Nice question there.
Even though I have to admit that I'm currently not using giftcards, I already put a plan up how and in which situations I will use them. Here are my thoughts about it:
"Which is more effective?"
Certainly, both online and physical cards have their own pros and cons, which define the best methods to use them.
As the hook for your local advertising, a physical card will help you more. If the card is just to encourage a prospect after you already caught his/her interest, sending an online card might be easier.
Let's start with the digital cards:
With cheaper shipping fees and fast shipping time, they make up a good supplement to your advertising talks and could even be bought while the prospect is still in your reach. > Fast purchase / usage with not much planning needed
You can easily distribute digital cards all over the world, no matter where your prospects are located without the need to store them. Also, they are easy to handle: you just need to click the link and are already at TripleClicks. No need to copy the whole address manually.
If you already have the possibility to reach your prospects online, you can also remind them to use their cards and give you a feedback.
It is necessary, because in general, online codes, coupons and vouchers tend to be forgotten easily. Even more if they are sent in another long advertising mail, but we do have nice e-cards to make this more enjoyable for our prospects, don't we?
The Physical Cards can be used more directly for promotion.
You can use them like flyers, distribute and "loose" them without many words necessary and still have a high chance to get redeemed.
The physical presence of giftcards presses people to use them even if the shop details are unknown and could even be given to others that might need it, when the prospect itself doesn't need it (coupon exchanging doesn't really work with digital cards).
They are great for multiple types of local promotions but it does need more input and planning. You need to invest into shipping fees and shipping time and always carry them with you. A fast purchase is not possible.
My fazit:
Physical gift cards are really great for local advertising. But whenever you are able to talk to others, the digital ones are more handy. Even so, most people prefer in Face2Face talks to recieve physical cards, so best would be to have both available if your budget allows it.
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Nice question there.
Even though I have to admit that I'm currently not using giftcards, I already put a plan up how and in which situations I will use them. Here are my thoughts about it:
"Which is more effective?"
Certainly, both online and physical cards have their own pros and cons, which define the best methods to use them.
As the hook for your local advertising, a physical card will help you more. If the card is just to encourage a prospect after you
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