Category Archives: Blog

We are thrilled to announce that Simul Digital was awarded the ‘Highly Commended’ award in the “New Agency to Watch” category, at the prestigious Prolific North Champions Awards 2024! This recognition is a testament to our hard work, innovation, and dedication to delivering exceptional results for our clients.

A Night to Remember

The event was a fantastic occasion, beginning with a lively reception where industry peers and professionals gathered to celebrate the achievements of the past year. The atmosphere was electric, with conversations buzzing, glasses clinking, and a palpable sense of excitement in the air.

As the formal proceedings commenced, we were treated to a delectable three-course meal. The starter was a delightful serving of spring rolls, followed by a sumptuous main course of chicken parmigiana. The evening meal concluded on a sweet note with a luscious chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, each dish perfectly complementing the celebratory mood.

The drinks were flowing, and the conversations were lively as industry leaders, creative minds, and digital innovators from across the North mingled and celebrated their successes. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with peers, share our stories, and draw inspiration from the incredible work being done in our region.

The Impact of Our Work

At Simul Digital, we pride ourselves on delivering tangible results for our clients. Over the past year, we have had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, helping them navigate the digital landscape and achieve their goals. Our innovative solutions have driven brand awareness, increased engagement, and delivered measurable ROI.

One of our standout projects was our work creating the revolutionary product visualiser Morf, which has the power to transform the buying journey for customers. Morf is a cutting-edge product visualiser designed to enhance the online buying journey by providing customers with an immersive and interactive way to explore products. 

In an time where e-commerce is rapidly evolving, Morf stands out by offering a solution that bridges the gap between in-store and online shopping experiences. The goal was to create a tool that allows customers to visualise products in real-time, see them in different environments, and make more informed purchasing decisions. 

Looking Forward To The Future

While we are incredibly proud of what we have achieved, we are also excited about what the future holds.

As we look ahead, we are committed to expanding our capabilities and exploring new avenues for growth. We will continue to invest in our team, foster a culture of innovation, and stay ahead of industry trends. Our goal is to become a leading force in the digital landscape, not just in the North, but on a national scale.

We are also excited about the opportunities to collaborate with other talented agencies and businesses. The Prolific North Champions Awards have shown us the incredible talent and creativity that exists in our region, and we are eager to forge new partnerships and create impactful work together.

As the Prolific North Awards evening approaches for another year, the team at Simul Digital are buzzing with excitement! We’re absolutely delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for not one, not two, but three prestigious awards: ‘Integrated Agency of the Year’, ‘New Agency to Watch’, and ‘Innovation of the Year’. 

These nominations are a true testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our amazing team. In just a few short years, we’ve managed to establish ourselves as a force to be reckoned with within the digital marketing world, and we couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come. 

We started 2024 with a bang, after taking home the Best eCommerce Website award at the Northern Digital Awards in January, and this achievement has given us tremendous momentum as we head into the Prolific North Awards on Thursday, May 9th. This will be our first time attending the Prolific North Awards, and we are thrilled to see what the evening has in store. The opportunity to be recognised among the top digital and creative talents in the North is truly exciting, and we are grateful for the platform to showcase our capabilities. 

We are excited to have been nominated for the Integrated Marketing Agency of the Year award, which is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional results for all of our clients. We are proud to have leveraged our talent and expertise across Innovation, Web Development and Design, Search Engine Optimisation and Paid Media to drive impactful, integrated campaigns for our clients and deliver results. 

The ‘New Agency to Watch’ award is another one we’ve got our eyes on. This nomination acknowledges our rapid growth, innovative thinking, and the incredible potential we have for the future. We’ve come a long way in a relatively short period of time, and this is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.

Last but not least, we’re incredibly proud of our ‘Innovation of the Year’ nomination, which celebrates the development of our cutting-edge product visualiser Morf (which you can see in action here). This revolutionary tool has transformed the online shopping experience for our client and online furniture retailer Furl.  Morf’s user-friendly interface allows customers to easily customise their ideal sofa, bed, sofa bed and more, selecting from a wide range of frames, sizes, configurations, fabrics, and colours. This level of personalisation has a huge impact, the functionality of Morf ensures that each and every customer can create a bespoke product to meet their exact needs.

As we count down to the Prolific North Awards ceremony, we can’t wait to attend the night and we have our fingers crossed that we can take home some awards but we are up against some stiff competition. All we know is that whoever does win will definitely be a worthy winner. Good luck everyone.

Being nominated is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and innovation that goes into everything we do at Simul Digital. We’re proud to be part of the vibrant digital marketing community in the North, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds. So here’s to a night of celebration, networking, and maybe even a few surprises. We’ll be there, dressed to impress and ready to party!

YMYL, an acronym for “Your Money Your Life,” includes web content that holds the potential to affect users’ financial well-being, health, safety or happiness significantly. This category includes diverse topics ranging from financial advice, medical information and legal issues to shopping sites where transactions occur.

Defining YMYL Content and Its Importance in SEO

Search engines scrutinise pages including these topics more rigorously, as the stakes of misleading information are considerably higher, and so YMYL content directly influences search rankings and the perceived credibility of a website. High-quality, accurate and authoritative content in these areas is rewarded with better visibility, whilst poor-quality content risks penalisation or lower rankings. 

For instance, a financial advisory site that frequently updates its content with expert insights and comprehensive guides on managing personal finances would see an increase in its search engine rankings. On the other hand, a dietary supplement website that published unsubstantiated health claims and lacked credible references would experience a marked drop in search engine visibility. 

YMYL content plays a crucial role in fostering trust with your audience and customers. When your content is helpful and informative, it shows your dedication to your audience, making them much more likely to become repeat visitors to your site.

Strategies for Enhancing Authoritativeness by Following YMYL Guidelines

Boosting your website’s trust and authority involves ensuring your content is high quality and reliable. By keeping your content fresh, accurate, and up-to-date with the latest research, both users and search engines will view your site as more credible and trustworthy.

This will signal to users and search engines that your site is a reliable source of knowledge, establishing your site as an authoritative figure in your domain and building trust with your audience, who as a result, can confidently rely on your content for accurate information.

Engaging with your audience through comments and feedback is crucial to ensure you are following the guidelines set out by  YMYL on sites such as legal advice or nutritional guidance. By responding to user questions on a legal blog or asking for feedback on dietary advice articles, you show that you care about user satisfaction and also gain valuable insights to make your content even better.

Optimising meta tags and headings plays an important role as it serves as the first impression of your content’s reliability and relevance. Utilise clear, descriptive titles and meta descriptions that accurately reflect the content’s value, incorporating targeted keywords to improve search engine visibility and ensure your content reaches its intended audience efficiently.

The structure of your content should also facilitate ease of understanding, breaking down complex topics into digestible sections with logical headings and subheadings to help reader comprehension. 

Authoritative backlinks – links from reputable websites within your field that direct readers to your content – increase trustworthiness in YMYL content too. You can also cite respected sources in your own content to show that your information is reliable, improving the authority and trustworthiness of your website to both users and search engines.

Importance of E-E-A-T in YMYL Content

The E-E-A-T framework, standing for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness, ensures content is credible. When it comes to important topics such as health, finance, or safety (YMYL), you must provide accurate and reliable information to build trust in your audience. Demonstrate that your organisation or the writer of the content has the experience, expertise and qualifications in the subject you’re talking about. Use real-world examples to back the content up to show that what you’re sharing is trustworthy and dependable.

To be recognised as an expert, it’s important to maintain that trust so that both your readers and other professionals in your field view you as a leading authority. You can maintain and strengthen your connection with your audience by engaging in Q&A sessions, webinars and social media engagement. 

Another way to build trust with your audience is to feature testimonials and case studies to highlight your expertise and achievements. Partner with esteemed professionals to create guest articles or joint studies too, which can boost your credibility further. Make sure you keep your content fresh and aligned with the latest industry trends to stay at the forefront of your field, reinforcing your position as a trusted authority.

Implementing SEO Best Practices for YMYL Topics

By adopting SEO best practices, like using strategic keywords, ensuring mobile-friendliness and boosting site speed, your content is much more likely to climb Google’s rankings, making it easier for your audience to find the exact insights they’re searching for.

Begin with a solid content creation framework that emphasises clarity, depth and accessibility. Structure your articles chronologically to guide readers smoothly through the text to ensure the user experience is as good and smooth as it can be.    

For important and sensitive topics like financial advice or health information, transparency about who’s behind your content is key. Your writers’ qualifications and experience should be visible to earn the trust of readers and search engines alike. 

The digital landscape is always evolving, today’s facts can be tomorrow’s history. So, keeping your content up-to-date with regular reviews and updates demonstrates to search engines that your site is a current and reliable resource. 

Skillfully optimising YMYL content with SEO can significantly boost your site’s trust and search visibility. Simul Digital excels in this area, blending innovative solutions with creativity to exceed our client’s expectations and ensure their content shines.

Get in touch today to amplify your YMYL content’s impact, transform your digital presence and drive your business forward.

In the ever-evolving world of SEO, Google’s E-E-A-T – Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness and Trustworthiness – is vital in determining a website’s search quality. 

Businesses must understand and optimise E-E-A-T to establish a strong online presence. This guide delves into each component of E-E-A-T and provides strategies for leveraging them to improve your website’s SEO effectiveness.

Experience: Personal Touch in SEO

Real-life experiences improve a website’s relevancy and authority in its niche. This involves demonstrating practical knowledge or skills acquired through direct involvement in a topic. This aspect of E-E-A-T is pivotal in establishing a website’s credibility and appeal.

For instance, An experienced carpenter sharing their tips and expertise when it comes to their products and how they are made will have more of an impact than generic insights from someone who has no direct experience with the subject.

Demonstrating In-Depth Knowledge

Expertise represents a deep and thorough understanding of a subject. It’s about conveying authoritative knowledge and skills within a specific area. Websites exemplifying high expertise typically feature content that is rich in detail and founded on solid research and authentic credentials. This level of expertise is critical for enhancing a website’s SEO potential.

Demonstrating your expertise could involve publishing in-depth articles or detailed case studies. These content forms serve as platforms to showcase your deep understanding and nuanced perspectives on topics within your domain.

This depth of knowledge should be continuously updated and expanded upon to reflect the latest developments and insights in the field. This commitment to staying abreast of new information not only maintains the website’s relevance and authority but also fosters a trusting relationship with the audience.

Establishing Your Website as a Go-To Source

Authoritativeness in the context of E-E-A-T is about establishing your website as a leading and reliable source within your industry. This status is often achieved through consistent publication of well-organised, high-quality content that becomes a reference point in your field. Authoritativeness is further bolstered by earning endorsements and backlinks from other reputable websites, which are crucial for elevating a site’s search engine ranking and visibility.

Securing backlinks from high-quality sites should be a strategic focus in your SEO efforts. Backlinks from respected and authoritative websites are invaluable in SEO, as they act like votes of confidence towards your content. When these reputable sites link to your content, they pass on a degree of their authority to your site, improving its credibility in the eyes of search engines. This process, known as link equity, plays a significant role in boosting a website’s ranking and domain authority.

Trustworthiness: The Foundation of Credibility

Trustworthiness forms the foundation of your site’s credibility in the eyes of both users and search engines. It is determined by the reliability, accuracy and honesty of your site’s content, particularly in areas that require a high level of trust, such as finance or healthcare. A trustworthy website ensures that its content is fact-checked, clear, and transparent, especially when dealing with sensitive or controversial topics.

To enhance trustworthiness, it’s crucial to secure your site with HTTPS, ensuring users’ data is protected. Additionally, providing detailed author biographies and clear contact information can significantly boost credibility. These elements demonstrate to visitors and search engines alike that your site is a reliable source of information. Including credible external links within your content also adds to the trust factor, as it shows a commitment to substantiating your content with reputable sources. 

The Spectrum of E-E-A-T Levels

The E-E-A-T spectrum categorises websites based on the quality and reliability of their content. At the lowest level, sites often lack substantial information, exhibit poor credibility, or have content that is misleading or factually incorrect. These sites fail to provide any significant value to users.

High E-E-A-T sites are those that showcase a good balance of expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. They offer valuable content that is both accurate and useful to the user.

At the very high end of the spectrum, websites display exceptional levels of expertise and authority. They are considered definitive sources in their field, featuring well-researched, expertly written content that reflects in-depth knowledge and insight.

The Role of Regular SEO Content Updates

The continuous updating of a website with SEO-optimised content is pivotal for sustaining and enhancing its E-E-A-T rating. Consistent content refreshment signifies to Google that the site remains active, current and pertinent to ongoing discourse in its respective domain. This practice enriches the user experience by offering fresh, relevant information while reinforcing the site’s credibility and authority in its field. 

Moreover, regular updates provide a stream of engaging material to share with the target audience, fostering a dynamic and interactive web presence. This active engagement is key in demonstrating to both users and search engines the ongoing commitment to quality and relevance in the digital space.

Building Internal Links

Equally important is the practice of building internal links within your website. Internal linking is the process of creating links from one page on your website to another page on the same website. This aids in website navigation, improves user experience and distributes page authority throughout the site. By strategically using internal links, you can guide visitors and search engines to your most important pages, thus enhancing the overall authority of your site. Simple yet effective. 

E-E-A-T’s Role in Elevating Online Presence

E-E-A-T is an essential framework in SEO, pivotal in improving a website’s authority and search ranking. Businesses looking to improve their online presence should focus on strengthening each element of E-E-A-T as part of their SEO efforts.

How Simul Digital Can Help

Simul Digital can assist in your journey, offering expert services to elevate your website’s SEO and ensure it resonates with Google’s E-E-A-T criteria. Here are some of our services: 

SEO strategies: Simul Digital develops strategies to highlight a website’s expertise and authority. We undertake in-depth keyword research and optimise on-page elements to boost search rankings and online visibility.

Content Creation: Recognising the pivotal role of content in demonstrating expertise and trustworthiness, Simul produces authoritative, engaging content to align with Google’s guidelines and bolster a website’s SEO. 

Pay-Per-Click Advertising: Through tailored PPC campaigns, Simul increases website visibility for key search terms, thereby improving the user experience and quickly connecting audiences with relevant, high-quality content.

Web Design and Development: Simul develops visually appealing, user-friendly, secure and responsive websites, catering to Google’s emphasis on user experience in E-E-A-T evaluation.

At Simul Digital, we have the tools and expertise you need to elevate your business presence online. E-E-A-T is a core fundamental of successful SEO strategy, and as experts in this field, you can place your trust in us to deliver an SEO plan with it in mind, every step of the way. Why not call us or pop in for a chat to discuss how we can help today?

Northern Digital Awards – Winners 2024

At the end of last month, the Simul Digital team travelled to Manchester for the Northern Digital Awards, hoping for a successful night after receiving three nominations.

The event took place at the Hilton in Deansgate, Manchester, where agencies from the North of England region gathered, ready for an enjoyable and fun-filled evening. The Northern Digital Awards was celebrating its 10th anniversary and was hosted by the iconic TV and Radio presenter Jenny Powell, known for presenting Top of The Pops in the 1980s, as well as stints on BBC Radio 2 and ITV show The Wheel of Fortune. 

The evening, brought to us by awards experts Don’t Panic Events, commenced with flair and excitement. With its red carpet entrance, a lively drinks reception, a bustling bar and all attendees impeccably dressed, it was a vibrant atmosphere.

After catching up with industry friends from all of the agencies involved, we sat down for a fantastic three-course meal. To start was a wonderful Confit Chicken Croquette, followed by a sumptuous main course of Braised daube of British Beef which was perfectly finished off by a dessert choice of Dark Chocolate Tart, Milk Chocolate Mousse or Salted Caramel Ice Cream. Then it was time for the awards ceremony itself!

There were 37 fantastic awards categories in total, and we were nominated as finalists in three of them: Best PPC Campaign, Best Best E-commerce Website, and Best Small Digital Agency of the Year. It was like being at the Oscars as guest presenters were welcomed onto the stage to present various awards, in between rather funny comments from the night’s host Jenny. 

When the moment came for the award that we won, the nervous tension was felt by all of the team around the table. We’d worked so hard to be nominated and all our fingers were crossed for a successful outcome. When our name was read out as the winner in the Best E-commerce Website of the Year category, we jumped up in celebration and made our way to the stage. It was fantastic to be recognised, especially with the fierce competition in the category too.

We won for our creation of Furl’s website, which has seen impressive growth since the implementation of its modern and advanced product visualiser. The cleverly built tool enables customers to build their dream sofa from the comfort of their homes. 

The visually stunning and intuitive product visualiser was designed by our team specifically for online brands like Furl. The goal was to simplify and enhance the online buying process by allowing customers to visualise and customise their perfect sofa right from the product page.

Key features of Morf include:

• An interface that allows customers to intuitively build their ideal sofa by choosing from various frames, sizes, configurations, fabrics, and colours.

• Real-time 3D visualisation enables customers to see their selections come to life and view the sofa from all angles, helping them make more informed purchase decisions.
  
• Customers can start with suggested combinations or easily mix and match features from the entire catalogue.

• Mobile responsiveness and touch-friendly interactions provide an exceptional experience on all devices.

Overall, Morf has helped drive Furl’s impressive growth by making the online purchase journey intuitive, visual, and enjoyable – rather than overwhelming. And we’re just getting started. The platform has formed the foundation for further digital innovation, such as the use of VR and AI to enhance the experience for customers even further.

We’d like to say a big thank you to the organisers, Dont Panic Events for hosting such a spectacular event. Most importantly, thank you to our brilliant team for your tireless hard work and dedication – this award would not have been possible without you.

The future is looking very bright for Simul Digital and we are so excited to continue taking on innovative projects, pushing boundaries, and completing outstanding work for our clients!

At Simul Digital, we are privileged to partner with businesses that are passionate, driven, and determined to make a positive impact on their industry. One such partner was Natural Thrive, a family-owned business based in the Midlands, set on a mission to introduce natural and organic supplements to a broad audience.

The health and wellness market they ventured into was crowded, teeming with numerous competitors all vying for attention. This fact, however, only bolstered their resolve, and with Simul at their side, they dared to dream big.

Conceptualising a Unique Identity: The Genesis of a Brand

The journey of Natural Thrive is a testimony to what can be achieved when creativity, innovation, and deep industry insight merge. It was a fast-paced, exhilarating project, spearheaded by our dedicated team.

We worked in close collaboration with the business owner, over a number of brand and business workshops aiming to grasp their vision in its entirety. It was these insights that allowed us to transform their aspirations into a tangible brand, one capable of capturing the hearts of consumers.

Visual aspects of a brand play a pivotal role in customer perception, often serving as the first interaction point between the brand and potential customers. Being well aware of this vital factor, we centred our efforts on the creation of engaging, attractive labelling. We also carefully curated a palette of vibrant colours that perfectly encapsulated Natural Thrive’s commitment to natural and organic supplements.

Style and tone were equally crucial in this creative journey. We chose a style that reflected simplicity and vitality, resonating with the essence of natural elements. The result was a harmonious blend of aesthetics and ethos, breathing life into the Natural Thrive brand.

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Designing a Digital Persona: Crafting the Online Presence of Natural Thrive

With the foundation of the brand firmly established, our attention shifted to the task of designing and constructing the digital face of Natural Thrive. We were tasked with creating an e-commerce platform where the brand could showcase and sell its extensive product range.

Leveraging Content Strategy and SEO Power: Building a Strong Online Presence

Once the website launch was successful, our strategic focus pivoted to the creation of a robust content strategy. The goal was to enhance the website’s organic visibility by crafting engaging blog posts and other forms of valuable content. This wealth of high-quality, enriching content was designed not only to engage existing customers but also to draw in potential customers exploring the health and wellness sector.

Simultaneously, we leveraged both organic and paid search strategies to drive significant traffic from day one. This dual approach was instrumental in building a formidable online presence for Natural Thrive, even in the fiercely competitive health and wellness market. It wasn’t just about getting visitors to the site; we were focused on attracting those genuinely interested in what Natural Thrive had to offer.

Educating the Market: An Insight into Natural Thrive’s Diverse Product Range

One of the fundamental aspects that sets Natural Thrive apart from its competitors is its diverse range of health and wellness products. Our team at Simul played a crucial role in bridging the gap between the brand and its customers, helping to educate them about this broad product spectrum.

Natural Thrive offers a wide array of products, including Powder Supplements, Organic Fruit Powders, Organic Supplements, Mushroom Supplements, and Loose-Leaf Tea. Each of these product categories was designed to cater to the various health and wellness needs of their customers.

Powder Supplements and Organic Fruit Powders serve as a convenient and versatile source of essential nutrients. These products are easy to incorporate into daily diets and offer a multitude of health benefits, including immune support, energy boost, and overall well-being.

The Organic Supplements range extends the philosophy of ‘natural and organic’ beyond food. These products are crafted to supplement the nutritional needs of the customers, promoting a healthy lifestyle using ingredients that are both organic and sustainable.

Mushroom Supplements have grown in popularity due to their potential health benefits, including immunity boosting, cognitive function support, and anti-inflammatory properties. Natural Thrive’s Mushroom Supplements are made from potent mushroom extracts, ensuring the highest quality and efficacy.

Loose Leaf Tea is a classic health beverage, known for its detoxifying properties and rich antioxidant content. Natural Thrive offers a variety of loose-leaf teas, each one with its unique taste and health benefits.

By creating compelling and informative content around these products, Simul was able to elucidate their benefits, helping customers make informed decisions about their health and wellness journey. The goal was not just to sell a product, but to educate customers on the holistic benefits these products provide, and how they could seamlessly incorporate them into their lifestyles for improved health and wellbeing.

This endeavour of educating the market not only served to enhance the Natural Thrive brand’s reputation but also built a loyal customer base that appreciates the brand’s commitment to quality, transparency, and the health of its customers.

We believe that an informed customer is a satisfied customer. By aligning our strategies with this belief, we helped Natural Thrive carve out a niche in the crowded health and wellness industry.

Delivering Results at Lightning Speed

The journey from brand creation to digital launch was a swift one, an accomplishment made possible by the collaborative efforts of our team and the client. The fruits of our labour were immediately apparent, with a 180% growth in conversions and a boost in online visibility by over 500%.

This exceptional growth wasn’t just an indicator of how the project had been swiftly executed, but also a testament to its effectiveness. Chris Alan, Director of Natural Thrive, encapsulated this sentiment perfectly when he said, “It has been a pleasure working with Simul Digital on launching our brand… We’re thrilled with the final result! We look forward to growing our e-commerce website with them.”

Uncover the Natural Thrive Journey in More Detail

We invite you to delve deeper into the Natural Thrive project. Our comprehensive case study offers a detailed exploration of the project, complete with a range of images and additional information.

At Simul, we are passionate about turning visions into reality. If you’re prepared to take your brand to unprecedented heights, reach out to us today and let’s embark on a journey together.

As the weather warms up and Summer is in full swing, here at Simul Digital we’re excited to announce the launch of a brand new partnership which will elevate our email marketing services and capability for clients.

We’ve joined forces with Klaviyo, world leaders in email marketing and comms automation. Established in 2012, Klaviyo believes in the power of data and technology to measure, track and record to optimise campaigns, drive sales and improve loyalty. 

By harnessing this data in the right way, we’re beginning to see some excellent growth among many of our ecommerce clients.

We’ve been hunting for a new comms provider for a while, having supported clients across several industry leading platforms, but never found the perfect fit for both service and capability.

Now several weeks into our partnership with Klaviyo, we have seamlessly integrated our clients’ systems and are well underway managing marketing & service email comms, tracking customer interactions, running triggered sales campaigns and leveraging cart abandonment opportunities to secure additional sales for clients.

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This partnership has really enabled us to deliver more for our clients by harnessing the power of Klaviyo’s world leading technology.

Just a few of the new features and capabilities that Klaviyo brings to our email marketing services include:

• Dynamic Data-based Communication: The advanced data-handling aspects that Klaviyo brings, means we are able to optimise marketing content based on recipient attributes and behaviour. This means that we can ensure customers are receiving comms about what they are interested in, searching for and buying to get the best performance from our marketing comms, all dynamically generated and updated in real-time, according to user behaviour.
  
  
• Total Broadcast Control: Offering ultimate flexibility in sending emails & customer communications. We can increase the likelihood of comms being opened and engaged with, as we can dynamically optimise broadcast time to maximise performance through the use of automated tracking and measurement.  Less worrying about ‘the right time to send’, when we know exactly when our comms best perform to recipients.
  
  
• Surprise & Delight Opportunities: With better handling and management of data come more opportunities to surprise and delight customers.  We’re now much better equipped to launch last minute special offers, sales, customer rewards and loyalty promotions, which is becoming essential for many of our clients. We can also support better things like tailored sends based on buying patterns, as well as birthday and anniversary offer emails which customers love. 
  
  
• Advanced Creative Capabilities: When it comes to designing, building and testing email content, Klaviyo is a leader, with seamless systems meaning that email creative and build is more efficient to build and easier to manage.  This can be a critical issue in some systems, and we’ve been very impressed when working on Klaviyo’s platform.

Though we’re only a few months into our brand new partnership, we’re seeing improved performance already across the board for those clients we have brought on board to manage their automated comms and email marketing.

If you want to learn more about how we can elevate your email marketing and customer comms to the next level, or see how we can deliver digital success for your business, get in touch today and let’s see how we can help.

Loyalty schemes have been around for many years, in different formats for both web stores and your typical high street shops.

The concept is simple: when a customer purchases a product, they are rewarded with points or tokens which are redeemable in a variety of ways.

We’re seeing these schemes become increasingly popular this year, it feels like almost every time you can make a purchase in a shop or cafe, there are points to collect and enjoy. We’re taking a brief look into the impact these schemes have on customers buying decisions and the potential financial impacts they have on businesses.

Loyalty programs have grown increasingly more popular amongst customers over the last 30 years, more so in the last decade for online ecommerce stores.

Some online sources suggest that upwards of 80% of customers UK wide are using or have used loyalty schemes which have impacted their buying decision & 91% of those surveyed also say they use more than one.

In recent months, we’ve built a few loyalty & reward programmes ourselves, implementing them seamlessly onto client websites – one of the most successful has been My Hair & Beauty Perks, which has seen resounding success with strong adoption amongst their customers.

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The Benefits of Loyalty Programmes

There are some amazing benefits for both customers and business owners to reap from loyalty programmes:

For Customers

• Discounts on products that they are interested in and enjoy
• Freebies offered to reward loyalty and make them feel appreciated
• Exclusive offers to tempt additional purchases or product ranges not normally bought

For Businesses

• Increased Customer Retention, as they grow their account balance with repeat purchases
• Increased New Customer Acquisition through Referral programs and opportunities to earn
• Data Acquisition – Customer info on buying patterns and preferences to support marketing
• Increased Product throughput to ensure a good flow of stock sold
• Higher Cart values from point and reward thresholds being set

Loyalty programs can provide some major benefits for both customers and businesses.

A very popular and successful loyalty programme that is somewhat ingrained into the everyday, and one that you may not even consider to be a loyalty programme is the Tesco Clubcard.

At the time of writing, the statistics for Tesco’s loyalty scheme shows around 20 million active sign ups and on average 80% of these registered users scan their card at checkout.

There is no clear indication into how much this card impacts the loyalty of Tesco’s customers, but you can’t hide from the fact that one of the UK’s leading supermarkets use this system as one of their core marketing functionalities.

The Drawbacks of Loyalty Programmes

There are more advantages of these systems out there, but there are also some key disadvantages too:

For Customers

• Relinquishing personal information to further marketing practices.
• Price inflation of products to counteract the offers being pushed.
• FOMO – feeling pressured to spend in shops where points are earned, not missing out on benefits

For Businesses

• Reduction In ROI from supplying ‘free’ products (some programs put daily limits in place to cap points earned)
• Investment needed to Manage Programmes, including software/app, data and managing redemptions.
• Target Audience Shift – change in customers buying or switching down to get maximum points with minimum spend.
• Highly Saturated Market – with so many offering programmes you must offer strong rewards to win sales

The biggest negative impact here seems to be for businesses where some owners are seeing a highly saturated system with offerings seemingly more and more out of reach.

They are seeing the quality of their customer base drop and a reduction of overall ROI due to the additional expense of managing these programmes and a reduction in sales due to price increases which no longer line up with the competition.

The Effectiveness of Loyalty Programmes

You can’t hide from the data that is easily soured across the web suggesting that these systems seemingly work and they may, just note that we are human after all and we are very much price driven. These schemes draw in an audience that typically falls under the class of a bargain shopper which also makes you question the name “Loyalty Program”.

Are we really loyal to the Brand or to the program? It is our belief that customers are truly loyal to brands not based on their programs but to how much we relate to their ethics and practices.

We are in an ever changing world where we are more environmentally conscious and look to purchase from companies who care about what we also care about as individuals.

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In Summary

For Businesses, these programmes can work out very well, but companies have to pay attention to the data. If they don’t have a grip of the key data points, programmes like these can easily run away, loyalty programmes have so much to offer in more ways than just direct revenue.

Question yourself, Price or Points? Does Loyalty Truly mean loyalty?

For Customers, look after your data as businesses who are savvy enough know how to play the system very well. During registration of these programmes companies state what their intentions are with your data and usually there is nothing sinister really going on here but it’s always good to be careful.

If you’re looking for a bargain and you are looking to support a business for a long period of time then these programmes can benefit you in numerous ways. Just remember that sometimes you may actually be paying more than a competitor for a similar product. 

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