Step-by-step tutorial: Setting up gift cards in WooCommerce

Gift cards (also called gift vouchers or gift certificates) can help increase cash flow, attract new customers, and deepen your relationship with existing customers. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to sell gift cards in WooCommerce.

Gift cards are an under-tapped source of revenue for ecommerce businesses. Not only do they boost immediate cash flow but they also help increase sales and customer loyalty. Take a look at these stats:

• The overall gift card market, which includes both physical and digital cards, is expected to reach $3.09 trillion by 2030. This is a massive increase from $984.3 billion in 2023.
• Gift cards are a popular gift. On average, the value of gift cards given to someone else as a gift is $47.91.
• 47% of American adults have unredeemed gift cards. The value of these unused gift cards totals around $23 billion. (Source: Capital One Shopping)

If you're looking for a way to sell gift vouchers in WooCommerce, this guide has your back. And the best part? The entire setup process takes less than fifteen minutes.

I'll outline how to create and sell gift cards using the powerful WooCommerce Product Options plugin. I'll also share winning strategies for promoting gift cards once you've launched them.

Ready? First, let's go over the top features every solid WooCommerce gift card plugin should have.

What to look for in a WooCommerce gift card plugin

At a minimum, the best plugins for selling gift cards in WooCommerce should have the following:

• Support for physical and digital gift cards. While virtual gift cards are more common than their physical counterparts, it's best to opt for a plugin that allows you to sell both.
• Multiple gift card designs. You should be able to upload multiple gift certificate templates, e.g., for occasions like birthdays, weddings, or holidays, and allow customers to choose their preferred designs.
• Accept customers' details. Your chosen plugin should provide a way for customers to input and upload key details for the gift card. For instance, the sender’s name and email address, the recipient’s name and email address, custom messages, custom images, etc.
• Gift card amounts. Offering a range of predefined amounts (e.g., $50, $100, $200..and so on) simplifies the gift card buying process for customers. Adding a custom-defined price field allows gift card senders to enter a custom amount for how much they wish to spend on the gift voucher. Choose a plugin that allows you to offer both preset and custom amounts so you can cater to customers' preferences.
• Gift card delivery date. If a customer is buying the gift certificate for someone else, they might likely prefer it to be delivered at a later date and/or time. A plugin with a built-in date picker feature is handy here.

The best plugin to sell gift cards in WooCommerce

WooCommerce Product Options is a robust product customization plugin used to sell a wide variety of products, including gift cards. It is super flexible and gives you full control over design, functionality, and personalization.

WooCommerce Product Options is packed with tons of features to create customizable physical or digital gift cards tailored to your customers' needs. It includes various field types for creating interactive gift card options, such as:

• Radio buttons or a dropdown for predefined amounts (e.g., $25, $50, $100).
• Text fields to let customers input custom amounts, sender and recipients' details, personalized messages, etc.
• Image selections to enable customers to choose gift card designs for different occasions.
• Multiple sections for creating advanced gift card configurators.

Plus, it is easy to set up and use, even if you're not tech-savvy.

WooCommerce Product Options top features for selling gift cards

How to sell gift cards in WooCommerce

WooCommerce Product Options works with WooCommerce's default product feature. So we'll begin by adding a new product as usual. Then, we'll add-on fields for the gift card images, price, message, etc.

The entire process is pretty straightforward and takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish. Let's get started.

1: Create a WooCommerce gift card product

First things first, let's add a new gift card product to your store's catalog.

1. From within your WordPress admin panel, go to Products → Add New.
2. Title the product "Gift Card", "Digital Gift Card", "Physical Gift Card", or something else appropriate.
3. Add clear and compelling copy in the product description field.
4. Go to the "Product data" module and set the product type to "Simple".
5. If you're selling a digital gift card, tick the Virtual checkbox. Leave the Virtual checkbox if selling physical cards.
   

   

6. In the "General" tab, enter "0" as a placeholder price for the gift voucher. (We'll add gift card values as well as a custom amount field in a later step using the WooCommerce Product Options plugin).
7. Upload a visually appealing image for the gift card in the "Product image" modal on the right side of the screen. Pro tip: Use a tool like Canva to create beautiful gift card designs.
8. Create and assign the product to a category like "Gift Cards" to make it easier to navigate.
9. Once you've updated all relevant product information, publish the product.
10. Repeat the steps to create additional gift card products as appropriate.

2: Add custom gift card designs and values

Next, we'll set up the image fields to be shown on the gift cards' product detail pages.

Create product options

1. Install and enable WooCommerce Product Options on your website.
2. In your site's admin panel, go to Products → Product Options.
3. Click on "Add Group".
4. Give the group a clear, straightforward name like "Gift Card Options".
   

   

5. The visibility settings enable you to assign this group of product options to the appropriate gift card products you created earlier. You can assign them across all products (storewide), restrict them to certain categories, or assign them to specific products.

Add gift card image designs

1. Scroll to the "Options" section and click Add Option.
   

   

2. I want customers to choose their desired gift card image first. So I'll name the field something appropriate like "Gift Card Image" and then select the "Image buttons" option type. Note that enabling the "Display" option will make the option's name visible on the front end of your site.
   

   

3. You can add multiple image options in the "Choices" section. Enter the name for the image option in the "Label" field. Make sure the "Price Type" field next to it is set to "No cost". Then click the "Add Media" button to attach an image to it. For example, if you can upload multiple designs for different occasions, e.g. birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc.
4. Select the "+" button and repeat step 8 to create more image option fields.
5. Make sure the "Update main product image when a choice is selected" option is enabled.
   

   

6. Optionally, you can add a brief description for the image field if needed. Otherwise, leave it blank.
7. Next, specify the width of the product option images (in pixels).
8. Select the "Display image buttons only" option.
9. Enable the "Required" option to make it mandatory for customers to select from the image options before they are allowed to add the gift card to their carts.
10. When you're done, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

3: Add preset and custom gift card amounts

Here's how to add both pre-defined and customer-defined price fields to the gift certificate.

To add pre-defined gift card amounts

1. From the same "Options" section where you added the image option, click Add Option.
2. Name the new field "Gift Card Amount" or "Gift Card Value".
3. Set the Field Type to "Radio buttons" or "Dropdown select", depending on your preference.
4. The "Choices" section is where you'll add gift card amounts. Name each amount in the "Label" field.

   

5. Select "Flat fee" in the "Price type" field. Then add predefined values for the gift cards in the "Pricing" field, for example, $25, $50, $100...and so on. This will adjust the product price dynamically.
6. If you like, you can add a brief description for the image field if needed. Otherwise, leave it blank.
7. Check the Required box to mandate customers to select a gift card amount before adding the product to their cart.
8. When you're done, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

To add custom gift card amounts

1. From the same "Options" section where you added the image option, click Add Option.
2. Name the new field "Custom Gift Card Amount" or "Gift Card Value". Make sure you uncheck the "Display" box next to the name field.
3. Set the Field Type to "Number".
   

   

4. Update the label to be shown alongside the number price field and optionally, enter a short description for the field.
5. Check the Required box to mandate customers to add the custom gift card amount before adding the product to their cart.
6. Hit Save Changes at the bottom of the page.
7. Open the "Advanced settings" clickable tray.
8. Set the "Number type" as "Whole number".
   

   

9. In the "Number limits" fields, specify the minimum and maximum values customers can enter as custom gift card amounts. This uses real-time validation to make sure customers don't enter amounts that are too low or too high.
10. When you're done, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

4: Add gift card personalization fields

1. We'll add fields to capture details — sender's name and email address, recipient's name and email address, personal message, etc. — to personalize the gift card.
2. From the same "Options" section where you added the image option, click Add Option.
3. Name the new field appropriately, such as recipient's name, sender's name, personal message, etc. Make sure you uncheck the "Display" box next to the name fields.
4. To add fields for "Recipient's name" and "Sender's name", choose the "Text input" field type. To add fields for "Personal message", choose the "Paragraph" field type.
   

   

5. Update the label to be shown alongside the field, if appropriate.
6. Also, you can add a brief description for each of the fields, if you like. Otherwise, leave it blank.
7. Check the Required box to mandate customers to update this information on the gift card product detail page before adding the item to their carts.
8. When you're done, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

5: Add a date picker to schedule gift card delivery

Now, it's time to add a calendar from which people can select a date for the gift card to be delivered to the recipient.

1. From the same "Options" section where you added the image option, click Add Option.
2. Name the new field "Gift Card Delivery Date" or something appropriate.
3. Select the "Date" field type to add the calendar from which customers can select their desired gift card delivery date.
   

   

4. Update the label to be shown alongside the delivery date field, if appropriate.
   

   

5. In the "Selection options" section, you can customize customers' calendar selections. For example, you can prevent them from selecting dates in the past, future, or on the same day. You can also allow customers to choose specific times alongside the dates.
6. The "Disable days" lets you turn off the calendar on specific days of the week.
7. Like with other gift card options you added earlier, you can add a brief description and make this field mandatory, if appropriate.
8. Finally, click Save Changes at the bottom of the page when you're done.

6: Managing gift card redemptions in WooCommerce

Here are a few additional steps to set up a fully functioning gift certificate system for your store.

• Gift card codes. Create a system to generate and track unique codes for each gift certificate. You can set this up using WooCommerce's native coupon feature, a third-party plugin, or using custom code.
• Gift card emails. Create email templates for each gift card design. When you receive a gift card order, you can simply make a copy of the appropriate template and then customize it to include the unique code and order information (sender's name, custom messages, etc.) for each customer.
• Redemption process. Customize the WooCommerce cart/checkout page to add a custom coupon code field and use hooks to validate and apply gift certificate codes. Set it up in a way that enables customers to partially redeem gift cards in case they want to use the same card for multiple orders. This means it needs to store gift certificate balances, update balances after each use, and enable customers to check their gift certificate balances.
• Refunds and cancellations. Like with every other type of product, some customers may experience buyer's remorse and request refunds on gift card purchases. Design a policy to handle gift certificate refunds and create a process to deactivate or adjust voucher codes when necessary.

Proven strategies to promote and sell gift cards in WooCommerce

Let's explore seven effective tactics to maximize gift card sales and strengthen customer loyalty in your WooCommerce store.

Highlight gift cards throughout your website

Your website is the first place customers will look, so make sure gift cards are easy to find. A neat way to do this is to add a prominent banner or call-to-action throughout your site with a link to your gift card product pages. This ensures customers can access them no matter where they are on your site.

Create targeted email campaigns

As a WooCommerce store owner, you know firsthand how effective email marketing is at driving repeated sales from existing customers. Gift cards are especially popular during holidays and occasions. So it's a good idea to create email campaigns to promote gift cards around key dates like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc.

Plus, you can segment customers based on their behavior and design campaigns around specific customer cohorts.

Promote gift cards on social media

Social media is a powerful channel for creating awareness about your products and strengthening your relationship with customers. Similar to email marketing, you can create campaigns around major holidays highlighting how gift certificates make the perfect last-minute gift or a great option for hard-to-shop-for recipients.

You can even run giveaways encouraging followers to like, share, or tag a friend and reward the winners with gift cards.

Upsell and cross-sell gift cards

Gift cards are great product recommendations for virtually any kind of item. You can display gift cards as related products on product detail pages of best-selling items. In addition, the checkout page is a prime place to nudge customers to add gift cards to their purchases. Note: You can use WooCommerce Product Options to set up product recommendations in your store. Refer to this guide for more details.

Offer discounts or bonus value on high-value gift cards

Granted, this strategy is a little out of the box compared to the others but it's worth exploring as it can significantly increase your revenue. You can run promotions where customers get bonus value for gift card purchases. So, instead of running discounts, offer customers a $100 gift card for $90. This is a clever way to increase revenue without over-discounting which can dilute the value of your offerings.

Plus, because gift vouchers are usually redeemed at a later date, this is like getting customers to pay you before ordering anything.

Simplify the gift card redemption process

Test drive the gift card redemption process and make it as frictionless as possible before rolling it out to real customers. Also include clear instructions on how the redemption process works on the main gift card product pages, in a dedicated FAQ section, and the email sent to the gift card recipients.

Use gift cards to re-engage customers

Gift cards are excellent for bringing back dormant customers or rewarding loyal ones. You can run personalized win-back campaigns that send gift cards to customers who haven’t shopped at your store in a while. Rewarding repeat customers with gift cards once they reach a specific spending threshold not only drives sales but also encourages loyalty.

Start selling gift cards in your WooCommerce store

Gift vouchers have proven to be an additional, lucrative source of revenue for all kinds of ecommerce stores. However, WooCommerce doesn’t include the native features to sell gift cards, so you'll need the help of a plugin to set it up.

In this tutorial, I've shown you step-by-step how to create and sell gift cards in WooCommerce using WooCommerce Product Options. It is a robust plugin that allows you to sell customizable physical or digital gift cards in your store. It offers an impressive set of features including:

• Multiple image options for senders to select their desired gift card design right from the product detail pages.
• Customizable message fields for customers to add personalized messages to their gift cards.
• Advanced pricing options for preset and custom gift card amounts.
• Conditional logic to dynamically hide or show specific fields on gift certificate product detail pages based on a customer’s selections.
• Date and time pickers from which customers can select the desired delivery date for the gift card.

Plus, the plugin is super easy to use even for folks who are not tech-savvy, and takes fifteen minutes or less to set up.

Get WooCommerce Product Options and start selling gift cards in your online store today!