Branded Merchandise for Online Businesses: Why It’s Still Relevant
Branded Merchandise for Online Businesses: Why It’s Still Relevant
Blog Article
In the world of e-commerce, where digital marketing and online ads dominate, you might wonder: Do online businesses still need branded merchandise? After all, online businesses don’t have a physical storefront where customers can see or touch their products. So, why would they invest in custom-branded items like T-shirts, mugs, or tote bags?
The truth is, branded merchandise is not only relevant for online businesses—it’s an incredibly effective marketing tool. Despite the rise of digital channels, giving away or selling branded merchandise offers a unique opportunity to build brand recognition, boost customer loyalty, and even increase sales. Let’s dive into why branded products should be a key part of your online business strategy.
1. It Creates Real-World Connections
One of the biggest challenges for online businesses is the lack of face-to-face interaction. Unlike physical stores, where customers can experience your brand in person, online businesses often rely on digital touchpoints to engage with their audience. Branded merchandise bridges that gap.
When you send out branded products—whether as a gift, a giveaway, or a reward—customers feel like they are receiving something tangible that connects them with your brand in a more personal way. Receiving a physical item that’s useful (like a custom mug or a stylish T-shirt) creates a sense of ownership and connection. Plus, it serves as a reminder of your business every time they use it.
According to a 2019 study by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), 83% of people like receiving promotional products, and 48% of people keep them for up to two years. This kind of engagement leads to long-term brand exposure and helps build stronger customer relationships.
2. It Increases Brand Visibility
Branded merchandise acts as a walking advertisement. Unlike a Facebook ad that disappears once users scroll past, physical products travel with your customers wherever they go. Whether it’s a logo on a T-shirt or a coffee cup, your brand is constantly exposed to new audiences in the real world.
Think about it: a customer sporting a branded hoodie in the grocery store, or carrying your tote bag while running errands, creates organic exposure for your brand. It’s like free advertising that doesn’t stop after a single view—it’s ongoing, as long as people continue to use and wear your branded items.
A 2020 study by the Advertising Specialty Institute found that 55% of people who received a promotional product could recall the brand at least a year later. That’s extended brand awareness that digital marketing can’t always achieve on its own.
3. It Helps Build Customer Loyalty
In a competitive online marketplace, customer loyalty can be hard to come by. However, branded merchandise is an excellent way to reward your existing customers and show them you appreciate their business. Offering exclusive branded items, either for free or as part of a loyalty program, makes customers feel valued, which can turn them into repeat buyers.
According to CXL Institute, 65% of a company’s business comes from existing customers, not new ones. That’s why retaining customers and fostering loyalty is so important. When you offer customers branded merchandise as part of a VIP program, a purchase incentive, or a thank-you gift, they are more likely to stick with your brand and recommend you to others.
What You Can Do:
Launch a loyalty program where customers earn points towards free branded products.
Offer exclusive merchandise for long-term customers or for those who have spent a certain amount with your brand.
Surprise customers with branded items as a “thank you” after their first purchase or for leaving a positive review.
4. It Encourages Word-of-Mouth Marketing
Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful forms of marketing, especially when it comes from people customers trust—like friends, family, and peers. Branded merchandise provides an excellent way for your customers to become brand ambassadors, sharing your products with their social circles in a fun and organic way.
When a customer wears your T-shirt or uses your branded mug in public, they become a walking billboard for your business. This can lead to new customers who are curious about your brand and want to learn more. The added benefit is that this type of marketing is free and highly trusted—people are far more likely to trust a recommendation from a friend than a paid ad.
In fact, according to ReferralCandy, customers are 4 times more likely to purchase if they are referred by a friend, making word-of-mouth an essential driver for online businesses.
What You Can Do:
Encourage your customers to share photos of themselves using your branded products on social media. Consider offering a discount or incentive for customers who share your brand with their followers.
Run “refer a friend” programs where customers receive branded merchandise for referring new customers.
Create shareable content or challenges where customers can earn rewards, such as branded items, by spreading the word about your brand.
5. It’s a Fun Way to Boost Engagement
Branded merchandise can also be a fun, interactive way to engage with your audience. Online businesses can use merchandise as a tool for promoting events, sales, or product launches, while also making their marketing efforts feel more personal and enjoyable.
When you run a giveaway, contest, or limited-time offer where customers can win branded merchandise, it gets your audience excited about your brand. The anticipation of winning a free product (especially something they can use or wear) can lead to increased interaction with your business.
A 2019 survey by HubSpot found that 70% of consumers say they’ve taken action after seeing a branded product on social media. This means that offering branded merchandise can help encourage your customers to engage with your business both online and offline.
What You Can Do:
Host giveaways or contests on social media where customers can win branded items by tagging friends, sharing posts, or signing up for your newsletter.
Use limited-edition branded merchandise to create excitement around new product launches or seasonal sales.
Create interactive campaigns or challenges where customers can earn branded products by completing certain actions (e.g., writing reviews or sharing content).
6. It Enhances Customer Experience
At the end of the day, branded merchandise adds value to your customers’ overall experience with your business. It’s an unexpected but delightful bonus that customers appreciate. Whether it’s a free gift with purchase or a thank-you package after their first order, branded products make customers feel appreciated and enhance their perception of your brand.
Personal touches like these can be a huge differentiator in a crowded online marketplace. A memorable unboxing experience with branded merchandise can also encourage customers to share their experience online, amplifying your reach and driving more traffic to your store.
What You Can Do:
Include a small branded item in every package you send out—this could be something as simple as a keychain, sticker, or notebook.
Offer “thank you” gifts with personalized messages for repeat customers.
Create unique, custom-designed packaging with your logo and a branded gift, making the unboxing experience special.
Conclusion
Even for online businesses, branded merchandise remains a relevant, impactful, and fun way to build your brand. It helps create real-world connections, increases visibility, boosts loyalty, and encourages word-of-mouth marketing. While digital marketing is vital, branded products offer a tangible way to make your business stand out, create lasting impressions, and foster deeper relationships with customers.
So, if you haven’t already, it might be time to start exploring branded merchandise as a part of your marketing strategy. Whether it’s through giveaways, loyalty programs, or community-building campaigns, branded merchandise can give your online business a physical presence that will stick with your customers long after the digital ad campaigns fade.
Report this page