Give the Gift of Experiences

With winter approaching, this is a key time to consider ways to lift your business and extend the strong sales period we tend to see in summer through to the end of the year. Consider a proven means of keeping the sales momentum going by offering gift cards for purchase – something that is easy to do with WebReserv.

Gift Cards + Experiences = WIN, WIN

Gift Cards sales have steadily increased year after year as one of the most popular gifts given during holidays and birthdays.  A 2017 study by WalletHub found that the average consumer will purchase 5 gift cards in a year.  Top that with the boom of getting the gift of experiences, and you are in a golden position to sell gift cards at your business.  Researchers from Cornell University found that the joy of getting the gift of an ‘experience’ is greater than the gift of a possession such as a TV or video game console.  The reason, they say, is because the experience is unique to you and cannot be compared with anyone else. “Your experiences are inherently less comparative, they’re less subject to and less undermined by invidious social comparisons,” said professor of psychology Thomas Gilovich.

How to sell this Unique Happiness

You provide the experience already, so you’ll want to offer the gift card in a way that is enticing for customers to purchase for their loved ones, co-worker, or bestie.  Think about these options:

• Package the Experience: If you offer a boat rental, create a gift card for a day on the lake that includes a tube.  If you run a kayak tour, come up with a package that offers the kayak tour for two with a GoPro rental to capture the fun.  Whatever the offering, the idea is to package the gift so it’s fun and easy for the recipient to use.
• Offer Gift Card Promotions: This is a great idea over the holidays, especially if you are a seasonal business, and do not get a lot of sales in the winter months.  Create a gift card purchase price that is discounted off the value of the card.  Sell a $100 gift card for $90 during the months of November and December.
• Market across all Social Media Channels: Let your customers know what you are offering by posting on Facebook, Instagram, and on the home page of your website.  Create a Call to Action button on your site, so it’s easy and quick for a customer to “Buy a Gift Card Now!”

Save the trees – Go with e-Cards

Choose a gift card option on your website that allows customer to purchase online and easily send the recipient the gift card details via email or text.  Using an online booking system that offers this feature is the key to boosting sales with e-Cards.  WebReserv offers  a feature that allows you to create gift cards in the system that can be purchased online and easily sent to the lucky recipient.  The feature allows you to customize the look of the e-card email, create multiple price points for the gift amount, and gives you the flexibility to have the purchase price different than the value (re: $100 value for $90 cost).

Not currently a WebReserv customer?  WebReserv offers an affordable, easy to use online booking system for rentals, tours, and lodging.  Check us our for free today.  Have more questions?  You can call, chat or email us, and we’ll be happy to assist!