Step 1: Name Your Points Program & Point Currency

  1. Navigate to Points Program Settings: From Ako Marketing admin, go to Loyalty Program > Programs > Click Points


  2. Program Branding:

    • Program Name: Give a name to your points program. This will appear on the loyalty widget on your website.

    • Point Currency Name: Name your points currency and add it in both the "Singular term" and "Plural form" fields.

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Step 2: Determine Points Reward Value and Redemption Value

2.1. Set points reward value

Determine the number of points customers can earn based on the order amount. For example, earn 1 point for every $1 spent or earn 1 point for every $3 spent.

2.2. Set points redemption value

Determine the number of points redeemed for each $N cash discount. Ako Marketing will automatically convert customers' eligible points into cash discounts and apply them to orders.

2.3. Set points rounding mode

Points are always issued as whole numbers. However, the actual amount awarded can vary based on the selected rounding method under "Convert points by percentage".

Below are the four rounding options available:

šŸ“ Example Scenario:

If the points reward value is set at 2 points for every $10 spent and a customer spends $23:

  • Default Mode (unchecked)
    Calculation: $23 Ć· 10 = 2.3
    Only the whole number part (2) is taken.
    Points awarded: 2 points multiplied by the points multiplier of 2, resulting in 4 points (2 * 2 = 4 points).

  • Round to the nearest integer
    Calculation: $23 Ć· 10 = 2.3
    2.3 points multiplied by 2 equals 4.6 points.
    Rounded to the nearest whole number: 5 points.

  • Always round up
    Calculation: $23 Ć· 10 = 2.3
    2.3 points multiplied by 2 equals 4.6 points.
    Rounded up: 5 points.

  • Always round down
    Calculation: $23 Ć· 10 = 2.3
    2.3 points multiplied by 2 equals 4.6 points.
    Rounded down: 4 points.

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Step 3: Set Points Redemption Rules

  1. Maximum Redeem Amount
    Default Value: The default value is 30%, meaning the amount converted from points to cash discounts can only cover up to 30% of the total product amount.

    šŸ“ Example: If a product costs $100, customers can use their points to cover 30% of the total product amount, which is $30. If a customer doesn't have enough points to cover the full 30%, all available points will be applied for redemption.

  2. Minimum Purchase Amount
    Setting a minimum purchase amount encourages customers to spend more, enhancing the average order value.
    šŸ“ Example: If the minimum purchase amount is set to $50, customers will need to spend at least $50 to use their points.

šŸ“ Important Notice

  1. Redemption Conditions: Points can only be redeemed on the subtotal of the product amount.

  2. Maximum Limit: The maximum redemption limit cannot exceed 50%.

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Step 4: Set Points Reward and Return Rules

From Ako Marketing admin, go to Settings > Order > Points reward. Here you can specify under which status customers will receive points when placing orders, and under what conditions points are refunded or revoked for canceled orders.

4.1. Points Reward Rule

  1. Order Total
    Determine how points are rewarded and calculated on orders. By default, it is set to "Product total", which means points are calculated based on the total amount of the products. If you want to include shipping fees and taxes in the points calculation as well, check the boxes for "Include shipping" or "Include taxes".

  2. Points issue date

This determines the conditions and timing for issuing points to customers. There are three options available:

  • Immediately: Issue points right away when customers place an order, even if they haven't paid yet.

  • N days after paid: Issue points N days after the customer's payment has been made.

  • N days after paid and fulfilled: Issue points N days after the order has been both paid for and fulfilled

4.2. Points Return Rule

If customers cancel or ask for refund on their orders, you can decide how to revoke and return points on the orders with refunded, partially refunded and voided status.

  1. Order Rewarded Points Refund
    This rule determines whether customers can still receive reward points from their cancelled orders.

    • Proportionally: Only revoke the points from canceled products, customers still receive points from the remaining products in their order.

    • Full: All points from the entire order will be revoked.

    • None: No points will be revoked. Customers remain eligible to receive points from their order, even if the payment status is refunded, partially refunded, or voided.

  2. Redeemed Points Refund
    When a customer cancels an order or returns an item, you can decide how to refund the points that were redeemed on the original order. The expiration for returned points will remain the same:

    • Proportionally: Points will be returned only for canceled products.

    • None: No points will be returned to the customer.

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Step 5: Decide When to Run VIP Tier Validation

Ako Marketing reviews each customer's assets, including total amount spent and points earned, to check their eligibility for unlocking a new tier with every order placed. You can further customize the timing for running tier validations.

  1. Immediately: Check a customer's eligibility for upgrading right away each time they place a new order, even if they haven't paid yet.

  2. N days after paid: Check a customer's eligibility for upgrading to a new tier N days after their order has been paid.

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Step 6: Launch Points Rule

Click the "Activate" button to launch your points rule.

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Step 7: Configure Ways for Customers to Earn Points

Ako Marketing provides at least 7 types of points-earning actions to enhance customer engagement(e.g., social login rewards, birthday rewards, product review reward). To complete setting up your points program, refer to this article: Exploring ways to earn rewards: overview

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Step 8: Activate One-Click Point Redemption

Once your points program is finalized, enable point redemption to allow your customers to officially redeem their points on orders. Ako Marketing offers a one-click redemption feature to simplify and streamline the checkout process. Points will be automatically calculated and applied to orders; customers only need to log in to their account via a social media account or email.

For detailed instructions on how to activate point redemption, check this article :Embed one-click Points Redemption and redeem process demo


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Related Article: Setting Up Purchase Rewards (Points & Store Credit)

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Step 1: Name Your Points Program & Point Currency

First, navigate to the Points Program Settings: From the Ako Marketing admin, go to Loyalty Program > Programs > Click Points.

Navigate to Points Program

Program Branding

  • Program Name: This is the name that will appear on the loyalty widget on your website.
  • Point Currency Name: Define your currency by filling in both the "Singular term" and "Plural form" fields (e.g., Point vs. Points).
Branding Settings

Step 2: Determine Reward and Redemption Values

2.1 Set Points Reward Value

Decide how many points customers earn per dollar spent. For example, you might set it so customers earn 1 point for every $1 spent.

2.2 Set Points Redemption Value

Determine the "cash value" of your points. You set how many points are required for a specific cash discount (e.g., 100 points = $1 off). Ako Marketing automatically handles the conversion at checkout.

Redemption Values

2.3 Set Points Rounding Mode

Example Scenario: If a customer spends $23 and the rule is 2 points per $10:

  • Default: Takes the whole number ($20 / 10 = 2) then applies multipliers.
  • Round to nearest: 2.3 x Multiplier, then rounded.
  • Always Round Up/Down: Forces the final calculation to the next or previous whole number.

Step 3: Set Points Redemption Rules

Maximum Redeem Amount: By default, this is 30%, meaning points can cover up to 30% of the product subtotal. The maximum limit allowed is 50%.

Minimum Purchase Amount: Set a threshold (e.g., $50) that customers must reach before they are eligible to use their points.

Step 4: Set Reward and Return Rules

4.1 Points Reward Rule

Decide if points are calculated on the "Product total" only or if they should include shipping and taxes. You can also set the Points issue date: Immediately, N days after payment, or N days after fulfillment.

4.2 Points Return Rule

Configure how points are handled during refunds. You can choose to revoke points Proportionally (only for items returned), Full (entire order), or None.

Step 5: Launch and Engage

Once your rules are set, click Activate to launch your program. Don't forget to configure your "Ways to Earn" (Step 7) and enable One-Click Redemption (Step 8) to ensure a smooth customer experience.

FAQ: Points Program Setup

Can points be redeemed on shipping and taxes?

No. Points can only be redeemed on the subtotal of the product amount. However, you can choose to award points based on the total including shipping and taxes in Step 4.

What is the maximum percentage a customer can pay with points?

While the default is 30%, you can increase this limit up to a maximum of 50% of the product subtotal.

What happens to points if an order is partially refunded?

If you select the "Proportionally" return rule, the system will only revoke the points associated with the specific items being refunded, allowing the customer to keep the points earned from the rest of the order.

Why didn't my customer receive their points immediately?

Check your "Points issue date" settings in Step 4. If you have it set to "N days after fulfilled," the system will wait for that period to pass before updating the customer's balance.

Ready to build your loyalty community? If you have questions about rounding modes or redemption limits, we're here to help:

šŸ“§ service@akohub.com
šŸ“… Schedule a free 20-minute consultation