Key elements of an effective loyalty program 

How to Choose the Perfect Loyalty Program for Your Business? Check out this practical guide for 2025.

Statistics

83% of customers are more likely to return to venues that offer loyalty programs.* 64% of those customers spend more in places where they can collect points.** The cost of acquiring a new customer is 5-7 times higher than retaining an existing one.***These figures clearly highlight the necessity of having a loyalty program. However, not all programs are equally effective. Traditional paper cards often get lost, and overly complex mobile apps discourage users.

A modern solution should be simple—both for you and your customers. In this article, we’ll show you what to look for in a loyalty system that genuinely increases revenue and helps build a strong base of loyal customers. 

Key Elements of an Effective Loyalty Program 

Easy Implementation 

A modern loyalty program should be up and running in minutes, not hours or days. Key features include: 

• Quick business registration (no longer than 5 minutes) 
• Simple reward system setup (should take just a few minutes) 
• Minimal technical requirements 
• Immediate program activation for customers 

Convenience for Customers 

Your guests don’t want to install yet another mobile app. An effective system should offer: 

• Registration via Google or Apple ID 
• Access to a digital loyalty card in a smartphone wallet 
• No need to install additional mobile apps 
• Quick point collection via an automatically generated QR code 

Features That Truly Boost Sales 

Customer Communication 

Effective communication with customers is the foundation of any successful loyalty program. An integrated system for push notifications and email marketing is essential for keeping customers informed about special promotions, happy hours, or new menu items. A good system should therefore include: e:

• Special promotions, happy hours, and exclusive offers 
• New products and menu updates 
• Earned points and rewards 
• Reminders about available rewards 

Reward System 

A well-designed reward system increases visit frequency and fosters long-term customer relationships. Flexible reward configuration ensures that every guest finds something appealing, while you maintain full control over your loyalty offers. Look for: 

• Flexible reward configuration 
• Various point thresholds 
• Exclusive promotions for loyal customers 
• Personalized offers 

What to Consider When Choosing a Loyalty Program? 

Data Security 

Security in a loyalty program—both for your data and your customers’—is a top priority. It is essential that the system employs the highest security standards and collaborates with reputable server providers to ensure the full protection of all stored information. Therefore, the key factors include: 

• Certified payment systems 
• Secure servers 
• Personal data protection 
• Compliance with GDPR 

Ease of Use 

Ease of use is one of the key elements of an effective loyalty program—for both owners and employees. A system accessible via a web browser eliminates the need for additional software installation, while an intuitive interface ensures that any staff member can start using it after just a few minutes of training. The ideal system includes: 

• Intuitive admin panel 
• Simple QR code scanner 
• Quick staff training 
• Accessible via a web browser 
• Easy to use 
• No need to install a mobile app 
• Fast implementation 
• Transparent pricing system 
• Ensures data security 

Sources
*https://bubble.io/blog/customer-loyalty-stats/
**https://www.openloyalty.io/insider/loyalty-program-trends
***https://marketingrelacji.com/koszty-w-firmie/