Month: February 2020

How to maximize credit card rewards with Shopkick

Posted on by Kick Writers

I’m usually the one in my group of friends with all the hacks when it comes to shopping. But after meeting up with my girls for lunch last week, I found out that I’ve yet to master the art of shopping. 

Somehow we got on the topic of credit cards and I told them that while I do have them, I’d always preferred using cash or my debit card to shop because I didn’t want to have to worry about paying it off later. They immediately told me that I was doing it all wrong and how much I was missing out. Since I love to shop, they told me how often I could be earning points towards cashback, gift cards, and frequent flier miles just for using a credit card to shop. I’m always down for getting the most out of my shopping trips, so I took their advice. And let me tell you, I’m definitely glad I did. I even found out how to maximize credit card rewards by using my favorite shopping app.

If you’ve been in the dark about credit card rewards like I have, you’ll definitely want to pay close attention while I tell you just how you can maximize credit card rewards by using a mobile shopping app.  

What I’ve Learned About Credit Card Rewards 

how to maximize credit card rewardsOne thing I’ve learned about maximizing credit card rewards is that there are so many different ways to do it; you just have to choose the method that works for you. For instance, I have a friend who travels regularly for work. She uses her own credit card to pay for her flights, hotels, and rental cars, and then she has her job reimburse her. This might seem like a lot, but she swears by it—insisting that this way, she gets to keep all the rewards that she earns from the initial purchases.

I don’t travel for work—and maybe you don’t either—and that’s okay because there are plenty of other opportunities to maximize your credit card rewards by making everyday purchases. One way that I’ve found that works for me is by using a shopping rewards apps—an app that I’ve downloaded and linked my credit card to in an effort to really maximize my rewards. 

The Best Type of Shopping App to Maximize Rewards

If you have never before heard of shopping rewards apps, that’s okay. It wasn’t too long ago that I hadn’t either, and now I consider myself a bit of an expert on how to combine shopping rewards apps with my credit card to really maximize my reward-earning potential. The first step is to understand what shopping rewards apps are available to you and how they work. There are several different kinds, ranging from apps that reward you for shopping at certain stores to apps that reward you for particular types of purchases such as gas or coffee.

The best type of shopping rewards app to link with your credit card is one you can use at several different stores—both online stores and physical locations. You can obviously use your credit card almost anywhere, so you’ll want to get a shopping rewards app that is equally as versatile; otherwise, you’ll be as my friends say, “missing out.” 

Maximize Credit Card Rewards with Shopkick

My favorite shopping rewards app is Shopkick. I’ve been using Shopkick for years but it wasn’t until recently that I decided to link my credit card with the app. You see, before, I was using Shopkick any time I went out shopping for the essentials because it’s so easy to use that I’ve incorporated it into my routine. Before leaving the house, I would look up nearby stores that were offering rewards points (also called “kicks” in the app). Some of these stores offer kicks for simply walking in. Then, I would open the app to see what products I could locate to scan for even more kicks; it’s like a fun scavenger hunt for rewards. Once I’d earned enough kicks, I could trade them in for a gift card to do even more shopping! 

Now that I’ve linked my credit card, I have the chance to earn even more rewards. The credit card that I use already gives me a percentage back on purchases, so by linking it with Shopkick, I’m rewarded for using the app too! Once I discovered this, I couldn’t wait to tell my friends how I’d taken their advice up a notch. They told me that they’d expected nothing less of me since I was the self-proclaimed “Master Shopper.”  

Now that I’ve linked my credit card, I have the chance to earn even more rewards.  

I know from experience that figuring out how to maximize credit card rewards can seem intimidating, but it’s really not. There are so many different programs these days that reward you for using credit cards. Whether you’re interested in earning points for travel or getting cash back on your purchases, there’s a program out there for you. If you’re looking for the best program, I highly recommend downloading Shopkick and linking your Visa or MasterCard. In no time at all, you’ll go from a newbie user to an expert at getting your kicks and, most importantly, trading those kicks for gift cards to do even more shopping to maximize your earning potential!

It’s time to get your kicks! Shopkick makes shopping a rewarding experience, helping you truly maximize your credit card rewards. Download the app today and boost your shopping budget! 

Image courtesy of Nattakorn_Maneerat

Wouldn’t it be fun to earn cashback when you shop? Learn how.

Posted on by Kick Writers

I used to think there was nothing more fun than shopping. I loved going to stores, browsing for hours for new clothes, finding crazy deals on electronics—I loved the entire experience. I think that’s one of the reasons I’ve become such a dedicated shopper over the years. Though, I must admit, that my love for shopping has taken a toll on my budget now that I have more responsibilities as an adult. Thankfully, I recently discovered how to turn my love for shopping into a way to earn cashback. That’s right! There’s a way to earn cashback when you shop! 

Admittedly, this is an easy concept to love. It’s the same as shopping, but when you’re done, you earn cashback, or you earn rewards points towards things like gift cards—which are just as good as cash if you ask me. 

If you’re a dedicated shopper like me, wanting to shop without destroying your budget, you’re definitely want to read on to discover how to earn cashback when you shop!

How to Earn Cashback When You Shop

There are many ways to earn cashback when you shop. In fact, you’ve probably been doing it for years without even realizing it. Specials and promotions such as buy-one-get-one sales, rebates on electronics, or even customer loyalty programs all qualify as ways to earn cashback when you shop. The problem for me, however, is that these all occur too sporadically for my tastes. Luckily, there is a new way to earn cashback when you walk into a store to shop or even if you make an online purchase; it’s called a shopping rewards app. 

Learn About Shopping Rewards Apps

earn cashback when you shopIf you’re wondering what exactly is a shopping rewards app, the answer is simple—it’s an app that gives you rewards for shopping. The way a shopping rewards app generally works is that you download the app on your phone and use it every time you go shopping. There are several different types of shopping rewards apps—including store-specific apps and apps you can use at any participating store—which is why it’s so important to understand how they work.

The more you know about shopping rewards apps, the better job you can do selecting the perfect choice for your lifestyle. My personal favorite type of shopping rewards app is one that operates on a point-based system and can be used at many different stores—both online and physical stores. I also prefer a system that’s fun to use and doesn’t feel like work. I absolutely love shopping, and I don’t want my desire to earn cashback to change the experience for me in a way that leaves me less excited to shop.

Use Shopkick to Earn Cashback When You Shop

My personal favorite way to earn cashback while shopping is with an app called Shopkick. Shopkick is one of those apps that I described above; you can use it when you shop online as well as when you go into your favorite stores. Shopkick rewards you in “kicks” (points) for the things you already do while shopping such as walking into stores, scanning barcodes, watching promotional videos, and making purchases. 

I’ve tried other shopping rewards apps, and I can honestly say that Shopkick is by far my favorite. What I like most about Shopkick is that it turns the shopping experience into a fun scavenger hunt for kicks. You can invite friends to download the app and get in on the fun, too—earning you even more kicks. Once you’ve earned enough kicks, you can trade them in for gift cards, which are just as good as cash. Doesn’t that sound fun?

I’ve tried other shopping rewards apps, and I can honestly say that Shopkick is by far my favorite.

So, there you have it, my own personal fun and secret way to earn cashback when you shop. It’s especially useful for me since I love to refresh my wardrobe each season. And, what better way to shop than to do it to earn cashback? Earning cashback makes every trip to the store so worth it! 

If you’re looking for a fun way to earn cashback when you shop, check out Shopkick. I promise you’re going to love it so you should download the app today and start earning kicks! 

Image courtesy of Syda Productions

Posted in b2c

4 ways to improve the retail customer experience to encourage loyalty

Posted on by Kick Writers

4 ways to improve the retail customer experience to encourage loyalty

Get In Touch

In almost every situation, a bad experience deters one from placing themselves in a similar situation in the future; this is especially true in retail. If a customer finds that a particular retail experience causes them an inconvenience, they aren’t likely to return to make a purchase. In fact, 33% of Americans say they’ll consider switching to another brand or retailer after just a single instance of poor service. And unfortunately, once those customers have switched, it can be costly to acquire new customers—five times more costly, to be exact. However, when brands nurture the customers they already have, they’re likely to gain a loyal following and, in turn, boost revenue. One report found that 84% of companies that work to improve their retail customer experience report an increase in their revenue.

How to Improve the Retail Customer Experience to Encourage Loyalty

Brands and retailers looking to improve the retail customer experience should consider the following four strategies to reach shoppers and earn loyalty.

1. Engage with Consumers

Even at a time when many choose to shop online, customer engagement is still important. One study revealed that 75% of consumers expect companies to provide a consistent experience wherever they engage with them—both online and offline. These efforts to engage may involve training salespeople, increasing customer service visibility online via chatbots, or creating an interactive in-store experience.

Well-trained salespeople:

Make sure your staff is knowledgeable in your store’s offerings and train them on how to interact with customers. Friendly and competent service is crucial to landing a sale. Knowing how to diffuse an angry customer is equally valuable. Besides preventing a negative situation from attracting attention, that customer will appreciate decisive action and remember that more than the original source of the pique.

Online customer support:

The online shopping experience can be a lonely one. But, by making sure customer service efforts—such as online chatbots—are visible, you’re likely to reap the same benefits as training staff to properly engage in-store.

An interactive experience:

Shoppers appreciate a retail experience that is just that—an experience. By creating points throughout the purchase journey where customers can interact and engage—with salespeople and products—brands and retailers can expect sales to increase. For example, the opportunity to try before buying is one of the major reasons that people frequent physical stores. Consider how Neiman Marcus turned the dressing room into an interactive experience.

2. Personalize Messages

Personalization leads to a tailored experience that, in turn, increases loyalty. A 2017 report found that apparel retailers with online personalization strategies saw gains of 10% or greater—a rate three times that of other retailers. By personalizing marketing efforts, brands and retailers only place messages in front of consumers about the products they want.

Personalized marketing makes the customer feel as though you know them. You can target social media posts to reinforce the feeling of solidarity. Research has found that an engaging and entertaining social media presence increases loyalty among existing customers and encourages loyalty among new customers. Social media also encourages information sharing, allowing you to find out valuable information that you can use to hone in on your customers’ tastes.

There are countless ways to personalize marketing efforts, particularly online. Among them:

  • email marketing drip campaigns based on customer action
  • targeted social media marketing messages geared toward certain types of shoppers
  • segmented content marketing landing pages, customized to suit individual needs
  • paired related products to provide helpful recommendations as the user browses 
  • alternative payment options to allow greater freedom to purchase

3. Reward Loyalty

A 2017 study showed that consumers receive as much pleasure from the anticipation of a reward—that is, from simply belonging to a rewards program—as they do from what they actually receive from the program. Another study found that 61% of consumers consider being surprised with offers and rewards as the most important way a brand can interact with them. You can’t lose by letting your customers know how much you appreciate them.

Rewards

Rewards can serve two purposes: they trigger reciprocity in new customers and they reinforce loyalty in existing customers. Consider emailing new customers special offers with a “come again soon” message. Regular customers can be rewarded with special offers or be informed about new products before everyone else finds out. Also, sample- or trial-size items are an excellent way to introduce your customers to new products.

Loyalty Program

A loyalty program is one of the best ways to retain loyal customers. As of 2017, the average American consumer has 14 loyalty program memberships, up 31% over the previous four years. By rewarding purchases with points and other perks, it reinforces emotional attachment and motivates spending. Creating a tiered program increases that motivation. Sephora’s loyalty program has added tiers every few years since its inception.

Special Events

Special events will show your customers how much you value them. Customer-appreciation flash sales, product premiers, tastings, and samplings let customers know how much you think of them. They also create a sense of community, where people can meet, bring their friends, and experience something out of the ordinary. That community can later be leveraged in targeted social media campaigns. 

4. Leverage Mobile

The use of apps in loyalty programs is surging. In 2019, mobile apps were found to be the preferred way for consumers to track and redeem loyalty rewards, favored by 44% of customers of national retailers, grocers, CPG brands and c-stores, up from 20% in 2016. Apps can be tremendously versatile. Besides being the vehicle to deliver rewards, they can drive cross-selling, track buying habits and provide marketing insights, and provide measurable ROI. In addition, apps have a number of practical advantages for rewarding loyalty.

Easy to Use

Consumers who download the shopping rewards app Shopkick can earn points (also known as “kicks”) by simply linking a credit or debit card and using the card to make qualified purchases; visiting a participating store; or locating and scanning a particular product in the shopping aisle. Online, customers earn kicks for browsing lookbooks, watching a branded video, or making online purchases.

Easy to Integrate

Customers can use the Starbucks app to listen to discover new music on Spotify, or they can earn extra rewards points for completing their order through the Uber Eats app. Similarly, Shopkickers can shop at a variety of stores directly through the Shopkick app. 

Easy to Locate

Brands and retailers can rely on a rewards app to use geolocation to inform the user about nearby stores, products, and deals. Shopkick can be used to communicate with shoppers along the entire path to purchase—from browsing on their mobile phones at home to searching for products in the store aisle.

By offering excellent customer service, personalized messages, and rewards via a mobile app partnership like Shopkick, brands and retailers can expect to see an improved retail customer experience that leads to customer loyalty.    
Shopkick is a shopping rewards app that brands and retailers can leverage to improve the retail customer experience. Our partners use Shopkick to drive sales, steal market share, produce incredible ROI, and reward loyalty. Contact us to see how an improved experience through Shopkick can encourage loyalty.
Posted in b2b

Find out how you can shop and earn rewards on your phone

Posted on by Kick Writers

I remember when I was younger, I used to love to go to the mall. Shopping was my favorite hobby, and the mall was the easiest way for me to shop at so many different stores. I don’t want to tell you how old I am, but back then, online shopping was not really as common as it is now. These days, online shopping makes it so I have even more stores to choose from; and, thanks to my phone, these stores are right at my fingertips, wherever I go. 

In fact, some weeks I do more shopping on my phone than I do with my computer or in physical stores. This comes in handy, especially now that I’ve found out how to earn rewards for using my phone when I shop. That’s right! There’s a way to shop and earn rewards on your phone and it’s so simple and convenient.  

How to Earn Rewards on Your Phone

If you want to learn how to earn rewards on your phone, you must first understand that there are many different ways; you have to find the method that works best for you. I have some friends who use their phones to take online surveys to earn extra money. I have other friends who get paid to drive around to certain businesses and use their phones to take pictures of displays. They have the extra time so they don’t mind doing these extra activities, but for someone who’s a little busier, you may want to choose a way to earn rewards doing something you already do. For me, that thing is shopping. 

If shopping is your thing, you should consider downloading your favorite store’s app. Many stores have their own shopping apps that reward you for being a loyal customer. These are great, especially if you tend to go to the same store all the time. But for those of you who enjoy shopping at many different places, you’ll find yourself with tons of shopping apps and no way to keep track of all the points you’ve earned. Fortunately, there’s a solution for that.

Earn Rewards on Your Phone With Shopping Rewards Apps 

learn how to earn rewards on your phoneWhen it comes time to earn rewards on your phone, the best way to do it is with a shopping rewards app. It’s exactly what it sounds like—an app that rewards you for shopping. How most of these apps work is that they give you points for shopping, and for doing other things related to shopping as well, like walking into stores or scanning barcodes.

The best of these apps allow you to earn points for shopping at a variety of stores, online and physical stores. I know these days I really do a ton of shopping directly from my phone, so I need an app that will reward me for that.

The Best Shopping Rewards App

Of all the shopping rewards apps out there, my personal favorite is an app called Shopkick. You can use Shopkick to get rewards for both your in-person and online shopping, which includes shopping you do through your phone. The way Shopkick works is kind of like the system I described above. Shopkick gives you points called “kicks” for many of the tasks associated with shopping such as walking into stores, watching promotional videos, browsing products in-store, and, of course, making purchases. You can also earn kicks without ever having to put down your phone because Shopkick rewards you for shopping on your favorite sites directly through the app and for watching promotional videos. 

You can use Shopkick to get rewards for both your in-person and online shopping, which includes shopping you do through your phone.

Once you’ve earned enough points with Shopkick, you can trade them in for gift cards to do even more shopping! Aside from the rewards, another thing I really love about Shopkick is that it turns shopping into a fun scavenger hunt for points. I’ve always loved shopping, but I look forward to it even more now that I have Shopkick on my phone; I can’t recommend it enough.

Shopkick has changed both the amount of fun I have when I’m out at the store as well as the amount of savings I find myself coming home with. I use it every time I shop and it doesn’t even require much effort because I find myself shopping with my phone in-hand anyway.

If you’re ready to get rewarded for the shopping that you already do, I highly recommend you download the app and earn rewards on your phone. Shopkick makes shopping a rewarding experience no matter where or how you shop! 

Image courtesy of GP Studio

Check Out These 6 Online Shopping Rewards Programs. You Won’t Regret It!

Posted on by Kick Writers

Check Out These 6 Online Shopping Rewards Programs. You Won’t Regret It!

Online shopping has truly changed my life! I’m sure like many of you, up until recently, I didn’t shop much online. I chose to stick to the old-fashioned way of shopping due to my fears of online security. However, in recent years, I’ve fallen in love with online shopping because of how convenient it makes shopping for someone as busy as I am. Do you know what else I love about online shopping? Online shopping rewards programs.

The discovery of online shopping rewards programs has made me love online shopping even more. There are so many different types of online shopping rewards programs and there are just as many ways to use them; trust me, I’ve tried them all! Now, I’m working hard to nail down my favorites, which I’ve listed for all of you to check out. 

My Six Favorite Online Shopping Rewards Programs

Amazon

Of all the online retailers out there, the one that has changed my life the most is Amazon. Amazon just makes it so easy to buy basically anything, from clothes to household items to food. However, what a lot of people don’t know is that there are small ways to save money while shopping at Amazon. Amazon’s online shopping rewards program comes in the form of its Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card which shoppers can use to earn a percentage back on purchases, saving them money in the future.

One of my favorite ways to save with Amazon is by subscribing to the items I buy all the time, such as paper towels, toilet paper, toothpaste, floss, etc. By subscribing, Amazon sends me new items whenever I’m about to run out, and I also save a few cents that add up in the end. Another thing I’m sure to keep in mind when shopping on Amazon is the fluctuating prices. Whether they fluctuate up or down, I’m always sure to find the best deal out there.

More About Amazon: 

  • It’s the largest online retailer in the world.
  • Amazon Prime lets you get many of your purchases delivered next day.
  • Prices can fluctuate, so stay diligent in checking for deals.
  • Subscribing to household goods you purchase regularly can save money.

Airline Shopping Portals

Another great online shopping rewards program comes in the form of airline shopping portals. Sounds futuristic, right? You see, there are several major airlines that award you with frequent flier miles when you make purchases through their online shopping portals. And, I probably don’t have to tell you, especially if you’re as budget-conscious as I am, that those miles add up over time.

The amount of value here can vary at times between participating retailers. Some of my favorites offer as many as six points per dollar, so spending $500, for example, can earn me roughly 3,000 miles. I can then use those miles toward a variety of redemptions, including a future flight. Jet Blue, United, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines are just some of the airlines that offer these rewards. With American Airlines, in particular, free flights start at just 7,500 miles. I’ve been eyeing a round-trip flight to Hawaii and I’m so close!

More About Airline Shopping Portals:

  • They connect you to a variety of retailers.
  • Many purchases you make can earn you frequent flier miles.
  • You can trade those miles to use toward flights.
  • A variety of airlines offer this option.

Credit Cards

If you prefer to have your shopping rewards directly linked to your method of payment, this one is for you. Many credit card companies offer you rewards in the forms of cashback, percentages back, and points when you use them to shop at participating stores.

For example, with my Barclays card, for every dollar I spend, I get a point that represents 1% savings. If I buy groceries, I get two points, which turns into 2% savings. It really adds up fast with the amount of online shopping I do. Quite frankly, I think anyone who is doing online shopping without getting some percentage back on their purchases is making a big mistake. You don’t even have to think about using this one. It just does it all for you!

More About Credit Card Savings Programs:

  • These programs are versatile, allowing you to combine with many of the other programs on this list.
  • They give you points on your credit card account you can later redeem for money off your bill.
  • Credit companies such as Barclays, Wells Fargo, and Chase all offer variations of this.

Shopkick

Speaking of versatility, Shopkick is another online shopping rewards program that works with other programs on this list—it’s actually my favorite. I really like Shopkick because it turns all of my online shopping sessions into super fun scavenger hunts for points, which the app calls kicks. It’s super easy to use and the ways to earn kicks are often things I do every time I do my online shopping anyway.

Shopkick is a free mobile app that pays you to shop. The way it works is you download the app, use it to shop at featured online retailers, and earn kicks. If you watch a video to learn more about a product, you’ll get kicks. If you purchase a featured item, you’ll get kicks. Once you earn enough kicks, you can trade them for gift cards to a variety of stores.

More About Shopkick:

  • It turns all of your online shopping into a fun scavenger hunt for points.
  • It easily combines with many of the other apps on our list.
  • It gives you points you can trade for gift cards to a variety of stores—both online and physical.

Rakuten

Rakuten, which used to be an app called Ebates, is an app that I like to use to get cashback on the purchases that I make online, and only online because this one doesn’t work in stores. The way it works is pretty simple, too. You just download the Rakuen app, and then instead of doing your online shopping through another app or website, you do it through the Rakuten app instead. 

Here’s a pro tip: you can also add a Google Chrome extension to your web browser. What happens then, is that it adds a Rakuten cashback button that appears whenever you visit a site that has a deal to offer to you. If that’s not enough, Rakuten also has a feature called Coupon Magic, which even automatically applies coupons as you shop, giving you more cashback during the checkout process. 

More About Rakuten:

  • It’s an online-only shopping app.
  • You shop through Rakuten, rather than other apps.
  • You can add a Google Chrome extension to your browser that makes it even easier to save.

FlipGive

FlipGive is awesome because it doesn’t help you just save, it helps you save for a good cause. The way it works is that the online deals you find through FlipGive channels the money you are saving to a charitable cause. It takes your savings and it flips it to giving toward causes such a child’s doctor bills or to a local youth sports league.

Like some of the other programs on my list—specifically Big Crumbs and Rakuten—you make purchases through FlipGive’s online portal at any one of its affiliated online retailers. I’ve definitely used it to save money for me and my family with Warby Parker, for example, which is my favorite place to buy glasses online! And what’s even better is Warby Parker makes a 15% cash-back donation to the cause I pick.

More About FlipGive:

  • FlipGive is shopping for a good cause.
  • Users go through FlipGive’s online portal.
  • FlipGive and participating stores match your savings by giving a certain percentage to charity. 

As you can probably tell, I’ve used my fair share of online shopping rewards programs. But, of all of these apps, my favorite has to be Shopkick. Not only does it reward me for the shopping I planned to do anyway, but it also rewards me for learning about products that interest me. I love the versatility of Shopkick’s online shopping rewards program and I love the app’s in-store functionality, too! Whenever I feel like getting some fresh air and doing my shopping at a physical store, Shopkick comes in handy, turning a regular shopping trip into a rewarding experience!  

Of all the online shopping rewards programs out there, Shopkick makes for the most rewarding shopping experience. Download the app today and start earning kicks!

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