8 Powerful Customer Retention Strategies You Need to Know

What is customer retention? Customer retention means retaining customers and keeping them loyal to a business. It involves creating strategies to encourage customers to continue doing business with a company. Any firm must focus on client retention since keeping an existing customer or reader is cheaper than finding a new one. This article will explore various customer retention strategies and how they can be implemented on Strikingly websites.

What Is Customer Retention?

The ability of a business to keep its current clients over time is referred to as customer retention. It involves creating strategies that encourage customers to continue doing business with a company by providing excellent products or services, personalized experiences, loyalty programs, good customer service, social proof, follow-up marketing, exclusive offers, upselling and cross-selling opportunities, rewards, and acknowledgment.

Why Customer Retention Is Important?

Any firm must focus on client retention since keeping an existing customer is cheaper than finding a new one. According to research by Adobe Digital Insights (ADI), returning customers are responsible for 40% of e-commerce revenue in the United States. Additionally, repeat customers spend 67% more than new ones on average.

Strikingly Overview

Strikingly is a website builder that allows users to create professional-looking websites without coding knowledge. The platform offers various features, such as customizable templates, e-commerce integration, and social media integration. Users can retain more customers and grow their businesses by implementing effective customer retention strategies on their Strikingly websites. Customer retention leads to increased sales, higher profits, and a better reputation in the industry.

Now that we have established the significance of customer retention, let's explore some effective strategies on how to retain customers that can be implemented on their websites.

1. Personalization

Personalization is a crucial aspect of customer retention strategies. It involves tailoring experiences and communication to meet customers' unique needs and preferences. Businesses can forge closer ties with their clients by fostering loyalty and raising the possibility of repeat business.

Importance Of Personalization In Customer Retention

Personalization can significantly impact customer retention by making customers feel valued and appreciated. When an enterprise takes the time to analyze its customers' needs and preferences, it can build personalized experiences that resonate with them on a deeper level. Customer personalization leads to increased brand loyalty and higher customer satisfaction rates.

Use Of Data In Creating Personalized Experiences

Data is essential to creating personalized customer experiences. Businesses can obtain insights into their customers' preferences, purchasing history, and interaction habits by gathering and analyzing data on their behavior. The data can then be utilized to tailor marketing messages, promotions, and product recommendations to each customer.

Personalization In Email Marketing

Email marketing is an effective way to personalize customer communication. Businesses can send targeted messages more likely to resonate with recipients by segmenting email lists based on customer behavior or interests. Personalized emails have higher open rates and click-through rates than generic emails.

Image taken from Strikingly

Personalization In Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms offers many opportunities for personalization in marketing efforts. Businesses can gain insights into what topics interest their audience most by using social listening tools to monitor conversations about their brand or industry. They can create content that speaks directly to those interests and personally engage with followers.

2. Customer Retention Program

Customer retention program is a marketing strategy influencing customers to continue purchasing from a business. These programs reward customers for their loyalty with special incentives, discounts, or other benefits. The ultimate goal of loyalty programs is to retain customers and increase lifetime value.

Programs that reward and encourage loyal purchasing behavior—behavior that may be advantageous to the company—are known as loyalty programs. They aim to create long-term relationships between a business and its customers by incentivizing repeat purchases.

Importance Of Loyalty Programs In Customer Retention

A customer retention program is essential in retaining customers because they make them feel valued and appreciated. Customers who feel valued are likelier to stick with a firm than those who don't get any thanks or benefits for sticking with them.

Types Of Customer Retention Programs

There are several varieties of Customer Retention Strategies businesses can implement depending on their industry, target audience, and budget:

• Points-based. Customers earn points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for rewards.
• Tiered. Customers move up tiers based on their spending level and receive increasingly valuable rewards as they climb higher.
• Cashback. Customers receive cashback on every purchase they make.
• Paid membership. Customers pay an annual fee for exclusive access to discounts or other benefits.
• Partner-based. Businesses partner with companies to offer joint rewards or discounts.

Implementation Of Customer Retention Strategies On Strikingly Websites

Strikingly provides various tools businesses can use to implement successful customer retention strategies:

• Use the Coupon feature in the website editor to create discount codes that can be offered as rewards.
• Integrate with third-party customer retention program providers such as Smile.io or LoyaltyLion.
• Use the Member feature to create a membership program that offers exclusive discounts or benefits.

3. Customer Service

Customer service is a pivotal aspect of any business and is crucial in retaining customers. Good customer service can make all the difference in keeping customers happy and satisfied. Customers who feel valued and heard will likely return to your business.

Importance Of Good Customer Service In Customer Retention

One of the best ways to keep consumers is to deliver exceptional customer service. When you go above and beyond to satisfy your consumers, they are more likely to stick around and conduct business with you in the future. The favorable ratings and word-of-mouth recommendations from excellent customer service can attract new clients.

Training Customer Service Teams

It is crucial to have a well-trained team that knows how to handle various situations to provide good customer service. Customer service training should include active listening, problem-solving skills, and conflict resolution. Providing ongoing training for your team ensures they are up-to-date with best practices and can handle any situation.

Importance Of Timely Response To Customer Inquiries

Customers expect prompt responses when they reach out with questions or concerns. Delayed responses can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction, potentially causing them to take their business elsewhere. Responding quickly shows that you value their time and care about their needs.

Image taken from Strikingly

Customer Service Communication On Strikingly

Strikingly provides an excellent platform for communicating with customers through live chat or email support services. These features allow businesses on Strikingly websites to respond quickly to inquiries from potential or existing customers, promptly providing them with the information they need.

4. Social Proof

Social proof is a powerful tool in customer retention strategies. It refers to the concept that people are more likely to trust and follow the actions of others when making decisions. In other words, if a product or service has positive reviews or endorsements from other customers, people are more likely to trust it and make a purchase.

Social proof can be of many forms, including customer reviews, testimonials, social media likes and shares, and influencer and celebrity endorsements.

Use Of Customer Reviews In Customer Retention

One of the most fruitful ways to use social proof for customer retention is through customer reviews. Positive reviews from satisfied customers can help build trust with potential customers and motivate them to purchase.

To effectively use customer reviews in your customer retention strategy, you should encourage customers to give feedback on your website or social media. Responding to positive and negative reviews can aid in building customer trust and show that you value their feedback.

Implementation Of Customer Reviews On Strikingly Websites

Strikingly makes it easy for users to implement website customer reviews through integrated review widgets. These widgets allow users to display their average rating and individual review comments directly on their websites.

Users can customize the review widget's appearance to match their website's design and branding.

Use Of Influencers And Celebrities In Social Proof

In addition to customer reviews, some businesses may benefit from using influencer or celebrity endorsements as part of their social proof strategy. However, influencer marketing can be expensive and may only sometimes be effective for some businesses or industries.

When considering using influencers or celebrities as part of your social proof strategy, choosing individuals who align with your brand values and have a strong following within your target audience is important.

Incorporating social proof into your customer retention strategies can help build customer trust and encourage them to make repeat purchases. businesses can retain more customers and increase their overall revenue by utilizing customer reviews and other forms of social proof.

5. Follow-Up Marketing

Follow-up marketing refers to reaching customers after their initial purchase or interaction with a brand. Follow-up marketing can be done through email, phone, or social media channels. Follow-up marketing aims to build long-term relationships with customers and increase customer retention.

Follow-up marketing is a strategy that involves contacting customers after their initial purchase or interaction with a brand. Follow-up marketing aims to maintain customer communication and engage them with the brand.

Importance Of Follow-Up Marketing In Customer Retention

Follow-up marketing is essential to customer retention strategies. It helps retain customers by keeping them engaged and informed about new products, services, or promotions. Brands can build trust and loyalty by staying in touch with customers, which leads to higher customer satisfaction and increased repeat business.

Types Of Follow-Up Marketing

There are various types of follow-up marketing that brands can use to retain customers:

• Email campaigns. Based on their past purchases or preferences, send customers personalized emails.
• Phone calls. Follow up with customers via phone to address any concerns they may have.
• Social media. Reacting to comments and messages from customers on social media channels.
• Newsletters. Sending regular newsletters containing updates on new products or services.

Implementation Of Follow-Up Marketing On Strikingly Websites

Strikingly websites offer several features that can be used for effective follow-up marketing:

• Email campaigns. Strikingly's built-in email newsletter feature allows users to create personalized email campaigns and send them directly from their website.
• Social media integration. Strikingly offers easy integration with social media platforms, allowing users to engage with their followers directly from their website.
• Contact forms. Strikingly's customizable contact forms make it easy for users to collect customer information and follow up with them later.

6. Exclusive Offers

Exclusive offers are special deals or promotions only available to a select group of customers. These offers can be a powerful tool for customer retention, as they create a sense of exclusivity and make happy customers.

Exclusive offers are promotions or discounts only available to a specific group of customers. These offers can be used to incentivize repeat purchases and increase customer loyalty.

Importance Of Exclusive Offers In Customer Retention

Offering exclusive deals to retained customers effectively shows them that you value their business and appreciate their loyalty. Exclusive offers can increase customer satisfaction and encourage them to continue doing business with you.

Types Of Exclusive Offers

There are many different types of exclusive offers as part of customer retention strategies, including:

• Early access. Giving retained customers early access to new products or services before they become available to the general public.
• Loyalty rewards. Offering rewards such as free products, discounts, or points-based systems for repeat purchases.
• Limited-time deals. Providing limited-time discounts or promotions exclusively for retained customers.
• Personalized deals. Providing personalized deals based on the customer's preferences and purchase history.

Image taken from Strikingly

Implementation Of Exclusive Offers On Strikingly Websites

Strikingly websites provide an excellent platform for offering exclusive deals and promotions to retained customers. Here are some tips for implementing these programs:

• Create an email list specifically for retained customers so you can send them personalized promotions.
• Use pop-ups on your website offering special deals exclusively for returning visitors.
• Offer early access to new products or services via email campaigns targeted at your retained customers.
• Use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to promote your exclusive deals.

7. Upselling And Cross-Selling

Upselling and cross-selling are two powerful strategies businesses can use to increase customer retention. Despite their clear differences, they are frequently used interchangeably. Upselling encourages clients to spend more money than they had initially planned to buy a product or service. At the same time, cross-selling is the practice of offering complementary products or services that enhance the value of the original purchase.

Upselling and cross-selling are both sales techniques that focus on increasing revenue from existing customers by offering them additional products or services.

Importance Of Upselling And Cross-Selling In Customer Retention

Upselling and cross-selling can be highly effective in retaining customers because they help to build a stronger relationship between the business and the customer. When done correctly, these techniques can add value to the customer's experience, making them more likely to return.

Types Of Upselling And Cross-Selling

There are many different types of upselling and cross-selling strategies businesses can use, including:

• Bundling. Offering a package deal with multiple products or services at a discounted price.
• Add-ons. Offering additional products or services that complement the original purchase.
• Upgrades. Offering a higher-end version of the purchased product or service.
• Loyalty programs. Offering rewards or discounts for repeat purchases.

Implementation Of Upselling And Cross-Selling On Strikingly Websites

Strikingly websites can easily implement upselling and cross-selling strategies through features such as:

• Related products. Displaying related products on product pages encourages customers to make additional purchases.
• Product bundles. Creating bundled packages that offer multiple products at a discounted price.
• Discounts for repeat customers. Offering discounts for customers who make repeat purchases.

8. Rewards And Acknowledgment

Customer retention strategies are essential for any business. Rewards and acknowledgment are effective ways to retain customers. Rewards and acknowledgment can come in different forms, such as discounts, freebies, or personalized messages.

Rewards are incentives given to customers for their loyalty or repeat business. Acknowledgment is recognizing a customer's value through personalized messages or gestures. Both rewards and acknowledgment aim to make customers feel appreciated and valued.

Importance Of Rewards And Acknowledgment In Customer Retention

Rewards and acknowledgment play a significant role in retaining customers because they create a positive experience that encourages them to return. Customers who feel appreciated are likelier to remain loyal to a brand, recommend it to others, and even spend more money.

Types Of Rewards And Acknowledgment

There are different types of rewards and acknowledgment that businesses can offer, such as:

• Discounts or coupons
• Freebies or samples
• Personalized messages or thank-you notes
• Loyalty points or programs
• Exclusive access or early bird offers

The acknowledgment or reward program type depends on the business's goals, budget, and target audience.

Image taken from Strikingly

Implementation Of Rewards And Acknowledgment On Strikingly Websites

Strikingly offers several features that businesses can use to implement rewards and acknowledgment programs:

• Pop-ups. Businesses can create pop-ups that offer discounts or freebies when visitors sign up for their newsletter or purchase.
• Thank-you pages. After purchasing, businesses can redirect customers to a thank-you page with a personalized message or an exclusive offer.
• Loyalty program integration. Strikingly integrates with several loyalty program apps that allow businesses to reward customers with points for their purchases.
• Customizable templates. Strikingly offers customizable templates that businesses can use to create personalized messages or thank-you notes for their customers.

The Assistance Of Strikingly Improves Strategies For Customer Retention

Customer retention is vital to any business, and Strikingly understands this well. With its user-friendly interface, Strikingly offers various tools and features to help businesses retain their customers effectively. In this section will discuss how Strikingly can improve customer retention strategies.

Retaining Customer Using Social Media

Social media is an influential tool for businesses to connect with customers and keep them engaged. With Strikingly's built-in social media integration, businesses can easily inform customers about the latest updates, promotions, and events.

Moreover, enterprises can also use social media to gather customer feedback and promptly address any issues. Businesses can foster long-term consumer relationships by maintaining an active presence on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Connect With Customers Via Social Media

Connecting with customers via social media is about posting updates and engaging with them. Businesses can show that they value their customer's opinions and are committed to providing excellent customer service by promptly responding to comments or messages and addressing concerns or questions directly.

Strikingly makes it easy for businesses to connect with their customers by allowing them to add social media links to their website's footer or header section. Visitors can easily follow the business on social media platforms without leaving the website.

Valuable Content For Social Engagement

To keep customers engaged on social media platforms, businesses must provide valuable content that resonates with their target audience. Customer engagement could be anything from blog articles, infographics, videos, or memes!

Strikingly offers a blog feature that allows businesses to create high-quality content directly on their website without using third-party platforms. Businesses can maintain client engagement and draw in new consumers by consistently producing valuable content.

Tips For Nailing Social Media Engagement

Here are some tips for businesses to nail social media engagement:

• Post consistently. Regular posting helps to keep your audience engaged and informed.
• Use visuals. Visuals such as images or videos perform better than plain text posts.
• Respond promptly. Responding to comments or messages promptly shows that you value your customer's opinions and are committed to offering excellent customer service.
• Use hashtags. Hashtags help your posts reach a broader audience and increase engagement.

Conclusion

Customer retention is crucial for any business, including Strikingly. In this article, we discussed several strategies to retain customers. Personalization through email and social media marketing, loyalty programs, excellent customer service, social proof, follow-up marketing, exclusive offers, upselling, cross-selling, and rewards and acknowledgment, are all effective techniques.

Customer retention is vital to building a loyal following and increasing revenue. Implementing these strategies helps create a positive brand reputation and attract new customers through word-of-mouth. Strikingly facilitates these efforts with its user-friendly interface and useful features.

Using proven techniques like loyalty programs or social proof, Strikingly users can keep their customers engaged and satisfied while growing their business. Retaining customers is a crucial aspect of any business, and Strikingly provides the necessary tools to help businesses achieve this goal.