Loyalty Programs Drive Business

Loyalty Programs Drive Business

Customer loyalty programs are smart, innovative ways to increase revenue and create repeat business. These easy to implement programs not only create loyal, happy customers they give you a method to reach out to those customers with specials and new products.  Also, 69% of consumers say they make their shopping decisions based on their loyalty programs or lack thereof. Studies also reveal that although finding new customers is crucial for a thriving company, it is far less expensive and better to maintain your current customers.

Loyal customers advertise for you

Loyalty programs are not a new concept, however, they can be very versatile. They can be in the form of an app, an email, or a simple letter in the mail. Having an app on their phone offers your customers a convenient shopping experience, and increases company awareness for potential customers.  Appreciating your customers will draw them to your company, as well as maintain their interest. On average, a loyal customer can be worth up to ten times as much as their first purchase with your company. Personalized loyalty programs are very appealing to customers, such as a customized email with their name.

There are many ways to use loyalty programs.  Most companies use points by tracking purchases. Companies such as Starbucks and Tarte use this method. For every purchase customers make, the business  gives them the value spent in points. Customers save their points and redeem rewards or discounts exclusive to the company’s loyalty program. Some programs even encourage customers to positively review or share their products on social media in return for additional points. Turning their customers into advertisers for the business.

Easy to implement and inexpensive

In addition, loyalty programs are not expensive and can be set up a few different ways; using a POS or terminal to capture customer data and track purchases or a simple app customers can download on their phones. Decide which method you prefer, choose your reward and watch your profits grow.   Most programs will track and reward your customer and the newer loyalty systems may even text or email you to notify you of the reward with beacon technology. Many systems just keep track of benefits and work only when a customer asks to use their card.

The small amount invested will be worth it when your profit increases. On average, companies will spend up to eleven times more on finding new customers than maintaining the ones they already have.  Reaching out to your current customers is simple once you have the data. Also, sharing on social media has never been easier.

As technology continues to advance, so do company reward programs. It’s always a good idea to revisit your existing program and keep up with current trends to maximize company profits and maintain your customer loyalty. Whether in the form of an app, an email, or a letter, customer appreciation stretches far. Loyalty and customer reward programs are extremely efficient in inspiring customer loyalty and maximizing profits. If you do not have a program in place it’s time you looked into one.

PCI Basics for Small Merchants

PCI Basics for Small Merchants

In 2015 the PCI SSC created the Small Merchant Taskforce, a cross-industry consortium of payment
security experts, merchant groups and small merchant advocates, to create educational material and
suggested next steps to assess risk within a small business environment. The Taskforce drew from
their collective payment security and small merchant expertise to create PCI Data Security Essential
Resources for Small Merchants, a series of resources to help small merchants focus on essential
payment data security practices needed to protect payment data and reduce risk in their business
environment.

As part of that series, PCI SSC created PCI Firewall Basics, a one-page infographic providing
guidance on firewall configuration basics.

firewall basics

Gift Cards Expected to Exceed $6 Trillion by 2022

Gift Cards Expected to Exceed $6 Trillion by 2022

The average consumer is spending $59 more than the original value of their Gift Card, up $21 from 2017, according to the 2018 Prepaid Consumer Insights Study released by First Data (NYSE: FDC)  Despite the set value on a gift card, 72% of customers report spending more than the given amount on their card.

Offering gift cards allows a company to attract new customers, increase brand awareness, improve sales, and reduce fraud. Total retail sales in the United States were projected to amount to 6.03 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022, up from around 5.4 trillion U.S. dollars in 2018.  Often, businesses overlook the benefits of integrating gift cards into their companies.

Attracting New Customers

Gift cards are incredibly useful in attracting new customers.  They continue to be the number one gift given, therefore introducing new customers to your business.  Also, these Gift Cards serve as an incentive to purchase something your customer may not typically seek out.

Increasing Brand Awareness

Providing customers with Gift Cards increases your brand awareness, as well. As gift cards are purchased and given to others for holiday or birthdays, your brand will be introduced to a new audience. 93% of consumers will either buy or receive a gift card; also they are the #1 most requested present during holidays.

Marketing Your Company

Customizing your Gift Card serves as a self-marketing tool. Your logo is displayed in your customer’s wallet and viewed often.  Not only will this prompt customers to revisit your store, but it will also hopefully turn them into loyal repeat customers.

Reducing Fraud

By offering Gift Cards to customers, as opposed to paper certificates, you will also be reducing your risk of fraud.  Tracking certificates is difficult, and with Gift Card integrations to the new POS Systems, it is now a simple process to monitor.  Using a POS System will deter internal theft and quite possibly reduce the likelihood of counterfeit certificates being produced by fraudsters.   Gift cards electronically monitored with a POS system allows the merchant to verify the initial transaction.  This is also a great way to deal with returns by getting your customer to come back to purchase another product.

With these exploding numbers in the Gift Card industry, what are you going to do to capture your share of this market?  We can help uplift your sales today!

 

Generate More Revenue and Traffic with an ATM

Generate More Revenue and Traffic with an ATM

ATMs still Represent Easy Money for your Business, Restaurant or Store

With the rise of online shopping, brick-and-mortar businesses today need to do everything they can to stay competitive. Sometimes that means using a traditional, tried-and-true method of boosting traffic and earning some passive income.

We’re talking about the ATM machine.

Your store, restaurant or business just might need one.

Why?

Not everyone likes to swipe or dip the chip at a business. Credit and Debit card security concerns are causing some people to stick to the safety of cash. One-third of U.S. consumers (34 percent) say they are making more purchases in store with cash because of data breaches, according to ATM Marketplace.

Avoid card processing fees: Customers who use your ATM and then pay cash in your business save you in credit card processing fees.

Where’s my bank? In a tourist market, in particular, a customer’s regular bank may not be available or may be prohibitively far from his or her local destination. Your customer may want to withdraw money from or check his balance from an ATM before making a card transaction with you or another business.

“Now that I’m here”: Average 7-Eleven ATMs perform about 3,000 transactions per month, according to National Cash, an industry provider. That could be 3,000 times a customer visits your business just to use the ATM, and while there, they notice what else your business offers.

It’s a tax write-off: The ATM is a tangible personal property item which can be expensed. Your tax advisor can tell you about how the cost of an ATM machine can be depreciated or expensed beginning in the tax year that it is placed.

Earn income on surcharges: Talk about passive income! It’s the easiest way to make money on your money.

Operating an ATM is easy and a great way to drive more revenue and foot traffic into your establishment this year!  Call or email us today to learn more.

Is Managing Your Images on your POS this Easy?

Is Managing Your Images on your POS this Easy?

Is Managing your POS System as Easy as Posting a Picture to Social Media?  It Should be!

Imagine being able to upload an image of your daily specials or entrées as soon as they come out of your oven.  Uploading an image to your menu is as simple as posting to your facebook page.  Wow your customers and entice them into your restaurant or store today.  The power of an image is incredible!

As a business owner or manager, can you edit and make modifications easily from wherever you are?

Envision being able to make real-time changes to your menu, manage your staff and keep an eye on your sales from anywhere in the world.  Whether you are at home or on vacation the newer POS systems allow you to manage all of your operations in one place!

The newer POS systems are now state of the art, replacing the old legacy systems and improving your life as a restaurant or retail owner.

If your current POS system doesn’t have all these easy-to-use features, make the change and upgrade today!

3 Holiday Gift Card Recipes for Success!

3 Holiday Gift Card Recipes for Success!

With the holiday season right around the corner, gift cards are one of the most requested items.   Here are a few tips to sell and benefits you will gain with a simple gift card program.

TIPS:

  • Impulse Buyers – Stock up and make sure you have them within eye-sight at your register. Your impulse buyer is sure to purchase for a family member, colleague, teacher or friend.
  • Up-selling – Educate yourself and your staff. Consumers like to be enticed. Offer them the pleasure and advantage.  If you are not up-selling your customers, you are missing out on a LOT of revenue.  It works, just ask: “I am so happy you and yours enjoyed yourselves this evening.  Why not add a gift card for a loved one?  Sounds great, right!”  As you and your staff master this amazing tool, you can move onto cross-selling.  Just by suggesting other relevant options to your customer like: “Did you know the $25.00 gift cards are on special this week, buy three get the fourth for half price?”  Or, “Don’t forget to pick up a few of these cards for your family and friends; they are handy to have for last minute needs.  Want me to add another card to your order?”
  • Lifesaver (Be the “Go to Merchant”) – As consumers, we have all done it. It’s down to the last minute and we need a gift.  If a customer comes in for gift cards and you don’t have them, you lost a sale.  The mere act of displaying gift cards lets your customers know they can rely on you in a pinch.  Be the Hero and “Go To”. Try it!

BENEFITS:

  • Increased Sales – The primary benefit is your sales numbers will boom! You will generate revenue in advance of sales, and studies show customers spend more than the amount on the card.
  • Marketing – Get the word out about your establishment.  Gift cards are like mini billboards.  Your branding speaks volumes.
  • Breakage – refers to the amount left on a gift card that is never redeemed. A person with a $100 gift card may purchase $97 and inadvertently toss the card in a drawer, or throw it away. This helps your margins.
  • Repeat Business – If someone has never heard about your business, but receive a $20 gift card for their birthday, Christmas or even a holiday party, they will find you and maybe become a customer for life!
  • Advertising – Your gift cards encourage customers to join loyalty programs as well and you will now have the data you need, providing you are using a POS system, to capture that data.  Now you can send specials or “ping” them when they drive by your business.

CardSystems Merchant Services

Checkout with POS

Restaurant Point of Sale

Curb to Kitchen seamless integration that supports online menus, digital menus, pay at the table, and more.

Checkout with POS

Retail Point of Sale

Manage inventory, pricing, stock management from web to store, wireless payments and more.

Checkout with POS

Commercial Point of Sale

Accept payments on site, on the road, online, B2B, and integrate with all your inventory and analytics tracking.

Learn More about Gift cards

Gift Cards

Increase Ticket Amounts
Build Brand Awareness
Increase Repeat Purchases

Loyalty Cards

Loyalty Reward Programs

Encourage repeat business
Combine with gift cards