Loyalty card: how to pick a validation process

In that case, the client earns a point when a QR code is scanned. The QR code can be produced upon checkout (*). It’s the ideal conversation starter if you want to nurture the relationship with your customers. It’s the ideal scenario for a local business, such as a salon, flower shop, snack, coffee shop or a restaurant. The QR code implies an interaction making it a relevant solution for a close relationship with the client, location wise, but also on a human level. It helps build a connection with most loyal customers while serving as a positive incentive to turn visitors into recurring clients.

On the practical side, you can print a ready-made QR code right from your back office, or choose to create yours from scratch. Of course, you can also choose to display the QR code inside your establishment, at the reach of your clients, next to the register for instance, so that you won't have to produce it every single time. Also, don’t forget to come up with an attractive flyer to promote your loyalty program to your customers.

(*) NB: there is a 1 hour delay before another QR code scan can be completed

Contrary to the QR code, location matters but the interaction is less direct. It has its benefits though. Indeed, in the case of a large scale business, such as a mall or arena, the scenario of a close connection between the manager and the client is a little obsolete. In that case, a manual check-in within a designated area (with precise GPS coordinates) grants the user more freedom to earn a point without getting in the way of his coming and going.

The more fluent the experience, the more chances your loyalty program will generate enrollment. In the event of a concert for instance, it’s easy to imagine that the attendee will want to reach the inside of the venue quickly, to ensure the best seats in the house. For more flexibility, the option to check-in once they are properly seated and waiting for the concert to begin is definitely more user friendly. What's more, to manage your program through and through, you can monitor the amount of time to elapse between 2 manual check-ins, in minutes or days.

This validation process requires involvement on the part of users, in the sense that they will have to perform the "action" of sharing  your brand or establishment on their channels. It’s a winning scenario if you have an engaged audience, with genuine support, eager to let their friends / followers know about your existence.

But if your community is nascent, don’t turn your back on this option just yet. If you set up the right incentives to trigger engagement it can work wonders. Our advice? Don’t overlook the gift offered to users once all the points on the loyalty card are collected. If the prize is rewarding enough, it can be the perfect motivation for users to spread the word on social media ;) (*)

In the end, a well thought out loyalty program might just be what you need to build a community around your app and beyond. It’s the new word of mouth!

(*) NB: there is a 1 hour delay between 2 validations through social media sharing