As you can see, there are a myriad of different industries that can benefit from a virtual loyalty program. If you’re looking for a way to engage your customers and keep them coming back, Flex Rewards is the perfect solution.
Flex provides everything you need to create a digital punch card, automate rewards, and engage your customers. And best of all, our platform is highly customizable, so you can brand it however you like.
No longer do you need to rely on paper punch cards that are easy to lose and difficult to keep track of. With Flex Rewards, everything is digital, so you can focus on what’s important – running your business.
If you’re ready to get started, sign up for a 30-day free trial today. We can’t wait to help you take your business to the next level.
To learn more about how Flex Rewards can benefit your business, click here.
