subject: Web Store Gift Cards Program [print this page] Web Store Gift Cards Program Web Store Gift Cards Program
An electronic gift card is starting to become a widely accepted and quite popular gift in this modern, hectic and crazy world that we're in. Gone are the days when gift cards and gift certificates were thought of as impersonal and unimaginative. An increasing amount of people are choosing to give them out as presents based on sheer convenience and knowing that a gift like that can't go wrong. The recipient can put it to good use by buying whatever they like.
Since the online gift market is increasing at such a rapid rate over the years, providing a gift cards program is becoming an essential part of all ecommerce businesses. Selling gift certificates is no longer an excluisve option offered by big name online retailers. In fact small online businesses should include it just to stay competitive with each other. It is a great way to increase sales revenue both during key holiday seasons and regularly throughout the year.
There are many advantages of providing your customers with an online gift cards program. Above all else it is one more method for you to generate a sale which means more purchases and more revenue for you. There is no inventory so there are less returns. From a customer's perspective, you are offering them more choice and convenience. The traffic to your website will increase, because both the gift giver and receiver must go on your website, and a recipient who has never been to your website before is considered a free customer acquisition. Last but not least, any unredeemed credits automatically becomes bonus profits.
Special features are required of an ecommerce solution in order to properly handle the giving and receiving of an online gift card. The main features of a gift cards program include:
Auto generation
Customization options to match the design of your site
Secure distribution
Accept multiple methods of payment
Online gift certificate or traditional mail options
Finally, it's important to not just provide gift cards or gift certificates to your customers, you have to find creative ways to use and promote it to either retain current customers or acquire new customers. An online gift cards program can become a handy tool for your customer service. You can use them strategically to compensate unsatisfied customers who are complaining about your product or service. It's important to not only keep them as a satisfied customer but even more important to prevent them from spreading their negative feedback of your website all over the web.
An electronic gift certificate can also be a great promotional tool. Increase awareness about your online store throughout the web by holding contests and presenting the winner with a specified dollar amount to go towards your products. The benefit for using this tactic is that not only will the winner be exposed to your products, but all the other participants who were once unaware of your business now have a good idea of what you have to offer. The best part of holding contests is the ability to acquire the contact information of all of the participants. You can then further establish a relationship with them and turn them into potential customers. Another cool tip is to use it as a prize or thank you for customers that are involved in promoting your store to their friends and family members. All of that free word of mouth advertisement is well worth the price of the certificate.
