What better way toÌýshow customers how much you value them than toÌýsend them aÌýcustomer appreciation gift? Your competitors might try toÌýwin over customers with generic “thank you” emails. You, onÌýtheÌýother hand, will goÌýtheÌýextra mile. You will send them gifts that will leave aÌýlasting impression andÌýhelp inÌýcustomer retention.
Implementing
One ofÌýmany great things about gifts with purchase isÌýthat there are soÌýmany creative andÌýaffordable options out there. Check out these 30Ìýawesome customer gift ideas that can add aÌýspecial touch toÌýyour customers’ shopping experiences!
Inexpensive Free Gift Ideas forÌýYour Customers
Exploring these customer gift ideas will help you come upÌýwith creative ways toÌýsurprise andÌýdelight customers after they make aÌýpurchase from you without breaking theÌýbank.
Offer aÌýTreat
Cookies, chocolates, andÌýcandyÌý— sweet, customizable, andÌýwidely loved treats make forÌýaÌýfantastic customer
The only thing you have toÌýlook out forÌýisÌýfood allergies. Try toÌýavoid treats with common allergens, such asÌýpeanuts.
Write Personalized Thank-You Notes
AÌýpopular andÌýextremely affordable gift option isÌýtoÌýsimply send aÌýhandwritten note toÌýyour customers. Make theÌýmessage unique, personalized, and, most importantly, authentic. Use pen andÌýpaper, not aÌýprinted message. InÌýtoday’s digital age, aÌýhandwritten note stands out.
Handwritten cards show your genuine appreciation forÌýyour customer’s business, andÌýeach card can beÌýeasily personalized with theÌýcustomer’s name andÌýaÌýunique message. Except forÌýyour time, itÌýcosts next toÌýnothing.
Customers might share aÌýreview ifÌýyou add aÌýhandwritten note toÌýtheÌýorder (Image source: ByStephanieTara/Etsy)
Share Exclusive Discount Codes
onÌýfuture orders isÌýanÌýeffective strategy toÌýfoster repeat orders andÌýgently guide customers toward becoming returning buyers. ByÌýincentivizing them with exclusive savings andÌýrewards, you not only encourage their loyalty but also create aÌýsense ofÌýanticipation andÌýexcitement forÌýtheir next purchase.
This approach not only strengthens customer relationships but also boosts customer satisfaction andÌýultimately contributes toÌýtheÌý
Send Free Samples
Who doesn’t love freebies? ofÌýyour other products asÌýaÌýbonus forÌýpurchasing from your store. This isÌýespecially effective forÌýcosmetics, fragrances, orÌýfood businesses looking toÌýentice future purchases andÌýprovide clients with theÌýopportunity toÌýtest more ofÌýyour products.
Kissed ByÌýAÌýBee Organics offers customers toÌýchoose two samples asÌýaÌýgift with aÌýpurchase
Give Away Free Swag
Branded merchandise, such asÌý
You have theÌýoption toÌýadd your unique logo toÌýyour merch, which can help strengthen your brand identity andÌýcreate aÌýlasting impression onÌýyour audience. Alternatively, you may choose not toÌýinclude aÌýlogo, allowing theÌýdesign toÌýspeak forÌýitself andÌýappeal toÌýaÌýbroader range ofÌýindividuals. The decision isÌýyours toÌýmake based onÌýyour brand strategy andÌýtarget market.
Give Away aÌýFree Product From Your Catalog
AÌýsurprise bonus product will excite your customers with anÌýunexpected gift. Plus, it’s aÌý
One popular strategy isÌýtoÌýgive away anÌýinexpensive but useful product from your product catalog. This product should beÌý
Free products also help introduce aÌýnew product orÌýupsell. They encourage customers toÌýexplore other products inÌýyour catalog, increasing theÌýlikelihood ofÌýfuture purchases.
Sephora sends free products with certain orders
Offer Surprise Upgrades
Win over customers byÌýoffering them aÌýfree upgrade toÌýtheir existing purchase. This works particularly well ifÌýtheÌýupgrade isÌýsimilar but better than their current purchase. Just ensure that you ask customers before making theÌýupgradeÌý— some might specifically want aÌý
Send Coupons toÌýLocal Businesses
Sending customers coupons toÌýlocal businesses shows customers that you care about small businesses andÌýdemonstrates that you’re willing toÌýpersonalize gifts forÌýeach customer.
Find aÌýlocal business that can offer something related (but not competitive!) toÌýyour brand. Work out aÌýdeal with them where your customers can get aÌýdiscount onÌýfuture purchases.
Send aÌýBirthday Gift
Sending customers gifts onÌýspecial occasions such asÌýbirthdays andÌýanniversaries can help you win customer loyalty andÌýshow that you appreciate your customers andÌýremember them.
Remember that once you start sending birthday gifts, customers might expect them every year. So, pick something that isÌýaffordable enough forÌýrepeat gifting.
Starbucks offers birthday treats toÌýits customers
Offer aÌýFree Consultation
Valuable advice can beÌýaÌýcustomer gift idea asÌýwell, especially inÌýindustries known toÌýbeÌýdifficult toÌýapproach. IfÌýyou sell clothes, forÌýinstance, you can offer aÌýfree style consultation. IfÌýyou sell fitness equipment, you can offer aÌýcustom diet plan andÌýworkout routine. Reduce theÌýhesitation ofÌýmaking theÌýpurchase byÌýoffering help using your product orÌýservice.
Unusual Gift With Purchase Ideas
Why not surprise your customers with
Share aÌýCurated Playlist
Design aÌýplaylist that reflects your brand’s personality andÌýadds value forÌýtheÌýcustomer. Share theÌýplaylist asÌýaÌýQRÌýcode onÌýaÌýnote attached toÌýtheÌýorder.
Music has theÌýpower toÌýevoke strong emotional connections andÌýcreate brand associations. ByÌýcarefully selecting songs that align with your brand’s values, messaging, andÌýdesired customer perception, you can create aÌýplaylist that not only entertains but also enhances theÌýoverall brand journey, leaving aÌýmemorable andÌýpositive impression onÌýyour customers.
This option works great not only forÌýbusinesses inÌýtheÌýmusic industry (obviously) but forÌýother niches, too. For example, coffee shops, gyms, orÌýclothing storesÌý— customers can listen toÌýtheÌýplaylist while enjoying theÌýproduct.
Users ofÌýtheÌýNike Run Club App get access toÌýtheir workout playlist
Gift anÌýExperience
AnÌýexperienceÌý— aÌýspa package, tickets toÌýaÌýlocal event, etc.Ìý— isÌýaÌýgreat way toÌýmake yourself memorable. Ensure that theÌýexperience aligns with your brand andÌýcustomer profile. So, when giving tickets toÌýaÌýmetal concert toÌýyour
Also, pick anÌýexperience that isÌýeasy toÌýreach, has broad appeal, andÌýdoesn’t cost too much toÌýdent your profitability.
Send aÌýCustom Digital Art
Partner with aÌýlocal artist toÌýdesign digital art, wallpapers, orÌýcoloring pages that customers can download forÌýfree. This collaboration can also enhance your brand’s reputation.
The digital art could beÌýinspired byÌýyour brand orÌýproducts, showcasing anÌýelement ofÌýcreativity andÌýexclusivity that can only beÌýfound within your business. This customer gift idea isÌýperfect forÌýbusinesses inÌýtheÌýfashion, beauty, orÌýhome decor industries.
Share Hand-Picked Recipes
IfÌýyour business deals with food orÌýwellness products, share your favorite recipes toÌýdemonstrate how customers can use your products inÌýtheir everyday lives. This gift with purchase adds value toÌýtheÌýcustomer’s shopping experience andÌýpromotes your products inÌýaÌýsubtle yet effective way.
You can include theÌýrecipes asÌýaÌýsmall booklet orÌýrecipe cards orÌýsend them digitally via email.
Send Flowers
Although perishable, flowers are aÌýuniversally liked gift item. They’re also mostly brand agnostic, i.e., you don’t have toÌýworry whether they align with your brand. Plus, theÌývisual spectacle ofÌýaÌýbunch ofÌýfree flowers makes forÌýaÌýgood photo opportunity andÌýtheÌýsocial shares that goÌýwith it.
Giving flowers toÌýevery customer isÌýexpensive, but ifÌýyou pick theÌýrecipients (the most loyal customers, those with huge follower bases onÌýsocial media) andÌýtheÌýoccasion (birthday, Women’s Day), flowers can doÌýmagic. But remember toÌýpick
Make One Customer Feel Special
Instead ofÌýsending anÌýordinary gift toÌýevery customer; you can get aÌýlot ofÌýsocial media mileage from making aÌýsingle customer feel truly special. Pick aÌýcustomer who has been exceptionally loyal toÌýyour brand, then make aÌýgesture that goes far beyond aÌýstandard “gift.”
For example, Honda found out that one ofÌýits customers was about toÌýhit 1Ìýmillion miles inÌýone ofÌýits cars. ToÌýmake theÌýcustomer feel special about this major milestone, Honda gave him aÌýfree new car andÌýmade aÌývideo about it.
Ìý
Help Customers Learn Something
One ofÌýtheÌýbest gifts you can give customers isÌýtheÌýgift ofÌýlearning. Perhaps you can put together aÌýseries ofÌýlessons toÌýhelp them make theÌýmost ofÌýtheÌýpurchase (such asÌýaÌýguitar store giving free music lesson CDs). OrÌýperhaps you can offer them courses onÌýtopics that complement theÌýpurchase (such asÌýaÌýhandicrafts store offering aÌýfree pottery class).
Gift aÌýLow-Maintenance Potted Plant
AÌýsmall potted plant makes forÌýaÌýgreat gift. Something low maintenance andÌý
Alternatively, send customers plant seeds orÌýeven small DIY growing kits (with seeds, soil, andÌýaÌýpot).
Customer Gift Ideas ToÌýEnhance Your Brand Voice
When you think ofÌý
Offer E-books
Educational content showcases your expertise andÌýprovides something ofÌývalue toÌýyour customers.
Furthermore, books have aÌýbrand ofÌýtheir own. Sending aÌý
Learn more: How toÌýCreate andÌýSell anÌý
Send aÌýHelpful Guide
AÌýguide, apart from being aÌýhelpful gift, also positions your business asÌýanÌýindustry leader. This isÌýanother type ofÌýeducational content that provides value toÌýcustomers andÌýreinforces your brand’s expertise.
Consider creating guides onÌýtopics related toÌýyour products orÌýservices that can help customers make theÌýmost ofÌýtheir purchases. This will not only show them that you care about their experience but also solidify their perception ofÌýyour business asÌýaÌývaluable resource.
Share Access toÌýWebinars orÌýWorkshops
Exclusive access toÌýwebinars orÌýonline workshops magnifies your customers’ experience, engaging them long after their purchase. This client gift idea works well forÌýbusinesses inÌýtheÌýeducation orÌýconsulting industries, where customers can benefit from additional knowledge orÌýskills related toÌýyour products orÌýservices.
You can also collaborate with industry experts toÌý
Create DIY Kits
Develop inexpensive DIY project kits toÌýaccompany your products, providing customers aÌýfun andÌýcreative experience. This customer gift idea isÌýperfect forÌýbusinesses inÌýtheÌýarts andÌýcrafts orÌýhome decor industries. ItÌýalso adds value toÌýyour product andÌýcan encourage customers toÌýmake repeat purchases inÌýorder toÌýcomplete their DIY project collection.
Even packaging can serve asÌýaÌýDIY kitÌý— take itÌýfrom Samsung. They introduced packaging that can beÌýrepurposed asÌýcat furniture, shelves, andÌýother common household items.
Samsung’s reusable packaging serves asÌýaÌýDIY kit
Share Local Products
Gifting customers local products (such asÌýaÌýlocally sourced food item) works wonderfully well forÌýtwo reasons:
- ItÌýportrays your business asÌýaÌý“friend” toÌýother local small businesses, thus improving your brand perception.
- ItÌýshows customers that you care enough about them toÌýpersonalize theÌýgift per their location.
Partner upÌýwith aÌýlocal business toÌýoffer these products. Your customers will appreciate them, asÌýwill local businesses.
Give Charitable Gifts
Invite customers toÌýjoin inÌýsponsoring aÌýcause they care about, enhancing your brand’s social impact.
Making aÌýcharitable donation onÌýbehalf ofÌýtheÌýcustomer can work well asÌýaÌýclient gift idea, especially ifÌýyour customers are
Client Gift Ideas toÌýCultivate Long-Term Relationships
The following gifts with purchase express your appreciation, help build lasting relationships, andÌýgive customers aÌýreason toÌýreturn.
Add aÌýCustomer toÌýaÌýLoyalty Program
Reward customers forÌýtheir loyalty byÌýcreating aÌý
Here are some other ideas forÌýeffective loyalty programs toÌýdrive repeat purchases.
You can also heighten customer satisfaction byÌýoffering early access toÌýnew products orÌýsales through exclusive loyalty programs.
Barnes &ÌýNoble have various perks forÌýloyalty program members, including aÌýfree ebook each month
Throw aÌýParty forÌýLoyal Customers
Another way toÌýmake customers feel special isÌýtoÌýthrow aÌýparty orÌýhost aÌýmeetup. This works best ifÌýyou have aÌýlot ofÌýcustomers inÌýtheÌýsame location.
ItÌýmight beÌýexpensive, but itÌýwill beÌýanÌýexperience your customers won’t forget. Plus, all theÌýsocial media updates from itÌýwill doÌýwonders forÌýyour word ofÌýmouth.
Offer Collaboration Opportunities
Collaborate with customers onÌýdesigning, naming, orÌýimproving your products orÌýservices. This gives them aÌýsense ofÌýownership andÌýfosters loyalty. ItÌýalso provides valuable insights andÌýfeedback that can help improve your business.
This type ofÌýcollaboration can beÌýdone through sending gifts inÌýexchange forÌýparticipating inÌýsurveys, focus groups, orÌýeven social media polls. For example, add aÌýnote with aÌýQRÌýcode toÌýaÌýcustomer’s order. After they fill inÌýaÌýsurvey orÌýpoll, send them aÌýdigital product asÌýaÌýreward forÌýtheir time.
Feature Customers onÌýSocial Media
Everyone wants their 15Ìýminutes ofÌýfame, andÌýyour customers are noÌýdifferent. IfÌýyou have aÌýpopular social channel, featuring your customers orÌýtheir projects can beÌýaÌýgreat client gift idea. This tactic works best ifÌýtheÌýcustomer has uploaded aÌýpicture ofÌýyour product orÌýhas already interacted with you onÌýsocial media. ItÌýtells themÌý— andÌýyour social media audienceÌý— that you’re listening.
Offer Referral Bonuses
Offer incentives forÌýcustomers who refer their friends andÌýfamily toÌýyour online store. This amplifies customer value within your business. You can offer discounts, free products, orÌýeven store credit toÌýmotivate customers toÌýspread theÌýword about your brand.
Referral bonuses not only bring inÌýnew customers but also strengthen customer loyalty asÌýthey feel like valued members ofÌýyour brand’s community.
Jimmy Joy’s referral program
Create anÌýExclusive Group
How can you make your customers feel special? Simple: byÌýcreating anÌýexclusive,
How toÌýSelect Customer Thank-You Gifts
The trouble with
AÌýgift with purchase isÌýusually something physical (if you sell physical products), useful, andÌýrelated toÌýyour business inÌýsome capacity. ItÌýhas aÌýsimple purpose: toÌýthank customers forÌýtheir orders. Whether theÌýgift elicits aÌý“wow” orÌý“eh” will depend onÌýtheÌýquality ofÌýtheÌý
The Nordstrom site has aÌýdedicated page that lists all gifts with purchase customers can get
There are aÌýnumber ofÌýrules you must follow when selecting aÌýfree gift forÌýaÌýcustomer:
Gifts with Purchase Should Have Perceived Value
Above everything else, theÌýgift must have perceived value. Even ifÌýitÌýisÌýinexpensive, itÌýmust fulfill aÌýneed orÌýappear valuable toÌýtheÌýcustomer.
Customer Gifts Should BeÌýUseful
AÌýgood gift with purchase isÌýusually one that serves some practical purpose. Souvenirs andÌýtrinkets that only take upÌýspace are easily forgotten. AÌýuseful
Client Gifts Should BeÌýRelated toÌýYour Business
AÌýperfect client gift idea isÌýrelated toÌýtheÌýbusiness inÌýsome way soÌýthat itÌýreminds theÌýcustomer ofÌýyou. IfÌýyou run aÌýfashion store, select aÌýfashion accessory, not aÌýbook onÌýmacroeconomics.
Free Gifts Should Fit Your Target Audience
When selecting gifts with purchase, keep your customer personas inÌýmind. Ask yourself: what would someone from this demographic enjoy? For instance, ifÌýyour target customers make over $200,000/year andÌýlive inÌýaÌýwealthy suburb, aÌýcheap gift card toÌýaÌýdiscount store wouldn’t work.
Make demographics theÌýcenterpiece ofÌýyour client gift idea selection process, andÌýyou’ll never goÌýwrong.
Customer Gifts Should BeÌýEasy toÌýStore andÌýTransport
NoÌýcustomer wants toÌýdeal with anÌýunwanted gift that takes upÌýtoo much storage space. Neither doÌýyou want toÌýworry about theÌýhassle ofÌýtransporting aÌýlarge gift. Always pick something that isÌýsmall andÌýeasy toÌýtransport. Or, just goÌýwith digital products!
Gifts with Purchase Should BeÌýHarmless
Lastly, aÌýfree gift shouldn’t trigger allergies, have dangerous, sharp edges, orÌýpose aÌýchoking hazard toÌýchildren. Can this client gift idea cause problems forÌýanyone inÌýmyÌýcustomer’s household (especially old people andÌýchildren)? IfÌýtheÌýanswer isÌý“yes,” it’s better toÌýpick something else.
How toÌýUse Thank-You Gifts forÌýMarketing
While theÌýexplicit purpose ofÌýaÌýcustomer gift isÌýtoÌýshow that you care, itÌýalso has another motive: toÌýmarket your online store. You certainly want customers toÌýfeel happy andÌýappreciated, but itÌýwould also beÌýnice ifÌýthey were toÌýrecommend your store toÌýtheir friends orÌýshare aÌýword onÌýsocial media.
JoÌýMalone London offers complimentary gift wrap asÌýanÌýadded incentive
ToÌýuse customer appreciation gifts asÌýaÌýmarketing tactic, you need toÌýkeep aÌýnumber ofÌýthings inÌýmind.
Gifts vs. Discounts
Using discounts andÌýoffers toÌýmaximize sales isÌýanÌýold hat inÌýecommerce. The question toÌýask is: how does aÌýdiscount compare against aÌýgift inÌýterms ofÌýmarketing impact?
ToÌýanswer this question, you’ll have toÌýconsider two things:
- How often you offer discounts: The perceived value ofÌýaÌýdiscount depends onÌýhow frequently you offer it. IfÌýyou have frequent sales andÌýoffers, customers might not beÌýtoo enthusiastic about yet another discount, noÌýmatter how advantageous itÌýis.
- Discount value andÌýconditions: AÌýlarge discount with liberal terms might end upÌýcosting you more than aÌýfree gift. OnÌýtheÌýother hand, ifÌýtheÌýdiscount isÌýtoo low with strict terms, customers might not beÌýinterested.
Interestingly, research inÌýconsumer psychology indicates that . AÌýfree gift might have aÌýhigher perceived value since itÌýgives them more.
OfÌýcourse, this only applies ifÌýyou’re actually telling customers that you’re giving them aÌýgift. This brings usÌýtoÌýtheÌýnext point.
Explicit vs. Secret Gifts
Should you tell customers about theÌýgift, orÌýshould you just send them aÌýsurprise?
There are pros andÌýcons toÌýeach approach. Telling customers upfront might convince them toÌýmake aÌýpurchase, especially ifÌýthey see theÌýgift asÌýaÌý“deal.” AtÌýtheÌýsame time, itÌýrobs you ofÌýtheÌýcustomer delight that comes with aÌýsurprise gift.
What approach you use will depend onÌýwhat you hope toÌýachieve with theÌýgift. IfÌýyour goal isÌýtoÌýdelight customers, build loyalty, andÌýincrease word ofÌýmouth (including social media), choose aÌýsurprise gift.
OnÌýtheÌýother hand, ifÌýyou want toÌýuse gifts asÌýanÌýincentive toÌýbuy more, tell customers about itÌýupfront. This approach isÌýperfect forÌýBlack Friday andÌýCyber Monday sales.
Therapy Notebooks uses “Buy Two, Get One Free” promo forÌýBlack Friday
Gifting toÌýSome vs. Gifting toÌýAll Customers
Another dilemma isÌýfiguring out who toÌýgiftÌý— some customers orÌýall ofÌýthem.
Gifting everyone has theÌýobvious cost disadvantage. You might also not benefit asÌýmuch from gifting toÌýpeople who are inactive onÌýsocial media orÌýunlikely toÌýrecommend you toÌýfriends.
AtÌýtheÌýsame time, gifting only aÌýfew customers might make them feel specialÌý— atÌýtheÌýcost ofÌýother customers. Customer BÌýmight wonder why Customer AÌýgot aÌýfree gift andÌýthey didn’t. This can create resentment forÌýyour brandÌý— theÌýexact opposite purpose ofÌýgifting.
AÌýbetter approach isÌýtoÌýuse theÌý andÌýtarget your top 20% best customers. These are either customers who are active onÌýsocial media orÌýcorrespond toÌýyour ideal customer profile. Since you want more such customers, targeting them can yield better results.
Maximize theÌýImpact ofÌýGifting
ToÌýget theÌýmost out ofÌýyour free
- Customers buy more when there isÌýaÌý“mystery” involved inÌýtheÌýpurchase, asÌýone discovered. Keeping theÌýgift aÌýsecret can help inÌýthis regard.
- Customers who receive something free andÌýunexpected are driven toÌýshop more, according toÌýone study. Thus, itÌýmight beÌýworth itÌýtoÌýlose money upfront onÌýaÌýsale byÌýgiving aÌýfree gift. You can make upÌýforÌýitÌýwith repeat purchases.
- Giving away aÌýfreebie creates immediate word ofÌýmouth, according toÌýtheÌý. That isÌýespecially true ifÌýtheÌýgift isÌýtheÌýcustomer’s first experience with your brand. Thus, besides your top customers, you can also target
first-time buyers when giving away free gifts with purchases toÌýcreate aÌýpositive first impression. - Focus onÌýgifting customers who are active onÌýsocial media orÌýhave aÌýhistory ofÌýsharing your stuff. Prompt themÌý— gentlyÌý— toÌýupload pictures with their gifts onÌýtheir favorite social network.
- Consider donating toÌýcharity onÌýbehalf ofÌýtheÌýcustomer instead ofÌýgiving away aÌýgift. Research suggests that charity donations work better than aÌýpractical gift, especially when theÌýoriginal purchase isÌýfrivolous inÌýnature.
SoÌýthere you have itÌý
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