
Planning to offer your customers gift cards as a payment option this Valentine's Day? It is a perfect time for your store to increase its profitability by giving customers Shopify gift cards that make purchasing easier. But how do you enable, issue, and manage them effectively?
In this Valentine's Day guide, we’ll cover:
- What Shopify gift cards are
- How Shopify gift cards work
- How to create gift cards on Shopify
- How to manage Shopify gift cards
If you aim to boost sales, engage customers, and build unforgettable buying experiences, read further to find the best strategies for implementing gift cards in your store and making them stand out this season.
TL;DR: Create and use Shopify gift cards to drive sales
- Shopify gift cards are digital vouchers for payment in Shopify stores.
- Customers enter a unique code at checkout to apply the gift card balance to their order.
- Use third-party apps or Shopify's built-in capabilities to make, personalize, and sell gift cards.
- Promote gift cards through loyalty programs, seasonal campaigns, and discounts or limited-time offers.
- Use Shopify’s sales and balance reports to track transactions.
What is a gift card on Shopify?
Shopify gift cards are digital vouchers that customers can purchase and use as a payment option in the Shopify store. To redeem them, customers simply enter the unique code at the checkout page. Gift cards are a great way to reward customers through a loyalty program or as a special surprise to improve their shopping experience. Perfect for any occasion - Valentine’s Day, birthdays, or a gesture of appreciation - they make shopping easy, convenient, and enjoyable. For instance, you can include a gift card as a free bonus to order during fulfillment. Customers will receive an email containing a unique gift card code they can use at checkout.
Gift cards on Shopify offer a flexible and convenient payment option for customers looking to purchase their favorite products or services. They are a valuable addition to your ecommerce strategy, providing an easy way to boost sales, attract new shoppers, and foster customer loyalty.
Note that the card value is set in your store’s currency, but customers can buy and redeem them in their local currency. Shopify automatically applies the current exchange rate, so there are no extra conversion fees, and rounding rules don’t apply.
How do Shopify gift cards work
How to use a Shopify gift card? The process is quick and simple. Here's how it works:
- A customer places an order on your website.
- They enter the unique gift card code in the designated field at checkout.
- The gift card discount is automatically applied to their total.
When redeeming at checkout, the gift card balance goes toward the total order cost, which includes taxes and shipping. If a customer’s gift card balance is not enough to cover the total order, customers can still complete their purchase by using another payment method (like a credit card). They can also use the gift card balance for multiple purchases instead of a single transaction.
Redeeming gift cards is just as simple when someone is buying them for others. Just purchase a Shopify gift card and share the unique code with the recipient via email. When learning how to redeem a Shopify gift card, customers don’t need to worry about capitalization - gift card codes are case-insensitive. For example, the code “GIFT2025” is treated the same as “gift2025” or “Gift2025.” This makes the shopping experience more seamless and user-friendly.
How to create a gift card on Shopify
To learn how to create and how to sell gift cards on Shopify, consider two options: using Shopify’s built-in tools or using third-party applications. Let’s start with Shopify’s built-in option, then explore how to find and utilize apps.
How to create a gift card in Shopify using built-in tools
Step 1. To create a gift card, log into your Shopify store and navigate to Products -> Gift cards. You’ll find two options here: you need to click on “Add gift card product”. You can only add a gift card product once.
Step 2. Fill in the essential product details. Be sure to give your gift card a name in the Title field, for example, “Valentine's Day Gift Card,” in the Description field, provide clear product details as they will appear on your store. In the Media section, upload an image of the gift card.
Step 3. Next, select the denominations for your gift cards. Shopify automatically offers four options: $10, $25, $50, and $100. Feel free to adjust these by adding or removing denominations as needed.
Align gift card values with your product prices to make it easier for customers to find gift cards that cover what they want to buy. For instance, if your items are around $20, a $40 gift card lets them purchase two products simultaneously. This alignment reduces the chances of gift cards being too low or too high in value, making them more appealing and likely to be used.
Step 4. Set the product status to “Active” and select a collection for your gift card. If no collections exist, create one first.
Step 5. Save your changes. If you want to modify the gift card you just created, navigate back to Gift cards (as in Step 1) and select “View gift card products.” You can edit any gift card by clicking on it, making changes, and then saving them.
Once you're in editing mode, click “Preview” to see the overall look of your gift card.
How to do gift cards on Shopify using apps
If you’re looking for more features and functionality for your gift cards, consider installing a paid third-party app from the Shopify App Store. Here’s how to get started:
Step 1. Visit the