Getting someone to make a purchase is one thing, but getting them to come back again is something else entirely, and it’s a big part of running an online business. With so many options out there, people don’t always stick around unless you give them a good reason to, and that’s why building loyalty has become such a big focus for businesses of all sizes.
The good news is, it doesn’t take fancy tricks or a huge budget and you don’t have to know a massive amount about marketing (although it certainly can’t hurt). You just need to think ahead and make sure your business is right, so keep reading to find out more.
Keep Things Simple
If there’s one thing that turns people off quickly, it’s a complicated shopping experience, and that can happen for all kinds of reasons, such as a clunky website, too many steps at checkout, unclear returns info, and more. They might all seem like small things, barely worth thinking about, but they can make a big difference to your customers because if someone finds it easy to order, easy to get help, and easy to come back, they more than likely will.
Even the tone you use matters – if your website or emails sound friendly and natural, people will feel more connected to your brand, so it’s best to be as human and personable as possible.
Make Customers Feel Remembered
You don’t have to go over the top, but small personal touches can make your customers feel valued, and that could be something as simple as a thank you email, or maybe a small discount for returning shoppers, and so on. These little gestures show you’re paying attention and that you appreciate their business, so they’ll feel a sense of loyalty to you, which is exactly what you want.
It’s a good feeling when a brand seems to know what you like, and you’ve probably experienced it yourself when you’ve been shopping, so giving that to your customers is an easy but impressive thing to do.
Offer Convenience
Sometimes people come back simply because it’s easy, and that’s why making their experience straightforward and stress-free is going to pay dividends because they’ll be happy to return.
That’s where tools like subscription payments can be really useful – if a customer regularly buys the same thing, letting them set it up to arrive automatically save them time, and they’ll have one less thing to think about. Plus it means you’ll get a recurring income you can rely on, and it’ll be easier to forecast your cash flow and have a better idea when it comes to your budget.
Be Present And Responsive
People like to know they can reach you if something goes wrong, or even if they just have a quick question, and whether it’s through email, live chat, social media, or perhaps the phone, being there to help when you’re needed is going to build a sense of reliability.
Of course, you don’t have to be available 24/7, but being there when you say you will and showing you care really can build trust and loyalty, and you’ll end up with more customers that way.
