While traditional paper gift certificates may have yielded additional sales, electronic gift cards have proven to increase redemption rates over paper gift certificates, as well as increase repeat visit statistics.

And, now you don't have to be a "big company" to offer them. Cards can also be used for loyalty and membership programs to automatically keep track of point balances and transactions for a multitude of rewards and incentive programs, as well as merchandise credits to load the exact value of a product return for store credit.

Gift cards can be customized with your own design (logo, tag line, contact information and locations, etc.), or predesigned cards can be purchased as needed. What's more, you probably already have the equipment you need to take advantage of electronic gift cards.

For more information
Contact FirstMerit's Merchant Services for more information on the gift card program at 1-800-572 -6039,
or by e-mail at merchantservices@firstmerit.com.