Retaining customers is important for every business to succeed. According to a Dimension Data report, about 84% of companies improving customer experience see revenue growth. This proves how valuable retention is for eCommerce. Membership-based discounts are a powerful way to maximize it. Let us explore how.
Membership-based offers help B2B buyers save money and build long-term relationships with suppliers. These discounts offer exclusive pricing, making bulk purchases more attractive. In this blog, we will discuss membership discounts, the best practices to use them, the most common challenges, and how to overcome them.
So, keep reading to find out how to grow your revenue.
Membership-based discounts offer exclusive pricing to businesses that join a supplier’s membership program. Unlike standard bulk discounts, these provide long-term savings and added perks.
B2B buyers prefer these programs because they offer:
Traditional B2B discounts are often short-term promotions or one-time price reductions. Membership-based discounts, however, are continuous and offer more benefits. The table below shows the key differences between the two.
Feature | Traditional Discounts | Membership-Based Discounts |
Availability | Limited-time offers | Year-round savings |
Eligibility | All buyers | Exclusive to members |
Loyalty Factor | One-time purchase | Encourages repeat business |
Pricing Consistency | Varies by order | Predictable, structured pricing |
B2B buyers seek cost-effective solutions. They try to save as much money as they can so that they can invest it in more important projects. Membership pricing allows them to:
B2B buyers need to watch their spending to stay profitable. Membership-based discounts help them:
Membership discounts build trust between b2b buyers and suppliers. This helps strengthen business relations that later prove beneficial for both parties. A long-term commitment results in:
Suppliers might offer priority access to new products, bulk deals, or special promotions only for loyal members. For example, A restaurant supplier gives early access to seasonal ingredients at discounted rates to its long-term members.
Suppliers prioritize their loyal customers to ensure consistent deliveries, reducing supply chain disruptions. For example, a furniture store with a membership-based supplier always gets inventory on time, unlike non-members who face delays.
Over time, members gain an advantage in negotiating better prices and terms. For example, a construction company buying cement from the same supplier for years negotiates bulk pricing discounts beyond the standard membership offer.
Retaining customers is more profitable than getting new ones. Membership-based discounts encourage loyalty, ensuring repeat purchases and steady revenue.
Fluctuating prices make B2B purchasing difficult. It frustrates B2B buyers. Membership pricing ensures:
Access to exclusive items and services is one of the best perks of membership discounts. Members often get early access to:
Exclusive discounts lead to more repeat purchases, resulting in higher overall sales.
When buyers stay longer, their overall value increases. Membership programs drive higher order frequency and better retention.
Membership models ensure steady revenue, unlike one-time sales. Predictable income helps businesses scale and invest confidently.
With more businesses offering membership perks, companies that don’t may fall behind. B2b Buyers prefer suppliers who offer stable, discounted pricing.
Choosing the right model is important for your business. Consider:
Offer valuable discounts without reducing profit margins. Set minimum purchase limits for deeper savings.
Shopify’s third-party discount apps simplify discount management. Features include:
The following section is a small guide to how one such app called DiscountRay works. We will use the app to create a membership discount.
1. Find the discount management app from the Shopify app store.
DiscountRay on Shopify App Store
2. After installation, you will see a dashboard similar to the one below:
DiscountRay Dashboard
3. The “create new” button allows you to create a new offer.
DiscountRay Create New
4. Choose any one of the two options according to what suits you best. In this example, we select Quantity discount.
DiscountRay Discount Options
5. Fill up the fields and select “Specific product” to apply the offer on your specific item.
DiscountRay Quantity Discount Fields
6. Select “Create new” and fill up the Quantity with the corresponding Discount percentage that you want. Click “+ Add range” if you want to add more. Click on the Activate button to activate this offer.
DiscountRay Quantity Discount Set
7. Finally, select the customers who you are targeting with the Customer eligibility feature. “Customer tag” and “Specific customers” let you separate the members from the rest of the customers for the membership discount offer.
DiscountRay Quantity Customer Eligibility
8. We now have our first DiscountRay Quantity Discount set up. Let us see how it looks in the live view.
DiscountRay QuantityDiscount Live View 1
9. We can see the discount being implemented in your cart.
DiscountRay Quantity Discount Live View 2
Promotion is crucial for any discount you are offering. Your b2b buyers need to know what the offer is about. To attract members, businesses should:
Membership-based discounts come with a lot of challenges. We have gathered all the common ones to warn you of what to expect. The solutions for each will help you overcome these challenges and run your business smoothly.
Solution: Offer tiered discounts based on order size.
Solution: Use automated pricing tools for a seamless discount application.
Solution: Provide exclusive offers beyond just discounts, like priority support or special products.
Solution: Communicate value consistently through newsletters, special offers, and early renewal incentives.
In B2B commerce, buyers need cost-saving opportunities and stable pricing. Membership-based discounts provide exclusive perks that drive loyalty, trust, and repeat business. With predictable savings, these programs make purchasing easier and more rewarding.
The right membership model can transform your business, ensuring higher customer retention and revenue growth. Are you ready to maximize your B2B success with membership discounts? Then, get up and try out our tips and strategies to win over your buyers. Good luck!
Membership-based discounts offer exclusive pricing and benefits to B2B buyers who join a supplier’s membership program.
These discounts drive customer loyalty, encourage repeat purchases, and create a predictable revenue stream.
Traditional discounts are short-term, while membership discounts offer continuous savings and added perks.
You can use Shopify apps like DiscountRay to automate member-exclusive pricing and simplify discount management.
Choose the right membership model, set discount thresholds, automate pricing, and promote effectively.