Balancing the Budget: Outsourcing Business ServicesBalancing the Budget: Outsourcing Business Services


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Balancing the Budget: Outsourcing Business Services

My company is now over a decade old and I still outsource several key functions. It isn't that I can't afford to keep them in house. It is just that outsourcing is the most financially responsible decision I can make. I outsource all sorts of support services. One company manages my IT needs. Another partner takes care of the payroll and remitting taxes. I even have a cleaning service that comes in at night, does the windows, and in general keeps everything spotless. If you think outsourcing might benefit your business, let's talk. I'll tell you what I outsource and why. From there, you can decide if my strategy would also work for you.

3 Loyalty Programs To Consider For Your Online Boutique

Whether you sell clothing, accessories, or home décor, running an online boutique can turn your dream of being a small business owner into a reality. Of course, the large number of online retailers ensures your online boutique will have competition. While surprising to learn, only about 650,000 out of the millions of online retailers generate annual sales of $1,000 or more. Sales are key to your online business's success, so it is important to learn ways to grow your customer base while keeping your existing customers buying.

Loyalty programs are an excellent option if you want to grow your online boutique's sales. You may think these programs are only ideal for businesses that have a large customer base, but that is not necessarily true because there are many design options. Here are a few effective loyalty programs to consider for your online boutique.

Points

For many businesses, a points program is one of the easiest ways to reward loyal customers—both old and new. This type of loyalty program involves awarding points for purchases made at your online boutique.

Old and new customers can earn points in a variety of ways. For example, you can issue a point for every dollar spent. Or, customers can earn a point for every $20 spent.

What the customers do with these points can also be determined by you. Your customers can cash in points for discounts off their next purchase, free merchandise, or even gift cards that they can use on their next shopping adventure.

Current customers will love the idea of a point system, but this can also be something to pique the interest of new customers. When a new customer places an order, the point system will ensure they purchase from your online boutique again.

Tier

A tiered loyalty program is also an effective way to show your customers how much you appreciate their business and support. Basically, customers will start at a bottom tier when they first sign up and move up to other tiers as they make purchases, showing how loyal they are to your online boutique. Each tier should offer different benefits. In addition, as the customers move up the ladder of tiers, the benefits should become more rewarding.

An early tier may include a sign-up bonus, such as a percentage off their next purchase and free shipping on purchases over a certain amount. The highest tier can offer free shipping on all purchases, free annual gifts, and even early access to special promotional events or sales.

Game

Another type of loyalty program to consider is a game program. Once your existing or new customer signs up for this program, they can enjoy playing different types of games on your online boutique site.

For each purchase your customer makes or if they reach a certain dollar amount spent, they can play a game to receive a prize. Many online boutiques and brick-and-mortar retailers also offer these games through apps.

After making a purchase and playing the game, they can win prizes, such as discounts off next purchases, free shipping, free merchandise, and even gift cards. The games help your customers save on purchases they want and need to make, but they are also fun to play.

A game loyalty program can also be combined with other loyalty programs. Customers can play a spin-to-win type game that rewards customers with points that they accumulate from joining the traditional points loyalty program.

Showing your current and new customers how appreciative you are of their business is imperative for your success. Using one or more of these loyalty programs is a great option for displaying excellent customer service while growing your business and sales. Contact customer loyalty program companies for more information.