A stellar customer onboarding experience can be the difference between a one-time buyer and a lifelong brand advocate. A well-designed onboarding rewards program is your secret weapon for turning new users into raving fans.
At MarTech Experts, we consistently innovate ways to onboard customers easily. Let us share 10 innovative approaches to customer onboarding rewards, complete with real-world inspirations and actionable tips. Whether you’re a SaaS startup or a retail giant, you’ll find ideas to supercharge your onboarding process and keep your customers coming back for more.
1. The ‘Knowledge is Power’ Approach
Offer free training sessions, webinars, and educational content as part of your onboarding process. This approach empowers customers to get the most out of your product or service, reducing friction and increasing perceived value.
SaaS companies can offer free certifications and courses to new users, helping them master their software while getting familiar with the platform. You can consider creating a “Fast Track to Success” program with bite-sized daily lessons for the first 30 days, rewarding completion with a special badge or certificate.
2. VIP Treatment
Give new customers temporary access to premium features normally reserved for higher-tier plans. This allows customers to experience the full potential of your product, increasing the likelihood of upgrades.
Design tool companies can offer a 30-day free trial of their Pro version to new users, giving them access to premium templates, fonts, and features. You can try creating a “Premium Feature of the Week” spotlight, introducing one high-value feature at a time to avoid overwhelming new users.
3. The ‘Money Talks’ Strategy
Offer cash bonuses, discounts, or credits for completing onboarding tasks or making initial purchases. Tangible financial rewards provide immediate gratification and encourage engagement.
Online banking companies can offer a significant cash bonus for opening a new checking account and setting up direct deposit. Consider implementing a tiered reward system where completing more onboarding steps unlocks bigger discounts or bonuses.
4. Loyalty Builder
Reward new customers with loyalty points or exclusive membership benefits right from the start. This gives customers an immediate stake in your loyalty program, encouraging long-term engagement.
Retailers can offer points on the first purchase and access to exclusive events for new members of their loyalty program. You can try launching a “Loyalty Boost” week once a quarter where new members can earn double or triple points on all activities.
5. The Personal Touch
Send personalized welcome gifts tailored to each new customer’s preferences or needs. This creates a memorable first impression and shows customers you value their individual needs.
Personalized styling services can send customized clothing selections as part of their initial box for new subscribers. They can allow customers to choose their welcome gift from a curated selection, increasing the likelihood they’ll receive something they truly value.
6. Community Builder
Invite new customers to join an exclusive community or forum as part of the onboarding process. This fosters a sense of belonging and provides peer support, increasing product stickiness.
A fitness equipment company recently added new users to their members-only social media group, where they can share achievements and get workout tips. Try hosting monthly “New Member Mixers” in your community, facilitating connections between new and veteran users.
7. Progress Motivator
Use game-like elements and visual progress tracking to make onboarding more engaging. This taps into our natural desire for achievement and provides clear feedback on progress.
Language learning apps can use a streak system and experience points to keep learners engaged during their initial learning phase.
8. The Guided Journey
Develop step-by-step interactive tutorials that guide new users through your product’s key features. This ensures users don’t miss crucial features and provides hands-on learning experiences.
A team communication platform’s onboarding process includes interactive tutorials that guide users through creating channels, sending messages, and using key features. Implement a “Choose Your Own Adventure” style onboarding where users can select which features they want to learn about first.
9. Feedback Loop
Offer rewards or recognition for providing feedback during the onboarding process. This shows users their opinion is valued and provides valuable insights for your team.
A vacation rental platform offers travel credits to hosts who provide detailed feedback after their first hosting experience. Create a “Product Council” for highly engaged new users, giving them early access to new features in exchange for regular feedback.
10. Surprise and Delight
Include unexpected rewards or upgrades at various points in the onboarding journey. Surprises create memorable experiences and positive associations with your brand.
An online pet supply retailer sometimes sends hand-painted portraits of pets to new customers, creating a delightful and shareable moment. Implement a “Lucky Day” system where a randomly selected new user each day receives a significant upgrade or bonus.
Your Onboarding Rewards Action Plan
Now that you’re brimming with ideas, here’s a quick action plan to implement an effective onboarding rewards program:
- Assess your current onboarding to identify pain points and drop-off areas.
- Select 2-3 strategies from the list above that align with your brand and customer needs.
- Define clear success metrics (e.g., increased product adoption, higher retention rates).
- Create a detailed plan for each reward, including triggers and delivery methods.
- Start with a small group of new users and gather feedback before rolling out widely.
- Regularly review key metrics and be prepared to adjust your program as needed.
Or you can contact our expert customer onboarding consultants to help you boost adoption and build loyalty using our platform.
Remember, the best onboarding rewards program is one that genuinely adds value for your customers while aligning with your business goals.
Are you ready to get started? Contact us now for a free consultation.
