Looking to give your small business a boost? Consider selling custom gift cards. Not only can they increase your brand’s visibility and sales, but they also offer a unique buying experience for your customers. But before you dive in, make sure you’re familiar with the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.
Why should you offer custom gift cards? Here are five reasons:
- Ease of purchase: Gift cards make it simple for customers to buy your products or services without worrying about having the exact amount of cash on hand.
- Brand visibility: A custom gift card can make your business more attractive to potential new customers, increasing your brand’s visibility.
- Repeat business: Customizable gift cards can encourage your existing customers to come back and attract new ones who are ready to spend.
- Referrals: If your gift cards are well-designed and user-friendly, they can motivate your current customers to spread the word about your business.
- Increased sales: Selling gift cards can be an easy way to offer store credit and boost transactions.
The custom gift card industry is evolving, with a growing focus on sustainability, innovative design, and adapting to consumer preferences. Customers are increasingly interested in eco-friendly options, like gift cards made from recycled materials. Personalized features, such as custom images and messages, are also becoming more popular. Businesses are using promotional incentives, like bonus gift cards and added value, to attract customers in response to economic factors like inflation.
So, where can you get custom gift cards for your small business? Here are 10 great sources:
- Square: Offers both plastic and digital gift cards that work with the Square point of sale (POS) system.
- Givex: Provides gift card technology that allows customers to purchase and send eGift cards from their mobile devices.
- GiftFly: Allows you to create and sell eGift cards online and provides real-time transaction reporting.
- Plastic Printers: Lets you put your unique brand on a plastic gift card that can be used with any POS system.
- Duracard: Offers customizable plastic cards with magnetic stripes and attractive designs.
- Yiftee: Allows you to create unique eGift cards and provides real-time sales data reports.
- My1Stop.com: Offers affordable custom gift cards with a barcode or magnetic strip.
- Plastic Card City: Provides durable, beautifully designed gift cards at an affordable cost.
- Roller: Helps you design personalized gift cards that can be sold from your website.
- PlasticCardMonster.com: Provides high-quality gift cards designed to meet your business’s specific needs.
Want to get free gift cards for your small business? Here are some strategies:
- Explore reward programs like Swagbucks, Fetch Rewards, and Ibotta.
- Sign up for surveys that offer rewards.
- Use cashback offers on specific purchases.
- Shop online through these platforms to receive gift cards as a reward.
- Refer friends and partners to these programs for referral bonuses.
- Participate in promotions and events run by these platforms.
- Sign up for multiple programs to maximize your chances of getting a variety of gift cards.
- Follow these programs on social media for exclusive offers and giveaways.
- Partner with businesses that offer gift card incentives.
- Implement employee incentive programs within your business.
Gift cards can be a great way for businesses to increase sales and encourage repeat customers. When a customer buys a gift card, businesses earn a percentage of the total, making gift cards an excellent way to generate revenue.
Gift cards and gift certificates are both valuable marketing tools, but they cater to different needs. Gift cards offer more versatility, don’t typically expire, can have custom spending limits, and are often reloadable. Gift certificates, on the other hand, are usually location-specific, have an expiration date, and have a fixed value.
As a small business, you should consider offering both physical and digital gift cards. Physical gift cards can be purchased by customers who prefer to shop in person, while digital gift cards offer a modern way to keep up with technology.
Choosing the best gift card program for your small business depends on your specific needs. A good program can help you create custom gift cards, increase brand visibility, and boost sales. You can also take advantage of free gift card programs that offer gift cards in exchange for completing marketing tasks.
