No matter how much your business grows and how many leads you attract, you should always show appreciation toward your existing customers.

After all, it’s the repeat business and referrals of satisfied and loyal customers that turn small businesses into successful ones. 

So, how do I show customers how much I value them?

By offering them an excellent customer experience and tokens of your appreciation.

To help you excel at this, we’ll explain how it all works and give you 32 effective customer appreciation ideas.

Let’s begin!

Table of Contents

Why Is Customer Appreciation Important for Business?

32 Customer Appreciation Ideas To Build Better Relationships & Increase Retention

How To Measure Your Customer Appreciation Effectiveness

What Are Some Inspirational Customer Appreciation Quotes to Live By?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Is Customer Appreciation Important for Business?

Before you invest in corporate gifts and other client appreciation ideas, you need to know if it’s worth it. And you’re right!

Just check out these key benefits we’ve discovered in our many years of experience and you won’t have any more doubts:

• Increases customer retention. Offering a stellar customer experience is more important for your business than you might think.

According to Zendesk, 52% of customers will switch to a competitor if they have a single negative experience with a company.

• Builds customer loyalty. The key to repeat business is building strong customer relationships and brand loyalty.

And client gifts can help you achieve that.

In fact, 83% of clients who received a corporate gift said it made them feel closer to the company that sent it, according to a Sendoso global study.

• Promotes word-of-mouth marketing. Happy customers will likely tell others about their amazing experiences either in person or on social media.

According to Qualtrics, 88% of consumers are likely to recommend an organization after a good experience.

The best part is that word-of-mouth marketing is more trustworthy and effective than other types of marketing, so it can easily attract leads and increase your customer base.

Statistics show that 92% of consumers trust recommendations from friends and family more than other forms of marketing.

Now, let’s see how you can create a customer appreciation strategy that will help you enjoy all these amazing benefits.

32 Customer Appreciation Ideas To Build Better Relationships & Increase Retention

First things first, even a small gesture can leave a lasting impression on your customers.

So, don’t worry if you own a small business and have a limited budget.

We created this list of customer appreciation ideas based on client feedback and our own experience and there’s something to fit every budget here.

1. Introduce a customer loyalty program

Rewards programs are a great way to show customer appreciation.

Here are a few steps you can take to create a customer loyalty program:

• Choose a catchy name that will pique your clients’ interest.
• Create a points-based system that encourages repeat purchases.
• Reward other actions besides repeat purchases, like sharing social media content or downloading your app.
• Offer various rewards, including promotional products, discount codes, coupons, early access to new products, and more.

In fact, you can include all the following 31 customer appreciation ideas in your loyalty program.

Why it works: Customer loyalty programs reward repeat customers for their loyalty and encourage them to return for more.

2. Reward customers with an eco-friendly water bottle

Eco-friendly promotional products, like reusable water bottles, are very popular nowadays because of the growing concern for the environment.

This sleek water bottle is one of our clients’ top picks because of its double-wall stainless steel vacuum structure with copper insulation that keeps beverages cold for 48 hours or hot for 12 hours.

Why it works: Because it shows customers you care about the environment and their well-being as it encourages them to stay hydrated throughout the day.

3. Reward customers with a tote bag

Our clients love using tote bags as swag bags full of goodies for their customers.

You can include anything you like in them, like promotional candy, branded apparel, or cool tech swag.

We suggest you opt for this tote bag because it’s very roomy and is made from 70%–80% recycled cotton and 20–30% recycled PET, which promotes sustainability.

Why it works: Your valued customers can use this branded product to carry their everyday essentials or their groceries, making it very practical.

4. Give a free gift with every purchase

People love free stuff, even if it’s small and budget-friendly.

So, don’t worry, you don’t have to overspend on this one!

You can simply offer them a small discount code for their next purchase or a custom mug.

This ceramic mug has a unique shape and cozy handle and you can personalize it with a fun or empowering quote to give it a personal touch.

Why it works: Offering small appreciation gifts with every purchase will definitely make your customers return for more and tell their friends about it.

5. Celebrate loyalty with customer appreciation events

Customer appreciation events are a great way to honor your clients.

You can host a holiday season party or a sophisticated client reception, offer them a VIP behind-the-scenes tour, or organize a more laid-back client picnic.

However, regardless of which option you choose, make sure you offer your guests high-quality event swag to make the celebration memorable.

For instance, you can offer them a pair of headphones that reduce stress and promote relaxation through music.

Our Bluetooth headphones feature extra soft ear cups for all-day comfort and allow you to listen to your favorite tunes for over three hours.

Why it works: Because it shows clients you’re willing to go the extra mile for them and offer them VIP treatment, which will strengthen your customer relationships.

6. Offer personalization options

Did you know that 36% of consumers actively seek out customized products or services?

You’ve got two options here:

• Allow clients to add their names to your products, if possible.
• Offer good customers the chance to pick their giveaways and personalize them by setting up a pop-up shop.

For example, your pop-up shop can include custom hoodies, cool office supplies, and branded backpacks.

This computer backpack has a very professional design, making it perfect for carrying your everyday essentials to work or on business trips.

Why it works: Because customers value one-of-a-kind products and they will likely keep them longer.

7. Show new products to your most loyal customers first

Offering exclusive access to new products is a very meaningful customer appreciation gift.

You can either send them a personalized email with a discount code or send them product samples via mail accompanied by a handwritten note and some branded merchandise.

For example, you can add a custom blanket to your package as a thoughtful gift idea. 

Our clients love this polyester fleece blanket that is extra soft and warm and allows you to cozy up inside it at home.

Why it works: This initiative makes loyal customers feel special, while also creating a sense of urgency to buy your new products.

8. Host a customer appreciation week

Whether you choose to celebrate Customer Appreciation Day or you want to host an entire appreciation week, you’ll still wow your customers.

Our clients suggest that you pick a week that holds special meaning for your company, like its anniversary, and plan lots of surprises for your clients.

For example, you can organize special contests where your clients can win luxury promotional items.

A smart branded notebook with a pen, for example, could make a great prize.

The Moleskine smart writing set creates a digital copy of everything you jot down in the notebook, so you can access the information wherever you are.

Why it works: This celebration will increase customer satisfaction and retention and you can bet your clients will rave about it on social media.

9. Launch social media giveaways with branded swag

Social media giveaways are very popular and users love them because they get cool freebies by simply liking and sharing content.

You can turn this into a customer appreciation event by allowing only your existing customers to participate.

Of course, you need to come up with some attention-grabbing company swag ideas, like this Bluetooth speaker with wireless charging pad.

This speaker produces crystal clear sound, allowing you to listen to music for over six hours, while also charging any wireless charging–compatible device.

Why it works: Because repeat customers will see that you prioritize them and they’ll get a nice gift out of it.

10. Offer free upgrades

If you’re selling software or apps, offering free upgrades is a very meaningful customer appreciation gift.

However, we recommend that you only offer this to your most loyal customers, because otherwise it can be bad for business.

Why it works: Because it rewards loyal customers with something truly valuable that they’ll appreciate and tell others about.

11. Run contests

Running contests is a fun way to engage your customer base.

For instance, you can ask them to take an online or in-store quiz to test their knowledge about your products or organize a raffle.

Either way, you need to pick some awesome prizes.

For contests organized during the warm season, you can opt for summer promotional items, like this BBQ gift set.

We love this set because it includes all you need for hosting a BBQ in your backyard: a customizable apron, a towel, an oven mitt, and BBQ seasonings.

Why it works: Gamification can make your customer loyalty program stand out from the competition and increase customer retention.

12. Reward customers when they refer family members and friends

By referring your business to family and friends, your clients can increase your customer base.

You should definitely reward them for this and encourage them to continue.

In this case, our clients suggest you go with a gift card for your products or a swag item, like a custom tumbler with the message ‘best customer’.

With its sleek design and durable, double-wall stainless steel vacuum construction with copper insulation, this tumbler is a great choice.

Why it works: It shows customers you truly value their referrals, while the small gift gives them something to remember you by.

13. Reward customers when they mention your business online

Here’s another type of business referral that you should thank your customers for.

After all, any positive reviews or comments about your products can attract leads and boost sales.

You can even make a contest out of it by asking your clients to create unique user-generated content and share it on social media and rewarding the winners with swag.

Even something as simple and budget-friendly as this camping cup that keeps your beverage hot or cold outside can work.

Why it works: This initiative shows appreciation for referrals and encourages customers to use word-of-mouth marketing to promote your brand.

14. Celebrate anniversaries

Company anniversaries shouldn’t be a private affair.

Instead, you should celebrate them by hosting an event where you invite employees and customers alike.

After all, these are the people you should thank for making your business thrive.

And don’t forget to hand out thank-you gifts to the attendees.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly yet unique gift, this wine glass with ergonomic thumb-notch is a good option.

Why it works: Celebrating company anniversaries together with your customers makes them feel like valuable members of your team and strengthens your relationships.

15. Don’t forget to say happy birthday – say it with a small gift

Anniversaries are just as important for your business as they are for your clients.

Thus, we suggest that you send your clients small gifts for their birthdays.

For instance, you can pick a yummy snack gift basket because everyone loves food.

Why it works: That you remembered your clients’ birthdays is something they’ll value even more than the gift itself.

16. Shout out your appreciation on social media

Even a small gesture like giving a shout-out to your loyal customers on social media can be effective.

Take the time to create a nice post in which you thank your customers for all their support, then post it on all your social media accounts.

At the same time, you can use social media to publicly thank individual customers, especially major ones, which will have an even bigger impact.

Why it works: Given that customers follow their favorite brands on social media, this is a very easy way to get your thank-you message across.

17. Give gift baskets when they spend over a specific amount

Thanking a client for a big purchase is a very nice gesture.

In this case, you can either offer them a gift basket including product samples and a gift card or a gourmet gift basket.

We recommend this set that includes a wide variety of sweet and salty treats, all wrapped up in a practical and stylish cooler bag.

Why it works: It shows clients you appreciate their commitment to your brand and encourages repeat purchases.

18. Offer drinks and snacks

While it’s true that many companies conduct most of their business online, in-person stores are still an important part of brand success.

Therefore, you should always create an excellent customer experience in your stores if you want to build customer loyalty.

A simple and effective way to do this is by offering drinks and snacks to customers who spend a lot of time and money in your store.

Why it works: This small gesture will make your customers feel welcome in your store and it also encourages them to return.

19. Offer great customer service 

Among many other things, offering great customer service entails:

• Always treating customers with respect.
• Actively listening to your clients.
• Getting to know your customers to offer them a personalized experience.
• Jumping in to help your customers with anything they need.
• Having enough product knowledge to offer valuable information to your clients.
• Thanking your clients for every purchase.

Why it works: All these things will show customers that you truly care about their needs and help build lasting relationships with them.

20. Collect customer feedback

Actively seeking customer feedback is actually part of offering excellent customer service.

However, for this to work you need to accept constructive feedback and do your best to improve based upon it.

Always thank your clients for taking the time to offer you feedback and follow up with an email explaining the changes you made based on their suggestions.

Why it works: Because it shows clients you value their opinions and are willing to go the extra mile for them.

21. Give away freebies

While you can offer freebies as a reward for various customer actions, you can also hand them out for no apparent reason.

For example, you can surprise anyone who enters your store with a branded pen that customers can carry in their bags and use daily.

Why it works: This simple gesture shows customers you’re not all about making money and can help you build meaningful relationships with them.

22. Use your customers’ first names

Using your customers’ first names both in person and in writing is another great way to enhance their experience.

So, the next time a regular customer enters your store, make sure you greet them warmly by name.

Likewise, always send your customers newsletters personalized with their names because they have a 50% higher open rate.

Why it works: This simple strategy shows clients that you value them as individuals and makes them feel closer to your brand.

23. Give new customers a treat

New customers are just as important as old customers, so don’t overlook them.

Thank them for making their first purchase by giving them a treat, like a branded t-shirt.

Our clients often choose the Canyon SS tee because of its cozy, tri-blend fabric and UV protection.

Why it works: It helps you make a good first impression on new customers, while also making them feel appreciated.

24. Surprise customers with unexpected offers and discounts

Once again, you don’t always have to have a reason or wait for a special occasion to show customer appreciation.

Just send them an email with some unexpected offers and discounts and they’ll be very thankful.

What’s more, you can add a personal touch to your email by personalizing the offers with their favorite products based on their previous purchases.

Why it works: Everyone likes a nice surprise, particularly when it comes in the form of a discount for their favorite products.

25. Send out promotional products

You can also surprise your most loyal customers with promotional products sent via mail.

For example, if you’re looking for a gift for business owners, this yoga set will make a very thoughtful gift as it encourages recipients to take a break and relax.

The set includes everything you need for a relaxing yoga experience, including a mat, a towel, and a block.

Why it works: It shows big clients that you don’t send them gifts only when they make big purchases and that you value your relationship.

26. Give holiday gifts

Even if you don’t use any of the other customer appreciation ideas we’re giving you, you should at least offer a Christmas gift to your most loyal customers.

And if you want your gift to stand out, our clients suggest you go with this DIY brownie gift set.

It includes a beautiful jute tote bag, an apron, oven mitts, baking tools, and a delicious brownie mix.

Why it works: Holiday gifts, like promotional Christmas gifts, will leave a lasting impression on your customers and make them feel part of the brand family.

27. Organize retreats for your best customers

If you want to wow your best customers, organizing a retreat is definitely the way to go.

Whether it’s a weekend getaway at a secluded mountain resort or a lively beach resort, you can rest assured that your clients will love it.

However, our clients suggest that you plan this well in advance because of the complex travel arrangements and that you set a budget to avoid overspending.

Why it works: Because it offers customers a chance to take a break from their hectic schedules and shows that you care about their well-being.

28. Give Amazon gift cards

Whenever you run out of ideas for client appreciation gifts, you can simply offer them an Amazon gift card.

However, to add a personal touch, we advise that you at least include a handwritten note next to your gift.

Why it works: While it’s not as personal as other gifts, it’s very practical because your clients can pick whatever they need and will thank you for it.

29. Launch pre-sale events

Whether you’re about to host a Black Friday or holiday sale, you should offer your most loyal customers pre-sale access.

Simply send them a personalized email thanking them for all their support and give them access to the products on sale one day before the general sale.

Why it works: This initiative will allow your valued customers to buy the products they want without worrying about the stock running out, offering them a memorable customer experience.

30. Consider price matching

Price matching is when you offer to match a competitor’s lower product price.

Of course, you should first do some market research to make sure you can afford to match the lower market prices.

What’s more, it’s best to offer price matching only to important clients who make big purchases that can offset potential losses on your part.

Why it works: Price matching shows clients you’re a fair player, which is likely to benefit your business repeatedly in the future.

31. Be flexible with your return policy

Customers often buy products online in the wrong sizes or realize they don’t like them once they see them.

But when a company has very complex and even pricey return policies, customers usually give up returning those products and avoid future purchases.

Thus, offering flexible return policies is a good idea. 

Why it works: By allowing customers to easily return unwanted products, you enhance their experience and actually encourage them to make more purchases.

32. Say thank you

Saying thank you is not just the polite thing to do, it’s also good for business.

Whether you say it in person, send them an email to thank them for placing an order, or send them a thank-you gift, anything works.

Why it works: Because it shows customers you are grateful for all their support and contribution and this will make your relationship stronger.

We’ve given you plenty of great ideas, but let’s see how you can measure their effectiveness.

How To Measure Your Customer Appreciation Effectiveness

If you want to make the most of your customer appreciation strategy, you need to measure its effectiveness and improve it if necessary.

Here are the key metrics you need to measure:

• Customer satisfaction score. It helps you determine how satisfied your clients are with a specific product or service.

You can collect the necessary data by asking your clients to rate their level of satisfaction on a scale from 1 to 5.

Formula: Divide the sum of all scores by the total number of responses, then multiply by 100.

• Customer lifetime value. It helps you estimate how much money you can expect to make throughout your entire relationships with customers.

Formula: Multiply your average customer income by your average customer lifespan.

• Customer effort score. It shows you how easy or difficult it was for customers to interact with your business.

Once again, you need to ask your clients to rate their efforts on a scale of 1 to 5.

Formula: Divide the sum of the scores by the number of responses.

• Customer churn rate. It shows the number of customers you lose after a specific period.

This, in turn, allows you to determine your customer retention rate.

Formula: Divide the number of customers you lost in the last quarter by the number of customers you had at the beginning of the quarter. 

• Net promoter score. It helps you estimate whether your customers are likely to refer your brand to other people.

To collect the necessary data, ask your customers to rate whether they would refer your business to others on a scale from 0 to 10.

In this case, you are interested in the numbers between 0 and 6, which are the critics, and between 9 and 10, which are the promoters.

The rest are passives, so they don’t influence the score.

Formula: Subtract the percentage of critics from the percentage of promoters.

Enough with the complex mathematics for one day! ?

Now, let us inspire you.

What Are Some Inspirational Customer Appreciation Quotes to Live By?

To help you better understand the importance of customer appreciation and inspire your future strategies, we want to end with some wise quotes:

Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. – Ralph Marston

It’s easier to love a brand when the brand loves you back. – Seth Godin

Thank your customer for complaining and mean it. Most will never bother to complain. They’ll just walk away. – Marilyn Suttle

Here is a powerful yet simple rule. Always give people more than they expect to get. – Nelson Boswell

We see our customers as invited guests to a party, and we are the hosts. It’s our job every day to make every important aspect of the customer experience a little bit better. – Jeff Bezos

It’s your turn now!

Over To You!

We hope that we’ve helped you understand just how important it is to show your customers that you value them.

Now, it’s your turn to use these customer appreciation ideas to create an amazing experience for your clients.

For more unique gift ideas, just browse our SwagDrop shop.

See you soon! ?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about customer appreciation our clients ask us:

How do you appreciate loyal customers?

There are many ways to appreciate loyal customers. Here are some examples:

• Say thank you after every purchase or action they take.
• Reward them with swag gifts for making big purchases, referring your brand to others, and mentioning your brand online.
• Surprise them with exclusive discounts or offers.
• Give them a shout-out on social media.

How do you thank someone professionally?

You can thank someone professionally by sending them a corporate gift accompanied by a handwritten thank-you note. 

If you don’t know that person well, you should keep your gift neutral. For instance, you can opt for a branded notebook with a pen or custom mug.

When is Customer Appreciation Day?

The National Customer Appreciation Day is celebrated every year on April 18.

However, most companies choose their own dates to celebrate it and some even organize customer appreciation weeks full of events.

How do you thank customers for doing business with you?

You can thank customers for doing business with you by sending them a thank you email and offering them the chance to enroll in your customer loyalty program.

Once they become regular customers you can send them holiday and anniversary gifts, surprise them with special offers, and even organize special events for them.

How do you write a message of appreciation?

You should keep your message of appreciation short and sweet. Clearly explain what you’re grateful for and be sincere. Don’t forget to sign your name and consider sending the recipient a small gift as well.

What are the most popular promotional products for showing your customer appreciation?

Some of the most popular promotional products for showing your customer appreciation include:

• Reusable water bottles
• Tote bags
• Tech swag
• Branded apparel
• Custom office supplies
• Snack gift baskets
• Travel promotional items
• Healthcare promotional items