Published 30 March 2024

Shopify customer retention: 7 proven strategies to boost sales and loyalty

Struggling with customer retention on Shopify? Discover these 7 proven and powerful strategies to boost sales and loyalty.

7 proven strategies to boost sales and loyalty

The best way to boost sales and loyalty for a business is through customer retention and in turn, this is possible thanks to apps that allow a more direct and personalized interaction with customers.

The importance of being able to work on loyalty in our business is very viable in economic terms since studies like the one done by Clientbook last year found that it is much more expensive to invest in getting new customers than to work on customer retention (between 5 to 10 times more expensive).

That’s why we wanted to share a set of strategies you can practice to achieve greater loyalty and sales! But before going into the strategies, we must focus on certain key concepts:

Key Takeaways

  • Customer retention is crucial for business success – it’s cheaper to retain existing customers than acquire new ones.
  • Shopify apps can help personalize marketing, improve customer support, and automate loyalty programs.
  • A multi-pronged approach is key: combine content marketing, social proof, abandoned cart recovery, and Omni channel sales (Instagram & Facebook).

What does retail customer lifetime value mean?

It is a metric that allows your business to know the number of customers you can have buying your product or service compared to the investment you make (it is 14 times easier to sell to current customers than to new customers).

How can you calculate Customer retention?
Formula: {(CE-CN)/CS}*100
CE= Number of customers at the end of a specific period
CN= Number of new customers acquired within this period
CS= Number of customers at the start of the period

Why is retail customer lifetime value so important?

Your competition means nothing in terms of threat to your business if you are dedicated to understanding and applying customer lifetime value. 

These techniques capture the essence of what it takes for loyalty to sustain sales and sales growth

Not only do you consider not only the initial sale but also the repeat purchases they make during their time as customers.

Strategy 1: Offer a unique mobile experience

Offer a unique mobile experience

Designs can make users stay longer in your Shopify store and this increases the chances of selling. Therefore, you can design apps that give an intuitive and easy-to-navigate experience so that the user feels at ease in your business every time he visits.

Elements such as easy-to-use thumb controls and gesture commands will help you a lot. Another important aspect is to guarantee loading times and responsiveness to requirements. In addition, you should pay attention to purchase moments such as the checkout process.

You should also pay attention that you can present your products or services through augmented reality product views, mobile wallets, among others. Compared to mobile websites, apps offer a distinct advantage. You can get smoother navigation, faster load times and more intuitive design to create an effortless shopping experience.  This translates not only into more satisfied customers, but also a 30-40% increase in retention thanks to the power of personalized in-app messaging. These features, combined with others (email marketing, surveys and feedback), make mobile apps a winning strategy for companies looking to build long-term customer loyalty and drive sales.

Strategy 2: Develop loyalty programs through apps

Strategy 2 Develop loyalty programs through apps

Loyalty programs are successful because they are based on the customer receiving benefits for being a repeat customer. Indeed, you can add features that are geared toward developing rewards programs. 

The reason is that a study found that at least 90% of successful Shopify businesses already have loyalty programs. That is why it is important that you improve your mobile experience and offer personalized rewards tailored to individual preferences and behaviors.

Whether it’s unlocking discounts, earning points, or granting access to exclusive products, an intuitive app builder makes it easy to design and implement a rewards system that aligns with your brand’s positioning and resonates with your target audience. Additionally, they give you advanced analytics capabilities, and provide valuable insights into customer behavior. Let’s see some examples:

Let’s say you have an online store that sells electronics, and you want to improve loyalty. You can add a feature where customers earn points for purchases, reviews, and feedback. Redeem points for early access to new products, extended warranties, or free accessories. This not only incentivizes repeat purchases but also fosters a community of tech enthusiasts. Customer feedback provides valuable insights to refine product offerings and improve customer service. 

Another example could be someone that owns a Beauty & Personal Care Store. He/she transforms his/her Shopify app into a personalized haven with the “Beauty Vault” loyalty program. Customers can earn points for purchases, reviews, and completing beauty quizzes. Also redeem points for personalized product recommendations, free samples, exclusive access to limited-edition collections, and bonus points for social media sharing. This creates a personalized experience, encourages repeat purchases, and fosters brand loyalty among your beauty enthusiasts.

That’s how you can build the loyalty!

Strategy 3: Follow up your people thanks to push notifications

Strategy 3 Follow up your people thanks to push notifications

Studies show that increasing customer retention by just 5% can significantly impact your bottom line. If you interact with your customers after a purchase, you are demonstrating continued interest in them, building trust and loyalty. A happy customer is a returning customer.

Given this, post-purchase follow-up allows you to stay present and offer them relevant offers or new products that may interest them. Personalized recommendations based on their purchase history can further encourage repeat purchases.

Now, remember that push notifications work for timely reporting based on browsing history and customer preferences. Therefore, it has never been possible to automate customer loyalty processes as it is now, thanks to the Shopify app builders that exist today. A tip: you must know that there are Shopify app builders like Mobivogue, which, in addition to push notifications, offers 18 different functional widgets and several features that will help you build more loyalty strategies.

Strategy 4: Personalized Shopping Experiences

Strategy 4 Personalized Shopping Experiences

This strategy is key to the success of your product or service in the minds of consumers. It is the creation and distribution of valuable content that solves search intentions and answers questions. Blog posts, videos, and free downloads are some examples found on the Internet. All of this is done to attract and engage your audience.

By offering them valuable and informative material, you position yourself as a subject matter expert and a trusted source (very important for EEAT).

But how does this apply to your Shopify online store? Content marketing plays a crucial role in creating a seamless and engaging shopping experience for your customers through a mobile app. With this strategy, you can:

1. Attract new customers:

Create informative and engaging content in the form of blog posts, product guides, tutorials, and videos.
Optimize your content with keywords relevant to your niche market.
Publish on relevant social networks and platforms to increase your brand’s visibility.

2. Convert visitors into customers:

Offer free downloadable content such as ebooks, catalogs, or coupons in exchange for contact information.
Create specific landing pages for your content marketing campaigns.
Incorporate clear and relevant calls to action in your content.

3. Build customer loyalty:

Send periodic newsletters with valuable content and exclusive offers.
Create a community around your brand through forums or social media groups.
Offer personalized content based on your customers’ purchase history.

Strategy 5: Create Social Proofs

Strategy 5 Create Social Proofs

Social proof works in several ways:

1. It builds trust: When people see that others are satisfied with a product or service; it gives them confidence that they will be satisfied as well.

2. It reduces risk: Social proof reduces the perception of risk by showing that others have already tested and approved the product or service.

3. Creates a sense of urgency: If people see that a product or service is popular, they are more likely to buy it for fear of missing out (FOMO).

How to apply social proof in your Shopify store?

1. Reviews and testimonials:

Integrate apps to display product reviews and ratings on your website.
Incentivize your customers to leave reviews by offering discounts or benefits in return.
Display the most positive reviews on your product pages.

2. Show the number of customers or sales:

Highlight the number of customers you have built customer loyalty or the number of products sold.
Use apps to show real-time notifications of purchases and conversions.
Create a “social counter” that shows the number of followers in your social networks.

3. Social networking:

Share positive customer reviews on your social networks.
Create attractive content that invites users to interact with your brand.
Offer exclusive promotions to your followers on social networks.

In this sense, take advantage of Shopify app builders widgets and start creating cool stuff to boost sales and loyalty.

Strategy 6: Get those shopping carts alive again!

Imagine receiving a generic email reminding you of an abandoned cart. Now compare that to a message that mentions the specific products you left behind, offers a special discount, or asks if you have any questions. Personalized messages are more effective because: They generate greater relevance: They show that you care about each customer’s individual experience.
They increase engagement: They arouse interest and purchase intent.
Reinforce trust: Specific mentions create a sense of transparency and authenticity.

Strategy 7: Add Instagram and Facebook as sales channels

Strategy 7 Add Instagram and Facebook as sales channels

Shopify give you the tools you need to integrate Instagram and Facebook as powerful sales channels for your Shopify online business. This, coupled with the loyalty strategies mentioned above, allows you to create an omnichannel shopping experience that drives your sales and builds long-term customer loyalty.

Instagram

  • Set up Instagram Shopping: activate the “Shopping” feature in your Instagram Business account.
  • Get on the Tagging Train: Tag your products in Instagram posts. This allows users to see detailed information and prices directly in the app thanks to the IG post.
  • Simplified Checkout: Thanks to Shopify integration, customers can purchase products without leaving the Instagram app.

Facebook

  • Activate the Facebook Channel: In your Shopify admin panel, find and activate the Facebook sales channel.
  • Set up your Facebook Shop: Follow the instructions in the sales channel to create your Facebook Shop.
  • Seamless Sync: Shopify will automatically sync your products, inventory, and pricing between your online store and your Facebook Shop.

The strategies discussed are just the beginning.  For even greater impact, consider partnering with a reputable app creation company to develop a custom Shopify store app.  A well-designed app can further enhance the customer experience, driving engagement and ultimately, sales.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for products to sell on your Shopify store or simply want to find successful Shopify products for inspiration, numerous resources are available. Remember, Shopify isn’t just a platform for shopping online; it empowers you to become a seller yourself. With your own Shopify store, you can leverage a robust platform to showcase your products and reach a wider audience.

Connect with Our Experts Today for Shopify Store to Mobile App Development with AI Personalization.

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