Electronic PaymentsBlog

November 7, 2023

30+ Gift Card Marketing Ideas for Small Business

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Small Business Tips

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Gift cards can be a valuable source of revenue for small businesses, but simply offering them isn’t enough. To get the most out of your gift card program, you need to make sure customers know about it and see its value.

Here are some practical ways to increase gift card sales for your small business, including in-store promotions, digital marketing, special offers, customer rewards, and seasonal campaigns.

30+ ways to promote gift cards for your small business

In-store experiences

1. Create eye-catching displays. Place gift cards near the register or in other high-traffic areas where customers can easily see and purchase them.
2. Add promotional signage. Place promotional signage at the front entrance, at your point of sale, and throughout your business to draw attention to your gift cards.
3. Get your staff involved. Train your team to mention gift cards when they’re helping customers and checking them out. 
4. Include reminders on receipts. Add a friendly note on all of your receipts to remind customers that gift cards are available.
5. Leverage out-of-stock items. When popular items are out of stock, place gift cards where that item would typically be displayed. Provide an estimated restock date so customers can purchase the gift card and return when the item is back in stock!

Your checkout area is a valuable place to encourage additional purchases. Explore more point of sale advertising strategies to learn how displays, promotions, and other marketing tactics can help you make the most of every customer visit.

Digital marketing

1. Send email and text campaigns. Announce your gift card program, share special offers, and send seasonal reminders to customers who have opted in to receive marketing messages.
2. Promote gift cards on social media. Share photos of your gift cards, highlight ways to use them, and create posts around holidays and special occasions. You could even run a limited-time social media promotion with a direct gift card purchase link.
3. Create content that stars your gift cards. For example, create a short video showing what someone can buy with a $50 gift card, or feature customer experiences or popular products as gift-giving inspiration.
4. Feature gift cards on your website. Make gift cards easy to find with a homepage banner, prominent navigation link, or dedicated gift card page. You can also use pop-ups to draw attention to seasonal promotions.
5. Target your promotions. Tailor messages to different customer groups, such as special offers for loyal customers or gift card reminders for shoppers who haven’t visited recently.

Rewards and incentives

1. Offer bonus gift cards with purchases. Encourage customers to purchase higher-value gift cards by offering a bonus, such as a $10 gift card with the purchase of a $100 gift card. This creates an incentive to spend more upfront while encouraging a future visit.
2. Create limited-time gift card deals. Offer special promotions for a limited period, such as a discount on gift cards or an exclusive offer for customers who purchase during a special event.
3. Reward loyal customers. Offer gift cards as part of your loyalty program to thank customers for repeat purchases and give them another reason to return.
4. Use gift cards for giveaways. Give away small-denomination gift cards, such as $5 or $10, at community events, during special promotions, or as customer appreciation gifts. These gestures can help introduce new customers to your business and encourage word-of-mouth referrals.

Digital gift cards

Digital gift cards offer a convenient gifting option for customers who can’t visit your business in person, need a last-minute present, or want to send a gift to someone far away:

1. Emphasize last-minute convenience. Let shoppers know they can purchase digital gift cards without making a trip to your business. If your program supports instant delivery, highlight that benefit during busy gift-giving seasons.
2. Promote gifting from anywhere. Remind customers that digital gift cards make it easy to send thoughtful gifts to friends and family, even when they live in different cities or states.
3. Highlight special occasions. Position digital gift cards as a convenient option for birthdays, anniversaries, congratulations, thank-you gifts, and other occasions that call for a thoughtful gesture.
4. Show how easy they are to purchase and redeem. Help customers understand how your digital gift cards work, from ordering and delivery to redemption. Clear instructions can make shoppers more confident about purchasing.

Local partners

Partnering with other small businesses is a great way to introduce your gift cards to new customers while supporting your local community:

1. Create cross-promotions. Partner with a complementary business to promote each other’s gift cards. For example, a restaurant and a nearby theater could promote a dinner-and-a-show gift package.
2. Participate in community events. Contribute gift cards to local fundraisers, raffles, and charity events to increase visibility and introduce new customers to your business.
3. Run joint giveaways. Team up with other local businesses on a social media giveaway featuring gift cards from each participating business.
4. Support local shopping campaigns. Promote your gift cards through neighborhood business associations, community newsletters, and local shopping events.

Bonus: How to sell more gift cards this holiday season

The holiday shopping season is one of the biggest opportunities to boost gift card sales. With a little advance planning and the right promotions, you can make your gift cards a go-to option for holiday shoppers:

1. Start promoting early. Begin advertising gift cards ahead of Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Order seasonal gift card designs in advance so you’re stocked and ready for holiday shoppers.
2. Launch a limited-time holiday offer. Encourage larger purchases with a promotion like a $10 bonus card when customers buy a $50 gift card. Consider making bonus cards redeemable during slower post-holiday months to encourage return visits.
3. Create holiday gift bundles. Pair gift cards with popular products or services to make ready-to-give presents. For example, a coffee shop could bundle a gift card with a bag of specialty coffee, or a salon could pair one with a self-care product.
4. Run a holiday email countdown. Send a series of timely reminders, starting with an early-season announcement, followed by a special promotion and a final message for last-minute shoppers.
5. Help shoppers check everyone off their lists. Suggest gift cards for teachers, coworkers, friends, family members, and service providers. Highlight popular gift card amounts and what recipients can enjoy with each.
6. Make the most of Small Business Saturday. Encourage customers to shop local by promoting your gift cards through community events, social media, and special one-day offers.
7. Capture last-minute gift sales. As Christmas approaches, increase promotion of digital gift cards, especially if your program supports instant electronic delivery. Remind shoppers they can send a thoughtful gift without worrying about shipping deadlines.

With a little preparation, your business can turn holiday gift card purchases into opportunities for sales and customer visits well into the new year.

Turn gift card marketing ideas into more sales

From in-store promotions and digital marketing to special offers and seasonal campaigns, there are plenty of ways to get more out of your gift card program. The key is making gift cards easy to discover, appealing to purchase, and part of your year-round marketing strategy.

eGiftSolutions® makes it easy for small businesses to offer gift cards that keep customers coming back:

• Customizable gift cards: Choose from a wide selection of designs or create branded gift cards that reflect your business.
• Complimentary marketing materials: Get promotional displays, window clings, and other materials with qualifying custom gift card orders to help drive awareness and sales.
• Reloadable gift cards: Give customers more reasons to return with convenient, reusable gift cards.
• Real-time reporting: Monitor gift card activity and stay informed about your program’s performance.

Ready to put these ideas into action? Explore our QuickStart program to get started in plenty of time before the holidays.

800-966-5520 | www.electronicpayments.com