Launch a Digital Gift Card Program
Complete step-by-step guide. From free pilot signup to first gift card sold — typically under one week.
Digital gift cards are one of the most popular use cases for 7konto. This guide walks through the complete process from initial signup to selling your first gift card. Our team handles most of the setup during the free pilot — this guide shows you what to expect at each stage.
What you'll need
- Registered business with legal entity
- Physical location(s) or e-commerce site
- Existing POS terminal (or willingness to use mobile app)
- Payment processor account (for online sales)
- Brand assets (logo, colors)
Step-by-step process
Sign up for the free pilot
Contact 7Konto to start the free 30-day pilot. Provide basic business information: legal name, business type, target customer base, expected volumes.
- Fill out contact form or email info@7konto.com
- Book a 30-minute discovery call within 1-2 business days
- On the call: discuss your gift card program goals (denominations, expirations, promotions, etc.)
- Receive pilot activation confirmation
Pro tip
Have specific goals ready: "sell $10K gift cards per month during holidays" is more useful than "try gift cards."
Configure your gift card program
Our team configures the platform based on your discovery call. You provide branding assets and confirm business rules.
- Provide logo (PNG or SVG, recommended: transparent background)
- Provide brand colors (hex codes) for card design
- Choose gift card denominations ($25, $50, $100, or custom amounts)
- Set expiration rules (never expire, 1 year, custom period)
- Configure promotional bonuses if desired (buy $100, get $110)
- Decide on redemption locations (all stores, specific locations, online only)
Pro tip
Standard denominations work best: $25/$50/$100 for retail, $50/$100/$200 for restaurants. Custom amounts (buyer picks) work well for personal gifts.
Design the wallet card
Our design team creates 2-3 wallet card designs based on your brand. You approve or request revisions.
- Receive first design proposals within 2 business days
- Review designs for Apple Wallet and Google Wallet
- Provide feedback: colors, typography, image, layout
- Approve final design
Pro tip
Simple designs work best. Logo, brand color, minimal text. The card gets small on iPhone — complexity is lost.
Set up sales channels
Configure how customers will buy gift cards: website, in-store, or both.
- For online sales: we provide a hosted purchase page (yourbrand.7konto.com/giftcard) or integration code for your existing e-commerce (Shopify, WooCommerce, custom)
- For in-store sales: your cashiers use existing POS to sell, or we install a simple tablet app
- Configure payment methods (Stripe, PayPal, local processors)
- Test purchase flow end-to-end
Pro tip
Enable both channels. Online drives volume, in-store captures customers who're already there.
Train your staff
Video call training for cashiers and managers on how to sell gift cards, handle redemptions, and answer customer questions.
- Schedule 30-45 minute video call with your team
- Train on: how to sell (in-store), how to redeem (at POS), common questions ("how do I check my balance?", "can I use it online?")
- Provide quick reference sheet for staff
- Test redemption at each location
Pro tip
Print the quick reference sheet and post near POS terminals. Staff refers to it during transactions until it becomes automatic.
Launch and promote
Go live and promote to customers. Marketing collateral provided.
- Announce launch to email list
- Add gift card banner to website
- Post on social media (marketing templates provided)
- Place in-store signage near checkout
- Send SMS to loyalty program members
Pro tip
Time launches with holidays: Valentine's Day, Mother's/Father's Day, birthdays, holidays. Gift card volumes 3-5x spike during these periods.
Monitor and optimize
Track results in admin dashboard. Optimize based on data.
- Weekly review of sales and redemption metrics
- Track: gift cards sold, redemption rate, average value, geographic patterns
- Adjust promotions if redemption is low
- Add new denominations if customers request them
- Iterate on card design if analytics show engagement issues
Pro tip
High redemption rate (>80%) means good product-market fit. Low redemption (<50%) suggests card design or communication needs improvement.
Common issues and solutions
Real problems we've seen when businesses go through this process, and how to solve them.
Customers say they can't add the card to their wallet
Usually indicates old iOS/Android version. Check if their device supports current Wallet apps. Provide a fallback: send them a link to view balance in browser or issue a printed backup card with QR.
Redemption failing at POS
Check POS terminal is online and can scan QR codes. Verify staff is entering correct amount before scanning. If issue persists, contact 7Konto support.
Balance not updating in customer's wallet
Balance updates require internet connection on customer's phone. Ask them to open wallet with wifi/data on. Force-refresh usually resolves. Rare edge case: about 1 in 1,000 transactions requires manual sync.
Related guides
How to Add Cards to Apple Wallet (Business Guide)
Complete business guide to adding cards to Apple Wallet. Covers PassKit basics, distribution methods, and how 7Konto simplifies the process.
How to Replace Paper Vouchers with Digital Wallet
Step-by-step migration from paper vouchers to digital wallet-based vouchers. Save costs, improve tracking, reduce waste.
Skip the guide — we'll do it for you
Free 30-day pilot includes complete implementation by our team. You get the outcome without doing the work.