🌟 Editor's Note: Loyalty and rewards programs are a big deal for artisan goods makers in Montana. They not only entice customers to return but can also significantly boost your Average Order Value (AOV) and repeat sales. Here’s why you should consider incorporating one into your business.

Plus! Holiday Food & Gift Festival is this weekend in Billings! https://holidayfoodandgiftfestival.com/

First off, loyalty programs are straightforward to set up. Tools like Square Loyalty let you customize your program easily. You can choose how customers earn points—be it through a dollar amount, a percentage off, or even free items. Customers can join at checkout online or even using their phone at your point of sale. Plus, they automatically get text notifications when they've earned rewards, making for a seamless experience.

Galanta is another solid option. Built for Shopify users, you can customize rewards to drive repeat purchases and boost customer loyalty without any coding. Setting it up takes just minutes, and you can even sync it with Klaviyo for automated marketing.

Increase Average Order Value

Incorporating a loyalty program can encourage customers to spend more. For example, offering double points on certain products can motivate customers to add more items to their cart or upgrade to premium offerings. The psychology behind this strategy is simple: customers are often willing to spend a bit more to earn rewards faster.

Boost Repeat Sales

One major hurdle for many artisans, especially on platforms like Etsy where over 4.3 million sellers compete, is customer retention. A loyalty program can help bridge that gap. When customers earn points that can be redeemed for discounts or exclusive items, they are more likely to return. Your loyal customers are not just repeat buyers—they become advocates for your brand.

The effectiveness of these programs isn't just a hypothetical scenario. YITH WooCommerce Points and Rewards can track how well your loyalty program is working, showing you how it positively impacts customer retention and repeat purchases.

Promotional Tools

Promoting your loyalty program is key. Services Etsy offers four methods for discounts: sales, promo codes, discounted bundles, and targeted offers. You can learn more about how to set these up in their article How to Set Up Sales and Discounts for Your Shop. Leveraging these tools in conjunction with your loyalty program can create an enticing shopping experience that draws customers in and keeps them coming back.

There's also the new Marketplace Insights tool on Etsy, which provides real-time data on what buyers are searching for. This can guide you in optimizing your loyalty program to align with current trends.

Adopting a loyalty program can make a tangible difference in customer retention, AOV, and overall business growth. It's about more than just transactions; it's about cultivating long-term relationships with your buyers. As you consider these options, remember that a tailor-made program can resonate deeply with your customers, encouraging them to return time and time again.

You Don't Need to Be a Big Box Store to Run One

Maybe you’re thinking, “This sounds complicated. I’m a one-person shop, not Amazon.”

But the truth is, most modern loyalty software is designed to be set up in minutes without any coding. It’s simple, affordable, and made for growing brands.

Here are a few tools that make installation and configuration a breeze, giving you immediate opportunities to boost repeat business and AOV:

For Shopify Shops

Galanta: Boost loyalty & repeat sales

• What it does: Increases repeat purchases, customer lifetime value (LTV), and brand loyalty with an easy-to-use rewards program. You can offer custom rewards like points, discounts, or gifts.

• Configuration: It boasts an 'Easy Setup' with no coding required, allowing you to launch in minutes. It also integrates with tools like Klaviyo for automated email marketing.

• Link: https://apps.shopify.com/galanta

For WooCommerce Shops

YITH WooCommerce Points and Rewards

• What it does: Rewards customer loyalty with an effective points program, offering targeted discounts when customers hit store goals.

• Configuration: The plugin installs right into your WooCommerce store, allowing you to define how points are earned and redeemed. It directly addresses customer retention by nourishing that long-term relationship.

• Link: https://yithemes.com/themes/plugins/yith-woocommerce-points-and-rewards/

For In-Person and Online Sales (via Square)

Square Loyalty

• What it does: A robust loyalty program that works seamlessly whether you sell in person at a market or through your Square Online Store. You choose how customers earn points and the rewards (dollar amount, percentage off, or free item).

• Configuration: Customers can enroll instantly by entering their phone number at your POS, at online checkout, or via invoices. Redemption is simple, with customers receiving automatic texts when they earn a reward.

• Link: https://squareup.com/us/en/software/loyalty

For Etsy Shops

• What it does: Etsy provides sellers with four methods to discount items: sales, promo codes, discounted bundles of items, and targeted offers. These options help attract more buyers and encourage repeat sales.

• Configuration: Sellers can implement these discount strategies easily by following the guidelines in the Seller Handbook. By connecting with other sellers in the Community Forums, you can share marketing tips and best practices to maximize your promotional efforts.

• Link: How to Set Up Sales and Discounts for Your Shop

A Small Challenge to Try

You have the tools; now you need the customers. Getting customers to enroll is the first big hurdle. One effective method, especially on a crowded platform like Etsy (which, by the way, has over 4.3 million active sellers, making it tough to get noticed), is a referral program.

Offering a reward to existing customers for bringing in a new one is a brilliant move to cut through the noise. It turns your best customers into your most effective marketing team. You can read more about growing your business this way here: "Etsy Shop Growth Through Referral Programs."

Final Thought: If you want to get really smart about which products to push, use the insights from your loyalty program alongside the Etsy Marketplace Insights tool. Built into Shop Manager, this tool shows you real-time Etsy search data—what buyers are looking for, how often they're searching, and the competition. Combining your customer data with this market data can help you optimize listings and plan new products to make sure the rewards you offer are for the items people actually want.

Action Item: Take an hour this week. Look at the software options above for the platform you use. Don't worry about designing the perfect 10-tier system. Just set up a simple reward—maybe a 10% off coupon for any customer who spends over $100 and a $5 off code for the friend they refer.

It’s about making your customers feel seen and giving them a good reason to come back. That repeat business is where we Montana makers really start to scale up.

Did You Know? 

Holiday Food & Gift Festival is this weekend in Billings!

If you’re not signed up to have a booth, go attend anyway and meet other makers and trade tips and tricks (and mention Montana Gateway News!)

https://holidayfoodandgiftfestival.com/

November 8 & 9, 2025

MetraPark Expo Center - Billings, MT

Saturday from 9am-5pm
Sunday from 10am-4pm

The Holiday Food and Gift Festival is the largest shopping event of the season. Last year, more than 10,000 shoppers attended the 2-day show, buying unique products and services offered by more than 215 vendors.

Admission is $5 at the door or $2 with a donation of a non-perishable food item for Tumbleweed.

Till next time,

Montana Gateway