Are you looking to run a "member-only sale" or a "VIP member-only sale" on your Shopify store?
Special sales campaigns for members are effective for boosting customer loyalty and encouraging repeat purchases.
In this article, we'll explain how to run member-only sales, VIP member-only sales, and member-only discounts on Shopify. We'll also introduce "RuffRuff 予約販売," an app that lets you set purchase restrictions based on member tags or VIP tags, and display discounts based on specific conditions.
What are member-only sales and VIP member-only sales?
What is a member-only sale?
A member-only sale is a method of selling products only to customers who are registered members.
Selling at a discounted price exclusively to members is called a "member-only sale" or "member-only discount."
By restricting who can make a purchase through a member-only sale, you can create a sense of "only I can get this" or "only I can buy this at a great price," which can stimulate consumer purchase intent. It can also help increase the number of member sign-ups.
What is a VIP member-only sale?
A VIP member-only sale is a method of selling products only to loyal customers who meet certain conditions. A "VIP member" typically refers to a group within a membership program that a brand or company has specially designated for preferential treatment among its members.
For example, this often applies to members with a history of high-value purchases or members who have been actively engaged over a long period.
The blog article below introduces how to assign membership ranks such as Silver, Gold, or VIP to highly loyal members. If you're interested in building a membership rank system, please check it out.
Recommended apps for member-only sales and VIP member-only sales
RuffRuff 予約販売
"RuffRuff 予約販売" is a Shopify app that makes it easy to run pre-orders on your Shopify store. By making good use of this app, you can also run various types of sales such as "limited-time sales," "limited-time promotions," "coming soon announcements," "recurring sales," "member-only sales," "VIP-only sales," and "deferred payment."
It also has unique features, such as a deferred payment function that lets you collect payment before shipping the product—handy during pre-order sales.
Furthermore, it has earned "Built for Shopify" status, the official mark of quality from Shopify that certifies apps meeting standards for speed, ease of use, and reliability.
How to run member-only sales on Shopify
There may be cases where you want to sell products only to registered members. In such cases, you can easily achieve this by using RuffRuff 予約販売.
By following the setup instructions below, the product page will behave as follows depending on whether the visitor is a member or not.
If the visitor is a member
- The cart button is clickable
- The cart button text reads "Add to cart"
If the visitor is not a member or is not logged in
- The cart button is disabled
- The cart button text reads "Not available for purchase"
- A message is displayed below the cart button stating that the product is for members only
Demo product
Setup instructions
Running Member-Only Sales｜RuffRuff 予約販売 Help Center
How to run member-only discounts on Shopify
There may be cases where you want to sell products at a special discount only to registered members. In such cases, you can easily achieve this by using RuffRuff 予約販売.
By following the setup instructions below, the product page will behave as follows depending on whether the visitor is a member or not.
If the visitor is a member
- The product price is 10% off
If the visitor is not a member or is not logged in
- The price remains the regular price
- A message is displayed below the cart button stating that members can purchase at a discount
Demo product
Setup instructions
Running Member-Only Discounts｜RuffRuff 予約販売 Help Center
How to run VIP member-only sales on Shopify
There may be cases where you want to sell products only to highly engaged VIP members. In this case as well, you can easily achieve this by using RuffRuff 予約販売.
By following the setup instructions below, the product page will behave as follows depending on whether the visitor is a member or not.
If the visitor is a VIP member (a member with the VIP tag)
- The cart button is clickable
- The cart button text reads "Add to cart"
If the visitor is not a member or is not a VIP member
- The cart button is disabled
- The cart button text reads "Not available for purchase"
- A message is displayed below the cart button stating that the product is exclusive to VIP members
Demo product
Setup instructions
Running VIP Member-Only Sales｜RuffRuff 予約販売 Help Center
The blog article below introduces the benefits of introducing a "membership rank system" that ranks customers into tiers such as Bronze, Silver, Gold, and VIP, along with how to set it up and recommended Shopify apps. Please check it out for reference.
4 Shopify Membership Rank Apps｜Pros and Cons of a Membership Rank System
How to run VIP member-only discounts on Shopify
There may be cases where you want to sell products at a discounted price only to highly engaged VIP members. In this case as well, you can easily achieve this by using RuffRuff 予約販売.
By following the setup instructions below, the product page will behave as follows depending on whether the visitor is a member or not.
If the visitor is a VIP member (a member with the VIP tag)
- The cart button is clickable
- The cart button text reads "Add to cart"
- The product price is 10% off
If the visitor is not a member or is not a VIP member
- The cart button is disabled
- The cart button text reads "Only available to VIP members"
- A message is displayed below the cart button stating that the product is exclusive to VIP members
Demo product
Setup instructions
Running VIP Member-Only Discounts｜RuffRuff 予約販売 Help Center
How to run LINE-linked member-only sales on Shopify
There may be cases where you want to offer exclusive sales only to members who have linked their LINE account. In this case as well, you can easily achieve this by using RuffRuff 予約販売.
By following the setup instructions introduced in this section, the product page will behave as follows depending on whether the visitor is a member or not.
If the visitor is a LINE-linked member (a member with the lipify_cp tag)
- The cart button is clickable
- The cart button text reads "Add to cart"
If the visitor is not a member or is not a LINE-linked member
- The cart button is disabled
- The cart button text reads "Not available for purchase"
- A message is displayed below the cart button stating that the product is exclusive to LINE-linked members
Demo product
Setup instructions
For those using Lipify as their LINE integration app
For those using CRM PLUS on LINE as their LINE integration app
How to restrict purchases from blacklisted members on Shopify
There may be cases where you want to restrict members who have been blacklisted—for example, due to repeated cancellations or reselling—from purchasing specific products.
By following the setup instructions introduced in this section, products will behave as follows depending on the visitor's membership status: not logged in (hereafter, "guest"), a member who is not blacklisted (hereafter, "regular member"), or a member who is blacklisted (hereafter, "blacklisted member").
Regular member
- The cart button is clickable (the product can be purchased)
- The cart button text reads "Pre-Order"
Guest or blacklisted member
- The cart button is disabled (the product cannot be purchased)
- The cart button text reads "Not available for purchase"
- A message is displayed below the cart button stating that the product cannot be purchased
Demo product
Setup instructions
Conclusion
Running member-only sales and VIP member-only sales on Shopify lets you offer customers a special, exclusive shopping experience.
By providing members-only products or discounted pricing, you can expect increased purchase intent, more member sign-ups, and more repeat purchases.
By using "RuffRuff 予約販売," you can also set up sales restrictions based on member tags, VIP tags, or conditions for LINE-linked members. Try incorporating member-focused strategies that fit your store's sales approach.
