An online incentive company says it is hoping Facebook Inc.'s virtual currency system can become a more effective and less expensive way for Internet retailers to boost customer loyalty.
This year, ifeelgoods.com Inc. signed a deal with Facebook to develop a system that would let online merchants offer Facebook Credits as a marketing incentive. The Menlo Park, Calif., firm started its website in mid-September.
The company has not announced any participating retailer, but its founder and chief executive, Michael Amar, said he is focusing on the top 100 e-commerce sites. "We're trying to figure out how best these sites can use Facebook and social media" to attract loyal customers, he said in an interview Sept. 23.
Ifeelgoods.com is trying to promote the idea of microincentives, Amar said. Retailers will immediately reward consumers who have a brief but meaningful interaction with a particular retailer, whereas they previously might have gotten no such benefit, he said.
People could get Facebook Credits for such actions as sharing a product review on their Facebook page or signing up for a retailer's online newsletter, Amar said. People also may use Facebook Credits to buy digital goods for use in a number of Facebook games.
