About the Author: I'm Tim Dierckxsens, CEO of Venly, a blockchain technology provider. Before founding Venly, I spent years as a business consultant, helping executives innovate with digital solutions in industries like music, postal services, supply chain, and banking.

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Token Gating: Turning Every Buyer Into an Advocate

Doug’s business, Highland Titles, sells souvenir plots of Scottish land, allowing customers to call themselves a Laird, Lord, or Lady. But Doug didn’t stop at offering digital certificates. Using token gating, he’s keeping his customers engaged long after their initial purchase.

Why Token Gating Works for Your Store

With token gating, you're not just selling a product - you’re turning a transaction into a relationship that lasts. Customers receive more than a digital receipt; they get access to exclusive perks like early product releases, discounts, or special events, simply by owning a token tied to their purchase. This ongoing engagement transforms the customer experience into something personalized, keeping buyers coming back and staying loyal to your brand.

Real-World Impact

1. Verified Ownership, Exclusive Benefits:
Doug’s team no longer needs to manually verify ownership or reissue lost certificates. Every plot of land is now verifiably owned on the blockchain, and customers enjoy exclusive benefits that come with holding a token. It builds trust and deepens their relationship with the brand.

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2. Seamless Customer Access:
Forget managing discount codes or login credentials. Token gating automates access to special offers and events based on the token a customer owns. This saves Doug’s team time and eliminates customer service headaches. Plus, it makes the experience for buyers effortless.

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3. Scalability Without Extra Work:
As Doug’s business grows, the manual work doesn’t. Venly’s Shopify app automates everything—from issuing certificates to managing ownership records—so Doug can focus on scaling his business without extra admin.

Why Token Gating Matters for Your Shopify Store

Let’s face it—acquiring a new customer costs 5x more than retaining an existing one, and repeat customers spend 67% more on average than first-time buyers. Token gating helps you create an ecosystem where customers feel valued and engaged. This translates into higher customer retention, more loyalty, and even advocacy—because happy customers share their experiences.

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Token gating isn’t about overcomplicating your processes. It’s about using technology to build stronger relationships, creating meaningful touchpoints with your customers beyond the initial purchase.

The Real Game-Changer: Building Lasting Connections

The power of token gating lies in how it transforms one-time buyers into long-term advocates. Instead of seeing each transaction as a finish line, you create ongoing opportunities to engage, build trust, and give customers a reason to return—whether that’s through exclusive offers or unique product experiences.

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Curious to see how token gating can unlock new growth for your Shopify Plus store? Explore Venly’s Shopify app and discover the possibilities.