Promotions + Rewards
To attract shoppers from a real life world, online stores run a variety of programs and promotions. These may be points based (redeemable for cash or products), cash back, hotel or flying points, discount on next purchase etc.
These are sometimes also referred to loyalty programs and are offered as part of advertisement tactics to bring more customers and initiate sales. Most sites have a point-based system where in you earn points every time you shop with them. The points earned can be redeemed for buying products at a later stage.
Hotel or flying points are earned when one book a hotel or a flight. These again can be redeemed when a certain number of points is accumulated. Discount on next purchase is in the form of coupons where in you get a coupon slips to avail of the next purchase at the same online store. Cash back promotions are generally offered for credit card shoppers where in you can get a small percentage of your purchase as cash back.
Some unique concepts of such plans are donation to charity wherein a small part of the purchase amount is donated to charity. This is not a monetary benefit but fulfils a moral responsibility. Such offers and initiatives are taken by online stores to draw more customers to them. In addition, statistics show that these promotions matter as people like to avail of such programs. Overall, such programs make shopping a fun and satisfying experience.
