Ways to retain customers: 20 tools of the Torgsoft accounting program

The Torgsoft software includes 20 core tools for retaining customers, covering discount systems, marketing activities, customer database management, and analytics.

Implementing discount and bonus systems

This is one of the most effective methods to encourage repeat purchases. Torgsoft supports several types of loyalty programs:

• Cumulative discount system. A customer’s discount percentage increases automatically based on the total amount of their purchases. This motivates customers to buy specifically in your store to reach a higher discount level.

• Bonus system. Instead of an immediate discount, the customer earns bonuses that can be spent on future purchases. This delays cash outflow for the store and encourages the customer to return to use the accumulated points.

• Bonuses with an expiration period. For additional stimulation, you can set bonuses to “expire” after a certain time or at the end of the year, which encourages customers to visit the store more often. The program can automatically notify customers that the bonus expiration date is approaching.

• Club system. Allows you to manage fixed discounts where a customer must accumulate a certain amount within a period to join the club or confirm membership; otherwise, the discount is canceled.

Marketing promotions

The software allows you to set up various promotions to increase interest in the store:

• «Bring a friend» promotion. A two-tier bonus system where an existing customer receives bonuses for purchases made by friends they refer, and the friends receive a discount. This expands the customer base and retains current customers.

• Product promotions. Setting conditions such as «1+1=3», discounts on specific product groups, discounts during happy hours or certain days of the week.

• Birthday discount. Automatic provision of an increased discount or bonuses to the customer (or their family members, such as children) within a specified period before and after the birthday.

• Anniversary customer discount. A lottery element where, for example, every 100th customer receives an extra discount, creating positive excitement.

Gift certificates

Selling gift certificates ensures money stays in the store and also attracts new visitors (those who receive the certificate as a gift). Torgsoft allows you to issue certificates, sell them, accept them as payment, and track their expiration date.

Communication and reminders (CRM)

Maintaining ongoing communication with the customer is key to retention:

• Bulk messaging (SMS, Viber, e-mail). You can inform customers about new arrivals, promotions, bonus accruals, or send holiday greetings.

• Customer segmentation. Using filters (for example, by purchase amount, last visit date, gender, clothing size), you can send targeted messages only to those who may be interested.

• Interests system. The program lets you record customer interests (for example, “Sports”, “Fishing”) based on their purchases and make offers that are relevant to them.

• Reminders and contacts. You can create reminders to contact a customer (for example, to notify them that an ordered item has arrived).

Customer base analysis

Analytics tools help identify lost customers and encourage active ones:

• Customer activity analysis. Lets you see who buys the most and who hasn’t visited the store for a long time. Based on this, you can create a mailing list with an offer to “come back”.

• VIP customers. выделение особой категории покупателей, которым разрешено брать товар в долг или на примерку, что повышает их лояльность благодаря особому сервису.

Service convenience

Speed and service quality directly affect whether a customer wants to return:

• Identification by phone number. If a customer forgets their discount card, you can find them in the database by phone number to apply a discount or bonuses.

• Change to the card. The option to credit small change to the customer’s bonus account. This solves the issue of lacking small cash at the register and motivates the customer to come back to use the funds.

• Product and price check. Using features such as «Checking size availability» or a «Price checker» (via the mobile app) helps sales staff advise customers quickly.

Feedback

The customer survey system allows you to run questionnaires (for example, “How did you hear about us?”) to better understand audience needs and the effectiveness of advertising channels.