Preferred Patron Loyalty

A loyalty program that carries the business's own brand

Preferred Patron is software for running a customer rewards scheme under a company's own name. The vendor stresses that it is not a shared community program: the business keeps ownership of all its customer data. Customers can be rewarded for purchases, for visits, or for both, and the interfaces run on the web, tablets, mobile devices and PCs.

Rewards, tiers and stamps

Rules for earning points, reward thresholds and customer levels are configurable. Stamps in digital form, gift cards and scratch-and-play games are also listed, so a shop can pick the mechanic that suits how often customers come back. Incentive campaigns can be added on top to push particular behavior, such as more frequent visits or a larger basket.

Messaging that runs by itself

Email and SMS campaigns are built into the platform and can run on autopilot, for example for birthdays, win-backs and milestones. The aim, as the vendor puts it, is to communicate more consistently without someone sending each message by hand.

Built for different stages of growth

The current site sorts its offer into small business loyalty programs, mid-market and franchise programs, and enterprise programs. It says the software connects with point-of-sale and ecommerce systems, and that results such as retention and revenue impact can be tracked in real time.

Why the vendor argues for loyalty

Its own explanation is that keeping an existing customer is cheaper than finding a new one, with a figure of five to seven times more quoted as the cost of acquisition. It argues that independent merchants face large retail chains and that a loyalty scheme builds data and repeat spending rather than simply giving stock away. It says the approach fits wholesalers, retailers, hotels, restaurants, dealerships and medical practitioners alike, a claim that is the vendor's own. The site also carries a research section and FAQs on loyalty.

Preferred Patron Loyalty is software for running a loyalty programme under a company's own brand. Customers can be rewarded for purchases, visits or both, and the business keeps ownership of its customer data.

Main features

• Points and tiers: configurable earning rules, reward thresholds and customer levels.
• Gift cards and stamps: digital stamps, gift cards and scratch-and-play rewards.
• Messaging automation: SMS and email campaigns for birthdays, win-backs and milestones.
• Reporting: retention and revenue tracking as it happens.
• Integrations: links with point-of-sale and online shop systems.

Clients

Small businesses, mid-sized and franchise brands and larger enterprises, across retail, hospitality, medical practices, automotive and entertainment.

Key facts

• Interfaces: web, tablet, mobile and PC
• Data: the business owns all of its data, not a shared community programme