How to create a loyalty card for your shop, step by step
A loyalty card can be set up in an afternoon. But a few choices made at the start decide whether it will really bring your customers back, or end up forgotten. Here's the method, step by step.
1. Set a clear goal
What do you want to achieve? Bring customers back more often, fill quiet slots, increase the average basket, or collect contacts to communicate with? The goal shapes everything else. For most local shops, the first goal is simple: increase visit frequency.
2. Choose the type of programme
- Stamps: one visit = one stamp. Ideal when baskets are similar (café, bakery, hairdresser).
- Points: €1 = 1 point. Better suited when amounts vary a lot (butcher, delicatessen, wine shop).
- Tiers: perks grow with loyalty. Motivating for very regular customers.
3. Set the reward and the threshold
The reward must be desirable and reachable within a few weeks. Base it on your cost price, not the selling price. See 20 reward ideas.
4. Take care of the look
Your card should look like your shop: your logo, your colours, a simple name. A digital card can be customised in a few clicks and changed at any time.
5. Launch in store
- Display a clearly visible QR code at the till and in the window.
- Offer the card to every customer, in one sentence: "Would you like the card? The 10th one is free."
- Give the first stamp right away: the customer has already started.
6. Track and adjust
After a month, take a look: how many sign-ups? How many come back? How many have earned their reward? If almost nobody reaches the threshold, it's too high. If everyone reaches it very quickly, it may be too generous.