Build Customer loyalty with apps

Smart Tools for Black Women Entrepreneurs to Build Customer Loyalty and Boost Revenue

Hey sis, let’s talk about your customers—the ones who already know and love your brand. They’re your bread and butter, and keeping them coming back is the key to hitting those revenue goals without running yourself ragged chasing new clients every month. Whether you’re building a rewards program, introducing a subscription model, or learning to use your numbers like a boss, the right tools can make your life a whole lot easier. We’ve rounded up 20 game-changing apps that will help you work smarter, not harder, when it comes to customer loyalty and retention. Let’s get into it.

Loyalty Programs: Your Secret Sauce to Boosting Revenue

Designing a customer loyalty program isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a game-changer for Black women entrepreneurs looking to build long-term relationships with their customers while increasing revenue. Loyalty programs make your customers feel valued, encourage repeat purchases, and turn one-time buyers into a tribe that grows your business.

But sis, we get it—creating and managing these programs on your own can feel overwhelming. That’s where the right tools come in. With platforms like Yotpo, Smile.io, and Kangaroo Rewards, you can set up points systems, cashback offers, or even VIP tiers that keep customers coming back for more. Plus, these tools free up your time so you can focus on what you do best. For more tips on keeping your customers happy, check out How Black-Owned Businesses Can Boost Revenue by Maximizing Customer Retention.

  • Yotpo Loyalty & Referrals
    Features: Points-based rewards, referral programs, VIP tiers.
    Best for: E-commerce businesses using Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce.
  • Smile.io
    Features: Points, VIP tiers, referral incentives, and integrations with major e-commerce platforms.
    Best for: Creating simple yet effective rewards programs.
  • Kangaroo Rewards
    Features: Points, cashback, SMS notifications, and gamified engagement.
    Best for: Retail businesses or brick-and-mortar stores.

Let Your Numbers Do the Talking

Sis, your numbers tell a story—are you listening? Using data-driven insights can make a world of difference when it comes to keeping customers engaged. Tools like RFM.io and Appreciate (by Coniq) help you understand your customers’ habits, preferences, and spending patterns. This knowledge allows you to design loyalty strategies that meet their needs and keep them coming back.

If crunching numbers feels intimidating, don’t worry. We’ve broken it down for you in How to Use Your Numbers to Keep Customers Coming Back – an essential read for any Black woman entrepreneur who wants to get comfortable with customer data.

  • RFM.io
    Features: Tracks recency, frequency, and monetary value of customers.
    Best for: Businesses wanting data-driven insights into loyal customers.
  • Loyalzoo
    Features: Digital loyalty cards, customer insights, and customizable rewards.
    Best for: Simple loyalty programs for local businesses.
  • Appreciate (by Coniq)
    Features: Personalized rewards, geofencing, and data analytics.
    Best for: Businesses wanting location-based customer engagement.

Keep Customers Coming Back with Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Happy customers are your best salespeople. Tools like ReferralCandy and Swell by Yotpo make it easy to create referral programs that encourage your customers to spread the word about your business. This strategy not only builds your brand’s credibility but also drives new traffic to your door.

  • ReferralCandy
    Features: Incentivized referral programs, customizable rewards, and analytics.
    Best for: Online businesses aiming to grow through word-of-mouth.
  • Swell by Yotpo
    Features: Rewards for actions like reviews, social shares, and repeat purchases.
    Best for: Multi-channel businesses wanting to gamify engagement.

Don’t sleep on the tools you already have, sis! Your CRM and email marketing system are likely packed with features designed to help you build stronger customer relationships and keep your audience engaged. Start by checking for automated email campaigns like welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, and re-engagement emails—these can do the heavy lifting when it comes to keeping your customers connected to your brand. Look for segmentation tools that let you group customers by behavior, purchase history, or preferences, so you can send personalized messages that hit the mark. Also, ask about analytics and reporting features that track metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and customer lifetime value (CLV)—these insights are gold for improving your retention strategies. And don’t forget to explore integrations! Many CRMs sync with loyalty apps or referral platforms, making it easier to manage everything in one place. If you’re not sure what’s available, reach out to your system’s support team and ask what features can help boost customer loyalty.

Ready to Take Action?

At Sistahbiz, members can access our Customer Retention Planning Workgroup in our online platform to strategize retention strategies like these. And to make tracking retention efforts even easier, our app features a customized goals page where members can monitor progress and see wins in real time. Learn more about the membership experience here.

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