Top 14 Tactics to Increase Loyalty Program Sign-Ups

For retailers and ecommerce brands, loyalty programs are now a core part of winning – and keeping – customers. They help build lasting customer relationships by rewarding people for coming back again and again.

Did You Know?

According to Validity, 72% of customers worldwide say they feel loyalty to at least one brand or company.

But here’s the thing: none of that matters if customers don’t sign up in the first place. Without that initial commitment, even the most creative program can fall short.

In this blog post, we’ll look at why sign-ups are the cornerstone of customer retention and profitability – and how you can get more of them. You’ll find 14 practical tactics to boost loyalty program sign-ups and set your program up for long-term success. By the end, you’ll have strategies you can start using right away to get your loyalty program working at its full potential.

Why Sign-Up Rates Matter for Loyalty Program Success

The success of a loyalty program can often be traced back to its sign-up rate.

Why? Because every sign-up represents a gateway to higher customer lifetime value (CLV) and better retention.

The more people join, the greater your potential return on investment (ROI).

Higher Enrollment = Bigger ROI

Industry data consistently shows a strong link between loyalty programs and business growth. Research shows that loyalty program members can drive 12–18% more revenue growth each year compared to non-members, according to the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science Research. These members also have a higher chance of returning for repeat purchases, driving steady revenue.

What’s Holding Customers Back?

Here are some common reasons potential members hesitate to enroll:

• Complicated sign-up processes
• Unclear benefits or rewards
• Lack of trust or perceived value
• Absence of motivation or urgency

You can break through these barriers with the right strategies – ones that make signing up simple, clear, and genuinely rewarding.

14 Tactics to Boost Loyalty Program Sign-Ups

Getting customers to join your loyalty program doesn’t have to be complicated. These 14 practical tactics will help you make sign-ups easy, appealing, and effective – so you can turn more shoppers into loyal fans.

Make Enrollment Effortless

A smooth sign-up process sets the tone for your entire loyalty program. Focus on removing unnecessary steps and keeping the experience intuitive from start to finish. Whether customers are joining in-store, online, or through a mobile app, the process should feel quick, clear, and convenient. The easier it is to join, the more likely customers are to take that first step.

See just how easy it is to enroll new customers in Loyal-n-Save using FTx POS. In this quick video, we walk you through the simple steps – from scanning driver’s licenses to attaching loyalty reward cards – so you can start boosting participation in minutes.

Showcase the Value Clearly

Customers need to see the benefits upfront. Use straightforward, compelling language that makes the rewards tangible – like “Earn $10 back for every $100 spent” or “Get exclusive early access to sales.” Being transparent about what members will gain builds trust and encourages sign-ups.

Reward Users Instantly

Offering an immediate benefit at sign-up creates instant gratification and reinforces the value of joining. Whether it’s a loyalty discount, free shipping, or bonus points, giving something right away makes customers feel appreciated and motivated to participate.

Promote Across Multiple Touchpoints

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Promote your loyalty program consistently across every channel your customers use – your website, email campaigns, social media, in-store signage, and even receipts. The more they see it, the more likely they are to join.

Embed Sign-Up in the Checkout Process

Checkout is the perfect moment to invite customers to join. Use tools like FTx Uplift to prompt enrollment with timely, relevant messages such as, “Sign up now and save 10% on today’s order!” This approach captures customers when they’re already engaged and ready to buy.

Want to make sure you never miss a sales opportunity? Join Amanda as she walks you through how FTx Uplift can automate upsell prompts right at checkout, motivate your team with rewards, and engage customers with personalized offers – all in one simple system.

Turn New Visitors into Members

Make a great first impression by welcoming new shoppers with dedicated sign-up prompts. Dynamic website banners or pop-ups offering a special incentive – like a discount on their first purchase – can encourage visitors to join right away.

Use Countdown Timers for Limited-Time Offers

Creating urgency motivates action. Add countdown clocks to your sign-up offers to spark a “now or never” feeling. For example, “Join within the next 48 hours to earn 500 bonus points!” can push hesitant customers to take immediate action.

Gamify the Experience

Make signing up fun by incorporating gamification. Elements like reward wheels, progress bars, or point milestones add excitement and boost engagement, turning enrollment into an enjoyable experience.

Create Tiered Membership Levels

Offer tiered levels – like Silver, Gold, and Platinum – that unlock better rewards as members progress. This not only incentivizes sign-ups but also encourages ongoing engagement as customers strive to reach higher status and exclusive perks.

Add Referral Incentives

Leverage the power of word-of-mouth by rewarding both current members and their friends for referrals. For example, “Refer a friend and you both get $10 off your next order.” Referral programs build trust and can dramatically expand your membership base.

Leverage Customer Reviews & Social Proof

Showcase testimonials and positive reviews from happy members to build credibility. Seeing real feedback makes potential customers feel more confident about joining your program.

Use Visual Banners & Pop-Ups

Eye-catching visuals grab attention and make it easy for visitors to explore your loyalty program. Strategic placement of banners, sidebars, and exit-intent pop-ups can increase sign-ups without disrupting the shopping experience.

Offer Sign-Up Incentives Based on Behavior

Personalize rewards based on customer actions. Programs like Loyal-n-Save’s Auto Trigger Campaigns provide instant incentives for milestones such as signing up or celebrating anniversaries, making customers feel recognized and valued.

Join Zack as he breaks down the different types of loyalty campaigns available in Loyal-n-Save – from point multipliers and punch-card style rewards to event-triggered offers and exciting raffles. This quick video shows how to set up campaigns that keep customers coming back.

Train Your Staff to Promote It

Your team is your best advocate. Equip your in-store employees and customer service reps with the knowledge and tools to naturally introduce the loyalty program and its benefits during interactions. Personal recommendations can significantly boost sign-ups.

How to Measure and Improve Your Loyalty Program Performance

Getting customers to sign up for your loyalty program is a great first step – but it’s not the finish line. True success comes from building ongoing engagement and ensuring your program delivers long-term value. By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) consistently, you can uncover what’s working, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions that drive growth.

Here’s what you should be measuring:

Sign-Up Rates

Track how many new customers join over a set period. Look closely at when and where sign-ups happen – whether that’s in-store at checkout, through your website, or via promotions. Once you know which channels bring in the most members, you can focus your efforts on amplifying those successes.

Redemption Rates

Redemption activity tells you whether members find your rewards appealing. High redemption rates indicate strong engagement, while low numbers might mean your rewards are too difficult to earn, not desirable enough, or not well-promoted.

Customer Retention Rate

Measure how often members return compared to non-members. If loyalty members are coming back more frequently, it’s a strong signal your program is delivering value. A low retention rate could mean your program needs a boost in benefits or relevance.

Average Order Value (AOV)

Compare spending patterns between members and non-members. Ideally, members should be spending more per transaction. If they’re not, consider exclusive member-only offers, product bundles, or targeted upsell campaigns.

Interesting Read: POS Loyalty Program: Boost Customer Loyalty with A POS System

Active Participation Rate

Sign-ups alone don’t guarantee success. You also need to see how many members are actively earning and redeeming rewards over time. Declining participation rates could mean your rewards aren’t enticing enough or your promotions aren’t reaching your audience.

Referral Rate

If your loyalty program includes a referral component, track how many new customers join through member recommendations. High referral numbers indicate strong brand advocacy and customer satisfaction.

Churn Rate

Monitor how many members stop participating or drop out altogether. A rising churn rate could signal an overly complicated program, lack of fresh rewards, or simply that members aren’t reminded enough of the benefits.

Turn Sign-Ups into Long-Term Loyalty

By now, it’s clear that the first step to loyalty program success is perfecting your sign-up strategy. From simplifying the process to leveraging tactics like instant rewards, gamification, and behavioral incentives, you can maximize enrollment – and turn sign-ups into long-term retention.

Remember, getting customers to join your program isn’t the end goal. It’s about building deeper, lasting connections through continuous engagement, relevant rewards, and consistent improvement. Start implementing these tactics today, and watch as your loyalty program becomes a powerful engine for growth.