How To Sell Gift Cards On Woocommerce

How to Sell Gift Cards on WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide

So, you’re looking to boost your WooCommerce store by selling gift cards? Excellent idea! Gift cards are a fantastic way to increase sales, attract new customers, and improve cash flow. They’re basically pre-paid spending money that encourages people to shop at your store. Think of it like this: Grandma buys a $50 gift card for your awesome hand-knitted scarf business for her granddaughter. The granddaughter might buy a scarf for $40 and then browse and end up getting some cool new buttons with the remaining $10. Everyone wins!

This guide will walk you through the process of setting up gift cards on your WooCommerce store, even if you’re completely new to the platform. We’ll break it down into easy-to-understand steps, so you can start selling gift cards in no time.

Why Sell Gift Cards?

Before we dive in, let’s quickly highlight why adding gift cards to your WooCommerce store is a smart move:

Increase Sales: People often spend more than the value of the gift card. They are already in your store, ready to buy, so they are more likely to find something else they want.
Attract New Customers: Gift cards introduce your store to a wider audience. The recipient becomes a potential new customer. Think about it: someone who wouldn’t normally shop at your store might be persuaded to check it out because they received a gift card.
Boost Cash Flow: You receive payment upfront for products or services that will be redeemed later. This can be incredibly helpful, especially during slower seasons.
Easy to Manage: With the right plugin, managing gift cards on WooCommerce is a breeze.
Great Last-Minute Gift Option: Gift cards are a perfect solution for those who struggle to find the perfect gift, especially close to holidays.

Choosing the Right WooCommerce Gift Card Plugin

WooCommerce doesn’t offer built-in gift card functionality, so you’ll need a plugin. There are many options available, both free and paid. Here’s what to consider when making your choice:

Features: Does it offer the features you need? Think about things like:
Variable gift card amounts (e.g., $10, $25, $50).
Customizable gift card designs.
The ability to email gift cards.
Integration with WooCommerce coupons.
Physical gift card options (if you want to offer them).
Scheduled sending.

Ease of Use: Is the plugin easy to install, configure, and use? Look for plugins with clear documentation and a user-friendly interface.
Pricing: Does the plugin fit your budget? Free plugins are a great starting point, but paid plugins often offer more features and support.
Reviews and Ratings: Check what other users are saying about the plugin. Look for plugins with positive reviews and high ratings.
Support: Is the plugin developer responsive and helpful? Good support is crucial if you run into any issues.

Popular WooCommerce Gift Card Plugins:

* Gift Cards by SomewhereWarm: This is a powerful and highly customizable plugin that offers a wide range of features. It is a paid plugin.

* WooCommerce Gift Cards by WebToffee: A freemium option that provides a good balance of features and affordability.

* YITH WooCommerce Gift Cards: Another popular choice with various customization options.

For this example, let’s assume you’re using a plugin (the setup will be similar for most): We’ll generalize the steps and settings to give you the best overall understanding.

Setting Up Your Gift Card Plugin

Here’s a general overview of how to set up a gift card plugin in WooCommerce:

1. Install and Activate the Plugin: Go to *Plugins > Add New* in your WordPress dashboard. Search for your chosen gift card plugin, install it, and activate it.

2. Configure the Plugin Settings: Look for the plugin’s settings page (usually under *WooCommerce* or in the main WordPress menu). Here you’ll configure the global settings for your gift cards. Key settings typically include:

Gift Card Product Type: The plugin creates a new product type called “Gift Card” or similar.
Email Templates: Customize the email that’s sent to the recipient of the gift card. Include your store logo, a personalized message, and clear instructions on how to redeem the gift card. Make sure this email looks professional and represents your brand.
Code Generation: Choose how gift card codes are generated (e.g., random alphanumeric strings). You can often customize the length and format of the codes.
Expiration Dates: Decide whether your gift cards will expire and, if so, set the expiration period. Be mindful of local regulations regarding gift card expiration dates. Pro Tip: In many places, gift cards *cannot* expire by law. Be aware of this and don’t get in legal trouble.
Allowed Amounts: Predefine gift card amount options such as $10, $25, $50, or $100. Some plugins allow customers to enter a custom amount.
Gift Card Image: Set a default image to be used for gift cards.

// Example of how you might configure gift card settings (this is conceptual)
$gift_card_settings = array(
'code_length' => 12,
'expiration_period' => '1 year',
'default_image' => 'url_to_your_default_image.jpg'
);

3. Create a Gift Card Product: Go to *Products > Add New*.

Select the “Gift Card” product type from the product data dropdown.
Enter a product name (e.g., “Gift Card”).
Add a compelling product description that explains how the gift card can be used. Highlight the benefits of giving a gift card. For example: “Give the gift of choice! Our gift cards are perfect for any occasion and can be used to purchase any item in our store.”
Set the price options. You can create variable products with different amounts (e.g., $10, $25, $50) or allow customers to enter a custom amount.
Upload a visually appealing image for your gift card. Use a professionally designed image or create one yourself using Canva or a similar tool. Consider seasonal themes for special occasions.
Enable the “Virtual” product option under the “General” tab of the “Product data” section. This tells WooCommerce this product doesn’t need shipping.

// Example of setting product data for a gift card (conceptual)
$product_data = array(
'product_type' => 'gift_card',
'name' => 'Gift Card',
'description' => 'Give the gift of choice!',
'price_options' => array(10, 25, 50),
'image' => 'url_to_your_gift_card_image.jpg',
'is_virtual' => true
);

4. Publish Your Gift Card Product: Once you’ve configured all the settings, publish your gift card product.

Promoting Your Gift Cards

Now that you’ve created your gift cards, it’s time to promote them! Here are a few ideas:

Display Gift Card Products Prominently: Feature your gift card products on your homepage, in your navigation menu, and in your sidebar. Make them easy to find.
Create a Dedicated Landing Page: Create a landing page that explains the benefits of gift cards and makes it easy to purchase them.
Use Social Media: Promote your gift cards on social media. Run contests or offer discounts to encourage purchases.
Send Email Marketing Campaigns: Send emails to your subscribers announcing your gift cards and highlighting their benefits. Segment your email list to target specific audiences (e.g., send a gift card promotion to last-minute shoppers during the holidays).
Offer Free Shipping on Gift Cards: Encourage gift card purchases by offering free shipping (especially on physical gift cards, if you offer them).
Run a Gift Card Promotion: Offer a discount or bonus when customers purchase a gift card (e.g., “Buy a $50 gift card and get a $10 bonus gift card”).

Redeeming Gift Cards

When a customer uses a gift card, the plugin typically handles the redemption process automatically. The customer enters the gift card code during checkout, and the value of the gift card is deducted from their order total.

Make sure your gift card plugin integrates well with WooCommerce coupons to avoid conflicts. You don’t want customers applying a coupon AND a gift card!
Test the redemption process thoroughly to ensure it works correctly. Place a test order using a gift card to verify that the discount is applied correctly.
Clearly explain the redemption process on your website. Provide instructions on how to use gift cards during checkout.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to resolve them:

Gift card code not working: Double-check that the gift card code is entered correctly. Verify that the gift card hasn’t expired and that it has sufficient funds. Ensure the gift card has been activated if activation is required.
Gift card not applying the discount: Make sure the plugin is properly configured and that the gift card is valid for the products being purchased.
Conflicts with other plugins: Deactivate other plugins one by one to identify any conflicts.

By following these steps, you can successfully set up and sell gift cards on your WooCommerce store. Start increasing your sales, attracting new customers, and improving your cash flow today! Remember to test everything thoroughly and provide excellent customer support to ensure a smooth and positive experience for your customers. Good luck!