E-commerce
March 12, 2025
Your customers are looking for a gift for a loved one, but they are unsure what to choose. Gift cards solve this problem: they offer flexibility while introducing your brand to new customers. Yet many stores do not offer them, either because they are unfamiliar with them or because they fear the complexity. Creating and managing gift cards in the Shopify admin is actually simple. This guide gives you the steps to set them up and get the most out of them.
Summary
What is a Shopify gift card?
A Shopify gift card is credit that can be used in your store. It can be issued for a fixed or custom amount. Customers can buy it as a gift, or you can create it manually for promotions, refunds, or rewards.
Gift cards offer flexibility: credit without immediate payment, a gift for any occasion, a loyalty tool. According to WebToffee (2025), 61% of recipients spend more than the card value and 57% say gift cards encourage them to try a new brand. For a complete overview, see our complete Shopify gift card guide.
Create a gift card manually
Manual creation is useful for:
Promotions, incentives, or rewards
Custom amounts not available in your gift card products
Refunds or store credits
Steps:
Go to the Gift Cards section in your Shopify admin.
Click Create a gift card.
Set the amount and, if needed, assign it to a customer.
Once a customer is assigned, you can send them the card by email.
Warning: deactivated codes cannot be reused on another card. Plan carefully before creating.
Create a gift card product
To allow customers to buy gift cards online:
Go to Products > Gift cards > Add a gift card product.
Choose a clear title (e.g., « Happy Birthday Gift Card » or « Thinking of You Gift Card »).
Write an engaging description and add a product image.
Set the available amounts: any amount above 0 up to 10,000 USD (or equivalent).
Offer several options (25 €, 50 €, 100 €, etc.) because customers cannot enter a custom amount. For a specific amount that is not available, create a card manually.
Recommended amounts by sector
Fashion and lifestyle : 25 €, 50 €, 100 €, 150 €. The average basket guides the tiers.
Cosmetics and beauty : 15 €, 30 €, 50 €, 80 €. Align with the box set price.
Restaurant and food : 20 €, 50 €, 100 €. Round amounts to make choosing easier.
Electronics : 50 €, 100 €, 200 €, 500 €. More expensive products, higher tiers.
Analyze your average basket to define relevant amounts.
Additional customizations
You can:
Set up expiration reminder messages
Define custom codes
Tailor the offer to your marketing strategy and your loyalty programs
These options make it possible to tailor the gift card experience to your goals.
Best practices and mistakes to avoid
Best practices
Offer at least 3 to 4 amounts to cover different budgets
Create products by occasion (birthday, holidays) and a generic option
Use attractive visuals: gift cards also sell through their image
Integrate cards into your strategic promotions
Mistakes to avoid
Only one amount: limits choices and may discourage purchase
Amounts that are too high: if your average basket is €40, avoid offering only €100 and €200
Forgetting the description: explain how to use the card and the conditions
Disabling codes without planning: deactivated codes cannot be reused
The benefits of gift cards
Revenue increase: customers can buy as gifts.
Loyalty: recipients discover your brand.
Flexibility: promotions, refunds, rewards.
Simplicity: creation and management directly in the Shopify admin.
Complete with a chatbot
To take the customer experience even further, an AI chatbot like Qstomy automates responses to visitors' questions (how to use a card, where to buy it, available amounts) and recommends suitable products. It complements your gift card offering. Discover the AI chatbot integration on Shopify and our chatbot guide for e-commerce.
Summary
Shopify gift cards are an asset for your store: promotions, refunds, gifts. Create a card manually for custom amounts or promotions. Create a gift card product to enable online purchase. Set the available amounts: customers cannot enter a custom amount. Note: disabled codes cannot be reused. Start with a product for a popular occasion, then explore customization options.
FAQ
Can customers choose a custom amount?
No. Amounts are predefined in the gift card product. For a custom amount, create a card manually.
Can I reuse a disabled gift card code?
No. Disabled codes cannot be reused on another card. Plan carefully before creating.
How do I send a gift card to a customer?
Once the card is associated with a customer, you can send the card to them by email directly from the Shopify admin.
What is the maximum amount for a gift card?
Up to 10,000 USD (or the equivalent in your currency) for gift card products.
Can I create multiple gift card products for different occasions?
Yes. Create “Happy Birthday Gift Card,” “Thinking of You Gift Card,” etc. A generic option for any occasion is also useful.
Do gift cards increase the average order value?
According to WebToffee (2025), 61% of recipients spend more than the card’s value. Gift cards therefore increase average order value and brand discovery.
Learn more
March 12, 2025
