Maximise the usage of card-linking programs this Australia Day

It is never too early to start thinking about Australia Day. We all want to reward those we care about with gifts that we know they will actually enjoy. Although we all think about our families during this special holiday, it is also important that we do everything we can to ensure that our business runs smoothly and that we reward our customers for their loyalty. The time period around Australia day can be incredibly busy for businesses, so it is important that you are doing everything you can to attract customers to your store, and card-linking programs are an easy way to incentivise your customers to buy from you. 

In this article, we’ll discuss what card-linking programs are, how your business can implement card-linking programs and how you can attract more customers to your shop with card-linking programs. 

What are card-linking programs?

Card-linking programs are programmes that allow customers and employees to link their own credit cards with a loyalty program. This can either be a merchant’s loyalty program or can even be an employer’s loyalty program. 

Card-linking programs allow individuals to access a whole range of different discounts and allow people to choose their own rewards, for example, they can choose to make a charitable donation or they could earn cashback. 

What are the benefits of card-linking programs?

There are many different reasons why card linking programs can be so beneficial for business. Firstly, these card linking programs act as a loyalty scheme for your customers. The more they shop with you, the more discounts or rewards they can get, which is likely to increase the likelihood of return purchases. Secondly, by card-linking, customers don’t have to worry about scanning an extra card or showing a coupon, which they might forget. Because the loyalty program is directly linked to their card, customers can gain rewards fast, which will also increase the chance of repeat purchases. 

Better yet, card-linking programs also give you the opportunity to access your customer data in real-time. This accessible transactional data can be used to maintain and improve relationships with the customers and the merchant. By card-linking, businesses can see the purchases that individual shoppers have made at their store, which they can then use to create tailored discounts or rewards, which will also increase the likelihood of a customer making a repeat purchase. 

One of the best features of card-linking technology is that it can work both on and offline. As the pandemic continues to influence the way we work and live, this flexibility means that those shielding or isolating can still get their rewards even if they don’t visit your store. Although we all hope that the pandemic will be non-existent soon, it is always best to be prepared. 

2022 insights: a new way of shopping

According to one survey, more than half of all people surveyed, living in Australia, celebrated Christmas online. With Australia still battling the virus, our plans are changing and they will likely stay that way. Because more and more people are spending time at home, there has been a massive increase in online shopping and this may well continue into Australia Day. Because of this, more and more companies are offering online services as well as in person, meaning that the market is becoming saturated. 

To stand out from the crowd of online retailers, make the most of card-linking programs. By offering a customer a reason to stay loyal, you can help to ensure that they stay with your brand, even if they are buying online. By using card-linking programs this Australia Day, you may be able to improve your conversion rates and increase the amount of money that your customers are spending with you. 

Gift cards: easy gifts for all 

If you are looking for another way to improve your sales around Australia Day, have you considered offering gift cards? According to one study, two out of five people were expected to send gift cards as Christmas presents, meaning that they are incredibly popular. Gift cards can be a great gift as they allow the recipient to spend money however and on whatever they like. However, if you are a small business, you may not have the facilities to create your own gift card scheme. Fortunately, there are schemes that you can join, such as EFTPOS, which allow customers to spend their gift cards on a whole range of products, including your shop!

Not only can you further incentivise your clients with these gift cards, but they also make the perfect gift for your employees on Australia Day. If you want to reward your employees and make sure that they enjoy their present, a gift card like EFTPOS means that they can spend their voucher on whatever they like, which also saves you the hassle of working out what your employees like! 

Current trends for rewards 

2022 is likely to see a massive rise in the number of companies that are investing in card-linking programs. New data has shown that there has been a significant increase in card-linking, and this trend is likely to continue. However, with more and more companies investing in card-linking programs, there are a number of trends you should be aware of. 

New research has shown that people are more likely to buy into premium schemes if they feel as though they are gaining valuable perks. By offering more regular customers the opportunity to pay more to receive more, you can increase customer loyalty and your revenue. Businesses may also want to consider speeding up their reward processes. Nowadays, consumers want to be able to see everything instantly and may be more likely to shop with your business if they can see the rewards they are gaining instantly. 

Simplify all holidays with card-linking

If you are looking for a way to simplify all holiday periods with incentives that will attract new customers, speak to IGO today to learn more about our card-linking services, our reward options and our gift card platforms.