Creating and Managing Gift Codes

Creating and Managing Gift Codes

Key Considerations Before Creating a Code

Account scope

Gift codes are strictly account-specific and cannot be applied to another account's inventory. You will need to identify which experiences or categories are eligible.

Gift Code Types

Gift Card
Definition: A digital instrument loaded with a specific initial cash balance issued to a customer.
Mechanism: Functions as a form of payment rather than a price reduction. If an order total is $30 and a customer uses a $50 gift card, $30 is deducted, and a $20 balance remains on the gift code.
Best Use Case: Gifting as a loyalty reward. i.e.: Ambassadors
Promo Code Fixed
Definition: A promotional coupon that deducts a set monetary amount (e.g., $15 off) from the total order value when specific conditions are met.
Mechanism: Reduces the order subtotal before payment. If an order is $10 and the customer uses a $15 promo code, the total becomes $0, but the extra $5 is forfeited—it does not carry over.
Best Use Case: Driving conversions on minimum order thresholds (e.g., "$20 off orders over $100"), customer win-back campaigns, or high-margin, single-item incentives.
Promo Code Percentage 
Definition: A promotional coupon that reduces the total cost of eligible items by a specified percentage (e.g., 20% off).
Mechanism: Scales directly with the order size. A 20% code saves $10 on a $50 cart, but $40 on a $200 cart. 
Best Use Case: Encouraging higher basket sizes (upselling), site-wide seasonal sales (e.g., Black Friday), etc.


Creating a Gift Code

  1. Open Activate.
  2. Navigate to Marketing > Gift Codes.
  3. Select Create Gift Code.
  4. Enter a clear campaign or batch name.
  5. Select the discount type: Gift Card, Promo Fixed, or Promo Amount.
  6. Enter the value: Initial Balance
  7. Set the start and expiration dates.
  8. Set max. uses when required.
  9. Enter the discount code when required.
  10. Select the experiences where the code can be used.
  11. Save the coupon and verify that it appears in the coupon list.