Your venture began with an idea, a solution to a problem or gap in your community. As an entrepreneur, you found innovative ways to help others through your product, class or service. Yet with the COVID-19 pandemic and its restrictions, there are new challenges preventing you from sharing your expertise.
So how do you still engage customers?
The answer is loyalty.
Building customer loyalty brings in business because it makes customers feel valued, and consequently more inclined to repeat purchases, and recommend you to friends and family.
Your existing WordPress website already offers the tools you need to build loyalty through WooCommerce. Create a loyalty program using WooCommerce so customers can earn points, make referrals, leave reviews, and use promo codes.
Don’t have WooCommerce? Install it for free.
Give points
The WooCommerce Points and Rewards extension lets your online store’s customers earn points with purchases, and then redeem them for rewards of your choosing.
A point system can make your customers excited to shop as they get closer to their reward. Earning 500 points, for example, could result in a $10 discount.
Also encourage customers by awarding points for specific actions like leaving reviews. This extension is included in GoDaddy’s Managed WordPress Ecommerce hosting.
Related: Is a customer rewards program right for your retail business?
Reward reviews
Customer reviews can make the difference between just browsing and completing a purchase. Incentivize customers to review products available on your online store by offering discounts. WooCommerce’s Review for Discount automatically creates coupons for customer reviews, and is customizable so you can decide on the discount type and any limitations.
If you offer your products on marketplaces, such as Amazon, eBay or Etsy, check their policies before offering any kind of discount for reviews.
Pro tip: It’s a good practice to thank customers for leaving a review. And if you happen to get a bad review, don’t delete it, but respond and see if there’s a way you can make that customer happy. This gives you another chance to connect with your customers and get feedback on your products or services.
Related: How to ask for testimonials and reviews from your clients
Send promo codes
Whether you have a side hustle or multi-location storefronts, you want to grow your sales.
Promotions can do just that by offering irresistible good deals.
You might offer a certain percentage off bakery items, or a gift voucher towards hair care products. Use WooCommerce Store Credit to email promo codes, coupons and credit to customers.
This extension can also be used as a way to refund customers through store credit.
Related: Using coupons and promotions to help customers dealing with COVID-19
Get the word out
After you add one or more of the WooCommerce features mentioned, be sure to update your website so your customers know about your new loyalty program.
This is a good time to share the news on your social media accounts and through your email campaign.
Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but your calling is what makes you resilient and a go-getter.
As COVID-19 presents unique challenges to your venture, it’s another obstacle you can overcome, and ultimately adapt from. Building a loyalty program, while always a useful marketing strategy, is especially important now to show customers that you value them and appreciate their continued support.
You can do this!
If you need a helping hand, we’re here for you.
- Check out our How-To videos for content aimed at helping you navigate through COVID-19.
- Looking for stories and inspiration? Visit the GoDaddy YouTube channel.
- Dig into resources on the GoDaddy blog.
- Connect with like-minded people in our #OpenWeStand community forum.
- Find answers to product questions in our Help Center.
- Call or chat with one of our GoDaddy Guides.
Above all, have faith in yourself. We have faith in you.
