How do I sell salon gift cards online?
Selling digital gift cards online lets clients purchase them instantly without visiting your salon. You can offer fixed-amount or custom-amount cards, apply branded designs, and process payments securely through Stripe — with the gift card delivered by email to the recipient.
Why digital gift cards matter for salons
Gift cards are one of the most reliable revenue streams for salons. They bring in cash upfront, attract new clients who might never have visited otherwise, and the redemption rate is never 100% — meaning some of that revenue is pure profit. Moving gift cards online removes the friction of physical cards and lets clients buy them at midnight on Christmas Eve if they want to.
- Clients can purchase and send gift cards 24/7 without calling or visiting
- No physical card stock to order, store, or track
- New client acquisition — recipients who have never been to your salon
- Immediate revenue with no service delivery cost at point of sale
Amount-based vs service-based gift cards
Amount-based gift cards
These are the most common type — a dollar value the recipient can spend on any service or combination of services. They are simple to set up and give the recipient maximum flexibility. You can offer preset amounts (e.g. $50, $100, $150) or let the buyer choose a custom amount within a range you define.
Service-based gift cards
These are tied to a specific service, like a "Women's Cut & Colour" or a "90-Minute Facial". They work well for experience-style gifts where the buyer wants the recipient to enjoy something specific. The downside is less flexibility — if the recipient wants a different service, you need a clear policy for handling that.
Most salons find that amount-based gift cards outsell service-based ones by a wide margin. Start with amount-based and add service-based later if there is demand.
Setting up online gift card sales
- 1Choose your gift card amounts — offer 3-5 preset values plus an optional custom amount field
- 2Upload your branded designs — use your logo, brand colours, and seasonal themes to make cards feel personal
- 3Connect your payment processor — Stripe handles the transaction securely, so you never touch card details
- 4Configure delivery — the buyer enters the recipient's name and email, plus an optional personal message
- 5Share the link — add it to your website, social media profiles, and email signature
In Bella Booking, gift cards are managed from the same dashboard as your appointments and clients. When a gift card is purchased online, the recipient receives a branded email with a unique code. When they book or check out, the code is applied to their balance automatically.
Maximising gift card revenue
Promote during key seasons
Gift card sales spike around Christmas, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, and birthdays. Plan your promotions at least two weeks ahead. A simple social media post with your booking link can drive significant sales.
Make them visible at checkout
After a client books an appointment online, show a prompt asking if they would like to purchase a gift card. Many people who just had a great experience are happy to share it with someone they know.
Track redemption and expiry
Australian Consumer Law requires gift cards to have a minimum three-year expiry period. Your software should track balances, partial redemptions, and expiry dates automatically so you never have an awkward conversation with a client holding an expired card.
In Australia, gift cards must be valid for at least three years from the date of purchase. Make sure your software enforces this automatically.
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