Gift Cards & Prepaid Cards For Clients And Customers: Easy Options To Build Relationships

Gift cards and prepaid cards for clients and customers simplify the process of showing appreciation to important people in your business network.

Digital cards in particular eliminate the logistical challenges of physical gifts, making it easy to recognize and reward your clients promptly. They can streamline your gifting process while still giving your recipients a delightful, personalized, and branded experience.

In this article, we’ll explore ideas and best practices for giving digital gift cards and digital Visa® and Mastercard® prepaid cards to clients and customers.

Physical gift cards and prepaid cards vs eGifts: how to choose

First up, the most important decision you have to make: do you want to use physical or digital cards for your corporate gifts?

Gone are the days of wondering about the pros and cons of gift cards vs cash and other types of physical gifts. We know from the National Retail Federation that gift cards consistently hold the top spot on consumer wish lists, year after year.

Physical options can certainly have their place—like when you slip a gift certificate or scratch-off lotto ticket into holiday gifts to friends and family. This type of tangible touch can be the right choice for personal gift-giving.

But when it comes to building business relationships with clients and customers, more and more companies are switching to digital rewards because they’re much more efficient, cost-effective, and in tune with business needs and recipient expectations.

Digital cards get results.

Cash rewards aren't memorable. They lack the personal touch and the emotional connection that can make rewards truly impactful.

Nat Salvione.   |  Giftbit CCO

That’s why, according to the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF), digital cards are quickly becoming the preferred choice for businesses in their incentive and reward programs. Smart businesses choose them because they lead to higher recipient satisfaction and engagement compared to physical cards.

Plus, eGift cards and prepaid cards eliminate the hassles of shipping and handling, saving you time and money.

They can be delivered instantly, making them ideal for last-minute rewards or incentives.

And they also make for a great recipient experience (in part because they won't get lost in a drawer or expire unnoticed!).

In short, by choosing digital gift card and prepaid card distribution for your gifts, you're providing a convenient and appreciated gesture that strengthens your business relationships.

Specifically, it's a good idea to ditch those physical, plastic gift cards and prepaid cards and opt for digital if:

• You want to send rewards or incentives quickly.

• You want to send bulk gifts.

• You want to reduce costs and/or the environmental impact associated with physical production and shipping.

• Your recipients are spread across different locations and/or countries.

• You want to provide a simple redemption process for your clients and customers.

• You want to personalize messages for a more meaningful connection.

• You want to track and analyze your loyalty program for better insights.

• You want to offer a wide variety of brands to suit different preferences and offer more diversity and inclusion.

• You want to automate the distribution process to save time.

• You want a scalable solution that can grow with your business.

Corporate gift ideas

Corporate gifting is important—assuming you do it right. You don’t just want client gifts that are easy and economical to deliver. You’ll also want gifts that are personalized and thoughtful.

Assuming you’re working with the right gift card and prepaid card distributor, you should be able to tailor your gifts to suit any occasion, making your gesture even more meaningful.

Then, depending on who you’re gifting and why, you can start to make choices about what types of gift cards and prepaid cards to send.

Here are some easy ways to make every gift feel special.

Holiday celebrations: During festive seasons like Christmas or New Year's, consider gift cards that add joy and convenience.

• Amazon.com gift cards: Let recipients choose something special for themselves or their loved ones.

• Starbucks gift cards: Perfect for enjoying a warm drink during the chilly season.

• Practical gas and grocery gift cards: Help them with essential expenses during the busy holiday period.

• Home décor stores: Help your clients spruce up their space for holiday gatherings with digital gift cards to retailers like Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate and Barrel, HomeGoods, Michaels, Pottery Barn, The Home Depot, Wayfair, Williams Sonoma, and/or Yankee Candle®.

Welcoming new customers: Make a great first impression by offering options with built-in flexibility.

• Digital Visa prepaid cards: Give them a way to spend on virtually anything they like, in-store and online where Visa is accepted.

• Online retailers: Offer gift cards to popular online stores where they can find a variety of products, like Amazon.com, eBay, Etsy, Groupon, Instacart, and Poshmark.

• Food delivery: Gift cards to DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats let them treat themselves to exactly what they want, while supporting local restaurants in the process.

Customer loyalty gifts: Reward your long-term customers for their continued support.

• Dining experiences: Treat loyal customers to a night out, with gift cards to popular restaurants like Applebees, Chili’s, Chipotle, Earls, Five Guys, Original Joe’s, and Outback Steakhouse.

  Consider sweetening the deal and making it a true night on the town by adding gift card brands like AMC Theatres, Cinemark and Fandango.

• Travel and leisure: Give airline, hotel, and other travel-related gift cards to help them plan a getaway.

• Charitable donations: Let them donate to a cause they care about with a charity gift card to CharityChoice and Charity on Top.

Special milestones: Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or significant achievements with personalized gifts.

• Spa and wellness centers: Encourage them to relax and rejuvenate.

• Bookstores: Barnes and Noble gift cards are great for avid readers or lifelong learners.

• Entertainment: Provide access to movies, music, or games for their enjoyment. Consider streaming services like Hulu and Paramount+, a retailer like Apple and Best Buy, and/or options like GameStop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox for the gamers on your list.

Project completion: From business owners to project managers and everyone else on the team, use digital client gifts to acknowledge the successful completion of a significant project or partnership.

• Coffee shop gift cards: Offer a well-deserved break after all that hard work with gift cards to tea and coffee brands like Dunkin’, Peet’s Coffee, and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

• Group experience gift cards: Encourage team building with virtual events or classes. Or send a digital Go Play Golf gift card so everyone can meet on the links.

How to choose:
Customizing your digital gift cards to the occasion can create a memorable experience that strengthens your business relationships with clients and customers. And the Giftbit platform makes it easy to send a gift card or prepaid card to one brand or to a curated list.

But if you can’t settle on one option, don’t worry.

You also have the option to give your recipients access to the entire rewards catalog, which is bursting with hundreds of the world’s most popular brands. It’s a simple way to ensure your recipients have a delightful experience by getting something they truly want.

Easy options for global customers

Thanks to our interconnected world, small businesses today are just as likely to have international employees and clients as the biggest enterprise.

So if you want to strengthen relationships with global clients and customers, opt for a global gift card and prepaid card company. Even if you’re just starting out, it’s always a smart idea to choose a gift card and prepaid card platform with robust global options.

For example, the Giftbit catalog has plenty of the options for the most popular brands in multiple countries, including Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, Portugal, and Japan.

Plus, the powerful USD Virtual Prepaid Mastercard® can be sent and spent anywhere in the world that accepts Mastercard, including on e-commerce sites. It’s a versatile prepaid card your recipients will love.

Bonus: Using digital cards for client gifts means you don’t have to worry about international shipping costs or delivery delays.

What are the best practices for sending gift cards to clients as a token of appreciation?

Clearly, sending gift cards and prepaid cards to customers, employees, and business partners is a thoughtful way to show appreciation and strengthen business relationships.

To make the most of your gesture, consider these six best practices:

1. Add a personal touch

Include a heartfelt note to make your gift stand out. A personalized message shows that you've taken the time to acknowledge the client's unique contribution or relationship with your company. It doesn't have to be lengthy—a sincere ‘thank you’ or simple ‘congratulations’ can make a big difference.

Pro-tip: Giftbit’s customizable templates allow you to brand and customize your prepaid and gift card design and add personalized messaging. It’s an easy way to speed up your workflow without sacrificing that personal connection.

2. Be culturally sensitive

If you're sending gift cards to clients in different countries or from diverse backgrounds, be mindful of cultural preferences and holidays. Ensure the gift is appropriate and usable in their location, and consider offering full choice to account for diversity in gift preferences.

3. Ensure easy redemption

Digital cards that can be accessed and redeemed online provide convenience and enhance the overall experience.

Specifically, choose a platform that offers easy redemption options. Clients should be able to use their gift cards and prepaid cards without jumping through hoops (or having to add an extra app to their phones).

Bonus: Giftbit’s industry-leading support team ensures your recipients are happy and informed. We handle any questions or issues they might have.

4. Keep it timely

Timely delivery shows professionalism and that you value the client's time. Send your gifts promptly, especially if they're tied to a specific event.

5. Never pay more than face value

Remember, cost savings are one of the most compelling reasons to go digital for your client gifts.

But those cost savings will quickly disappear if you pay more for gift cards and prepaid cards than they’re worth.

Pro-tip: Never pay more than the prepaid or gift card value itself. And contact us to learn more about revenue sharing options.

6. Use a scalable platform

Ultimately, the best way to streamline this entire gifting process is to work with a digital gift card and prepaid card distributor with broad functionality. If you choose the right distributor, you’ll be able to use electronic rewards for lots more than just corporate gifts.

For example, you can use your Giftbit account to send bulk gift cards and prepaid cards for a variety of other use cases, including employee rewards, marketing and sales incentives, and global payouts.

It’s easy to automate the process, whether that’s through the developer-friendly API or via a super quick Zapier integration (so quick, one client recently set up a scalable, hands-free growth channel in just ten minutes).

Then use the platform to track engagement; monitor when your gifts are received and redeemed, along with what brands your recipients end up choosing. This is a great way to keep improving your gifting program.

Gift card program FAQs

Digital prepaid cards and gift cards make it easy to show appreciation. Here’s how to navigate some common considerations.

How do I pay for gift cards?

Giftbit offers a variety of funding options to pay for gift cards and prepaid cards. Free funding options are available through bank wire, electronic fund transfer (EFT), and direct debit. We also accept all major credit cards, and have auto-funding and custom funding options.

Giftbit is committed to being the industry’s most transparent gift card and prepaid card distributor, and our clients never pay more than face value for the rewards they send through our platform. Revenue sharing options are also available.

How do I choose the right gift card amount for a client gift?

When choosing a client gift card or prepaid card from a specific brand, ensure the amount aligns with what the brand offers. For example, $10 is typically sufficient for a coffee shop card but likely wouldn’t cover an entire dining experience.

Beyond this, consider your goals, the nature of your relationship, the client's importance to your business, and industry norms. Typically, a range between $25 and $100 is appropriate—generous enough to show appreciation without appearing excessive.

What do you write in a gift card for a client?

When writing a gift message for a client, keep it professional and sincere. Express appreciation for their business, mention any specific achievements or collaborations where appropriate, and extend well wishes.

When in doubt, remember that something simple can work great. For example: "Thank you for your continued partnership. We value your trust and look forward to our future successes together."

Make client gifting easy

Corporate gifts are about fostering relationships. The right gift can leave a lasting impression, making clients more likely to continue doing business with you.

By following some simple best practices, you’ll not only show appreciation for the people in your network. You’ll also enhance your professional relationships—ideally, on the same platform you can also use for long-term business growth.

The Giftbit platform makes it easy to send a thoughtful client gift that leaves a lasting impression. Schedule a quick, pressure-free chat to learn more, or get started now by creating your no-fee account.