In a recent Business Bloomer Club discussion, WooCommerce developers and store owners debated the best Points and Rewards plugins to implement loyalty programs.
Points-based rewards are powerful tools for increasing customer engagement and retention, allowing businesses to incentivize repeat purchases and encourage customer referrals. However, choosing the right plugin involves weighing functionality, ease of customization, and compatibility with WooCommerce.
Below, we’ll review popular recommendations, the pros and cons of each, and insights into custom-coding for more tailored solutions.
Recommended WooCommerce Points and Rewards Plugins
1. Points and Rewards for WooCommerce (Free Plugin)
One of the most widely recommended plugins is Points and Rewards for WooCommerce. This free option enables stores to set up basic points-based loyalty programs, rewarding customers for purchases and other site activities.
Key Features:
- Award points based on spending, actions, or referrals
- Simple point redemption options
- Integration with WooCommerce’s checkout process
- Customizable point values and thresholds
While this plugin is a great starting point, some users find it lacks flexibility for more advanced customization, particularly if they need detailed points structures or unique reward triggers.
2. WooCommerce Points and Rewards (Official Plugin)
WooCommerce also offers an official Points and Rewards extension that provides a slightly more comprehensive feature set than free alternatives. According to users, it’s “nice and simple” while providing hooks to customize point accrual and redemption.
Key Features:
- Assigns points for purchases and incentivizes specific actions
- Offers custom point expiry and redemption options
- Has robust customization options for developers to extend its functionality
3. YITH WooCommerce Points and Rewards
YITH’s Points and Rewards plugin is another solid option, particularly popular with those looking to create loyalty tiers and user badges. This plugin is often praised for its intuitive interface and compatibility with WooCommerce’s core functionality.
Key Features:
- Tiered loyalty levels and badges for users
- Multiple redemption options, including point multipliers on specific products
- Gamification elements like badges for specific achievements
- Premium features for advanced reward structures
4. ReferralCandy and Smile.io for Referral-Based Rewards
While not strictly points-based, referral programs like ReferralCandy can complement points and rewards plugins by encouraging customer referrals.
Unfortunately, as mentioned, Smile.io—another top-rated loyalty platform—is currently unavailable for WooCommerce, which limits options for those seeking a comprehensive referral and points platform.
Custom-Coding for Tailored Loyalty Programs
For those who prefer full control over their loyalty program’s features and performance, custom coding offers a viable alternative. Custom code can be used to create unique reward systems tailored to your business model, such as points for niche actions, custom expiration dates, or specific rewards. This approach ensures you have total flexibility in how points are earned, redeemed, and displayed across the site.
Conclusion
When choosing a points and rewards plugin for WooCommerce, store owners have several robust options that balance ease of use and customization. Free plugins like Points and Rewards for WooCommerce are suitable for simpler loyalty programs, while paid plugins like the official WooCommerce Points and Rewards and YITH’s version offer more advanced features.
For unique loyalty programs requiring specific behaviors and features, custom development may be the best route. Each solution has unique advantages, so selecting the right one depends on the complexity of your rewards strategy and your store’s long-term engagement goals.
