Loyalty programs are essential for modern businesses looking to boost customer retention and maximize lifetime value. They help reduce customer acquisition costs, foster deeper connections, and drive repeat purchases. However, their success depends on the right implementation strategy.
Quick Response (QR) Codes and short links are complementary tools that enhance customer engagement in loyalty programs, simplifying sign-ups and access to rewards while providing valuable insights. These tools make it easier for customers to interact with your program and for businesses to track and optimize performance.
In this article, we’ll show you how to use QR Codes and short links to increase loyalty program sign-ups and improve the customer journey. Plus, we’ll explore how Bitly can help streamline the process and elevate your programs’ effectiveness.
Note: The brands and examples discussed below were found during our online research for this article.
Why businesses should care about loyalty program engagement
Think about the brands you love. Chances are, you’re not just a one-time shopper—you’re a repeat customer because they’ve found a way to make you feel valued. Whether it’s a special discount, exclusive content, or simply a seamless user experience, loyalty programs are built to help businesses do just that: create lasting relationships with their customers.
These programs aren’t just about offering rewards—they’re about creating connections. When these connections are nurtured, they lead to more than just repeat business—they cultivate deeper brand loyalty.
A recent study found that 52% of U.S. consumers belong to at least one customer loyalty program, and 62% are involved in three or more. This presents a major opportunity for businesses to build trust, stand out, and foster brand advocacy—whether through social media or word-of-mouth—ultimately contributing to long-term revenue.
The connection between engagement and retention
It’s no secret that keeping customers is cheaper than finding new ones. In fact, brands can spend up to seven times more acquiring new customers than retaining existing ones. That’s why a solid engagement strategy is so important—it helps you keep the customers you have, saving you time and money.
Loyalty programs encourage repeat business by rewarding customers with discounts, points, or other incentives. When customers feel recognized and appreciated for their commitment, they’re more likely to stick around, building a lasting bond with your brand.
Customer expectations for seamless experiences
Today’s customers expect a smooth, easy experience, and loyalty programs are no exception. They don’t want to jump through hoops to earn points or navigate complex reward systems—they crave simplicity and convenience. That’s why they’re drawn to intuitive and tech-driven programs, like apps that let them track rewards in real time.
If your system is clunky or takes too much time to set up, customers are likely to lose interest and move on. But when it’s streamlined and easy to understand, they feel prioritized, encouraging them to return for more.
Building emotional connections through engagement
At its core, loyalty is about emotional connection. Personalized rewards or thoughtful gestures can go a long way in making your patrons feel appreciated. When your loyalty program rewards align with a customer’s preferences or past purchases, you show that you understand them as individuals.
For instance, sending a birthday reward or a tailored thank-you note after a purchase can work wonders—it shows customers that you see them as more than just a transaction. Meaningful interactions foster deeper relationships and create a sense of trust and belonging that keeps customers coming back.
How to measure loyalty program engagement
The value of reward programs is undeniable—Starbucks Rewards members account for more than 50% of the company’s sales, and Sephora’s members drive most of its U.S. revenue. But success like this isn’t always guaranteed—to achieve it, your program needs to meet customers’ expectations and keep them actively participating.
That’s where engagement tracking comes in. By monitoring key metrics, you gain valuable insights into how customers are interacting with your program. This helps you determine its effectiveness, identify what resonates best with your target audience, and make well-informed decisions for improvement.
Here are some ways to measure loyalty program engagement:
Tracking redemption rates
Tracking redemption rates is one of the simplest ways to measure engagement. The frequency at which customers redeem their rewards shows you how valuable they find your program and how well it meets their needs. A high redemption rate means your program is engaging customers effectively, while a low rate suggests there’s room for adjustments.
You can track this metric in various ways—by integrating your program with your point of sale (POS), using loyalty program solutions with built-in tracking, or linking Google Analytics with your loyalty program’s webpage.
Google Analytics provides more granular metrics alongside redemption rates, such as website traffic and customer purchase patterns. Combine Bitly Analytics and Google Analytics for even deeper insights into how your audience engages with your loyalty program, as well as the effectiveness of your QR Codes and short links in driving customer interactions.
Monitoring QR Code and short link engagements
QR Codes and short links may seem like simple innovations, but they pack a big punch when it comes to tracking customer interactions. These tools provide actionable data that helps you see how customers interact with your program and gauge its overall effectiveness.
Tools like Bitly Analytics allow you to track how many customers scan your codes or click your short links, and it provides insights into where those interactions are coming from. This information helps you pinpoint the offerings that resonate most with your audience and identify the locations or customer segments with the highest engagement rates.
If you’re running multiple QR Code or short link-based quick service restaurant (QSR) loyalty programs, tracking engagement can give you a clear picture of which promotions are driving the most sign-ups and repeat visits. For example, you could track the success of limited-time offers, combo meal deals, or seasonal rewards in real time. With this data, you can refine your strategy to keep customers engaged and optimize the program’s overall impact.
Measuring repeat engagement
Monitoring sign-ups is a great starting point for measuring your program’s effectiveness, but it doesn’t tell the full story. Some people may sign up and never engage. To truly measure interactions, you need to track repeat visits to your program’s platform or app.
Frequent visits indicate that customers aren’t just signing up—they’re actively participating and finding value in your offerings. This level of engagement suggests customer satisfaction with your program structure and rewards, serving as a strong indicator that you’re on the right track.
Tracking repeat visits also provides deeper insights into what drives customer engagement. You can identify which offerings or promotions generate the most visits during peak periods, helping you optimize future campaigns.
Luckily, you don’t need to track these visits manually. Using an analytics platform like Google Analytics, which works seamlessly with Bitly Analytics, gives you granular details on customer behavior and engagement.
Examples of how to use QR Codes for loyalty program engagement
QR Codes are transforming loyalty programs by making them more interactive and accessible. They’re an easy way to link customers directly to rewards, gamify programs, and track engagement in real time.
With Bitly Codes, you can connect customers to your program URLs or landing pages from physical touchpoints. This bridges the gap between online and offline experiences, making it simple for customers to engage with your program no matter where they are.
Let’s dive into a few practical ways you can use QR Codes to boost reward program engagement:
Scanning for exclusive rewards
One of the simplest ways to include QR Codes in your program is by allowing customers to unlock rewards and discounts by scanning designated codes. It’s a quick and effortless way to make them feel special. You can even create personalized loyalty programs with QR Codes by linking them to pages with tailored offers based on customers’ purchase history or preferences.
Include clear and compelling calls to action (CTAs) to make them even more effective. These should tell patrons exactly what to expect when they scan. Examples of concise CTAs include “Scan to unlock your exclusive reward now” or “Scan to claim your special discount.”
Enabling in-store signups
QR Codes can increase loyalty sign-ups by making the process quick and easy. Instead of filling out forms or manually entering personal information, new customers can simply scan a code to sign up on the spot—eliminating roadblocks that are common with traditional enrollment methods.
To boost visibility and signups, place QR Codes strategically at high-traffic areas such as point-of-sale displays or checkout counters. This allows customers to interact with them while they’re already in the buying mindset, making the registration seamless and convenient. It’s a no-fuss way to encourage more enrollments.
Gamifying rewards programs
Gamify your loyalty program to create interactive customer experiences using QR Codes. For example, you can link customers to a URL with a digital wheel where they can earn points, freebies, discounts, or prizes. This adds an exciting and engaging element to your program that keeps customers coming back for more.
To draw attention to these codes, you need to make them stand out—Bitly’s QR Code customization features allow you to adjust colors, select unique frames and patterns, and upload your logo, boosting their visibility and encouraging engagement.
Sharing loyalty account balance
QR Codes on receipts or emails can also link customers directly to their loyalty account balance and reward details. This gives them a clear view of how many points they’ve earned and what rewards they can redeem, making the program more user-friendly and transparent.
Consider using Dynamic QR Codes for this purpose. They allow you to change the linked content or destination URLs without needing to reprint the codes. This means you can direct customers to pages with their point balance and then seamlessly redirect them to reward pages for easy redemption.
Collecting customer feedback
To improve your loyalty program, gathering customer feedback is essential. By understanding your customer’s needs and preferences, you can create a more meaningful experience while refining your products and services to align with their expectations.
Linking QR Codes to landing pages with short surveys or feedback forms allows loyal customers to easily share their thoughts, providing valuable insights to help refine your program.
Promoting seasonal bonuses
QR Codes can also link consumers to time-sensitive offers, such as double points during the holiday season or exclusive rewards that are only available for a limited time. A simple scan lets members instantly access these seasonal bonuses, motivating them to engage further with your brand.
To create a sense of urgency, consider including countdown timers on the linked webpage, showing customers how long they have to redeem these bonuses.
Examples of how to use short links for loyalty program engagement
Just like QR Codes, short links are strategic additions to your program. When implemented effectively, they can amplify your online campaigns, leading to more engagement and, consequently, repeat purchases and customer retention. Here are some great ways to use short links to achieve these benefits:
Driving traffic to loyalty program pages through clicks
Short links can help drive traffic directly to your loyalty program landing pages when added to digital touchpoints, making sign-ups a breeze. They also simplify access to important details, such as program tiers, available rewards, and any criteria customers need to meet to qualify for special offers.
The best part? Tools like Bitly’s URL shortener give you real-time click analytics, helping you see whether your link placements effectively drive traffic and engage your audience.
Including links in email campaigns
An impressive 58% of email users check their emails before anything else online, which makes email a powerhouse for engaging loyalty program members. However, to make the most of this opportunity, you need to ensure your emails stand out and encourage action.
Short links give your email campaigns the boost they need. By incorporating them into your promotional emails, you give customers instant access to your loyalty program page, making it easy for them to find what they need without any extra effort. Plus, when branded with your custom domain name, these links help reinforce brand recognition and can lead to higher click-through rates.
Promoting rewards through SMS campaigns
SMS is an excellent channel for engaging customers who are already part of your loyalty program. SMS links can direct members to program perks, such as discounts or special offers, making it easy for them to redeem rewards on the go.
One of the main benefits of using short links in SMS is that they fit neatly within the 160-character limit of standard messages. This ensures you don’t have to worry about exceeding the limit—just focus on delivering the essential information. When you use a tool like Bitly’s URL shortener, you can also personalize your links with your custom domain, putting your brand front and center.
Sharing loyalty updates on social media
Short links are a great way to direct traffic to new rewards or exclusive offers on social media. Because they’re compact, they can easily be shared across platforms—even those with character limitations like X (formerly Twitter). This helps you get more eyes on your latest offerings.
You can use short links in posts, bios, story features, and captions across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. To determine which medium drives the most engagement, create unique URLs for each and monitor their click-through rates.
Alternatively, adding UTM (Urchin Tracking Module) parameters to each link helps you pinpoint which platform drives the most traffic and engagement.
Encouraging app downloads
This is an excellent use case for short links if you have a loyalty program mobile app. Whether shared via email, social media, or SMS, these links direct customers to the appropriate app store pages, making the download and enrollment processes seamless.
Offering this level of convenience can encourage more downloads, leading to increased signups and greater engagement with your program.
Using QR Codes and short links together for a cohesive loyalty program approach
Customer engagement trends show that modern consumers value omnichannel experiences, meaning they expect a seamless journey across both online and offline touchpoints. The good news is that QR Codes and short links work together to provide that cohesive experience.
Flexible customer touchpoints
By combining QR Codes and short links, you ensure consistent messaging across both print and digital marketing channels. Customers can easily access the same destination, whether they scan a code or click a link.
Use QR Codes on offline materials like flyers, receipts, and business signage, and short links on digital or SMS channels. This gives customers the flexibility to choose their preferred method of engagement, whether on physical marketing materials or through social media and SMS.
Personalized engagement options
QR Codes and short links offer a powerful way to deliver personalized experiences for your customers. They can lead them to tailored landing pages with unique rewards or localized offers based on their purchase histories, locations, and previous interactions with your brand.
Let’s say you’re a clothing retailer—you can use links in email campaigns to send customers custom rewards based on their clothing preferences. You can then use the same URLs to create QR Codes and add them to in-store signage, product packaging, or clothing tags. This ensures that no matter how customers interact—digitally or physically—they have access to the same personalized content.
Holistic tracking and optimizing of engagement efforts
One of the key advantages of using QR Codes and short links in your loyalty program is the ability to track and measure engagement. Tools like Bitly allow you to monitor key metrics, such as total QR Code scans and link clicks, as well as engagement by location. This data provides valuable insights into customer behavior and helps you optimize future campaigns.
For instance, you can adjust your targeting strategy to maximize your return on investment (ROI) by identifying where your highest and lowest engagement rates occur. Tracking interactions from both QR Codes and short links also gives you a comprehensive view of which channels resonate most with your audience.
Suppose you’re using QR Codes on print materials like receipts and short links on digital channels like social media—tracking both will help you determine which option performs better, allowing you to refine your marketing strategy and allocate resources more effectively.
Why Bitly is the right choice for promoting your loyalty program
Bitly is an ideal platform for any rewards campaign involving QR Codes and short links. Whether you’re looking to increase sign-ups or enhance engagement after registration, the Bitly Connections Platform offers everything you need to succeed. Here’s why:
Customizable QR Codes and short links
Bitly gives you control over your Dynamic QR Code design, ensuring cohesive branding. You can choose unique patterns, corners, and colors for your codes and even add your logo or custom text in the center. This customization helps your codes stand out and builds customer recognition. This is crucial for fostering trust and engagement—customers are more likely to scan a familiar, branded code than a generic one.
Bitly also allows you to personalize short URLs. You can use your own domain and customize the back half of the link to give your audience a clear idea of the destination. Instead of sharing a generic link like:
https://bit.ly/9y4txyz
you can customize it to something more meaningful, like:
https://yrb.rnd/loyalty-sign-up
This level of customization creates a more seamless, branded experience for your customers, which helps strengthen their connection to your program and drive better results.
Analytics for actionable insights
The Bitly Connections Platform provides valuable tracking and analytics tools that give you real-time performance data for all your Bitly Codes and Links in one central location: Bitly Analytics.
Bitly Analytics includes several key metrics to track and analyze your program’s performance:
- Total engagements (for both Bitly Codes and Links)
- Clicks and scans over time
- Clicks and scans by location
- Clicks and scans by referrer
You also have access to more granular metrics such as:
- Scans and clicks by operating system
- Scans by browser
- Week-over-week change
This data not only helps you gauge loyalty program engagement but also gives you valuable insights into customer behavior, such as their locations and preferred devices. You can use this information to optimize your program and marketing campaigns. For example, if you notice high engagement in New York City, you can focus your resources and marketing efforts in that area to maximize conversions.
Seamless integration with marketing platforms
Bitly’s integration capabilities are another key reason why it’s an excellent choice for your campaign. It works smoothly with a wide variety of email, SMS, and social media tools to enhance brand loyalty campaigns and create efficient workflows.
Bitly integrations that can be especially helpful for your campaign include:
- Canva: Perfect for creating marketing assets like flyers, with the added benefit of seamlessly incorporating Bitly Codes into your designs.
- utm.io: Ideal for adding UTM parameters to your links to track campaign performance.
- Bybrand: Useful for email-based customer loyalty program campaigns.
- Sprout Social, Hootsuite, and Buffer: These integrations make it easy to add short links to social media posts, streamlining your social media campaigns.
Scalable solutions for growing businesses
Bitly’s platform supports businesses of all sizes, from local shops to global brands, by offering different pricing plans that cater to a variety of needs. Small businesses that only need a few QR Codes and short links per month can choose from the cost-effective Free, Core, and Growth Plans. Larger businesses with more extensive needs can opt for the Premium and Enterprise Plans, which offer tailored features.
What’s even better is that as your business evolves, you can easily upgrade your plan without losing any of your existing Bitly Links, Bitly Codes, or Bitly Pages.
Invest in QR Codes and short links to grow your loyalty program
QR Codes and short links can truly transform your loyalty program. They provide seamless access to sign-up and rewards redemption pages, making it easier for customers to engage with your offerings. Even better, when used together, they can elevate your campaign and offer valuable insights into customer behavior.
With the Bitly Connections Platform, low engagement can be a thing of the past. The platform streamlines the creation of short links and QR Codes while offering powerful customization, tracking, and scalability features. It helps you promote brand recognition, monitor engagement, and expand your program as your business grows—all in one place.
Sign up for Bitly today to take your loyalty program to the next level with custom, trackable short links and QR Codes!
