Overview
Online distribution allows you to promote your digital loyalty card across various digital channels, reaching customers wherever they engage with your brand online. By strategically sharing your loyalty card link and QR code through websites, social media, email, and messaging apps, you can grow your program beyond physical location visitors and build a loyal customer base.
Tip: Online distribution lets you reach customers before they even visit your location, building anticipation and ensuring they're ready to earn rewards from their very first purchase.
What you can do:
Share your loyalty card link on your website and social media profiles
Include QR codes in email signatures and newsletters
Promote cards through SMS and messaging apps
Add loyalty card links to online advertisements
Distribute through Google My Business and online directories
Create QR codes for digital marketing materials
Reach customers before they visit your physical location
Before You Begin
Requirements:
Active loyalty card program in your Perkstar account
Loyalty card installation link (generated automatically for each card)
Access to your digital channels (website, social media, email)
Basic understanding of your target audience and where they spend time online
Info: Online distribution works best as part of an integrated strategy. Combine multiple channels for maximum reach, and ensure consistent messaging across all platforms.
Understanding Your Loyalty Card Link
Every loyalty card in Perkstar has a unique installation link.
What the Link Does
Direct installation:
Opens directly in customer's mobile wallet app
One-click installation to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
No app download required
Works on both iOS and Android devices
Universal compatibility:
Desktop users see instructions to scan with mobile device
Mobile users get instant installation option
Link works across all browsers and devices
Finding Your Card Link
Your loyalty card link is available in your Perkstar account:
Step 1: Navigate to your Cards section
Step 2: Select the card you want to promote
Step 3: Look for the installation link or share options in the card details
Step 4: Copy the link for use in your digital channels
Note: Some platforms also allow you to generate QR codes that link to the same installation page, giving customers flexibility in how they access your program.
Distribution Channels
Website Integration
Your website is the central hub for your digital presence—make your loyalty card easily accessible:
Homepage placement:
Add a prominent "Join Our Loyalty Program" button in the header or hero section
Include QR code image that mobile visitors can screenshot and save
Feature benefits and call-to-action above the fold
Navigation menu:
Add "Loyalty Program" or "Rewards" link to main navigation
Ensure link is visible on every page
Consider sticky header for constant visibility
Footer links:
Include loyalty program link in footer for accessibility
Add to "Customer Service" or "About Us" sections
Useful for customers specifically seeking loyalty information
Dedicated landing page:
Create a page explaining your loyalty program benefits
Include prominent call-to-action buttons with installation link
Showcase rewards, testimonials, and success stories
Optimize for search engines (SEO) with relevant keywords
Pop-ups and banners:
Timed pop-up offering loyalty card enrollment
Exit-intent pop-up for visitors leaving without joining
Sticky banner at top or bottom of pages
Balance: Don't overwhelm—use strategically to avoid annoyance
Checkout page:
Remind customers to join before completing purchase
"Join now and earn points on this order" messaging
Link or QR code easily accessible during checkout flow
Social Media Channels
Leverage your social media presence to reach engaged followers:
Profile bio/description:
Instagram: Add loyalty card link to bio (only clickable link location)
Facebook: Include in "About" section and page description
Twitter/X: Add to profile bio
LinkedIn: Include in company description
TikTok: Add to bio link
Posts and stories:
Regular posts highlighting program benefits
"Swipe up" links in Instagram stories (10k+ followers)
QR code images in feed posts for followers to screenshot
Video tutorials showing how to join and use the card
Customer testimonials and success stories
Pinned posts:
Pin a post about your loyalty program to top of profile
Ensures visibility for all profile visitors
Update periodically with new offers or milestones
Social media ads:
Facebook/Instagram ads with loyalty card link
Target specific demographics or interests
Retarget website visitors who didn't join
Promote special sign-up bonuses or limited-time offers
Call-to-action buttons:
Facebook pages allow custom CTA buttons
Link directly to loyalty card installation
Options like "Sign Up," "Join Now," or "Learn More"
Email Marketing
Email is a direct channel to customers who've already shown interest:
Email signatures:
Add loyalty program link to all staff email signatures
Include QR code image or clickable button
Brief tagline: "Join our rewards program and start saving!"
Welcome emails:
Send loyalty card link to new customers immediately after first purchase
Explain benefits and how to get started
Include clear call-to-action button
Newsletter campaigns:
Feature loyalty program in regular newsletters
Highlight new rewards or program updates
Showcase member benefits and exclusive offers
Include success stories from loyal customers
Promotional emails:
Offer sign-up bonuses in dedicated loyalty campaign emails
"Join today and get 10 bonus points" or similar incentives
Time-sensitive offers create urgency
Transactional emails:
Order confirmations: "Don't forget to join our loyalty program!"
Shipping notifications: Include loyalty card link for future orders
Receipt emails: Reminder to earn points on next purchase
SMS and Messaging Apps
Mobile messaging offers direct, immediate communication:
SMS campaigns:
Send loyalty card link via text message
Short, clear message with benefit statement
Include link shortener for cleaner appearance
Comply with SMS marketing regulations (opt-in required)
WhatsApp Business:
Add loyalty program link to automated messages
Include in welcome messages for new contacts
Share QR code image for easy scanning
Create status updates promoting the program
Facebook Messenger:
Automated chatbot responses with loyalty link
Direct messages to engaged customers
Messenger ads with loyalty enrollment option
Telegram/Signal:
Share in broadcast lists or channels
Community groups for loyal customers
Exclusive updates for members
Google My Business
Optimize your Google Business Profile for local discovery:
Profile links:
Add loyalty program as a custom link
Appears prominently on your Google Business listing
Visible in search results and Google Maps
Posts:
Create Google Business posts about loyalty program
Include call-to-action and link
Refresh regularly to stay visible
Q&A section:
Answer "Do you have a loyalty program?" questions
Include installation link in answers
Proactively add questions and answers
Online Directories and Review Sites
Leverage third-party platforms where customers find you:
Yelp business page:
Include loyalty program in business description
Mention in responses to reviews
Share updates about program benefits
TripAdvisor:
Add to "About" section
Mention in owner responses to reviews
Industry-specific platforms:
Restaurant booking sites (OpenTable, Resy)
Fitness platforms (ClassPass, Mindbody)
Beauty/spa booking sites (Fresha, Vagaro)
Add loyalty program information wherever your business appears
Online Advertising
Paid advertising can accelerate loyalty program growth:
Google Ads:
Search ads targeting relevant keywords
Display ads with loyalty enrollment call-to-action
Link directly to loyalty card installation page
Social media ads:
Facebook/Instagram sponsored posts
Target lookalike audiences based on current members
Retarget website visitors who didn't join
Retargeting campaigns:
Show loyalty ads to people who visited your site
Remind them of the benefits they're missing
Time-limited sign-up bonuses to encourage action
Creating Effective Online Promotions
Compelling Messaging
Focus on benefits:
"Earn rewards with every purchase"
"Get exclusive member-only offers"
"Save money on things you already buy"
"Join free in seconds—no app download needed"
Create urgency:
"Join this week and get 50 bonus points"
"Limited time: Double points for new members"
"First 100 members get exclusive reward"
Remove friction:
"Join in under 30 seconds"
"No app to download—works with Apple/Google Wallet"
"Start earning immediately"
Social proof:
"Join 5,000+ happy members"
"Rated 5 stars by our customers"
"See what our members are saying"
Visual Elements
QR codes:
Share as images in posts and stories
Can be screenshotted and scanned later
Works well for offline-to-online bridge
Branded graphics:
Eye-catching designs with program benefits
Consistent branding across all channels
Mobile-optimized for social media
Video content:
Quick tutorials showing how to join
Customer testimonials
Rewards showcase
"A day in the life of a member"
Call-to-action buttons:
Bright, contrasting colors
Action-oriented text: "Join Now," "Start Earning," "Get Rewards"
Large enough to be easily clickable on mobile
Multi-Channel Strategy
Tip: Combine multiple channels for maximum impact rather than relying on just one platform. Customers respond to repeated exposure across different touchpoints.
Integrated Campaign Example
Week 1-2: Awareness
Social media posts introducing the program
Email newsletter announcing launch
Website banner and pop-up
Google My Business post
Week 3-4: Engagement
Social media stories with member testimonials
SMS campaign to existing customers
Instagram/Facebook ads targeting local audience
Email showcasing rewards catalog
Week 5-6: Conversion
Limited-time sign-up bonus promotion
Retargeting ads for non-members
Staff encouraging enrollment in-store
Follow-up email to those who clicked but didn't join
Ongoing: Retention
Regular social posts highlighting member benefits
Email updates with new rewards
SMS notifications for special member offers
Website updates showcasing program success
Cross-Promotion
Online to offline:
Promote in-store events to online members
Offer online-exclusive rewards redeemable in-store
Share photos of members enjoying rewards
Offline to online:
In-store signage directing to social media for exclusive offers
Receipt includes social media handles and loyalty link
Staff mentions online channels during checkout
Tracking and Optimization
Monitor Performance
Track enrollment sources:
Use unique links for different channels (UTM parameters)
Monitor which channels drive most sign-ups
Analyze conversion rates by platform
Engagement metrics:
Click-through rates on social posts
Email open and click rates
Website loyalty page visit duration
Ad performance and cost per acquisition
Customer feedback:
Ask new members how they heard about program
Survey about enrollment experience
Social listening for mentions and sentiment
Optimize Based on Data
Double down on success:
Invest more in high-performing channels
Replicate successful messaging across platforms
Test variations of winning content
Improve underperformers:
Refresh creative for low-performing channels
Adjust messaging or offers
Consider if channel reaches your target audience
Experiment with timing and frequency
A/B testing:
Test different headlines and benefits
Try various call-to-action phrases
Compare QR code vs. link performance
Experiment with urgency vs. benefit-focused messaging
Best Practices
For Maximum Reach
Be everywhere your customers are: Don't limit yourself to one channel. Your ideal customer likely uses multiple platforms—meet them where they are.
Consistency is key: Maintain similar messaging and branding across channels while adapting format to each platform's strengths.
Mobile-first approach: Most loyalty card installations happen on mobile. Ensure all digital touchpoints are mobile-optimized.
Make it easy: Reduce friction at every step. One-click links, clear instructions, and immediate value proposition.
For Engagement
Regular reminders: Don't assume one mention is enough. Periodically remind your audience about the program without being repetitive.
Showcase benefits: Don't just ask people to join—show them what they'll get. Feature actual rewards and member success stories.
Create FOMO: Limited-time offers, exclusive rewards, and member-only perks encourage faster sign-ups.
Leverage user-generated content: Share photos and testimonials from happy members to build social proof.
For Long-Term Success
Keep content fresh: Regularly update your messaging, offers, and creative to maintain interest.
Reward existing members: Don't focus only on acquisition—engage current members to reduce churn and encourage referrals.
Integrate with overall marketing: Loyalty program shouldn't be separate—weave it into all marketing efforts.
Measure and adapt: Continuously track performance and be willing to shift strategy based on results.
Compliance and Best Practices
Privacy and Permissions
Email marketing:
Warning: Always obtain proper opt-in for email communications and comply with CAN-SPAM (US), GDPR (EU), and other regulations. Provide clear unsubscribe options in every message.
SMS marketing:
Explicit opt-in required (more strict than email)
Include opt-out instructions in every message
Comply with TCPA (US) and local regulations
Data collection:
Be transparent about what data you collect
Provide privacy policy
Allow customers to manage preferences
Accessibility
Website compliance:
Ensure loyalty page meets WCAG accessibility standards
Alt text for images and QR codes
Keyboard navigation support
Clear communication:
Simple, jargon-free language
Multiple ways to join (link, QR code, in-store)
Support for customers who need assistance
Troubleshooting
Low Click-Through Rates
Problem: People see your links but don't click
Solutions:
Strengthen benefit messaging—make value clearer
Improve visual appeal of graphics and buttons
Test different calls-to-action
Add urgency or limited-time offers
Use social proof (testimonials, member counts)
High Clicks but Low Conversions
Problem: People click but don't complete installation
Solutions:
Ensure mobile-optimized landing page
Simplify enrollment process
Test different value propositions on landing page
Add trust signals (security badges, testimonials)
Follow up with reminder emails
Limited Reach
Problem: Not enough people seeing your promotions
Solutions:
Expand to additional channels
Increase posting frequency (without spam)
Invest in paid advertising
Encourage current members to share
Cross-promote across all owned channels
Platform-Specific Issues
Problem: Link works on some platforms but not others
Solutions:
Test link across all devices and platforms
Use link shorteners for cleaner appearance
Ensure link formatting is correct (full URL with https://)
Check platform-specific link requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get my loyalty card installation link?
Your Perkstar account automatically generates a unique installation link for each card. Find it in your card settings or details page. Copy this link to use across all your digital channels.
Q: Can I use the same link on multiple platforms?
Yes! Your loyalty card has one universal link that works across all platforms and devices. Use it on your website, social media, emails, and any other digital channel.
Q: Should I use QR codes or links for online promotion?
Both! Links work better for direct clicks (website buttons, email links, social media bios). QR codes work well for images in social posts where followers can screenshot and scan later, or for printed materials.
Q: How often should I promote my loyalty program online?
Balance is important. Feature it prominently on owned channels (website, email signatures) constantly. On social media, mention it weekly or bi-weekly, mixed with other content. Avoid being repetitive—vary your messaging and format.
Q: Do I need to create separate links for each channel?
Not required, but recommended for tracking. Use UTM parameters to create unique tracking links for each channel while pointing to the same destination. This helps measure which channels drive the most enrollments.
Q: What's the best channel for online distribution?
It depends on your audience. B2C retail often sees success with Instagram and Facebook. Service businesses may find email more effective. Restaurants and entertainment benefit from Google My Business. Test multiple channels and focus on what works for your customers.
Q: Can I run online ads for my loyalty program?
Absolutely! Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads can be effective for promoting loyalty programs. Target your local area, retarget website visitors, or create lookalike audiences based on existing members.
Q: How do I track which online channel drives the most sign-ups?
Use unique tracking links for each channel (UTM parameters), ask customers during sign-up survey, or analyze timing of enrollments against campaign launches. Many analytics platforms can track conversion sources.
Q: Should I offer sign-up bonuses for online enrollments?
Sign-up bonuses can significantly boost enrollment rates. Consider offering bonus points, a free item, or exclusive reward for new members who join online. This creates immediate value and urgency.
Q: What if customers have trouble installing the card from the link?
Ensure your link opens the card installation page correctly. Provide simple instructions on your landing page. Offer alternative enrollment methods (in-store, via phone). Have customer support ready to assist.
Q: Can I integrate the loyalty card link with my e-commerce platform?
Yes, most platforms allow you to add custom links. Include it on product pages, checkout confirmation, customer account pages, or transactional emails. Consult your platform's documentation for integration details.
Q: How do I promote my loyalty program without being annoying?
Focus on value, not frequency. When you mention the program, emphasize benefits customers will receive. Vary your content—showcase rewards, share member stories, highlight exclusive offers. Make each mention valuable, not just repetitive asks.
Tip: Need help developing an online distribution strategy for your loyalty program? Contact Perkstar support for channel recommendations and campaign planning assistance tailored to your business.