How to accept your gift cards without a website integration

The Problem: No direct integration

If your webshop or system doesn’t have a direct integration with your gift card system, customers can only use their gift cards in-store. This is problematic, especially as more customers prefer to make purchases or bookings online. The inability to accept gift cards in your online system could lead to missed opportunities and reduced customer satisfaction. Luckily, there is a way to accept your gift cards online even without an integration.

The solution: A simple process for online acceptance

You can still offer your customers the ability to use their gift cards online by following a simple process. Here’s how it works:

1. Instructions on the gift card sale
   When a customer buys a gift card (online or in-store), include instructions on the card, asking the customer to email the card if they want to use it online. This allows you to manually convert the card into a code that can be used in your webshop, booking, or reservation system.
   
   Sample Text:
   “Do you want to use this gift card online? Please send the card code to [email address]. You will receive a new code for our webshop within [X hours/days].”
   
   You decide how much time is needed to convert the card and communicate this clearly to your customers.
   
   
2. Redeeming the gift card in your dashboard
   When you receive the code via email, check it in your gift card system, such as Gifty. You can redeem the value by deducting it from the card, ensuring the original gift card cannot be used again in-store, preventing double redemption.
   
   
3. Adding the gift card code to your system
   Once you have redeemed the gift card in your gift card dashboard or app, enter the same code into your system (for example, Shopify), with the same value. Afterward, you can email the customer to let them know that the gift card is now ready to be used in the webshop. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!
   
   

For booking and reservation systems

This process works well for booking or reservation systems like Bookly. The customer can use their gift card to make a booking or reservation by following the same steps.

No physical store: Simpler and faster

If you don’t have a physical store and sell exclusively online, the process becomes even easier. You don’t need to redeem the original gift card in the dashboard of your gift card solution. Since there’s no physical store where the card could be redeemed, you only need to add the gift card codes to your webshop, booking, or reservation system for the customer to use online.

A significant advantage is that you can perform this process as soon as the gift card is ordered. You can add the code directly to your system, allowing the end user to redeem it online with the original code. This makes the process faster and easier for both you and your customer.

Gifty as a facilitator: Let us handle the process for you

Although manually converting your gift cards is a simple solution, the process can become time-consuming as your gift card sales increase. To relieve this burden, Gifty offers the option to handle the entire process for you, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business. Gifty acts purely as a facilitator, ensuring that your gift cards are processed quickly and efficiently.

conclusion

Adding gift card codes for non-integrated platforms offers a practical solution for businesses using Shopify, Mijnwebwinkel, Prestashop, Bookly, or other platforms. You can easily convert your gift cards and give customers the opportunity to redeem them online.

Whether you choose the above approach or Gifty’s service, it’s essential to provide your customers with the option to use their gift cards online. Curious about how Gifty can simplify this process for you? Contact us directly or schedule a demo to find out how you can get started quickly!