Increase your turnover by selling gift vouchers online in December

The value of gift vouchers

We've already written an article about the power of gift cards and discount codes . But with December approaching, we want to highlight them once again. At i-Reserve , we see daily how businesses in the leisure sector benefit from the smart use of gift cards. Let's take a look at a few of the key advantages.

First, and probably most obviously, gift cards can directly contribute to increasing your sales. How? When a customer buys a gift card, it guarantees a future purchase from your business. Furthermore, research has shown that customers often spend more than the value of their gift card, resulting in additional revenue for you.

But it's not just about direct sales. Gift cards can also be a great way to attract new customers. When someone receives a gift card, they're encouraged to visit your business, perhaps for the first time. This gives you the opportunity to make a good first impression and gain a new customer.

Finally, gift cards can help customer loyalty . By offering a gift card after a previous visit or for a special occasion, you give your customers a reason to visit your business, even if they might not need anything at that moment.

Gift cards are more than just a nice perk; they're a strategic tool that, if used correctly, can lead to increased sales, new customers, and improved customer loyalty.

Why sell gift vouchers online?

Nowadays, selling gift vouchers online is no longer an option, but has become essential for businesses in the leisure sector to survive. But why exactly? Why should you sell your gift vouchers online as well as offline?

First and foremost, of course, is convenience for the customer. In our busy lives, we primarily want things that save us time and effort. And online shopping does just that. Imagine: it's the night before a birthday and you forgot to buy a present. No worries, you can simply go to the website, buy a gift card, and have it emailed directly to you. It's quick, easy, and you don't even have to leave the house.

In addition, online sales offer you the opportunity to reach a much wider audience. With a physical store, you're limited to the people in your immediate vicinity. But with an online store? The entire world is your market. Whether you have customers across town or across the province, everyone can easily buy your gift cards. So, if someone is looking for a gift for a friend down the road or perhaps for a family weekend getaway, they can easily buy your gift card.

And let's not forget that online sales give you the opportunity to increase sales outside of business hours. With a traditional store, you're limited to your opening hours. But an online store is always open. This means customers can make a purchase at any time of the day (or night), which can lead to a significant increase in revenue.

Gift vouchers and the month of December

The holidays are a joyful and hectic time, filled with joy, light, and... gifts! It's no secret that online sales peak during this time, and this certainly applies to gift cards. Whether it's a last-minute gift for that difficult friend or a thoughtful choice for a parent, mother, or friend, gift cards are a popular choice during the holidays.

But why are gift cards so popular during the holidays? One reason is convenience. Gift cards take the pressure off of finding the "perfect" gift. They offer the recipient the freedom to choose something they truly want or need, while giving the giver the assurance that their gift will be appreciated. Furthermore, the versatility of gift cards plays a significant role. They can be used for a wide range of products or services, meaning there's a perfect gift card for everyone, regardless of their interests or tastes.

But how can you, as a business owner, make the most of this festive season? By optimizing your gift card strategy during this period, you can not only increase sales but also attract new customers and keep existing ones happy. And isn't that the best gift you can give your business?

• Actively promote your gift cards, both online and offline.
• Make sure your customers know they are available and what the benefits are.
• Offers different values ​​to meet different budgets.
• Make buying gift cards as simple and easy as possible. Online sales through the reservation system can be a huge help.

Gift voucher module from i-Reserve

At i-Reserve we understand the importance of selling gift cards online. That's why, within our online reservation system, you can enable online gift card sales
Gift Card module Let's start at the beginning: what is a gift card in our system? In this article, we've focused on gift cards for giving as a gift. But within the i-Reserve Gift Card module, a gift card is seen as a versatile tool. Customers can purchase a gift card to give as a gift, or they can take advantage of discounts by using gift cards. Businesses can also create and distribute gift cards to both existing and potential customers as a way to promote their services. Another application is using gift cards as vouchers—for example, when a customer pays in advance and later cancels a reservation.

Is it easy to create a gift voucher within i-Reserve?

Creating a gift card in the i-Reserve reservation system is quite simple; you just need to follow the steps below.
Setting up a gift card type: Before you can create a gift card, you need to set up a gift card type. A gift card type could be, for example, a Christmas promotion or a series of gift cards. You assign certain properties to this gift card type, such as the validity period and the price. You can then create different gift cards under this type.

Creating gift cards: Once a gift card type has been created, you can create gift cards. Various settings are available in the "New Gift Card" creation screen. You can create multiple gift cards at once, which means multiple unique codes will be generated. You can also set a fixed amount or a discount percentage for the gift card value.

Linking gift cards: After the gift card has been created, it can be linked to a customer. Linking the gift card makes it easier to send it to the customer via the gift card dashboard. Another advantage of linking the gift card is that an overview can be added to the customer's dashboard, showing a list of (used) gift cards.

Use these steps to create and send or sell gift cards within the i-Reserve reservation system.

Start selling gift vouchers immediately

Gift cards can be a powerful tool for your business. They offer convenience for your customers, help expand your market, and can boost sales, especially during peak periods like the holidays. Implementing an online reservation system like i-Reserve can simplify this process. So definitely consider selling gift cards online as a way to support your business's growth and success. Need help setting up gift cards within i-Reserve or want to learn more about the possibilities? Contact us , we're happy to help.