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One of the most important resources of a business in a very competitive e-commerce industry is customer loyalty. However, it is challenging to maintain and increase the customer’s loyalty. When there are many brands offering similar products and services, how do you stand out of the competition? The answer lies in gamification.

Including game-like elements in gamification, or non-gaming contexts, has become a powerful tool for e-commerce companies that customers are looking to promote engagement and loyalty. By improving shopping experience, business can increase sales and increase close emotional relations with your customers.

The advantages of gamification for e-commerce businesses will be covered in this blog post, as well as effective ways to use it to promote customer loyalty.

What is Gamification in E-Commerce?

The process of adding game elements in user experience, such as badges, levels, challenges and awards, is known as gamification. Instead of only a purchase, customers are encouraged to connect with the brand in many fun and rewarding ways. For example, a customer can earn points for each purchase made by him, compete with others on a leaderboard, or fulfill a challenge to unlock the discount. These strategies encourage repeat businesses and increase customer retention.

How Gamification Drives Customer Loyalty

1. Creating a rewarding experience: One of the best ways Gamification encourages the loyalty of the customer that gives them a rewarding experience. The loyalty programs, which give customers to procure, interaction, or even for recommendations, are a great example. These points can then be rebuked for discounts, goods or exclusive deals. Awarding dedicated customers increases the possibility that they will return and do more shopping.
2. Consumer engagement motivation: Gamification encourages customers to interact with your brand. Customer gets more involved in the ecosystem of the brand, by recommending the challenges, posting product reviews, or recommending friends. The more they participate, the more rewards and recognized. As a result of this continuous engagement, customers form a bond with the brand and return to more.
3. Promoting healthy competition: Leaderboards, rankings and achievements can promote healthy competition among customers. This may motivate them to complete more tasks, buy more goods, or to attach the leaders to maintain or climb the leaderboard. As customers compete for the top location, the competition, when correct, promotes increasing engagement and loyalty.
4. Creating a sense of achievement: Achievement and badge certificates can be very powerful motivator. When customers reach certain objectives, such as spending a certain amount, meeting challenges, or referring to friends, they are awarded the badge or special status. As a result, customers experience a sense of achievement and are motivated to engage with the brand. As their income increases, they have an emotional relationship.
5. Individual Experience: E-commerce gameification can also be adapted to a person’s taste. By looking at the preferences, activities and purchase patterns of your customers, businesses can offer personal challenges and awards. A customer who often purchases aesthetic product, for example, can be offered an individual skincare or cosmetic challenge. The adaptation makes the experience more meaningful and enjoyable, which encourages customers to return.
6. Building a community: Many gamification elements, such as social sharing, team challenges and referrals, help build a community around your brand. Social media gives consumers an opportunity to update friends and family on their successes, praise and progress, the brand recognition increases. Customers who invite others to join challenges or join divided prizes can increase your audience and cultivate more and more customers loyalty.

Examples of Successful E-Commerce Gamification

Many e-commerce giants have effectively worked to promote customer loyalty:

1. Starbucks Rewards Program: Starbucks’ gameification of online shopping is one of the best examples. Customers can earn stars for free food, drinks, or exclusive proposals with every purchase through their prize program. Customers can also progress various levels (green and gold), each of which unlocks additional benefits depending on their expenses.
2. The Beauty Insider Program at Sephora: This program is another illustration of effective gamification. Consumers can earn points for each purchase, which can then be redeemed for experiences, discounts, and cosmetics. Additionally, Sephora provides customers with tiers of rewards, with higher spending unlocking more benefits.
3. Nike Training Club: Nike Training Club app reduces experiences by encouraging users to complete workouts and to reward for their efforts. Users can participate in challenges, track their progress and earn badges. In addition to increasing the engagement, it strengthens the loyalty of the brand among customers.

How to Implement Gamification in Your E-Commerce Store

1. Start a loyalty program: Create a program in which customers can earn marks for recommendations, purchase and interaction. Provide special access to valuable incentives such as discounts, free, or new collections.
2. Set challenges and milestones: assign customers to work or challenges. For example, customers can receive prizes for interacting with your content, recommending friends or specific shopping. Set goals such as “spend $ 100 to get 10% from your next order.”
3. Use achievements and badges: Use the level of achievement and badge to honor and identify the achievements of your customers. For example, the status of “Gold Member” can be provided to customers who complete a certain purchase range or attach to specific methods with the brand.
4. Leverage leaderboard: Provide leaderboard for customers who complete assignments or reach predetermined goals. Give special encouragement to the top scorer such as sales or early access to exclusive products.
5. Personalize experience: Modify gamified experience based on user behavior. Offer encouragement, challenges and discounts to each customer’s preferences and previous purchases.

Conclusion

Gamification is a powerful tool that can use e-commerce business customer loyalty to promote, increase engagement and promote sales. By offering a fun and satisfactory shopping experience, businesses can build long -lasting ties with customers and convert infinite shopkeepers into loyal supporters.

At AleaIT Solutions, we can help you design and implement gamification strategies that align with your business goals. Get in touch with us today to take your e-commerce store to the next level and increase customer loyalty.