If you think the only thing that matters about a gift card is the service behind it, think again. That's like saying that in a restaurant only the taste matters, not how the food looks on the plate. We all eat with our eyes!
Imagine you're looking for a special present and decide on a gift card – say, a spa gift card for your mother on Mother's Day. You've searched online for spas near you and are torn between two. Naturally, you go first by which offer is better: who has the better price? Who offers more? But suppose both are equally good. How do you decide then?
A gift card has to be more than its value
Exactly – you pick the gift card you like better! Spa A's gift card is plain: no attractive images and no room for a personal message. Not very appealing, is it? You might as well hand your mother a €50 note and say: “Go to a spa with this.”
Spa B, on the other hand, has put real effort into its gift card. It looks premium and wins you over – after all, a business that takes such care with its gift cards will surely offer a great service too.
What matters in a gift card layout
So what should you look out for when designing gift cards? What makes a gift card look premium? Here are a few tips so you don't end up like spa A in our example.
1. A picture is worth a thousand words!
That applies to gift cards too: appealing images are essential. Ideally, your gift cards look so good that people want to pin them on the wall even after redeeming them.
The images should match your business and the specific offer, and they should look professional – badly lit, low-resolution phone snaps are off-putting. Hire a photographer or look for suitable stock images online. [But beware: a standard commercial licence isn't enough for gift cards. You're reselling the images along with the gift cards, so you need the right licence – otherwise you risk costly legal claims.]
2. Give your customers ways to personalize!
Of course, customers can always add a short handwritten note. But it's even nicer if they can add their personal message right into the gift card design – which is no problem with the gurado gift card design editor.
Customers also love being able to choose between different designs. How about designs for special occasions such as birthdays or weddings?
3. Your logo is a must!
Of course, your customers' needs come first when designing gift cards. But don't lose sight of your own interests either – you want your gift cards to be recognizable.
Your logo on your gift cards also looks professional and shows the design comes from you – not off the shelf, but just as special as your services.
4. What must not be missing from a gift card layout?
Besides great visuals, don't forget the basics. However good your gift card looks, some details belong on every gift card – starting with your address, so new customers can find you easily.
Add your other contact details too – phone number, email address and website – so the recipient can get in touch quickly with any questions. That way you impress with great service before the gift card is even redeemed. Your opening hours matter as well, so nobody finds the door locked when they come to redeem – and so does the expiry date.
