How to Keep Consumers Engaged In A Digital World

Everybody’s doing it! Once considered the exception, online shopping has become more and more the rule. In fact, by 2024, there will be 278 million digital shoppers in the U.S. and one in four global retail sales will be conducted online. This transition to a digital-first landscape provides tremendous opportunity to engage new and existing customers. If you are thinking of going digital to grow your business, these are the three strategies that I strongly encourage you to explore: 

Bundle it up 

It is now easier than ever for consumers to purchase the exact items they are looking for. With that, however, they may be less likely to browse or “window shop.” To encourage online exploration as you would see from in-store customers, merchants should look to incorporate curated product bundles into their marketing strategies. Bundles illustrate how a certain product can come to life when paired with another, and can often lead to greater cart sizes while providing a nice discount to the customer. Win-win! 

Brooklinen is a best-in-class example of smart product bundling. By offering a variety of discounted bundles that include items such as sheets, pillows, and comforters, the brand is able to clearly show a consumer exactly how they can get the most out of their purchase, and choose the right bundle for themselves.

Keep them coming back for more with a subscription model 

While in-store retail is here to stay, the global pandemic forced many merchants to find new ways to keep in touch with their customers and attract new customers from afar. To nurture these relationships and stay at top of mind in a remote environment, merchants should explore adopting a subscription model, which provides a consistent touchpoint to build a stronger relationship and encourage repeat purchase behavior.

One of my personal favorite subscriptions is from UrbanStems. I love receiving a monthly notification telling me that my flowers are on their way, or have been sent as a gift to a friend. The versatility of the product, paired with the predictability of the subscription is what keeps me hooked and wanting more! Who doesn’t love a little delivery once in a while - a gift to yourself is a wonderful thing to look forward to during these times.

Build a strong relationship by rewarding loyalty 

We all love rewards. In fact, Affirm’s most recent consumer survey found that 67% of respondents agreed that the ability to earn rewards or receive discounts would impact where they spend their money this year. In 2021, offering a rewards program could be the difference between an abandoned cart and a completed purchase.

Merchants who invest in loyalty programs reassure consumers that their investment in a brand is appreciated and will be rewarded over time. This is such a powerful way to build brand affinity and build your base of promoters. To learn more, I recommend exploring a rewards partner like Rakuten, because it is easy to integrate and many of your customers may already be familiar with the brand. An added incentive is that Rakuten empowers consumers to pay over time should they choose to, extending even more affordability and budget-friendly shopping options.

You can subscribe to No Fine Print by clicking “subscribe” up top, and visit our website to learn more about how Affirm helps merchants drive sales and conversion.