Guideline One: Define your gamification goals
Before you start implementing game elements into your e-shop, figure out what you actually want to achieve. What goals do you want to reach through gamification? What specific expectations do you have from it? Why do you need it?
There can be several reasons why to start with gamification in your e-shop. The most common ones are:
- increasing sales,
- improving customer engagement,
- building customer loyalty.
Guideline Two: Adapt gamification to your e-shop
There is no universal approach to e-shop gamification. There is no template that would work the same way on all e-shop sites. You need to adapt it to the specific characteristics of your particular e-shop, and especially to your target customers.
Tip: For example, if you sell clothing, you could award points to customers for every purchase and allow them to unlock special rewards or discounts on your other products.
Guideline Three: Create attractive game elements
If the gamification of your e-shop is to be attractive and fun, it must primarily motivate customers. Motivate to do what? Not only to try out the game elements themselves, but also to visit your e-shop repeatedly. A well-engaged customer will subconsciously look forward to encountering your e-shop's gamification element again.
The most popular gamification elements are:
- competitions,
- unlocking levels,
- points,
- badges,
- challenges, and others.
Guideline Four: Ensure visibility of game elements
It is absolutely crucial that your customers are informed about the game elements you have implemented in your e-shop. There's nothing worse than a customer not noticing the game elements.
Therefore, use graphic elements, create a special section in the e-shop or a page dedicated to gamification, and remind customers of the rewards or benefits waiting for them.