Increase User Reach with Digital Membership Cards on the LINE App! Introducing Useful Digital Membership Card Examples!!

Hello everyone, this is Iguchi from Nekkos!

This time, I would like to delve a little deeper into the digital membership card function of LINE Mini Apps and explain some examples!

If you implement an authentication function to link with a user's LINE account using the LINE API, users can use a digital membership card simply by logging into their account.

Also, by doing this, you can link it with your own site's user information. It can be used like a CRM tool, it is easier to use than having users install a new app, and it can also be used to increase the number of friends on your official account.

I would like to explain the convenience of the digital membership card function on LINE, which can be expected to kill three birds with one stone!

Companies that have introduced digital membership cards with LINE Mini Apps

I would like to introduce a few companies that have already introduced digital membership cards using LINE Mini Apps.

BAKE Inc.

Sweets specialty store

They have introduced a common digital membership card for both physical stores and their e-commerce site, linked Shopify member information with LINE information, and are increasing user reach by performing segmented distribution tagged based on customer information.

They also mentioned that it has had the effect of reducing the hassle of member registration at stores.

L'Occitane Japon K.K.

Cosmetics manufacturer

They introduced it to build a foundation for CRM through the introduction of a digital membership card and to increase sales on their e-commerce site starting from online communication.

Especially during the COVID-19 period, when communication at physical stores was difficult, it seems that having an approach from the internet and a flow line to the e-commerce site was significant.

PAL Co., Ltd.

Apparel and General Goods Brands

A company that operates 300-yen shops like 3COINS, they used point distribution via LINE membership cards to increase the number of users for their own app.
To utilize this, they increased the number of users in stages by having them install the app to use the existing EC site.

Issuing a membership card from the store is easy because it only requires scanning a QR code for authentication, making operations simple. Furthermore, they have implemented user-friendly features such as issuing electronic receipts via LINE.

Qol Co., Ltd.

Health Insurance Pharmacy

At Qol, a health insurance pharmacy located in various regions, they run their original membership card in parallel with the LINE Mini App digital membership card. Additionally, they migrated functions originally in their app to LINE, adding features such as sending prescriptions to the store in advance via the LINE Mini App so they can be picked up quickly during free time.

In addition to membership card information, it allows the use of an electronic version of the medication notebook and serves as a registration path to a separate app called Yakukyubin.

BEAMS Co., Ltd.

Apparel Brand

They have created a workflow where users can link their own app with their LINE ID using LINE social login, and once linked, they can immediately display their membership card from the rich menu.

Of course, they also perform segment distribution tailored to the characteristics of members who have linked their IDs, making this an implementation example where the flow to acquire necessary information for marketing is done smoothly.

As shown, many implementation examples aim to clear the complexity of handling app or paper membership cards and the high hurdle of app installation, as well as to acquire information for CRM.

Benefits of using digital membership cards with LINE Mini Apps

Now, I would like to explain the advantages of actually using digital membership cards and what you can do by utilizing them.

Convenience of easy portability

Since digital membership cards are saved as LINE information on the smartphones that users carry daily, they can be accessed easily at any time. Furthermore, users no longer have to worry about losing their membership cards.

Because management and updates can be done online, updating information is easy. Naturally, managing member data on the store side also becomes much simpler.

Adding interactive features

Digital membership cards can include not only static information but also dynamic information and interactive features. For example, it is possible to manage benefits and provide discount coupons through point card functions or rich menus. This allows you to boost customer engagement and purchasing desire through online communication.

Also, in cases where you have both physical stores and an e-commerce site, you can aim for OMO (Online Merges with Offline) strategies using the digital membership card at the physical store as an entry point.

Improving marketing and customer engagement

With LINE digital membership cards, you can easily utilize them for communication with customers and marketing activities. If you set up the features, you can collect usage history and behavioral data of customers linked to their LINE IDs on your e-commerce site, and provide personalized offers or targeted advertisements from your LINE Official Account.

Through this, you can expect effects such as promoting customer engagement, increasing opportunities to approach users, and improving LTV.

Cost reduction

Digital membership cards can reduce costs associated with printing and issuance. They also reduce the time and costs involved in managing, storing, and distributing paper membership cards.

With LINE digital membership cards, you can simply place a QR code at the storefront and have customers scan it with LINE to issue a membership card, which also reduces operational burdens.

Improving User Experience

In modern society, where carrying a smartphone is common, digitizing membership cards can increase convenience.

With 95 million LINE users in Japan, users can issue and display membership cards on LINE, achieving convenience and smoothness.

Flexible Management and Updates

With a digital membership card on LINE, information can be easily added or updated because it is managed online via the official account management page. New benefits and campaigns can be reflected quickly. Also, if a management screen for the mini-app is prepared, changes to customer information and management of expiration dates can be easily performed.

Scalability and Extensibility

Since digital membership card information is managed on a cloud basis, it can flexibly respond to increases in demand. It can be efficiently deployed for large-scale member bases or multiple stores.

For stores with multiple locations, a common digital membership card can be prepared for each store, allowing for rapid implementation.

Real-time Data Analysis

By using a digital membership card, it is possible to collect and analyze customer data in real time. By linking LINE IDs with internal customer information, you can grasp customer behavior patterns and preferences, and provide individual marketing measures or personalized offers.

This allows for the deployment of effective marketing strategies tailored to customer needs. As expected, you can hope for effects such as promoting customer engagement, increasing opportunities to approach users, and improving LTV.

Flexible Customization and Extensibility

LINE digital membership cards can be customized using a flexible and highly extensible platform. You can freely adjust the design, layout, and displayed information.

Furthermore, adding new functions or integrated systems is easy. It becomes possible to purchase products on your own e-commerce site via LINE, or to place and receive orders in the talk room by linking with core systems.

Reduction of the risk of loss or forgetting

Since it is stored on a smartphone or mobile device, the risk of loss or forgetting, which is common with paper membership cards or physical cards, is reduced. Since many users always carry their smartphones and use LINE, they can easily access their membership cards.

Real-time notifications and updates

If you set it up so that users automatically become friends with your LINE Official Account when issuing a digital membership card, users can receive real-time notifications and updates.

Through message delivery, you can quickly notify customers about changes to benefits, new campaigns, event information, and more. Because customers can always receive the latest information, more effective communication is possible.

I have explained the benefits of digital membership cards in detail from various perspectives. Digital membership cards bring many advantages to businesses, such as improving customer satisfaction, increasing efficiency, and deploying marketing strategies.

However, since membership information is held as data and transferred via programs, it is necessary to pay attention to appropriate security measures, data management, and the protection of customer privacy.

When implementing, be sure to request a development company that also has solid expertise in security!

How to actually implement a digital membership card on LINE

Now, finally, I would like to explain how to actually implement a digital membership card on LINE.

There are broadly two patterns for implementing a digital membership card using a LINE Mini App.

These are using a package or individual development.

Since each has its own pros and cons, I would like to explain them including those aspects.

Implementing a LINE digital membership card using a package

Using a package means implementing it by utilizing a service that has already been developed and is provided as a service.

Pros and cons of package implementation
Pros
Relatively low implementation cost
Short implementation period

Cons
Since it is an off-the-shelf product, there is almost no scalability or customizability
Security aspects depend on the operating company
Integration with in-house services is difficult

This is overwhelmingly the better choice for small-scale stores and similar businesses. If you are thinking, 'I want to try introducing a digital membership card!', this pattern is overwhelmingly recommended.

Conversely, if you already have an e-commerce site or your own app, using a package might result in having too many unnecessary features or, in some cases, feeling like something is missing.

Introducing LINE Digital Membership Cards via Custom Development

Custom development allows you to incorporate many of the features your company wants, and it makes integration with existing apps or e-commerce sites easier. It is also easier to consider use cases such as CRM utilization.

Custom Development
Pros
Desired features can be implemented
High scalability and flexibility
Can be made into a mini-app that is not just a digital membership card

Cons
Costs can be quite high depending on the required features
Similarly, the development period takes quite a long time
Depending on the development company, they may not be able to cover all necessary features

These are the points.
After all, it does cost a significant amount of money and time, and there is also the possibility that if you do not have solid expertise, you might not end up with the features you actually wanted.

Since both have clear advantages and disadvantages, it is best to choose according to the content and scale you wish to introduce.

Digital membership cards on LINE are convenient!

Finally, introducing a digital membership card requires specialized knowledge and technology. Cooperation with developers and the selection of a highly reliable platform are the keys to success.

In other words, a digital membership card using LINE is an existing platform, and because many users have already installed LINE, it is easier for users to start using it than having to prepare a new app and have them install it from scratch!

LINE digital membership cards have many benefits, such as increasing the number of friends on your official account, acquiring user information, improving LTV through message delivery, or creating traffic to your own e-commerce or service site.

It will become an essential item for the fusion of real-world and online experiences with OMO in mind, so please consider introducing it.