Vouchers can be an effective way to increase online sales, acquire new customers, and encourage return visits. Arm yourself with these tools, tips, and tricks to master this relatively underutilized revenue stream.
With the right technology – i.e. STAAH Gift Voucher System – you can easily set up an online feature-rich-e-shop for your guests to purchase gift vouchers.
It’s a simple add-on that can be customized to suit your branding, is easy to use, and mobile-friendly. True to STAAH technology, it is easy to manage with the ability to provide full access to staff (without compromising security standards) and helps save time by waving manual processes goodbye. The Buy Now, Redeem Later strategy is great to infuse cash flow during low periods and multiply instant revenue.
Once you have the right tool set up let us take you through some easy tips to double your voucher sales online:
Go Digital
The traditional way of selling gift vouchers through your front desk, spa or restaurant reception won’t get you far. It’s cumbersome and inefficient – just tired. So the first step in increasing your voucher sales is getting an automated voucher sales tool like Gift Voucher Engine.
Gift Voucher Engine will allow anyone, anywhere to instantly send a gift voucher for your business 24/7. Not to mention the tremendous efficiencies it brings with automated documentation.
Sell Experiences, Not Products
Truly special gifts are those experiences that help create long-lasting memories. Package your products creatively so they become hard-to-ignore experiences. Throw in extras for that perceived added value – rose petals, a welcome drink, late check-out…
Personalization is the key ingredient for delivering a delightful Customer Experience.
Offer Promotions
Everyone wants a discount. Promotions are a great way to get in new customers while keeping your loyal fans happy.
You could offer monetary discounts (percentage or a certain amount off). Or add bonuses (eg. buy for $100 and get a $25 bonus). Giveaways are always popular, particularly with loyal customers (eg. offering guests a $100 gift voucher for their next visit). You could even create a loyalty scheme around it to do your guests do some amount of promotion for you to gain loyalty points. Another popular promotion is converting your online voucher into a deal voucher-like Grabone or Groupon. Backed with a planned marketing campaign, they’re bound to attract customers.
Scream About It from the Rooftop
Once you have your e-shop up and running (it doesn’t take too long at all if you choose Gift Voucher Engine), get the word out.
- Your website: It’s your main marketing tool. Leverage it to your advantage by putting your gift voucher e-shop in the main navigation. Make sure the e-shop itself is responsive, intuitively designed and with strong call-to-action buttons. Make it easy for your customer to buy.
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and all other social platforms are a great way to get your message out to a large audience and your fans. Use images to stand out on the newsfeed. Offer special discounts to your social media fans.
- Email Marketing: Tell your existing customers about it via emails and newsletters. Be smart about how you do this. Make the message relevant, catchy and seasonal.
- Offline: Your property is your biggest advertising banner. Tell your front desk or reception to promote your gift vouchers. Place call cards and posters to promote your online gift voucher shop.
Leverage special days and events
Offer seasonal and special occasion vouchers. Your loyal customers are among those shopping for gifts around Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, summer…give them what they’re looking for to avoid missing out on a sale. Having gift vouchers available for special days such as Mother’s Day or valentine’s Day creates an opportunity for guests to use as a gift.
Run Marketing Ads
Make the most of your gift vouchers by running many voucher campaigns simultaneously. This way you can be relevant to more people at the same time. Planning an effective marketing strategy for gift vouchers to upsell is really important.
Set a minimum spend threshold and for guests who exceed this, reward them with a $20 (or similar lowish amount) gift voucher. They’ll be happy with the reward – possibly spending a bit extra to cover off their “prize”. If they gift it to someone else, you could have a new customer.
Target your Audience
You can attract guests to book by targeting a specific target audience. STAAH Voucher engine has simple steps to set up Detailed Targeting based on Demographics, Interests, Behavior or more.
In this new normal where international travel is uncertain, why not lure your domestic guests to explore their own backyard by promoting local package deals through vouchers. Did you know it is becoming a hot selling cake for hoteliers? Find out more
