--- title: "Own the Experience: 3 Ways to Improve Customer Retention" description: By Allison Howen, Associate Editor Every savvy business owner knows that it is more cost-effective... image: https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-22-2023-11-49-49-0791-PM-Apr-10-2023-12-59-24-3894-PM-1-1.png --- [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) [![Website Magazine Logo](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png?width=586&height=145&name=gradient-regular@3x-1.png "Website Magazine Logo")](http://Website%20Services,%20Inc.) - [About](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about) - [FAQs](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/faq) - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial Staff](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Resources](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com) - [Newsletter](https://www.websitemagazine.com/newsletter-sign-up) - More - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) [Log In](https://www.websitemagazine.com/_hcms/mem/login) [Subscribe](https://websitemagazine.tradepub.com/free/w_webk05/prgm.cgi) Search - [Latest](https://www.websitemagazine.com) - [Design](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-design) - [Development](https://www.websitemagazine.com/web-development) - [SEO](https://www.websitemagazine.com/seo) - [Ecommerce](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce) - [Content](https://www.websitemagazine.com/content) - [Marketing](https://www.websitemagazine.com/marketing) - [Advertising](https://www.websitemagazine.com/advertising) - [Email](https://www.websitemagazine.com/email) - [Infographics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/infographics) - [View All Topics](https://www.websitemagazine.com/channels) # Own the Experience: 3 Ways to Improve Customer Retention ![Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Peter_Devereaux.png) [by Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/author/peter-devereaux) 03 Mar, 2016 - - - [mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/own-the-experience-3-ways-to-improve-customer-retention](mailto:?Body=https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/own-the-experience-3-ways-to-improve-customer-retention) - Link Copied! ![Own the Experience: 3 Ways to Improve Customer Retention](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-22-2023-11-49-49-0791-PM-Apr-10-2023-12-59-24-3894-PM-1-1.png) By Allison Howen, Associate Editor Every savvy business owner knows that it is more cost-effective to retain existing customers than to acquire new ones. Despite this well-known fact, many brands' retention efforts tend to fall flat. It is not enough, for example, to simply hand out a member ID number and tell someone that they are part of a loyalty program. Rather, businesses must treat each customer like they are a valuable asset - because they are. For some help with maximizing your current customer base, consider these three retention strategies: ### 1. Trade Perks for Loyalty Many businesses offer loyalty programs, but these programs are frequently used as a way to grow email subscriber lists or collect customer data instead of actually fostering loyalty and repeat purchases. If a business falls into the former category, it is time to rethink the structure of the program. Marketers should start by asking what type of perks or rewards a business would have to offer to earn their personal loyalty. The answer is likely incentives, discounts and/or some type of gamification element (e.g., buy five times for Silver status). Services like Belly, for example, are created specifically for small businesses and make it simple for users to implement a loyalty program with custom rewards. In addition, businesses that leverage Belly are able to track customer activity, generate word-of-mouth marketing via social integrations and reach new customers through Belly's network of users. Belly isn't the only loyalty option for SMBs, of course, others include FiveStars, Perka and Loyalzoo. --- ### How to Predict Churn Stop customers before they leave at [wsm.co/nochurn15](https://www.websitemagazine.com/blog/how-to-predict-churn.aspx). --- ### 2. Provide Stellar Customer Service Ninety-eight percent of U.S. consumers recognize that customer service is important in their choice of loyalty to a brand or organization according to 2015 data from Microsoft's Global State of Multichannel Customer Service Report. What's more, 56 percent of U.S. consumers' customer service expectations have grown in the last year, which means that businesses must keep pace or risk losing the customers they have already spent resources on to acquire. It is important to note that heightened customer service expectations are likely due to the rise of channels in which consumers expect to receive service in, including social and mobile. Fortunately, serving customers in these channels is becoming easier for businesses of all sizes. Not only can live chat solutions often be integrated into mobile websites and apps, but businesses can also leverage their current social media management tool, such as Sprout Social or HootSuite, to manage and respond to customers across social channels. Facebook has also made social and mobile customer service easier with the launch of its Businesses on Messenger solution, a platform that enables customers to have a conversation with a company, receive order conformations, shipping status updates and more. For additional insights about Businesses on Messenger and how to become a customer service pro on Facebook visit [wsm.co/cspro16](https://www.websitemagazine.com/social-media/become-a-customer-service-pro-on-facebook.aspx). ### 3. Strengthen Relationships with Personalization The unsung hero of customer retention is arguably personalization. After all, the best way to foster loyalty is by establishing a strong relationship with a customer, which can be done by showing interest in them. For instance, if a beauty retailer keeps track of customers who made a recent eyeshadow purchase, they can serve this customer segment relevant marketing campaigns based on that purchase, such as an email campaign that promotes a sale on eyeshadow brushes or makeup remover. In fact, the more data a business can collect from current customers the more personalized and relevant they can make their marketing campaigns. ### A Holistic Approach Although each of the aforementioned strategies can boost a company's customer retention efforts when implemented alone, they are even more effective when combined. By personalizing communications with customers, offering impeccable customer service across channels and rewarding loyalty, businesses can get a better return on investment from customers already acquired. ![Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Peter_Devereaux.png) [Peter Devereaux](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/author/peter-devereaux) As the Editor-in-Chief of Website Magazine and President of Website Services, Peter has established himself as a prominent figure in the digital marketing industry. With a wealth of experience and knowledge, Peter has been a driving force in shaping the landscape of digital marketing. His leadership in creating innovative and targeted marketing campaigns has helped numerous businesses achieve their revenue growth goals. Under his direction, Website Magazine has become a trusted source of information and insights for digital marketers worldwide. As President of Website Services, Peter oversees a team of talented professionals who specialize in SEO/SEM, email marketing, social media, and digital advertising. Through his hands-on approach, he ensures that his team delivers exceptional results to their clients. With a passion for digital marketing, Peter is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies, making him a sought-after thought leader in the field. - - - - - [mailto:peter.devereaux@websitemagazine.com](mailto:peter.devereaux@websitemagazine.com) #### Popular Post ### [The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty ![The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/package_delivery-1-1.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/the-impact-of-late-and-inaccurate-deliveries-on-customer-loyalty) ### [Top 50 Customer Relationship Management Solutions ![Top 50 Customer Relationship Management Solutions](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-22-2023-11-50-42-2994-PM-Apr-10-2023-01-15-57-0982-PM-2-2.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/top-50-customer-relationship-management-solutions) ### [Square Cash Now Available for Business Use ![Square Cash Now Available for Business Use](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/squarecash-mini-Jan-22-2023-11-46-25-0939-PM-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/square-cash-now-available-for-business-use) #### Subscribe to Our Newsletter! [![](https://a.impactradius-go.com/display-ad/13053-1438301)](https://semrush.sjv.io/c/3976891/1438301/13053)![](https://imp.pxf.io/i/3976891/1438301/13053) #### Latest in Ecommerce [![WordPress vs. Shopify: Which One to Choose in 2023?](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Shopify-vs-WordPress-1-1.jpg) WordPress vs. Shopify: Which One to Choose in 2023?](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/wordpress-vs.-shopify-which-one-to-choose-in-2023) [![Just Practice: 4 Steps to Turn Visitors into Customers and Clicks into Cash](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/happyshopper-1-1.jpg) Just Practice: 4 Steps to Turn Visitors into Customers and Clicks into Cash](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/just-practice-4-steps-to-turn-visitors-into-customers-and-clicks-into-cash) [![The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/package_delivery-1-1.jpg) The Impact of Late and Inaccurate Deliveries on Customer Loyalty](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/the-impact-of-late-and-inaccurate-deliveries-on-customer-loyalty) [![2023 Master List of Ecommerce Solutions](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shopping-cart-icon-Jan-22-2023-11-53-37-0814-PM-Apr-10-2023-01-07-48-8582-PM-1-1.png) 2023 Master List of Ecommerce Solutions](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/master-list-of-ecommerce-solutions) [![Investing in the Online Fraud Fight](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-22-2023-11-53-50-0583-PM-Apr-10-2023-01-16-02-7173-PM-3-3.png) Investing in the Online Fraud Fight](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/investing-in-the-online-fraud-fight) [![How to Be Successful on Amazon](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/amazonaa85f88ec5e163acbc5dff0000ff1aaa-Jan-22-2023-11-53-06-1544-PM-2-2-2.png) How to Be Successful on Amazon](https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/how-to-be-successful-on-amazon) [![gradient-regular@3x](https://www.websitemagazine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x.png?width=128&height=128&name=gradient-regular@3x.png)](https://www.websitemagazine.com/) 999 E Touhy Ave, Des Plaines, IL 60018   [info@websitemagazine.com](mailto:info@websitemagazine.com) [(888) 7WEBMAG](tel:18887932624) [(312) 313-6576](tel:13123136576) About - [Advertise](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/advertise) - [Editorial](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/editorial-publishing-staff) - [Contact Us](https://www.websitemagazine.com/contact) Resources Membership - Login - Subscribe Signup for our newsletter © 2026 Website Magazine. All Rights Reserved - [Privacy Policy](https://www.websitemagazine.com/about/privacy) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Peter Devereaux", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/author/peter-devereaux" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-01T20:18:13.176Z", "datePublished" : "2016-03-03T06:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Own the Experience: 3 Ways to Improve Customer Retention", "image" : [ "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/gradient-regular-logo-mark-Jan-22-2023-11-49-49-0791-PM-Apr-10-2023-12-59-24-3894-PM-1-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/ecommerce/own-the-experience-3-ways-to-improve-customer-retention", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/hubfs/gradient-regular@3x-1.png" }, "name" : "Website Services, Inc." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "NewsArticle", "author" : [ { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Peter Devereaux" } ], "headline" : "Own the Experience: 3 Ways to Improve Customer Retention", "publisher" : { "name" : "Website Magazine", "url" : "https://www.websitemagazine.com/" } } ```