When I first started offering deals on Groupon, it felt like a gold rush. Orders poured in, my store was packed, and it looked like business was booming.
But then reality hit.
I was losing money on every sale.
Groupon customers never returned.
My regular customers started expecting discounts too.
It felt like a tiger ride—if I stopped running deals, I’d lose my business. But if I continued, I’d be stuck in a cycle of working harder, selling more, and earning less.
For months, I believed there was no way out. Groupon had trained my customers to expect huge discounts, and I was trapped.
Until I made two game-changing decisions.
The Turning Point: Giving Groupon Customers a Reason to Return
I realized that the problem wasn’t Groupon—it was what happened after the first sale.
Most businesses treated Groupon customers as one-time buyers, assuming they’d never return unless there was another discount.
But what if I could change that behavior?
So, I did something different.
I gave every Groupon customer a reason to come back.
Instead of treating them like discount seekers, I treated them like VIPs:
A special return offer—but only if they bought directly from me.
A personalized follow-up—thanking them and inviting them back.
A free upgrade or bonus on their second visit—creating an incentive to return.
The result? Customers who would have disappeared started coming back.
The Power of Personal Attention: Turning Deal Hunters into Loyal Customers
The second breakthrough came when I realized Groupon customers are used to being treated like deal hunters—because that’s how businesses see them.
Most places rush them through service, knowing they’re there for a one-time deal.
I did the opposite.
I gave them personal attention.
I treated them like long-term customers, not bargain shoppers.
I made them feel special—and it shocked them.
Because they weren’t used to that kind of experience, they started associating my business with something different—quality, care, and value.
And that changed everything.
The Lesson: Repeat Customers Spend More & Cost Less
Slowly, my business shifted from survival mode to growth mode.
Repeat customers started spending more than Groupon customers ever did.
My customer acquisition costs dropped—because I wasn’t constantly looking for new buyers.
I built a customer base that valued my business—not just my discounts.
The biggest realization? Loyalty is the real profit driver.
That’s when I made the best decision of my life—I integrated a loyalty program.
A Loyalty Program Changed Everything
Once I had a system to reward repeat customers, everything clicked:
Customers had a reason to come back—even without discounts.
I spent less on marketing because my existing customers generated more revenue.
My business finally became sustainable—and profitable.
Today, I don’t chase new customers. My customers come back and bring their friends
Are You Still Trapped in the Groupon Cycle?
If you’re still relying on discount-heavy strategies, ask yourself:
Are you losing money just to bring in customers who never return?
Are you treating Groupon buyers like one-time deals instead of future VIPs?
Do you have a strategy to keep customers coming back?
Loyalty marketing isn’t a luxury—it’s the difference between struggling and thriving.
Are you ready to break the cycle and build a business that lasts?