For anyone who runs an online store, there’s always the issue of encouraging repeat business in the wake of growing competition. Some products you offer may only ever be needed once but what about for the ones that can be bought over and over again? You have to work at encouraging more online purchases and repeat business. But how?
Here’s an easy tip that is backed up by one of our clients: WhiterSmile.com.au
When you make a purchase, your item is delivered to you along with a flyer that not only thanks you for your purchase but outlines how WhiterSmile.com.au wants to reward you for continuing to use their website in the future.
They offer existing customers a 10% discount on all future purchases by way of a special promo code provided to customers.
This goes over and beyond how some online stores work where they offer you a set store credit for your next purchase. Not only is your next purchase available at a discount, but every other purchase after that!
In some businesses, this may not be sustainable in the long run but we’d hazard a guess and say the least you could do is offer a discount on your customers next purchase at the minimum (to new customers) and go from there.
And what about existing customers? Well, if someone hasn’t bought from you in a while, you could send them a friendly email (provided that they’ve opted to receive further communication from you), say hello and maybe showcase some of your newest items or update them on the latest happenings at your business. Offer a discount, which can be once-off/time limited and sweeten the deal.
GoDaddy are constantly sending out emails to existing customers with all sorts of discounts (and all sorts of conditions too!) and they do it on an almost daily basis to ensure they are always in the minds of their customers.
Give it a shot and see how it works for you. We’d love to hear from you on this and other ideas on how to encourage repeat business.
