1. They’re (still) on the rise in popularity

Of surveyed consumers in 2019, 68% reported doing their holiday shopping online, which is higher than the anticipated 60% surveyed consumers reported before the holiday season. Following that trend, e-commerce gift card sales growth beat pre-holiday projections and more than tripled the 12% growth seen in 2019.

In addition, in 2020, e-gift card sales were up 80% compared to 2019.

The average American man spent $160 on gift cards last year, and women weren’t far behind at $150.

2. They’re an easy way to boost holiday revenue

Though people definitely need a massage during the holiday season (hello stress!), they might not make time to get one. With errands, shopping, visitors, and end-of-year traveling, the holidays can feel like a plateau for many independent massage therapists.

Gift certificates are a great way to ensure that your current and future clients will be breezing through your door after the first of the year.

Also, according to a recent study by Square, customers with a gift certificate spend, on average, 23% more than the value of their gift certificate. So, you can make the reasonable assumption that your revenue will increase even more when a client is using a gift certificate at your massage business.

3. Gift certificates are easier than ever to sell with MassageBook

If you’ve got a stack of gift certificates in your desk drawer that you only offer around the holidays (and in your physical location), you are limiting the amount of exposure this powerful sales tool can have.

With MassageBook, you can sell your gift certificates online so that your current clients and visitors can purchase with a few easy clicks. Selling gift certificates no longer requires any complex planning or headaches.

Once your sales start rolling in, it’s easy to track the revenue and how many have been redeemed, too. The normal checkout process has a spot for people to redeem their gift certificate when they book their appointment with you so the flow stays nice and tidy.

4. Your competition already offers them

Yes, local retail shops might offer gift certificates, but the real competition—the big box massage franchise down the street—makes it simple for people to purchase online and redeem for their plethora of services.

For this reason alone, you can avoid being passed over by people who have money to spend and would rather shop with a local small business like yours.

5. They’re a great way to get new clients in the door

Did you know that 41% of customers trying a business for the first time do so because they received a gift certificate? If you can convert just half of those into returning clients, imagine how you could build your book of business for the future!

Take it one step further and consider sweetening the new client experience in some way. For example, offer a free aromatherapy add-on or give your new client extra time to relax before the massage (if your schedule allows). There are a lot of small ways to make new clients feel special and to help ensure they’ll come back for more.

Do you have a success story from selling holiday gift certificates? We’d love to hear it! Share it on Facebook and Instagram and tag us: @massagebook