There’s a lot that goes into developing an effective and successful gift card program for your business. You have to think about what type of promos might incentivize customers to buy, how you’re going to market your gift card offerings, and how you train employees to redeem and promote them. But before you get to any promotional strategies, one of the most important steps to consider is design. Last year’s Fiserv consumer survey shared some interesting insights when it comes to the importance of your gift card designs:
- 69% of consumers take into account a gift card’s design when making a purchase.
- 40% of consumers say they have made an impulse gift card purchase simply because they like the design.
At Card Market, we’ve had the opportunity to work with hundreds of businesses from various industries. Our in-house design team works closely with customers who need design support by taking the time to truly understand their brand and create compelling gift cards that will draw eyes and customers every single time. Over the years, we’ve learned some valuable lessons and best practices to keep in mind when it comes to designing a gift card.
3 Tips to Keep in Mind When Designing a Gift Card
Here are three things to consider when you’re designing gift cards for your business:
1. Make Sure Your Gift Card Matches Your Brand & Corporate Identity
Designing a gift card that has your brand identity is essential in today’s age. We believe that everything your customer sees should provide a unified brand identity across every single platform – including printed gift cards as well as your website’s gift card sales portal. The more you can create a seamless brand experience for your customers, the better.
For many of our customers, selling virtual and physical gift cards with customized packaging designed for their brand is a game-changer for their gift card program.
2. Provide Holiday or Milestone Theme Options
Another fascinating insight from the Fiserv report was how much consumers desired themed gift card options for holidays or special occasions.
What should you consider when designing holiday gift cards to maximize revenue during the busiest time of year? When it comes to gift card designs, consumers are likely to purchase gift cards with a holiday-themed image (41%), a wintry landscape (17%), or a patterned design (16%).
It’s also important to offer gift cards designed for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations. Promoting gift cards designed for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Grandparents’ Day can also be valuable ways to increase gift card sales depending on the nature of your business.
3. Consider Providing Customization Options for Digital Gift Cards
While it’s not essential to offer, one creative way to stand out is by offering customization options for your digital gift cards. According to Fiserv, consumers are relying on customization options to personalize gift cards:
- 63% prefer specific designs.
- 54% desire custom messages for their gift cards.
- 46% look for custom photos/images options.
Providing a way for customers to personalize their gift cards creates a memorable experience for the giver and recipient. If it makes sense for your brand, consider the various ways you can create personalized gift card offerings for your customers.
Design Gift Cards that Make Customers Say, “Wow!”
Have you ever received a gift card that makes you comment on the design of the card as much as the gift itself? That’s the kind of experience we love creating with our customers at Card Market. Whether you’re trying to choose between physical and virtual gift cards or looking for ways to make your gift cards “pop,” our in-house design team can work with you to create a custom look that aligns perfectly with your business and branding goals. Connect with our team or even start your order today to discover the difference Card Market can make as your gift card provider.