Not just Loyalty, Customer Engagement

It is of utmost importance when acquiring new customers and when keeping existing ones that you develop a deep brand affinity and ultimately loyalty to your brand.  This can be done in a variety of ways that will give you measurable results and produce feelings of engagement necessary to achieve your goals for your business. Since, when most customers are offered compelling rewards that they find valuable, they will choose to follow the cues necessary to retain the reward offered. As a result, true loyalty can be defined as something that rewards both the brand and the customer.In order to propel your business forward and become more competitive, a business must have a strategy in place before it can execute and implement a program that will deliver results.  First you must define the goal you have in mind for your business e.g. increase traffic flow, increase profitability, and retain new customers…

You must know exactly what you are trying to accomplish with your loyalty program. In today’s high tech fast paced world, consumers are not interested in spending more time then they need to, to get what they came for.  So you as a business owner need to tailor your program around your customers. A smart phone mobile loyalty app would be a great way to do just that.  Early adoption would give your company and your brand the credibility of being the first in your industry to launch such an innovative way to engage with your customers.  It is critical however that you choose the right platform when launching your program.  Make sure your app has features your customers would find of value, for example your app may feature a gallery displaying images of new arrivals thus, increasing engagement with existing customers or your app may feature accumulative point system that customers will find appealing, as well as rewarding.  It is also very important that in order for this program to be not only engaging with your customers, it is also effective for you as a business owner to achieve what you want to do.  Platforms with built in marketing tools, like push notifications, customer analytics, and sharing features are the way to go.

It is important that during the process of implementing your loyalty program that you not only invest your money but your time as well so that your strategies are being implemented properly. The less complicated, and user friendly your program is, will determine how successful your loyalty app will be.  It is a process, that you can fine tune accordingly until your loyalty program is to your satisfaction. A loyalty app should set you apart from your competitors by being a reflection of the image that you want for your business.  The value that your customer will find in your loyalty program is based on the value that is perceived by that customer. Trend setting businesses are in the “Know.” They are the ones that are able to deliver to the needs and wants of their customers. The advantages of knowing what your valued customer preferences are, and by ensuring those demands are met are two fold; the first being loyalty and the second being engagement both of which are key to further your business. It is the merchant’s knowledge of its customer that will determine brand affinity and ultimately its success at achieving engagement.   Mass Mobile customizable loyalty app can help get you to where you want to be!

How to Increase your Company’s Customer Satisfaction Rate

The businesses that rank extremely high in customer satisfaction, implement a strategy called “implementation of intentions”.  This is “if then planning.”   For example if a business is late with the delivery of an item to its customer, it can offer a token gift to reset that customers internal clock.  Most customers are more sympathetic when a solution to their problem is trying to be reached, and therefore becomes more accommodating.  By being proactive many complaints could be avoided.  This approach also can be used if the circumstance is less then ideal for the customer; i.e. A salesperson must, especially in smaller retail environments, be able to assist their customers, helping them find sizes, staying past closing times… A sales person must always use good judgement in all customer interactions.

Sometimes the sales staff may have to be innovative, to show what lengths they are willing to go for their customer to have a satisfying experience.  By being attentive to a customers needs, staff should develop practices for meeting those needs.  If a customer is unable to find an item that the outlet usually stocks, then that customer should be contacted when those items are re stocked.  The customer now feels his needs have been acknowledged, and is pleased with the service he has received.

There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going.  Companies that seize their opportunity to deliver outstanding customer service will likely earn customers for life.  If a business is just as concerned about the next transaction, as it is with the current one, they are likely on the right track.

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