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Keep Them Coming Back: Loyalty Cards

Loyalty means many different things to different people but in business, it means one thing the frequent return of a valued customer. A return that should conclude with money being exchanged hopefully on multiple occasions.

Creating loyalty is something every business should have at the top of there list, without this, there will be little reason for your customers to come back again and again.

Whether your business revolves around retail, food and drink or one of many professional services you will find customer loyalty is closely tied to the quality of your product and the standard of the service you provide. How better to reward this loyalty than with a Loyalty Card.

Rewards program

Loyalty cards offer customers a reward for their business and can influence their decision to return to you instead of going to your competition, through rewarding their purchasing behaviour keeping them loyal to your company or brand in the future.

These cards are usually the same size as a business card for easy storage and portability, and usually offer discounts, deals or freebies based on the individual business’ preference.

Let us help create a loyalty card that adds style and professionalism to your business. After all: if you do what’s best for your customers, they’ll do what’s best for your business in return!

Loyalty Card Benefits

It’s important for customers to feel appreciated when they do they are more likely to support your business and tell others to do the same. Success is growing a large and loyal following.

If you are giving a discount or free gift that only applies to certain items and time, remember to add this to your terms and conditions.

Affordable

Encourage your customers to come back more often to take advantage of your special offers/discounts/rewards. The more they shop, the more they get in return.

For the small cost of producing your loyalty cards and offering a reward, the customer will have already spent 5 to 10 times the value of there gift in returning regularly to collect their stamps.

The good news is that you don’t have to offer much – whether a free cup of coffee, sandwich or perhaps even a small discount off a purchase, these small offers can be all it takes to inspire a return visit.

According to Forbes, keeping a customer is 7 times less expensive than gaining a new one.

Rewarding clients and businesses

Loyalty cards act to incentivize new clients to stick around while ensuring existing clients still feel valued. It might even encourage customers to try something new by simply offering them the chance to get one for free.

Boost sales

Loyalty card often helps to increase revenue as the customer is likely to spend more on the product/service than the loyalty card costs your business.

Increase ‘recommendations’ by offering special discounts or extras for loyal customers, I have known many small businesses that bend the rules for there ‘favourite regulars’ For example – recommending a friend and gets an extra stamp on their card. Have a little fun with your customers and get creative!

Sends a happy message

Loyalty card schemes are excellent for making a customer feel important and relevant. They serve as an act of goodwill. Customer happiness is important as it keeps them coming back for more and telling their friends and family.

Why Make a Loyalty Card with Us?

We can help create a loyalty card to help your business grow, help retain customers, and improve your brand’s reputation. Design your own loyalty cards with us and convey an air of professional quality.

Don’t forget your loyalty card stamp, which can be used with your custom loyalty cards. These will help your business stand out and your card stands out from the rest in your customers’ wallet.

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Taking card payments: iZettle

Is your business ready for card payments?

While it can seem like a daunting and complicated process, introducing card payments is actually pretty simple.

You just need to start with the right company.

Nine years ago iZettle was founded in Stockholm in 2010, and two years later they launch in the UK with a new card reader.

This was my first introduction to iZettle, they allowed anyone with a reasonably up to date smartphone, tablet to accept debit card or credit card payments.

Since iZettle’s Scandinavian launch, and its arrival in the UK, it’s proven incredibly useful for sole traders and small businesses – iZettle say they have helped their users grow their businesses each year by more than three times the European average.

Its not unusual to see an iZettle Card Reader in many Small Food and Drink or Service orientated business, in 2017 I helped setup my first client with a full iZettle POS Till System since then I have seen an increase in awareness and interest in this simple but effective POS device.

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Having the iZettle card reader and the ease of using the app for payments has without doubt increased the number of customers coming to our food truck. Half our customers choose to pay with card and now we never have to turn people away who choose to be cashless!

— Cheesetown Truck

So how does it work, and is it worth it?

iZettle say they have built a game-changing payment and analytics tools that empower small businesses to play on the same turf as the big players. They do it with simple and easy-to-use tools.

The iZettle Credit Card Reader makes it possible for anyone to take card payments – anytime, anywhere, while there intuitive point of sale system simplifies payment processing, sales tracking and product management. 

With iZettle, there are no startup costs, no contracts, and no monthly fees to worry about. Instead, they offer a powerful set of tools that help you start, run and grow your business.

Compatibility

The free iZettle Go app works on your iOS- or Android device.

The iZettle Reader works with Bluetooth-enabled devices that run iOS or Android. Check out their compatibility guide for more information.

While the app is free, the card reader does cost – it’s usually £59 plus VAT for business users, but it is occasionally available at a reduced price.

Internet connection and data usage

For iZettle to work, you need to be connected to a 3G, 4G or WiFi network. These connections are much faster than the 2G technology relied on by traditional card terminals. Accepting payments with the iZettle Go app only takes a few kilobytes of data. However, they recommend all iZettle users connect to a stable network with a reliable connection.

In use

The vendor adds a product or types a transaction amount into the app on their device, then taps “charge”. They then hand over the card reader to the buyer, who can choose whether to pay via contactless, or pin by inserting their card.

All the major card types are accepted –

  • MasterCard
  • Visa
  • American Express
  • Maestro
  • V Pay
  • Visa Electron
  • JCB
  • Diners Club

– as well as Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay.

Fees

iZettle make money by charging a fee on each payment.

Depending on the number and type of transactions made, the fee will range from 1% to 2.75%.

Bear in mind that the lower fees are available only to business, not personal users.

Compared with the classic merchant card machines, where the machine itself typically costs around £20 a month on top of the fees, it’s a big saving.

Special offer for Facciponti.com readers

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As a Facciponti.com reader, you can get the iZettle Reader 2 for only £25* (regular price £59) or iZettle Reader 2 + Dock for £64. No monthly fees or contract to worry about.

* Offer for new business users.


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The Verdict

The iZettle reader is undeniably simple to operate.

For small businesses who can’t justify the expense of a traditional card reading machine, especially as most of us, traders included, now have smartphones.

The dock, and the range of accessories and supported other devices, makes it suitable for a huge range of users.

From my own and client experience I can highly recommend iZettle if this is your first foray into card transactions.

Need some help?

If you would like to know more? Or get help to find and build the best software, payments and hardware solution please send us a message.

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