FACT: Nearly 90% of U.S. consumers want to engage with brands setting new standards in meeting their expectations, according to data from digital agency Wunderman.

1. With so many online competitors, winning client loyalty nowadays is a considerable challenge. One way to differentiate your company is to offer creative packaging options. What the box looks like is increasingly as important to end-buyers and end-users as what’s in the box itself.

2. Another idea: Entice customers with tailored reward programs that give them tiered discounts based on referrals and years they remain with you as a client.

3. Go beyond promo products and pitch incentive programs. “You don’t have to go away from your business – this is an add-on sale,” says Jon Hanson, an ASI Show speaker and CEO of the DataDirect Group. “The products that work best for incentives are the products that are consumer brands.”

4. Top-notch customer service is also a must, of course. Improve service by providing a dedicated account rep who oversees the entire order, instead of making the sale and then passing the client onto other departments.

5. Make sure your website is mobile friendly. About 44% of distributors still don’t have sites that work well on mobile devices, even as on-the-go browsing skyrockets, especially among younger buyers.

6. Simplify orders as much as possible. Find out from your customers what parts of the buying process can be streamlined and work to cut out redundancies to save clients time. Offering free artwork services is also a major plus.