In our blog about Retaining Customers, we discovered an existing customer is likely to spend on average 60% more* than a new customer. That’s a stat hard to ignore! Keeping your existing customers happy so they buy from you again and again is a key strategy for increasing profitable sales in any business.

One such strategy is to recognise your customers who repeat purchase with something they want and value. A great way of doing this is by creating a simple and straightforward rewards programme.

There is a reason why traditional stamp card loyalty schemes are in most coffee shops – they work! Now days we are starting to see how technology can improve loyalty programmes such as these with quality data. Designed with ease of use in mind, here are our top 2 loyalty apps for small business:

•  Goody

Goody gives small businesses a way to run a loyalty programme that connects with their customers’ instore and beyond, at a basic cost and it's very easy for customers to use.

Every time they make a purchase at your business, customers will earn and accumulate points that can be redeemed for rewards. Because you know them best, you can create goodies that you know your customers will love - and which work for your business too.

• The LittleMonkey Loyalty App

Based in Wellington, LittleMonkey have created a fully customisable app to suit your business’s needs. Unlike other options this one is branded to you and more importantly lists your company name in the app store, which means your customers are linked directly to you and not a third party.

Bonus tip – got heaps of loyalty cards in your wallet? Download the Stocard App and never have to go hunting in your wallet again! This free app securely stores your loyalty account numbers in one place, clearing up space in your wallet.

*Manta's and BIA/Kelsey's joint report "Achieving Big Customer Loyalty in a Small Business World"

Keeping your existing customers happy so they buy from you again and again is a key strategy for increasing profitable sales in any business. In fact, an existing customer is likely to spend on average 60% more* than a new customer. That’s a stat that’s hard to ignore!

Your customers have choice; they can choose to stay with you or buy from somewhere else. That means your goal is to be the best option for your customers. It sounds obvious but if you are the best option, your customers won’t want to buy from someone else. 

It's Maori Language Week!

This year is all about showing New Zealand that there is a place for the Māori language in all areas of life, from our sports fields and stadiums, to the news and the ever-growing realm of social media. This annual campaign is about raising awareness that New Zealand has its very own language and encouraging the use of it, with simple phrases every day, week and month of the year.

To celebrate, we thought we would share a few phrases you can use in your everyday business interactions

You’re doing well, your marketing is working and you’ve got a potential customer who is interested in what you do... what’s next? To be seriously considered you have to build trust and prove that you can do what you say you can do.

What is the best, easiest and cost effective way to do this? Testimonials!

This simple and FREE marketing tool is often overlooked, but can help to seal the deal when a customer is making a purchase decision.

You’ve got my attention – but can you hold it?

Captivate your customers in three simple steps.

Think for a moment about your ideal customer. How do they look for your product or service? Are they searching online, are they talking to friends, are they walking down the street?

Once they have found you, how do you hold their attention and get them interested enough to find out more?

It is not enough to talk about what your business does or the promotion you have at the moment. You need to be more inspiring than that. You need to be relevant, interesting and credible to be ultimately considered.