How To Build Brand Loyalty For Your Ecommerce Brand

Loyalty is something we all want but can’t always have. For retailers, brand loyalty means repeat shoppers. Not only that, but repeat shoppers who are big fans of your brand and can advocate for it via word of mouth. 

Research shows that it typically costs merchants around 5X more to attract a new customer than it does to retain a customer. By establishing brand loyalty, you can decrease the cost of acquiring new customers (CAC) and increase revenue in the long run.

Now how do we get to this level of customer loyalty and dedication? Here are some tips on what retailers can do to establish customer loyalty, why it’s worthwhile for ecommerce merchants, and how they can unlock a high level of commitment.

What is brand loyalty?

Brand loyalty can mean and look like many things. But fundamentally, it’s the dedication that influences your customer to return again and again. 

In other words, brand loyalty consists of building a lasting relationship with your customers. Dedicate time and effort to establish a solid brand identity, values, and offerings. In doing so, you can create long-lasting loyalty with your customers whose needs and values align with your brand. 

For example, in this digital age, customers expect convenience and ease when it comes to shopping online. When ease of shopping is not met, around 75% of online shopping carts are abandoned by shoppers. Combat abandoned carts and build brand loyalty by offering a fast, secure, and frictionless checkout experience like Bolt’s One-Click Checkout.  

Why is brand loyalty important? 

Brand loyalty is important to the success of your ecommerce business because it serves as the key factor that compels customers to return. More repeat customers equal more consistent revenue.

Additionally, establishing strong brand awareness can lead to strong brand loyalty. When a shopper enjoys a brand, they are more likely to share it with their network, generating free word of mouth. Also, making your brand stand out amongst competitors influences if a customer will choose your brand over others. 

9 Ways to improve brand loyalty for your ecommerce business 

Here are nine actionable strategies to boost brand loyalty for your business, resulting in loyal customers with longer lifetime value. 

1. Build an amazing buying experience

Nowadays, shoppers expect convenience and ease. Clunky and lengthy forms discourage shoppers when they want to buy with ease. The formula to an amazing buying experience involves offering personalized recommendations during the browsing process, making purchasing a seamless experience, providing order confirmation, free-shipping, and inspiring future purchases through product recommendations and reorders. 

That’s why ecommerce solutions like Bolt Shopper Assistant, Bolt’s One-click Checkout, and Post-purchase behavior work together to help you create a holistic, memorable buying experience from start to finish. 

2. Offer personalized product recommendations 

Suggest relevant and personalized product recommendations to your customers while they are browsing. Then, take the work out of guessing by using customer data to offer new product recommendations that complement customer’s preferences. 

With Bolt’s Shopper Assistant, you can personalize and recommend more products to your customers during the shopping process.

3. Provide stellar and personalized post-purchase experiences

Merchants can leave a positive impression right after a customer makes a purchase. Post-purchase experience influences a shopper’s reaction or feeling after purchase. If this experience is positive, it leads to customer loyalty, repeat purchases, and positive reviews. This can include a clear refund policy and return process, more product recommendations, and easy order tracking.

Bolt’s One-Click Checkout comes with post-purchase behavior aimed to boost sales, drive account registrations after checkout, inspire repeat purchases, and allow merchants to track post-purchase behavior.

4. Offer a loyalty program

Shoppers love deals. In fact, they actively sign up for loyalty programs, engage with them, and use them. Latest research shows  that 64% of customers are more likely to purchase more frequently if they’re a part of a loyalty program. That’s why loyalty programs serve as great avenues to creating and maintaining customer loyalty. 

Incentivize store account creation by rewarding shoppers for spending money at your store via a loyalty program. Popular loyalty programs include exclusive discounts for members, points for each purchase that unlocks rewards as shoppers spend more, and fun events.

5. Give exclusive promos and discounts to account holders

Provide that extra push to shoppers when it comes to purchasing with discount codes. Research shows that discount codes or coupons create positive psychological reactions in people. Make customers with store accounts feel special by offering exclusive deals. 

6. Establish brand recognition 

Establish a solid brand identity and increase brand awareness to get in front of your customers. Running top-of-funnel brand awareness campaigns serve the purpose of creating that brand recognition. Research proves that brand recognition is the key step to taking up customers’ mindshare and associating your brand with a specific category or topic. 

7. Include customer testimonials

Social proof acts as informational social influence. Increase the credibility of both your brand and products with social proof and customer reviews. Add social proof and share customer reviews on your website, emails, and other channels. Customers are more likely to buy a product if they witness other people’s satisfaction with it.

8. Invest in nurturing customer relationships

When customers shop from your brand, that shouldn’t be the last time you interact with them. Rather, nurture customer relationships and establish that connection by offering newsletter, discounts, company updates, and intuitive email drip series.

Create a sense of community with your customers by sending out periodic newsletters to keep them informed about company updates, new products, and more. This not only keeps your brand fresh in their minds, but also can establish a connection that goes beyond the purchase.

9. Prioritize customer service 

Customer service can make or break your brand. One unpleasant experience can turn off customers and damage your brand’s image. So it’s vital that you invest the time and resources to maintain top-notch customer service from the start. Excellent customer service establishes positive emotional connections between customers and your brand. 

Be intentional and attentive with customers’ needs and concerns. Offer a feedback option at the end of each sale or on your website. Have a customer service hotline or email that responds to requests or concerns on time.

One step closer to attracting loyal shoppers 

It’s not rocket science. Or at least it shouldn’t be. With these tips, your brand can be one step closer to hitting that sweet spot of attracting loyal customers who aren’t just repeat customers but also advocates for your brand. 

With Bolt’s product offerings, you can transform the entire buying experience into a positive one and leave a lasting impression on customers. Offer a Shopper Assistant to personalize the browsing experience, a frictionless, one-click checkout, so shoppers can check out in mere seconds, and follow-up with a thoughtful post-purchase experience, leaving customers satisfied and resulting in more repeat shoppers.