In our earlier post, we talked about the appeal of gift cards and the types of gift card programs. We concluded that for frozen yogurt shops, the choice boils down to a closed loop program from a merchant bank and a closed loop program from a gift card vendor. Typically, the gift card vendor offers more options than the merchant bank, but at a higher cost. In this post, we look at third party gift card vendors, aka gift card programs.
According to a CashStar survey, gift givers love the ease of giving gift cards, while recipients appreciate the ability to treat themselves to something they really want (e.g., lots of froyo). To make gift card giving as easy as possible, look for a gift card program that offers your customers ease, flexibility, and options, including the ability to buy a physical card or egift, customization of the card value, the ability to schedule the time the gift is sent, and online or in-store purchasing.
In this article, we provide short descriptions of gift card programs.
BentoBox
With BentoBox, merchants can offer customers the ability to buy digital or physical gift cards from the merchant’s website. BentoBox provides the order form and backend capabilities. Also, the BentoBox dashboard integrates with the merchant’s POS and makes it easy to redeem cards, decrease the value of the gift cards, and track the order history of guests.
GiftRocker
GiftRocker makes it easy for shop owners to sell gift cards from their existing website. Customers receive gift cards via email or text, with the option to add the cards to their iPhone or Android Passbook. GiftRocker can also provide printed physical gift cards. Merchants who use the service pay a subscription fee, which starts at $35/month.
Paytronix
The Paytronix gift card program, which counts Yogurtland as a client, is meant for multi-unit retailers. Multi-unit retailers appreciate Paytronix’s money movement, discount tracking, liability, and escheatment reporting.
With Paytronix, merchants can sell physical or digital gift cards online, from their existing website. Egifts can easily be sent via email or Facebook. Gift cards can also be sold at retail locations, such as supermarkets and warehouse stores. Another benefit is that Paytronix has integration partnerships with Blackhawk Network, Incomm, Hallmark Insights, and GiftCards.com.
QuickLinks
QuickLinks OneLink gift card platform makes it easy to sell gift cards from the merchant’s existing website. Merchants send QuickLinks their inactive physical gift cards and QuickLink handles order processing, tracking, and fulfillment. The fees include card ordering, gift personalization, order fulfillment, card delivery, confirming delivery/receipt, handling customer support questions, managing card activation communications, and providing on demand sales reporting. Menchie’s is a client.
The downside is that QuickLinks does not offer egifts. Physical gift cards still need to be mailed to a physical address.
ROLLER
ROLLER is an “inclusive online gift card software” that integrates with the merchant’s website, email, banking systems, and social media. Merchants who download the Roller gift card app can use the app to manage their gift card program.
Customers have the option of buying digital or physical gift cards from the merchant’s website. Gift card delivery can be customized by allowing customers to schedule a specific delivery day and time for their gift card and to include a recorded video or written note.
SwipeIt.com
SwipeIt.com is designed for a merchant who wants to transition from physical gift certificates to plastic gift cards. Swipe It prints plastic gift cards; its technology supports gift card activation and customized receipts that show the remaining balance. Online gift card sales or egifting are not offered.
Yiftee
Yiftee’s egift card solution serves over 55,000 businesses, including Auntie Anne’s, Pizza My Heart, and Johnny Rockets. Yiftee provides a link/button which they place on the merchant’s website on a custom gift card sales landing page. This allows customers to buy custom egift cards online, as well as schedule the egift delivery. Clients receive real-time data and reports. Yiftee works with every point of sale system.
