In hospitality, customer loyalty isn’t just built on transactions – it’s built on experiences. Whether it’s a weekend getaway that a couple fondly remembers or a birthday dinner that becomes part of a family tradition, what keeps your guests coming back is how you make them feel.
That’s where gift voucher personalisation can help. It may seem like a simple sales tactic – something to fill tables or boost sales during the slow season – but when it’s done right, you get so much more as a business. For restaurants and hotels, personalised gift vouchers offer a unique way to connect with loyal regulars and first-time guests on a more personal level, helping you build on your customer loyalty program in ways you may not have thought of.
Here, we’ll explain how selling personalised gift vouchers will help you build stronger relationships with your customers, increase repeat visits, and turn everyday moments into lasting customer loyalty.
How gift voucher personalisation builds customer loyalty
1. It strengthens emotional connection to your brand
When a gift voucher includes someone’s name or a personalised video message, it’s so much more than just a transaction. It becomes an unforgettable gift that strengthens the value of your brand and deepens the emotional tie between you and your customer. When customers are emotionally invested in your business, they’re much more likely to return and become real ambassadors of your brand.
2. It gets customers back through the door
A personalised gift voucher is never just a one-time purchase. Voucher recipients become new customers experiencing your service for the first time, and the original buyer is incentivised to come back or buy more vouchers for other special occasions. It creates a cycle of visits – buying, gifting and redeeming vouchers – that helps you retain customers, bring new guests into the fold, and build that brand loyalty.
3. It enhances the perception of your business
Gift voucher personalisation is an excellent way to create a premium feel for your customer. That attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed. After all, it’s not just about offering a gift. It’s about creating an experience for your customer. So they’ll associate you with a thoughtful, high-quality service, enhancing their perception of the brand and building trust in your business.
4. It boosts word-of-mouth and referrals
When someone receives a beautifully designed and personalised gift voucher – maybe with their name, or a personal message – it’s much more likely to be a conversation starter with friends and family, and much more likely to be shared on social media. That word-of-mouth is invaluable to your business. It gives you more credibility and more potential customers.
Plus, when someone buys a gift voucher from you to give to someone special, they’re essentially recommending your brand. That’s a huge vote of confidence. So what starts with one personalised gift voucher turns into free organic marketing, potential new business, and a growing community of loyal customers.
5. It provides you with valuable customer data
One thing that lots of businesses overlook is how personalised gift vouchers can be a goldmine of customer data. Every time someone buys or uses a gift voucher, they’re giving you valuable insight into their interests and preferences. Maybe they tend to buy gift vouchers around Christmas? Or they chose the romantic dinner-for-two package?
Whatever it may be, all of this information helps you build a clear picture of who your customers are, and what they value, helping you tailor your marketing efforts and build customer loyalty programs that really resonate. For example, when you know someone has redeemed their spa package voucher, you could follow up with a discount on their next retreat. Or if a customer always buys vouchers around anniversaries you could send them a “Happy Anniversary” offer next year with an exclusive discount. It’s all about using these small data points to your advantage, so you can craft experiences that your customers will really appreciate.
Selling personalised gift vouchers isn’t just a clever sales tactic – it’s a meaningful way to build real customer loyalty. You’re offering much more than just a meal or a room. You’re creating a moment that people will remember and want to revisit, again and again.
Want to learn more about Giftpro?
If you’re thinking about selling gift vouchers online to support your business and boost your customer loyalty program, learn more about creating a bespoke gift voucher platform with Giftpro.
