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What are e-gift cards? What they are, what they do, and why that’s exciting

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what are e-gift cards

E-gift cards are becoming a more popular gift and reward option. We’re excited about working them into what we offer our clients. Even if they seem elusive and new, they’re actually a really simple and delightful product.

If you need to know how to redeem one of our Evolve Digital Reward Codes, click here.

What is an e-gift card?

They are functionally the same as a traditional physical gift card. The only difference is digital delivery.

Cash value loaded on to a plastic gift card isn’t actually on the gift card itself. Gift cards themselves don’t contain the cash value loaded onto them. The gift card is just a physical token of that value.

E-gift cards take the plastic element away. That’s the only significant difference. Instead of using the gift card as the token, an email becomes the token. Everything else, functionally, remains the same for your employees and customers.

Swathes of online retailers, high street shops, leisure brands, restaurants, pubs, cinemas, experiences, holidays and more are available through e-gift cards. And, it’s just as easy as using traditional physical gift cards.

How do e-gift cards work?

As you’ve read, an e-gift card works along the same principles as a physical, plastic gift card. Using one works just like a plastic gift card, only without the plastic. Depending on the specific brand, they’re redeemed online, in store, or both.

Using an e-gift card in store

To keep it simple, they usually arrive in the same format they’re normally used in. They’re sent through emails (and occasionally SMS), so all an e-gift card recipient needs to do is present a copy of the e-gift card. Save a copy of the card number, take a screenshot, or just open up your message/email app and present it when making a purchase.

Using an e-gift card online

For most e-gift cards that can be used online, the process is simple. It just means entering the e-gift card’s number and PIN when making a purchase through the website.

The confirmation email outlines any special instructions. Such as, needing to create an account for online spending, or having to print the gift before using it in store.

How do you buy e-gift cards?

There are two ways to get e-gift card through Love2shop Business. Both are easy for customers and employees.

Love2shop Gift Cards

The first e-gift card method is through Love2shop Gift Cards. The value of a Love2shop Gift Card is exchanged for e-gift cards through Love2shop.co.uk, or our app. E-gift cards are sent straight to a user’s email inbox after the exchange.

Evolve digital rewards

The Evolve digital rewards platform also offers e-gift cards. Evolve reward codes, delivered through SMS or email, are redeemed through a simple web portal. The codes open a massive catalogue of rewards, including our selection of e-gift cards.

We’re also working to introduce e-gift cards as a standalone product on our customer-focused sister site, Highstreetvouchers.com.

New digital products like this get us really excited. They’re an interesting new frontier in our mission to develop our digital reward and gift offerings. As more companies try to drive down their dependence on plastics and embrace digital space, expect to see more of these in the future.

Take a look at our e-gift card solutions here >>