#10 Loyalty That Lasts: How I Turned First-Time Buyers Into Repeat Customers on Shopify
Repeat customers are the difference between a hustle… and a business.
When I started Teka Originals, I celebrated every order like a win. But then came the real question:
How do I get them to come back?
The truth: most stores don’t.
So I built a loyalty funnel that wasn’t spammy, expensive, or complicated—and it worked.
Here’s exactly how I did it.
Step 1: Deliver a Memorable First Impression
This starts before the thank-you email. My tips:
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Personalized packing slips with humor
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Stickers or mini notes (surprise = delight)
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Clear instructions on how to reuse, share, or tag us
This immediately turned some first orders into UGC.
Step 2: Use Email Flows Like a Loyalty Ladder
Shopify + Klaviyo combo:
1. Order Confirmation – Reinforces they made a smart, funny choice 2. Shipping Update – With sneak peek of what to expect 3. Delivery Follow-Up (Day 2) – Ask how it went + soft CTA to leave review 4. Loyalty Invite (Day 7) – Offer 10% off next order for sharing/tagging 5. Birthday/Holiday Flow – Pre-written, AI-personalized emails with time-limited offers
Step 3: Build a Basic Loyalty Program
You don’t need a giant points system. I kept it simple:
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Buy 3 plaques, get the 4th free (auto-tracked with Rise.ai)
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Refer a friend, both get 15% off
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Monthly draw for repeat customers who post + tag
Step 4: Make Them Feel Like Insiders
Created:
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A “Beta Tester” VIP list for new product sneak peeks
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Polls for picking next designs
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Monthly “behind-the-scenes” from the shop
They don’t just buy—they help shape the brand.
Step 5: AI-Powered Personalization
I used ChatGPT to:
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Write birthday offers based on previous purchases
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Segment flows by product style (e.g. gym, sarcasm, office humor)
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Create a “You Might Also Like” email using their order history
Prompt I used:
“Write a friendly email for a repeat customer who bought a funny coworker plaque. Offer them a discount on a gym-themed plaque with humor.”
The Loyalty Numbers Don’t Lie
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Repeat customer rate: 9% → 24% in 3 months
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Average order value: +19%
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Email open rate (repeat flows): 48%
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UGC volume: doubled
All from real strategies. Not hacks.
Recommended Tools (No Coding Required):
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Klaviyo – email automation
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Rise.ai – loyalty and rewards tracking
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Smile.io – easy Shopify loyalty app
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Canva – design fun reward cards
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ChatGPT – loyalty scripts & segment copy
Final Thoughts: Earn the Next Order
Retention beats acquisition every time.
It’s cheaper, easier, and more profitable to keep a customer than chase a new one.
Start with appreciation. Follow with value. Reward with purpose.
If you want a business that lasts, build loyalty that lasts.
And remember: one great experience leads to two. Then ten.
Stephen Matthews, Teka Originals