They provided ideas that we hadn't really thought of, which helped our program standout.
- 14 weeks
- zero to launch
- 100+
- product purchase receipts in 1st month
Sanbra Fyffe Builds Stronger Customer Loyalty With 60% Engagement
In just 14 weeks, we built a loyalty rewards mobile app that boosted customer engagement by 60% and increased repeat purchases for loyal customers.
About Client and Key Challenges
Sanbra Fyffe Limited, the company behind the Instantor® brand, is a well-known name in Ireland’s plumbing and heating industry. They supply plumbing products to builders' merchants across the country.
But they faced a problem. They couldn’t track customer engagement properly. There was no system to identify and reward plumbers and installers who regularly bought their products. Retention was another challenge. Without a proper rewards program, there was nothing to encourage repeat purchases.
Even though their products were widely used, direct interaction with plumbers and installers was minimal. They had no way to build a stronger connection with them. Tracking purchases was also a hassle. Everything was manual, making it hard to verify sales and run promotions effectively. That’s when they approached us.
They wanted to build a loyalty and rewards app to recognize and reward their customers who were mostly plumbers and installers. The goal was simple—appreciate their customers, build trust, and boost repeat purchases.
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android Mobile App
Duration14 Weeks
IndustryMarketing Tech
Solution - Our Partnership Goal
Sanbra Fyffe wanted more than just a rewards program—they wanted to build stronger relationships with the plumbers and installers who trusted their products daily. They knew that recognizing and appreciating their loyalty would go a long way in keeping them engaged.
To make this happen, they needed a reliable tech partner who could turn their vision into a seamless digital experience. They were looking for a small, adaptable team with strong technical skills to take charge and deliver measurable results.
Our collaboration focused on creating a tiered rewards loyalty app that would simplify purchase tracking, automate rewards, and drive repeat purchases. By leveraging advanced technologies, we aimed to build a smooth, engaging, and rewarding platform that could scale nationwide.
Before
- No targeted audience-specific engagement or loyalty program in place
- Lack of a simplified digital experience to enhance engagement
- Absence of effective means to appreciate and reward customers
- Difficulty in converting new customers into loyal, repeat buyers
After
- Successful attraction of new customers to the mobile loyalty app
- Enhanced ease of access through the mobile app
- Significant increase in customer engagement through interactive features
- Higher customer purchase frequency and spending
- Improved customer retention rates
- Increased frequency of repeat purchases
- Simplified receipt upload process for user convenience
- Efficient competition management for administrators
- Real-time processing of receipts
- Automated selection of competition winners leading to greater customer satisfaction
What our clients say about us.
To ensure a seamless user experience and efficient backend operations, we used the following technologies
Team Formation
Our client had a clear vision—build an app to reward the customers who trust Instantor’s products. This made the project goal clear and helped smooth out the roadmapping phase: make plumbers and installers feel appreciated for their loyalty.
Our small team of four got to work on creating a tiered rewards system to encourage repeat purchases. We stayed in close contact with the client, getting feedback to stay on track.
We kept the process moving with daily updates on Slack and used Asana to stay organized. Following Agile methods with two-week sprints allowed us to adjust quickly when needed. Any issues that popped up were handled fast to keep things moving smoothly.
Before launch, we tested everything thoroughly across all environments. This approach helped us deliver an app that worked well and built stronger connections with customers while boosting loyalty.
zero to launch
product purchase receipts in 1st month
increase in average order value
How we built a Tiered Loyalty Rewards App for Sanbra Fyffe Limited
We were excited to work with Sanbra Fyffe Limited to bring their new loyalty rewards app to life. As a well-known name in the plumbing supply business, they needed a solution to make their customers—plumbers and installers—feel valued for their loyalty.
Through the Instantor Rewards Program, users can sign up via web or mobile, upload receipts, and earn points toward Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers, unlocking exclusive rewards. Beyond points, the program fosters a sense of achievement and community with product updates and special event invites.
Security and speed were our priorities. We integrated Caddy Reverse Proxy and AWS S3 to ensure smooth performance and safeguard sensitive data.
The best part for us was creating an app that goes beyond transactions—it strengthens customer relationships, making every purchase count.
Registration
Plumbers and installers can easily register online or through the Instantor rewards mobile app.
Getting started is quick and straightforward, so users don’t waste time and can jump straight into earning rewards for their loyalty.
Receipt Upload
Users can snap and upload proof of purchase of Sanbra Fyffe products via the app, earning reward points for each upload.
It’s simple, and every receipt is a step toward bigger rewards, making customers feel appreciated for their business with each upload.
Monthly Competitions
Reward points from receipt uploads qualify members for monthly competitions offering prizes like weekend getaways and electronics.
These competitions add excitement and anticipation, giving customers a reason to keep coming back and stay engaged.
Tiered Membership
Members progress through Bronze, Silver, and Gold tiers based on accumulated reward points, each tier offering special Instantor merchandise.
As users see their status rise, they’re motivated to keep purchasing and advancing through the tiers for even more exclusive rewards.
Exclusive Benefits
Members receive updates on new products and exclusive invitations to training sessions and events.
This helps them feel like they’re part of something special, always in the know about what’s coming next and how they can enhance their skills.
Push and Email Notifications
Users receive push notifications for upcoming competitions and alerts about potential prize wins.
Confirmation emails are sent upon successful receipt uploads. These timely notifications keep users informed and excited, ensuring they never miss out on rewards or opportunities.
Reward Point Tracking
Members can monitor their reward points and loyalty tier status through their account.
This helps users feel in control of their progress, offering them a clear view of their journey and how close they are to their next reward.
Super Admin Panel
Super Admins manage competitions, user activity, and winners through comprehensive tools including CSV export options.
With powerful tools at their fingertips, admins ensure the program runs smoothly and fairly, while users can trust that everything is tracked accurately.
User Management
Admins can oversee user details, tier settings, and notifications to ensure effective program management.
This feature ensures that the program stays organized and relevant to each individual user, fostering trust and a sense of personalization.
User Profile Management
Users can register, verify, and log in to manage their profiles, update details, change passwords, and adjust communication preferences.
Giving users control over their profiles makes them feel secure and empowered, allowing them to engage on their own terms.
What happened next - Results
The Instantor loyalty rewards mobile app has been a huge success! Just 3 months after launch, over 5,000 plumbers and installers had downloaded the app, showing strong engagement.
Users spent an average of more than 3 minutes per session, actively taking part in the program, and there was a 25% increase in repeat purchases. This proves that the app is doing exactly what it was meant to—building customer loyalty and boosting business growth.
As we move into our 4th year of working together, the client has expressed their satisfaction with how we’ve handled the development process. The loyalty rewards program, launched in 2021, highlights our commitment to delivering innovative solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations, strengthening relationships along the way.
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FAQs
- What are the technical challenges of building a receipt-based loyalty program?
Building a receipt-based loyalty program comes with some technical challenges.
Key Challenges:
- Manual Review : This method ensures accuracy but can be time-consuming, particularly when dealing with a large number of users.
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR) : OCR technology extracts data automatically using your phone's camera, making it more convenient. However, it can struggle with blurry images or complex receipt layouts, leading to errors.
To ensure the best results, combining both manual review and OCR often provides a more accurate and efficient solution for processing receipts.
- How long does it typically take to develop a loyalty app?
The development time for a loyalty app depends on its complexity. A basic app, like Instantor Rewards, could be built in 3-6 months. However, a more feature-rich program with advanced functionality may take longer to develop.
Key Considerations:
To keep things on track, it's crucial to prioritize the most important features first. Focus on creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which allows you to launch the app quickly. This approach helps you gather user feedback early on, enabling you to make informed decisions and refine the app in future updates.
- How can a rewards mobile app benefit my business?
A rewards mobile app can bring significant benefits to your business by helping you strengthen relationships with your customers.
Key Benefits:
Boost Customer Retention : Offering rewards encourages customers to return, as they want to earn more benefits.
Increase Repeat Purchases : With incentives like points or discounts, customers are more likely to make additional purchases.
Enhance Engagement : A user-friendly app keeps customers engaged, offering them a personalized experience with exclusive deals and rewards.
By simplifying how customers earn and redeem rewards, you can foster loyalty and keep them coming back, leading to increased revenue and long-term business growth.
- What are the benefits of building a native app vs. a web app for a loyalty program?
Building a native app for a loyalty program offers several advantages. It provides faster performance since it is specifically designed for a particular operating system (iOS or Android). Native apps also have better integration with device features like push notifications, camera access, and GPS, allowing for a more personalized and engaging experience.
On the other hand, a web app is easier to develop and maintain since it works across different platforms and doesn’t require multiple versions for iOS and Android. However, it may not offer the same level of performance and device integration as a native app.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your budget, timeline, and the user experience you want to provide.
- What factors influence the cost of building a tiered rewards system in a loyalty app?
The cost of building a tiered rewards system in a loyalty app depends on several factors:
- Complexity of Tiers : More levels with different benefits and conditions increase development time and costs.
- Custom Features : If the tiers require personalized rewards, gamification elements, or advanced tracking, the price rises.
- Integration with Other Systems : Connecting the loyalty system with e-commerce platforms, POS systems, or CRM tools adds to the cost.
- User Interface (UI) Design : Designing intuitive and engaging UI for different user tiers requires more effort and resources.
- Ongoing Maintenance : Regular updates and bug fixes for the loyalty system will incur additional costs.
In general, a basic tiered system may start at a lower cost, but more advanced systems with customizations and integrations will be priced higher. For a more detailed breakdown of pricing, please check our pricing page.