Monday, June 07, 2010

The Benefits of Loyalty Cards For Your Business

By M H Ahssan

If you are a business owner looking for opportunities to build your customer base than look no further. This article will discuss the benefits of loyalty cards in your business. It does not matter if you own a restaurant or a retail outlet both can reap the rewards of a good loyalty card. A loyalty card is very similar to a credit card or debit card. They are the same size and look the same. The difference is a loyalty card will have your logo and business information written all over it. In addition the loyalty card will only offer the benefits to your customer that you program on it. Lets look at some of the great benefits that loyalty card offer your customer and in return you.

If you own a restaurant or a coffee shop loyalty cards can greatly benefit you. The first way that this happens is with advertising. Every time your customer pulls out his or her loyalty card they are advertising your business to a potential nearby customer. It puts your brand out there each and every time the loyalty card is pulled out of a wallet or purse. Most importantly your loyalty card rewards well loyalty. You can see very often these days' restaurants and coffee shops offering loyalty cards that reward you after you have bought so many sandwiches or various cups of coffee. This creates a bond between you and the customer. If they can buy 5 sandwiches from you and get the 6th one free than they are more likely to avoid the competitor and eat from you until they get their free sandwich.

If you own a retail outlet the loyalty card is equally valuable and beneficial. You still have the same opportunity of advertising through the card and perhaps drawing in a few additional customers. As anyone who has ever owned or managed a business knows there is no better advertising than word of mouth. It is vital that you do everything possible to create customer loyalty and encourage them not only to return to your establishment but bring their friends and family as well. Loyalty cards can assist you with this. If you offer your customer a discount card after they have purchased a certain amount of product than you are encouraging loyalty.

You can see this type of loyalty in use everyday in retail outlets, restaurants, coffee shops, department stores and grocery stores. Many different types of business can benefit from a loyalty card. By forming this bond with your customer they feel that you are giving them something for free for their loyalty to your establishment. Everyone is drawn to things that are free. Everyone wants to spend their hard earned money where they know they are appreciated. The bottom line is loyalty cards drive return traffic to your business. When you build customer loyalty that customer is more likely to recommend you to an associate. The rewards of loyalty cards in your business cannot be underestimated.

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