Shopify Gift Card 101: Ultimate Guide and Best Tips

Receiving gift cards might make you feel happy, and your customers are no exception. If so, why don’t you incorporate a Shopify gift card into each order? Gift cards are not just a present; “they are also suitable mediums to enhance logo and brand awareness” (2013 Journal of Applied Marketing Theory). Therefore, if your store hasn’t yet had gift cards, perhaps think again. 

In this blog, we will dive deep into gift card’ aspects, exploring the definition, its importance, and how to create and manage one on Shopify. Additionally, we will suggest 3 useful tips to optimize your store’s performance with Shopify gift cards.

Let’s keep scrolling to find out more! 

What is a Shopify gift card?

A gift card is traditionally a stored-value card designed for making purchases at specific brick-and-mortar or online stores. Similarly, a Shopify gift card is a gift card distributed by Shopify store owners to their customers. All your customers need to do is enter the gift card’s code and wait for the discount at checkout. 

Shopify provides premade gift cards with multiple designs

According to the National Retail Federation, gift cards, especially digital cards, were the #1 most requested gift during the 2023 holiday. This proves an increase in the demand for gift cards, revealing opportunities for online merchants to reach new customers.  

Why Should You Promote Shopify Gift cards?

It has been proved that gift cards bring a win-win solution for sellers and buyers. If so, how do Shopify gift cards work to bring the best results? Below are several potential benefits that you and your customers might get from using Shopify gift cards. 

• Be free to start

You can design a Shopify gift card without incurring any additional fees. Once this card is redeemed as a discount, it’s useful to free up cash flow for your store. You can also sell gift cards as premium products to boost your store’s revenue. 

• Nurture customer relationships

When customers receive gift cards, they tend to make a strong impression, which is beneficial for purchasing. From that, you can start developing and maintaining long-term relationships with your customers.   

• Improve sales performance

You should offer gift cards as special promotions to encourage customers to visit your store. Also, Shopify provides a Shopify gift card balance, which is used to check the available funds for customers' purchases effectively. This helps them manage their finances better, leading to an increase in satisfaction during their shopping journey. 

How to Create Shopify gift cards in 2 Ways 

There are currently two methods for creating a Shopify gift card in your: the Shopify native app and a third-party Shopify gift card app. In this section, we will show how to work with both to help you launch great designs for your store’s gift cards. 

Method 1 - How to set up a Shopify gift card with Shopify built-in features 

If you prefer a simple solution, the Shopify native app is an ideal option. You can use Shopify's built-in features to set up basic gift cards within a few minutes. Here are our detailed instructions on this method.  

#1. Design and send a gift card directly   

To begin with, log in to your Shopify Admin panel. 

Open Shopify admin to start creating a Shopify gift card 

On the right bar, select Products and navigate to Gift cards. Then, click on Create gift card button. 

Open Create gift card tab from Shopify Admin panel 

In the Create gift card tab, fill in the following information: Gift card code; Initial value; Expiration date, and Notes. 

Fill necessary information in Create gift card tab 

Finally, click Save to access the gift card’s information. Finally, select targeted customer names in Customer box and click Send gift cards button to finish.  

Select customer name and send Shopify gift card 

#2. Create a Shopify gift card as a product on your store 

In the Create gift card product tab, complete the following fields: Title; Description; Media; Sales Channels and Apps; Search Engine Listing Preview (optional); and Organization (optional).  

Complete information in Create gift card product tab

After that, click Save, then select Share to make your Shopify gift card available in your store.   

Save and publicize Shopify gift card

Method 2 - How to Create a Shopify gift card through third-party apps 

Although the Shopify native app is convenient for basic requirements, you sometimes prefer advanced customizations to make your gift cards outstanding. It’s time to consider the support of third-party solutions. 

Step 1 - Select and install a proper Shopify gift card app

In the Shopify App Store, search for “gift cards” to select an appropriate app. To find the best fit, read its review and check its pricing plan first. It’s also necessary to consider free trials before registering any official plan. 

Search gift cards to reach potential Shopify gift card apps 

Currently, there are three top-rated Shopify gift card apps, including:

• GV - Gift Cards Loyalty Rewards: Is Built-for-Shopify app and easy to use with the Shopify admin;
• Giftnote Gift Messages & Cards: Is a fee plan and highly compatible with payment gates; 
• Rise.ai - Gift Cards & Loyalty: Is a fee plan and works with the Shopify POS system.  

After that, click Install to activate the targeted app in your Shopify store. 

Step 2 - Explore the features and learn how to use 

To create a Shopify gift card on a third-party app, it’s important to explore and learn how to use its features. In fact, each app has its own interface and requires distinctive steps. Therefore, you should read and follow the app’s official documents to have the best designs. 

Step 3 - Create your DIY Shopify gift cards

In the Shopify Admin panel, click the targeted app (e.g., CV—Gift Cards Loyalty Rewards) in the Apps tab. 

Use GV Gift Card App to create Shopify gift card

Next, configure 3 important fields, including Bulk Issue Gift Cards; Style; and Gift Card Information. Also, check your Shopify gift card in Preview tab to ensure the right information. 

Finally, select a proper design to release in your Shopify store.   

Pick proper Shopify card app design to release in Shopify store

Pro tip: You should keep your Shopify gift card size at (950 px x 550 px) or a 5:3 ratio to keep its compatibility with the Shopify platform.

How to Manage Shopify gift card sales 

Now that you have learned how to customize a gift card, our guide will help you manage gift card sales effectively in your Shopify store.  

*Note: We only show how to control Shopify gift card sales with Shopify built-in features, not third-party apps. If you are working with other solutions, please follow their instructions for the best performance. 

#1. Select specific Shopify gift cards 

Shopify allows you to organize your store’s gift cards by sorting and filtering. In particular: 

• Sort by Gift code ending; Customer last name; Recipient last name; Date created; Date edited; Expiry date; and Total balance. 

Sort data related to Shopify gift cards 

• Search and filter by balance, status, creation date, value, and issue method. 

Filter proper gift card products in searching all gift cards box 

#2. Check gift card information 

To view all information in your Shopify gift card, click a targeted gift card and check the following fields:

• Expiration date and Recipient (if applicable); 
• Initial balance and Current balance; 
• Gift card creator; 
• Notes; 
• Timeline; 
• Gift card name; 
• Gift card status: Deactivate or Active. 

Review information on Shopify gift card 

#3. Send Shopify gift cards

To send gift cards to your customers, you need to follow the steps below: 

• On the right bar, click Product to navigate to Gift cards; 
• Click Send gift card button to open the Send gift card tab; 
• Check, edit, and view gift card information first; 
• Select “Send email” or “Send SMS”, depending on your demand. 

Send designed Shopify gift card to customers

#4. Export gift card lists

If you want to export gift cards for record-keeping purposes, let's refer to our following instructions:  

• In the Gift cards tab, click Export to open the Export gift cards tab; 
• Configure proper information: Export (Current page or All gift cards); and Export as (CSV for Excel or Plain CSV file); 
• Click the Export gift card button to finish. 

Export CSV file for gift cards

Tips for using Shopify gift cards for sales

If you are still confused about leveraging Shopify gift cards to improve your business’s growth, look no further. Our helpful tips below will guide you to reach a more comprehensive plan with gift cards.  

#1. Manage and track gift card sales reports 

First and foremost, you need to focus on your gift card sales database. These reports illustrate your customer behavior and consumption trends, which can then help you develop an effective strategy to attract more customers. 

Besides that, you should frequently monitor the customer’s Shopify gift card check balance. In fact, your customers often inquire about their balances; thus, providing them with up-to-date information is essential to improve your customer service. 

#2. Customize your brand's gift cards

Currently, Shopify supports a standard gift card template formatted [gift_card.liquid] to promote your store’s gift card sales. Therefore, to impress your customers and make your brand more professional, let’s try a custom gift card. 

Shopify offers a standard Shopify gift card template

You can start by uploading a DIY gift card image or editing the Shopify gift card template file to have a new version. Or else, you can use third-party apps' support to pick any design that matches your interests and demands. 

#3. Offer gift cards for promotion projects 

Before starting any promotion projects, you can utilize gift cards to drive sales and engage your customers. Here are our related recommendations that you should consider: 

• Discount offers: Gift cards are often used to run discount campaigns, which are effective in optimizing marketing expenses. 
• Complaint resolution: Once there is negative feedback on customer services, many merchants prefer gift cards as excellent compensation. This can help turn a bad experience into a positive one. 
• Loyalty programs: When you offer your customers gift cards, they tend to repeat purchases and bring more referrals. It is essential to maintain healthy relationships and foster brand loyalty. 

Also, you can apply other solutions, such as taking a seasonal solution, partnering with other brands, selling gift cards on various sites, and incentivizing abandoned carts. Depending on your business’s goal and size, let’s consider all aspects to develop a proper Shopify gift card strategy. 

Conclusion

With our comprehensive guide, we hope you can confidently use any Shopify gift card to increase customer loyalty and grow significant business sales. Remember to manage your gift card campaigns strictly to ensure the best performance. 

To learn more about Shopify, visit our GemPages Blog and sign up for an account! If you don’t know how to build a Shopify store, install GemPage Landing Page Builder to get our assistance, and refer to GemPage templates to inspire more ideas. 

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