How to get guests to download your card

A loyalty program is a big plus for the venue itself. It helps raise the average check, collect and digitize your guest base and build guests' trust. Restaurants clearly have reasons to launch a loyalty program, but what can make guests want to join it?

In our new article, a marketer from Loona.ai explains how to get guests to join a loyalty program.

Meet your guests' needs

Loyalty programs differ in their terms and benefits. There are many formats: from a simple offer for every visit to a complex format with several reward tiers.

The key to the best loyalty program is benefit and comfort for both guests and the business. So the first step before you launch a program is to study your guests' values, needs and preferences.

This is an important point that you should not underestimate. Only if guests are happy with the program's terms will they use it and recommend it to others.

Create positive emotions for guests

Emotions are one of the strongest drivers of guest loyalty. With the right strategy, brands can build a strong emotional connection with their audience.

According to research, guests who feel an emotional connection to a venue visit it 46% more often and also spend more money than guests without such emotional ties. The more attached guests are to your venue, the more they want to get its loyalty card too.

Make your loyalty program easy to use

Physical loyalty cards have long taken a back seat for many reasons. But the main one is that they are not convenient for guests. They can forget the card at home or lose it. And to sign up, they have to fill out a form, read out a code from their phone and so on. This takes quite a long time, and many people say no to the card to save time.

But digital loyalty cards are a great and convenient replacement. They are stored in Apple Wallet or Google Pay. Guests won't forget to take this card with them, because it's always in their phone.

Spread the word about your loyalty program

Is there any point in a loyalty program if no one knows about it? The answer is clear. The next step after the launch is to promote the loyalty program in different ways. The goal: to make as many guests as possible learn about it.

Post about it on social media, on your website and at your physical locations. When people see the information many times, they will remember it and will come back to it when they need it. Also, give your staff a briefing so they tell guests about the loyalty program and help promote it.

Offer a reward for signing up

A loyalty card with good benefits is good, and a card that gives a reward right away is even better. Offer a free gift, welcome points or higher cashback for adding the card. This will give guests an extra reason to join.

Creativity and a personal approach are welcome here, so that guests get good feelings right away from using your cards.

It's important to remember that the number of people who sign up for your loyalty program makes your business better and helps you analyze your audience and build your marketing more effectively. That's why you need ways to bring guests into your loyalty program. Then it will bring you the result you need.