Paper vs. Digital Loyalty Cards – What are the pros and cons?

Paper cards are nice and physical – customers can start using them right away, even without joining a loyalty program. But they are not very effective. Many customers lose them after one visit or forget them in another bag. That means no points – and you can’t send them reminders or special offers. Digital loyalty cards are always in the customer’s phone, so they never forget them. They can always see their current points, and they can receive updates, birthday coupons, and special offers – all of which motivate them to come back. The only small disadvantage of digital cards is that customers need to create an account to use them. But with BonusQR, they can register in just one click – quick and easy!

What kind of reward should I choose for my customers?

You can choose different types of rewards. It can be a coupon for a free product or service (like a coffee, dessert, or massage), or a discount or voucher with a set amount of money off. What’s important is that the rules are clear and the reward is interesting for most people. For example, “every 8th coffee free” is motivating. But “every 20th coffee free” is too far away and not exciting. Don’t forget the main idea of a loyalty program – you are rewarding customers for choosing you instead of your competitors. Think about it: How much do you appreciate a customer who comes for the 10th time? Or someone who spends €100 at your café instead of somewhere else? The better the reward feels, the more likely they’ll keep coming back.

How do I choose the right structure for my loyalty program?

Always start by choosing one main loyalty program – something long-term that works for every visit and is interesting for most customers. Good choices are Points or Cashback, because they let you reward all customers every time they come. Then, add an onboarding reward – a gift for new members when they join your loyalty club. The first step is always the hardest, so a special welcome bonus helps a lot. Finally, make your program fun and playful! Add gamification elements like: Stamp collection Rewards for spending a certain amount Surprise wins Birthday gifts This mix keeps customers engaged and happy to come back.

How much does it cost and how fast will I see results?

You can use the BonusQR loyalty program for free, and you’ll usually see results within the first 2 weeks. It depends on your business type and how attractive your loyalty offer is. Thanks to detailed statistics, you’ll see if new customers are joining each month and how many returning customers are coming back. If people are returning, your loyalty program is working well. Your next step is to help your loyalty club grow. If you want to unlock even more features, you can choose a paid plan for €19 or €69 per month. This gives you access to tools like push notifications, special coupons, early access sales, and more – which can help boost customer engagement even faster.

How can I measure the success of my loyalty program?

Start with your sales. A good loyalty program should boost repeat purchases and customer spend. To check if your setup works, track these key numbers: 1. How many customers joined? If fewer than 30–40%, your program may need to be more attractive. A welcome voucher can help — even with a free BonusQR account. 2. New vs. returning customers After 2–3 months, aim for at least 60–70% returning customers. If you reach 80%, that’s excellent. 3. Revenue impact Loyalty members usually spend 12–40% more and shop more often. Even a 5% retention increase can grow profits by up to 95%. All of this is trackable in your BonusQR dashboard.