TLDR

When you own a coffee shop or restaurant, slow days can take a bite out of your bottom line. But gift cards offer a solution to drive sales during off-peak times. Through your mobile app, gift cards allow customers to send virtual gift cards to friends and family instantly. This creates opportunities to turn slow hours into a revenue boost. In this article, you'll learn strategies to leverage gift cards and capture sales you may otherwise miss. Discover the ideal times to promote egift cards, smart ways to market them, and rules to maximize results. With some strategic campaigns, you can perk up profits even when customer traffic is low. Get actionable tips to use this feature to its fullest and see your sales heat up.

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Leverage eGift Cards to Boost Sales During Slow Times

The first quarter of the year is notoriously slow for coffee shops and restaurants.

Promote eGift Cards in January

In January, many customers have gift cards from the holidays to spend, so launch a marketing campaign promoting gift card use. Send email blasts and social media messages reminding customers they can use gift cards for delivery and takeout. This call to action will drive immediate sales.

Offer Discounts and Promo Codes

To incentivize card purchases, offer 10-15% discounts or promo codes in January that can be used for the card's full value. The discounted cards still generate revenue, and many customers will spend more than the card's value. These promotional offers should be heavily marketed on social media and through email lists.

Set a Minimum for Free Delivery

For customers who do purchase eGift cards, set a minimum that provides free delivery to make using the cards even more appealing. If a customer buys a $50 eGift card, for example, offer free delivery for any order over $40. The minimum encourages customers to spend more to take advantage of the perk.

eGift cards allow coffee shops and restaurants to generate revenue during slow periods and beyond. With smart marketing and promotional strategies leveraging the mobile app, foodservice businesses can drive eGift card sales and boost overall revenue in Q1 and throughout the year. The tools are there; you just have to make the most of them.

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Strategies to Promote Your Coffee Shop eGift Cards Effectively

Offer In-Store Promotions and Discounts

To drive gift card sales, offer in-store promotions and discounts. Provide incentives like 10-15% off eGift cards or bonus gift cards for larger denominations. Place signage promoting current offers and discounts prominently in your cafe to raise awareness. Offering limited-time or seasonal promotions creates a sense of urgency and boosts sales.

Leverage Your Email List and Social Media

Leverage your email list and social media following to promote eGift cards. Send dedicated email campaigns highlighting the benefits of gifting cards and any current offers. Post about your gift card program on social media, particularly in the weeks leading up to major holidays and events. Cross-promote offers across email and social media for maximum impact.

Suggest eGift Cards for Charitable Giving

Suggest eGift cards as an option for charitable giving or fundraising. Partner with local schools, organizations, and charities to donate a percentage of eGift card sales during promotional periods. This boosts sales, raises brand awareness, and strengthens your community ties. Market these charitable partnerships in-store, on social media, and through email campaigns to maximize participation.

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Best Practices for Setting Up and Managing eGift Cards in Your App

To maximize the success of an eGift card program, coffee shops should implement best practices for setting up and managing eGift cards within their mobile app.

Prioritize Customer Experience

The customer experience should be seamless and frictionless. Gift cards should be easily discoverable within the app for customers to purchase and redeem. Consider offering promotional discounts for first-time eGift card purchasers to drive adoption.

Make eGift Cards Highly Visible

Place banners on the homepage advertising the eGift card program. Also include eGift cards as a menu item on the homepage for easy access. The eGift card purchase and redemption flows should be optimized for a great user experience.

Set Parameters for Use

To avoid fraud and abuse, set clear rules around eGift card usage. For example, establish minimum and maximum amounts that can be loaded onto a single eGift card. You may also limit the number of eGift cards that can be used per transaction or the frequency with which a single eGift card can be used. These rules should aim to balance security and customer convenience.

Promote Strategically

Promote eGift cards during typically slow days or times to drive more business. For example, offer a discount on eGift card purchases or a bonus gift card amount (e.g. buy $25 get $5 free) during weekday afternoons or late evenings. Also, increase marketing for eGift cards leading up to holidays and special events. Promoting eGift cards strategically will lead to an increase in revenue and customer loyalty.

By following these best practices, coffee shops can set up and manage a successful eGift card program within their mobile app. An optimized eGift card experience will drive more business, increase revenue, and boost customer loyalty.

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Final Thoughts

As we wrap up, remember that eGift cards are a powerful tool to drive sales during slow periods if used strategically. Establish clear promotion calendars, tailor messaging to emphasize convenience and ease, and don't be afraid to incentivize purchase amounts. Most importantly, closely track performance and continuously optimize based on data. Used correctly, eGift cards can become a revenue-driving workhorse through even the slowest shifts. Keep these best practices in mind, craft creative and targeted promotions, and watch your sales grow. With some thoughtful effort, you can leverage eGift cards to build community and turn slow times into your most profitable hours.

Check out this guide to start offering gift cards in the app.

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