How to set up a loyalty rewards program on a Shopify store?

Keeping customers happy and coming back is just as important as getting new ones. That’s why having a Shopify loyalty program is a smart move for any online Shopify store.

Think of it like this: every time someone shops, leaves a review, or refers a friend, they earn points or rewards. It’s a fun and easy way to say “thank you” and encourage them to return. That’s the power of a good Shopify rewards program.

In this easy step-by-step guide, I will show you how to set up your own loyalty program using a trusted Shopify rewards app. If you are a small business or using Shopify Plus, you will learn how to create a Shopify Plus loyalty program that keeps customers engaged and boosts repeat sales.

Let’s explore and build something your customers will love!

Why Loyalty Rewards Programs Are Essential for Shopify Stores

Loyalty rewards programs aren’t just nice to have, they are a must for long-term success. In today’s online shopping world, customers have endless options.

A good loyalty program gives them a reason to stick with you. It helps build trust, increases repeat purchases, and turns casual buyers into loyal brand fans.

Plus, it costs far less to keep an existing customer than to find a new one, making a loyalty program one of the smartest growth tools for your Shopify store.

Also Read: Benefits of Loyalty Programs for Shopify Stores: Boost Repeat Purchases and Customer Lifetime Value

Key Features of a Successful Loyalty Rewards Program

Before you start setting up your Shopify rewards program, it’s important to understand what makes it work.

A well-designed customer loyalty program Shopify stores can depend on should be simple, engaging, and flexible.

Here are the key features every successful loyalty program design should include:

1. Easy Point-Earning System: Make it effortless for customers to earn points by shopping, signing up, referring friends, or leaving reviews.
2. Reward Redemption Options: Let them redeem points for things they truly value, like discounts, free shipping, or exclusive gifts.
3. Tiered VIP Programs: Encourage more spending with VIP levels (e.g., Silver, Gold, Platinum) that unlock better benefits.
4. Real-Time Widget or Dashboard: Display a visible tracker so customers always know their point status, like a digital loyalty punch card.
5. Multi-Channel Integration: Keep users engaged through email, SMS, or web push, reminding them of rewards and point balances.

When choosing a loyalty app for small business, Shopify merchants must look for one that includes these features and gives them the flexibility to scale as their Shopify store grows. Whether you are just starting or planning a full Shopify Plus loyalty program, these tools will set you up for success.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Loyalty Program on a Shopify Store

Setting up a loyalty program might seem complex, but with the right tools and steps, it’s easier than you think.

Follow this step-by-step guide to create a smooth and rewarding experience for your Shopify customers.

Step 1: Choose the Right Loyalty Program Type

Every business has unique goals, products, and customer behavior, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to loyalty. Choosing the right loyalty program design is the first step toward building a program that drives engagement and repeat purchases.

Here are the four most common types of loyalty programs, along with what they offer:

When choosing the right program for your Shopify loyalty program, consider:

• How frequently do customers buy
• What motivates your audience: discounts, exclusivity, or freebies
• How much do you want to automate and scale over time

Your loyalty program should reflect your brand’s personality while making the experience fun and valuable for your customers.

If you are setting up a simple points system or a full-featured Shopify Plus loyalty program, the right structure makes all the difference.

Step 2: Select a Loyalty App from the Shopify App Store

Think of your Shopify loyalty app as the engine behind your rewards program. It’s what keeps things running, tracking points, handling redemptions, and making sure your customers have a smooth experience. Luckily, Shopify offers several great options to get you started:

• AiTrillion: A feature-rich solution that combines loyalty, email marketing, and automation—great for growing brands.
• Smile.io: Clean, easy to use, and loved by small to mid-sized stores for its simple points and referral system.
• Growave: A multi-functional app that goes beyond loyalty with reviews, wishlists, and social logins built in.

Each Shopify rewards app has its own strengths, and the best choice depends on your Shopify store’s size, goals, and budget. Whether you are a small business or scaling up with a Shopify Plus loyalty program, there’s a perfect match out there.

We have reviewed the top options to make your decision easier. Explore our full breakdown of the best Shopify loyalty rewards apps.

Step 3: Install and Enable the Loyalty App

Once you have chosen the loyalty app that fits your Shopify store’s needs, it’s time to get it up and running. The setup process is usually quick and requires just a few clicks:

• Search for your selected app on the Shopify App Store (e.g., AiTrillion).
• Install and launch the app directly from your Shopify admin.
• Enable the loyalty rewards module from the app’s dashboard or main menu to activate features like points, tiers, and referrals.

Most Shopify rewards apps will guide you with onboarding tips or setup wizards, so you are not starting from scratch.

Once activated, you will have access to all the tools needed to customize and build your Shopify loyalty program step by step, based on your brand and your customers.

Step 4: Set Up Earning Points

Your Shopify loyalty program starts with rewarding the right customer actions. Go to:

Loyalty Rewards > Set Up Program > Earn Points

Here, you will define how shoppers earn points through meaningful interactions with your Shopify store. A clear system encourages ongoing engagement and brand loyalty.

Common Earning Actions and Suggested Points

This system is your modern loyalty punch card, but better. It rewards real engagement and builds long-term relationships by turning everyday actions into points customers actually want to collect.

Customize the point values based on your Shopify store’s strategy and margins, and always keep the experience fun and rewarding.

Also Read: 15 Best Customer Loyalty Program Examples for Shopify App

Step 5: Set Up Redemption Options

Once customers start earning points, give them valuable ways to redeem them. Go to:

Loyalty Rewards > Set Up Program > Redeem Points

Offering a mix of rewards keeps your Shopify rewards program appealing to all types of shoppers.

Sample Redemption Tiers

By providing a mix of discounts, store credit, and exclusive benefits, you make your Shopify loyalty program flexible, exciting, and customer-focused.

Also Read: How Customer Loyalty Influences Customer Retention

Step 6: Customize the Loyalty Widget

Your widget is the face of your Shopify loyalty program; it lets customers track their points, view rewards, and stay engaged.

To customize it, go to:

Loyalty Rewards > Display On Store

What you can do:

• Match your brand: Choose colors and fonts that reflect your store’s style
• Set widget position: Place it at the bottom-left or bottom-right corner of your site
• Personalize messaging: Add custom text like “Check Your Rewards” or “Earn Points.”
• Enable the “Show” button: Make the widget visible on your storefront with one click

This small but powerful tool helps customers interact with your program easily, like a live digital loyalty punch card that keeps them coming back.

Step 7: Import Existing Loyalty Points

If you are switching from another platform, you don’t have to start over. You can retain all your customer loyalty data for a smooth transition.

• Go to: Loyalty Rewards > Members > Import Members
• Download the sample CSV template
• Fill in fields like Lifetime Points, Points Redeemed, and Available Points
• Upload the updated file to sync your data

This ensures your Shopify loyalty program continues without disrupting the customer experience.

Step 8: Assign or Change VIP Tiers

Recognize and reward your top customers by assigning VIP tiers manually:

• Go to: Loyalty Rewards > Members > Loyalty Members
• Select a customer’s profile
• Click Assign VIP Tier (e.g., Silver, Gold, Platinum)
• Choose the tier duration – temporary (e.g., 12 months) or lifetime

With a Shopify Plus loyalty program, these tier upgrades can even be automated based on customer behavior.

Step 9: Promote Your Loyalty Program Across Channels

A loyalty program is only effective if your customers know about it. The best way to promote your loyalty program on Shopify is to consistently use all your touchpoints:

• Add banners or announcement bars on your homepage
• Mention loyalty perks in your email and SMS flows
• Use popups on product, cart, or exit pages
• Highlight rewards and benefits on social media

The best loyalty app for small business supports these omnichannel promotions to boost sign-ups and participation.

Step 10: Track Performance and Optimize

To keep your program growing, review performance regularly:

• Track new sign-ups, point usage, and VIP tier engagement
• Analyze redemption rates and repeat purchases
• Tweak point values and reward tiers based on insights

Consistently reviewing data helps you fine-tune your loyalty rewards program, improve ROI, and keep customers engaged long-term.

Final Checklist Before Launch

Before you officially launch your Shopify loyalty program, take a moment to review everything and ensure your setup is complete. A smooth experience from the start helps build trust and encourages customers to join your program right away.

• App Installed & Enabled: Confirm your selected Shopify rewards app is properly installed and the loyalty module is active in your dashboard.
• Earning Rules Set: Make sure you have added all the point-earning actions, like purchases, reviews, sign-ups, and referrals, and tested how they work.
• Rewards Configured: Double-check your redemption options: Are the discounts, shipping rewards, or store credits set up correctly? Are the point thresholds fair?
• Widget Live on Store: Your loyalty widget should be visible on the storefront, branded to match your theme, and clearly labeled so customers can find and use it easily.
• Program Activated: Ensure your entire loyalty program is turned on and visible to customers through the app dashboard and store settings.

Pro Tip: Make a test purchase as a customer to walk through the full experience, from earning points to redeeming rewards. This helps catch any setup errors before going live.

Once all boxes are ticked, you are ready to launch a loyalty experience your customers will love and keep coming back for.

Best Practices When Setting Up Your Shopify Loyalty Program

A great loyalty program design doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to be thoughtful.

Here are a few tried-and-true practices to help you launch a rewards experience your customers will actually use and love:

1. Start Simple: Begin with 2–3 core actions like purchases, sign-ups, or reviews to keep the program easy to understand.
2. Make Rewards Attainable: Set realistic point goals so customers can quickly see the value and stay motivated.
3. Gamify with Tiers: Introduce VIP levels to reward loyal shoppers and encourage repeat purchases.
4. Automate Referral Bonuses: Allow your existing customers to bring in new ones while earning rewards.
5. Stay Consistent: Keep your rewards aligned with your brand and update them regularly to stay relevant.

By following these best practices, you will make your Shopify loyalty program more impactful, easier to manage, and more rewarding for your customers in the long run.

Loyalty Program Examples by Industry

You can explore how leading brands use loyalty programs to boost retention and engagement:

• Fashion & Apparel Loyalty Program Examples
• Beauty & Cosmetics Loyalty Rewards Ideas

These industry-specific breakdowns will give you actionable ideas to shape your own Loyalty & Referral Program for Shopify.

Final Thoughts

Loyalty isn’t bought, it’s earned, and a well-built Shopify loyalty program helps you earn it with every interaction. When done right, your Shopify loyalty rewards program becomes more than just a marketing tool; it becomes part of the customer experience.

With the right Shopify rewards app and a clear, thoughtful setup, you will build stronger connections, increase repeat purchases, and create a brand that customers genuinely enjoy returning to.

If you are stuck during setup, then you can book a free demo with our team. We are here to help you bring your loyalty vision to life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question: Why should a Shopify store use a loyalty program?

Answer: It boosts customer retention, increases lifetime value, and drives repeat sales. The Shopify Loyalty Rewards Program Guide shows why it’s a must-have for 2025.

Question: What mistakes reduce customer engagement in loyalty programs?

Answer: Confusing reward systems, high redemption limits, and a lack of personalization hurt engagement. Discover the Shopify Loyalty Program Mistakes to Avoid to improve customer loyalty.