Keep the earning and spending rates separate.
The earning rate describes how a qualifying purchase becomes points. The redemption rate describes how points become a benefit. Also decide which amount qualifies: product value before or after discounts, delivery, tax and exclusions can change the result.
Write the customer promise in ordinary language. Someone should understand how they earn, when points become available and what they can use them for. A conversion rate hidden in settings is not yet a clear reward.
Work through the nominal value.
This fictional scheme earns one point for each whole qualifying euro per order. One hundred points can be redeemed for €5. A point therefore has €0.05 nominal value; one point per euro represents 5% nominal issued reward. It is not a profit or retention result.
| Qualifying amount | Points issued | Nominal value | Can redeem 100 points now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| €49.95 | 49 | €2.45 | No, unless an existing balance reaches 100 |
| €50 | 50 | €2.50 | No, unless an existing balance reaches 100 |
| €100 | 100 | €5.00 | Yes, subject to the scheme’s other rules |
Check rounding, minimums and the next basket.
Decide whether rounding happens per item or per order. Two small purchases can then produce a different total from one combined purchase. Check the minimum redemption balance, maximum discount and excluded products using the actual extension you choose.
The official WooCommerce Points and Rewards extension has its own settings and account requirements. Those are not universal rules for every loyalty tool. Test a customer with no balance, a balance just below the minimum and a balance that can be redeemed.
Include the return in the promise.
Suppose the fictional €100 purchase earns 100 points and a €20 qualifying item is returned. Under a proportional reversal rule, 20 points would be removed. Check what your system does if some points have already been spent; do not invent a balance adjustment policy at the service desk.
Review issued points, redeemed rewards, returns and margin separately. Unused points are not already-spent discounts. More repeat purchases after launch do not prove the points caused them. Choose one understandable benefit and measure the actual response over a useful period.