How to Create Gift Certificates Online for Your Small Business
When you think about gift certificates, you might picture a rack of plastic cards at the checkout line. But appointment-based businesses have just as much, if not more, to gain from offering them as big-box retailers. A gift certificate for a massage, a haircut, or a coaching session can be an unforgettable introduction to your business, offering happy clients the chance to share what they love most about your services with the people they love most in their lives.
With Acuity Scheduling, you can create custom gift certificates and sell them directly through your scheduling page. Clients purchase them online, recipients redeem them for appointments, and you track everything in one place. It’s easy for you, convenient for them, and smart for your bottom line.
Here’s how to use online gift certificates to attract new clients, delight existing ones, and give your small business a revenue boost year-round.
Why online gift certificates should be part of your business strategy
Online gift certificates have become a go-to hero of modern gift-giving. They’re quick to buy, easy to send, and flexible enough to please even the pickiest recipient. For small businesses and service providers, that consumer demand is an opportunity to generate long-term revenue while deepening client relationships.
Increase sales and revenue
Every gift certificate purchased is guaranteed income. That’s money collected upfront, often long before a recipient books an appointment. For small businesses, that predictability can help smooth cash flow during slower months and boost revenue in peak seasons.
Build customer loyalty and referrals
When clients gift your services, they’re essentially saying, “I trust this business so much I’m going to share it with someone I care about.” That’s word-of-mouth marketing in its best form. The new clients who redeem those gift certificates? Many of them stick around after the first appointment.
Promote seasonal and year-round deals
Gift certificates fit neatly into almost any marketing calendar. Around the holidays, they’re an easy sell for shoppers. But they’re just as useful year-round—think of Mother’s Day, birthdays, graduations, or “new year, new you” treats. By aligning certificates with these natural gifting moments, you give clients a reason to choose your business again and again.
Offer convenience for buyers and recipients
No wrapping paper, no guessing shoe sizes, no shipping deadlines. Online gift certificates are instant, flexible, and stress-free for both givers and receivers. That makes them the perfect last-minute solution (hello, December 24 shoppers).
How to create gift certificates with Acuity Scheduling
Creating custom gift certificates for your business doesn’t have to be complicated. Acuity makes it easy to set up, sell, and manage everything from the same platform you already use to schedule appointments.
Customize gift certificates in minutes
You decide how your online gift certificates look and what they cover. Offer them at a set dollar amount, number of minutes, or number of appointments, and tie them directly to specific services. Add an image or description to make them feel like a polished extension of your brand.
Seamless online purchasing and redemption
Clients buy gift certificates directly from your scheduling page using secure payment integrations. Recipients redeem their booking code online when scheduling an appointment, so there’s no awkward “Do you take gift cards?” conversations at checkout.
Easy sales tracking and balance management
With Acuity, you can generate reports to understand the total revenue generated from gift certificates, as well as when a gift certificate was used toward the cost of an appointment. You can also check remaining code balances, so you’ll always know how your gift card program is performing.
Step-by-step: how to set up gift certificates in Acuity
Log in to your Acuity account.
Open the Packages, Gifts & Subscriptions panel.
Click New Gift Certificate.
Name your gift certificate, set pricing, and enter expiration details. To customize it further, add a category, picture, or description.
Use the Redeemable For dropdown menu to set the gift certificate value, then decide which appointment types the gift certificate can be redeemed for.
Click Add Gift Certificate.
That’s it—you’re ready to start selling. Learn more about creating gift certificates.
Best occasions and industries for online gift certificates
Gift certificates are extremely versatile. They make thoughtful, convenient gifts for almost any occasion, from holidays to birthdays to everyday celebrations. Because they’re digital, recipients can choose when and what to book, making them a practical and appreciated present no matter the timing.
Popular occasions for gift certificates
Holidays: A quick, thoughtful gift that works for last-minute shoppers.
Birthdays: A personalized way to celebrate someone special.
Anniversaries and Valentine’s Day: Experiences like couples massages or coaching sessions create memorable moments.
New parents and graduations: Practical and restorative services—like massage therapy, meal prep classes, home cleaning, or career coaching—are gifts that show real care.
Everyday thank-you or “just because” gifts: A simple way to show appreciation without needing a special date.
Service industries that benefit
Certain businesses see especially strong returns from gift certificates because their services are desirable, flexible, and easy to gift.
Salons and spas: Beauty and relaxation experiences like haircuts, facials, and massages make timeless gifts, helping people look and feel their best. Gift certificates here appeal to clients who want to treat someone else to a little pampering.
Coaches and consultants: Business coaching, life coaching, and personal development services are popular gift choices for people looking to invest in growth.
Education and tutoring services: Parents and relatives can give lessons or tutoring sessions at any point in the year, helping recipients achieve academic or personal milestones.
Creative services: From photography sessions to pottery classes, creative experiences are fun, memorable, and shareable—making them highly giftable.
Medspas or healthcare providers offering elective treatments: Services like acupuncture or cosmetic treatments are often on someone’s “someday” list, and a gift certificate nudges them to book.
Holiday gift card promotions that drive sales
The holiday season is prime time for selling online gift certificates. Make sure yours stand out with smart promotion.
Feature gift certificates prominently on your booking page
Don’t hide them—make sure gift certificates appear alongside your main services. If you have a website, consider adding a direct link from your homepage or navigation, or spotlight them with a seasonal banner like “The perfect holiday gift.” Learn more about sharing direct links to your gift certificates and other offers on your scheduler.
Promote gift certificates through email and social media
Tell your clients directly: online gift certificates are available, easy to buy, and instantly redeemable. Share reminders in newsletters and other marketing efforts, add seasonal graphics to your Instagram and Facebook feeds, or use Stories to show how fast gifting can be.
And don’t forget your link in bio. If you’re using Bio Sites from Squarespace, add your gift certificate purchase link alongside your other key links (like booking, reviews, and your website). That way, when clients tap through from your social media bio, they’ll see gift certificates featured right where they’re most likely to act.
Add gift certificates to your holiday campaigns
Running a holiday service special? Mention gift certificates in the same promo. Messaging like “Not sure which service to choose? A gift certificate lets them decide” makes the buying decision even easier.
Highlight last-minute convenience
Position online gift certificates as the answer to panic shopping. “Instant delivery, no shipping required” speaks directly to the gift-givers who need solutions in the eleventh hour.
Encourage clients to share the idea
Gift certificates double as referrals. Encourage existing clients to gift your services by making it easy to forward your gift certificate to friends and family. Acuity automatically provides a redeemable booking code, and clients can print certificates if they prefer something tangible.
Boost your small business with custom gift certificates
Online gift certificates combine convenience, flexibility, and revenue potential in one neat package. They’re easy for you to set up, simple to buy and redeem, and a thoughtful way for recipients to discover your services.
If you want to capture more holiday sales—and keep up that momentum throughout the year—set up your Acuity gift card program today. Because giving the gift of your time and talent? That never goes out of style.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Expiration dates are regulated at the state level. Some states prohibit expiration entirely, while others allow it within limits. Always check your local laws before setting terms.
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Recipients enter their unique certificate code when booking through Acuity. The balance applies automatically, keeping things simple on your end. Learn more about redeeming gift certificate codes.
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Absolutely. Digital gift certificates are perfect for appointment-based businesses, giving new clients a risk-free way to try your services.
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Gift certificates are compatible with the payment processor you already use in Acuity, whether that’s Stripe, Square, or PayPal. Learn more about accepting payments through Acuity.
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In Acuity, they’re called gift certificates, but they function just like a gift card: clients purchase, recipients redeem. The big difference? Yours are digital, customizable, and tied directly to your services. These gift certificates are separate from the gift cards that you can offer through Squarespace Commerce. Acuity Scheduling gift certificates can only be used for purchases through Acuity.
