What is Product Registration and Why Everyone Talks About it

How can home appliance manufacturers offer proactive customer support and extend their product warranties? Their customers would be thrilled if they could push out timely maintenance reminders, provide troubleshooting assistance, and swiftly resolve product concerns.

Clothing retailers, on the other hand, want to understand customer preferences, sizes, and style choices. That way, they can create personalized promotions, send targeted recommendations, and deliver an exceptional shopping experience. 

Even tech companies want insights into their customer base to establish direct communication channels, facilitating personalized support, firmware updates, and feedback collection.

Similar scenes are seen across different industries. What is needed to actualize all this? Product registration.

What is product registration?

Product registration is a process that allows brands to collect customer information and establish a direct line of communication with their customers. It involves customers providing their contact information to the manufacturer or brand to activate warranties, receive essential product updates and recommendations, access maintenance instructions, and ensure product safety.

The most likely products to be registered, according to a University of Michigan survey of 522 customers from across the United States, are: major appliances (56.3%), electronic devices (44.7%), infant and toddler products (39.3%), power tools (30.6%), automobile tires (29.7%), and sports equipment(14.5%)

Some typical details that can be collected through product registration include the following:

Contact information: This includes the customer's name, address, email address, and phone number. It allows brands to establish direct communication channels and reach customers for various purposes.

Product information: Details about the registered product, such as the model or serial number, purchase date, and place of purchase, can be collected. This information helps you, as the brand owner, to track product ownership and identify specific product versions for targeted communication.

Demographic information: You may ask for demographic data like age, gender, occupation, or interests to gain insights into their customer base. This information helps in creating targeted marketing campaigns and personalized interactions.

Usage patterns and preferences: This includes information about how customers use their products, such as frequency of use, specific features utilized, or preferred settings. Understanding usage patterns and preferences help in product development and tailoring recommendations. With Layerise, you can also track purchase intent score.

Feedback and reviews: Customers can be encouraged to provide feedback or leave reviews about the registered product. This feedback is valuable for improving product quality, identifying areas of improvement, and addressing customer concerns.

Opt-in preferences: Here, customers indicate their preferences for receiving newsletters, promotional offers, or participating in loyalty programs. That allows brands to tailor communication and offers based on individual preferences.

Warranty and support information: Customers may be required to provide proof of purchase, warranty details, or information related to product support requests. That ensures that brands can provide timely and accurate support to registered customers.

Almost everyone in the University of Michigan survey mentioned above (86.6%) said they would be more inclined to register a product if they had to do so to activate the warranty.

The changing landscape of brand-customer relationship

The relationship between brands and consumers has evolved significantly in the digital age. A virtual connection through websites and social media platforms has replaced the traditional model of face-to-face interactions. Consumers now rely on these channels to learn about brands and their offerings. 

However, with the increasing regulations around consumer data, brands are finding it harder to understand their customers truly. It's particularly challenging for brands that sell through third-party platforms like Amazon, which restricts access to key consumer data. Despite the advantages of reaching a broader market, brands bear the cost of not having direct knowledge of their customers.

For instance, home decor brands heavily rely on websites and social media to showcase their products and inspire potential customers. However, these brands struggle to understand their target audience's preferences and buying behavior without access to consumer data. 

With brands that sell sports equipment through third-party platforms, including Amazon or sporting goods retailers, the lack of direct access to customer data hinders their ability to provide personalized recommendations. 

Regarding online health and wellness platforms, brands in this industry face challenges in building strong customer relationships. Without access to consumer data, offering tailored health recommendations or exclusive offers becomes difficult. On the other hand, health providers running data-driven campaigns can increase sales of core products by over 10%, as McKinsey reports.

Consumer electronics brands also face the dilemma of limited access to customer information. It hinders their ability to provide proactive support, firmware updates, and gather valuable insights for product development.

These brands can reclaim consumer data ownership and establish direct communication with their customers by registering their product. When you offer a compelling reason for customers to provide their information, you can bridge the gap and gain valuable insights into their target audience. 

Challenges in the product registration process

The current product registration process poses significant challenges that impede customer engagement. These challenges primarily involve inconvenience and complexity, resulting in lower registration rates. 

Manufacturers often rely on outdated paper-based processes or convoluted online forms, which demand extensive personal and product information, ultimately deterring customers from completing the registration process.

Say you purchase a new home appliance and receive a paper registration card that requires you to manually fill in your personal details, product information, and warranty codes. The cumbersome nature of this process, coupled with the need for a physical pen and postage, makes it inconvenient and time-consuming.

Then there are those cases where online forms get cumbersome. For instance, you can visit a website to register a recently purchased electronic device. Still, when you navigate to the registration page, you encounter an online form with multiple sections and intricate fields. 

The sheer complexity of inputting various details and the repetitive nature of certain information can quickly frustrate and discourage you from completing the registration.

Smart registration: make things simpler

Simplifying the registration process is crucial for improving customer engagement and brand-customer relationships. One practical approach is to embrace digital solutions such as mobile-friendly registration forms and QR codes. These digital tools provide convenience and ease of use, allowing customers to quickly register their products with just a few taps on their smartphones.

For example, finding a QR code sticker inside a product's packaging enables hassle-free registration, eliminating the need for lengthy forms. Additionally, providing relatable examples like registering a new pair of sneakers or a smart home device through a user-friendly mobile app helps customers understand the benefits of these simplified processes.

Clear incentives play a significant role in encouraging customers to complete the registration process. Brands can offer benefits such as extended warranties, exclusive discounts, or access to premium customer support to motivate customers to register their products. 

For instance, when purchasing a high-end camera, the offer of an extended warranty provides peace of mind and protection for an extended period, which incentivizes customers to register. 

Similarly, receiving an email with a significant discount on accessories upon registration of a new kitchen appliance creates an enticing incentive that motivates customers to complete the process and enjoy additional savings.

By implementing these strategies, brands can overcome challenges hindering customer registration engagement. Simplified procedures, digital tools, and clear incentives make the experience hassle-free and rewarding for customers. This, in turn, fosters stronger brand-customer relationships and ensures that customers thoroughly enjoy the benefits of their purchases.

Benefits of product registration

Let’s explore the numerous advantages that product registration brings, revolutionizing the customer experience and empowering brands to forge stronger connections.

Benefits of product registration for customers

First off is the customer. Say you've just purchased a brand-new smartphone, and as you unbox it, you notice a small card urging you to register your device. Or you've bought a high-end kitchen appliance that promises to revolutionize your cooking experience. You find a registration form tucked inside the packaging as you unpack it. Should you fill it out? 

Nowadays, brands direct customers to online platforms to provide their details - is it worth the hassle? Yes, and here’s why:

Warranty activation and product support

When you register your product, you activate its warranty, which gives you peace of mind. By activating the warranty, you ensure that you can quickly get your product replaced or repaired if any issues arise during the warranty period. This benefit encourages product registration and protects you from unexpected expenses.

Access to important information

Product registration grants you access to essential product information in one convenient location. You can stay informed about product recalls or notices, access setup and maintenance instructions, and quickly report any issues with the product or request repairs. This centralized access to information enhances your ownership experience and empowers you to make the most of your purchased products.

A study by Digital Research Group for Registry revealed that 47% of consumers of two groups: aged 18-34, and those with an income of $100,000 or more, would prefer receiving product setup instructions, tips, and service and warranty information on their mobile devices rather than through email or printed materials.

Personalized interactions and exclusive offers

Registering your products lets brands personalize interactions with you and tailor their future marketing campaigns. Brands utilize the customer data collected during registration to understand your preferences and needs, resulting in more targeted and relevant communication. 

Additionally, as a registered customer, you may gain access to exclusive offers, discounts, product previews, and freebies, enhancing your overall experience and providing additional incentives for product registration.

Benefits of product registration for brands

Next is the brand itself. Here's how the investment in a proper product registration system pays off:

Access to first-party consumer data

Product registration allows brands to collect valuable first-party consumer data often lost when customers purchase products from third-party retailers. This data includes names, email addresses, and other demographic information. With this data, brands can establish direct communication channels with their customers, fostering personalized interactions and enabling better customer relationship management.

Streamlined communications and improved product design

With access to customer data through product registration, brands can streamline their communications around product recalls, replacements, or repairs. They can promptly notify customers about any safety concerns or essential updates, ensuring customer satisfaction and trust. 

Moreover, the data collected can inform better product design by providing insights into customer preferences, usage patterns, and feedback. This information allows brands to create improved versions of their products that better meet the needs and expectations of their customers.

Enhanced marketing campaigns

Product registration empowers brands to shape future marketing campaigns by better understanding their customer base. With access to customer data, brands can segment their customers and create targeted marketing initiatives, resulting in higher engagement, conversion rates, and customer loyalty. 

This data-driven approach enables brands to deliver more personalized and relevant content to their registered customers, enhancing the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

Brand-customer relationship

Product registration goes beyond transactions and nurtures meaningful interactions between brands and customers. By registering your products, you foster trust and accountability with brands. You know that brands are invested in your satisfaction and are willing to address any issues that may arise with your registered products. This trust strengthens the brand-customer relationship and encourages you to remain loyal to the brand.

Exclusive benefits and rewards

Brands can incentivize product registration by offering exclusive benefits and rewards to registered customers. These rewards may include discounts on future purchases, early access to new products, or special loyalty programs. By adding value to registered customers, brands can cultivate customer loyalty and drive repeat business.

How to get customers to register the product with Layerise

At Layerise, we understand the importance of product registration for brands and the value it brings to both businesses and customers. To help you maximize the benefits of product registration, we have developed strategies that leverage QR codes to improve customer engagement and encourage product registration. Let's explore how you can effectively get customers to register their products with Layerise.

Seamless onboarding with QR codes

QR codes provide a convenient and seamless onboarding experience for customers. You can streamline registration by incorporating QR codes into your product packaging or accompanying documentation. 

When customers scan the QR code, they are directed to a dedicated registration page where they can quickly provide their information and complete the registration in a few simple steps. It eliminates the need for customers to manually enter lengthy registration forms, making the process quick and hassle-free.

Incentives for registration

One effective way to motivate customers to register their products is by offering incentives. By partnering with Layerise, you can create exclusive offers, discounts, or rewards accessible only to registered customers. 

For example, customers who register their fashion products could receive a discount on their next purchase, or those who register their home appliances could gain access to extended warranties or special promotions. These incentives not only encourage registration but also foster a sense of loyalty and reward customers for their engagement with your brand.

Personalized experiences for registered customers

QR codes enable personalized experiences for customers through Layerise. By scanning the QR code, customers can access tailored recommendations, limited-time deals, and promotions related to their registered products.

For instance, bike registration customers could receive personalized maintenance tips, suggested accessories, and notifications about upcoming events or product upgrades. This level of personalization enhances the customer experience, increases engagement, and encourages customers to stay connected with your brand.

Gathering customer feedback

Another strategy to encourage product registration is actively seeking customer feedback through QR codes. Layerise allows you to integrate QR codes on your product packaging or receipts, enabling customers to share their opinions and insights quickly. This valuable feedback provides actionable information to improve your products and services. 

When you demonstrate that you value their input and are committed to enhancing their experience, you motivate customers to register their products and contribute to the growth and development of your brand.

Interactive product support

Layerise leverages QR codes to offer interactive product support, further incentivizing customers to register their products. Customers can access step-by-step guides, video tutorials, FAQs, and troubleshooting assistance specific to their registered products by scanning the QR code. 

This comprehensive support empowers customers to make the most of their purchases and reinforces the value of product registration. By emphasizing the benefits of accessing exclusive support resources, you encourage customers to register their products and ensure a positive ownership experience.

Ongoing communication and updates

By registering their products with Layerise, customers can access ongoing communication and updates from your brand. You can inform customers about new product releases, software updates, safety notices, and relevant news through personalized emails or notifications. 

This regular communication establishes a direct line of engagement with your customers and strengthens the brand-customer relationship. By emphasizing the value of staying connected and being part of an exclusive community, you motivate customers to register their products and enjoy the benefits of ongoing updates.

To close off…

At Layerise, we are committed to helping brands enhance customer engagement and streamline the product registration process. You can create a seamless and rewarding customer experience by leveraging QR codes and our platform. Encouraging product registration benefits your brand and empowers customers to make the most of their purchases. Book a demo today to see how Layerise can revolutionize your product registration process.