Gift vouchers are a prepaid value that the recipient redeems on a later purchase. For an e-shop they bring three benefits: the money arrives before the goods are delivered, the voucher brings in a new customer who did not previously know the shop, and the amount redeemed is often either lower or, conversely, higher than the nominal value, which increases the average order. Several things need to be watched. The validity of the voucher and the conditions of redemption must be clearly stated and comply with consumer protection rules. In accounting terms it is a prepayment received, not revenue at the moment of sale, so its recording should be resolved with an accountant. And technically the system must be able to handle partial redemption and combination with a discount. Prepare vouchers well ahead of the gift-giving season.
See also: Seasonality of demand, E-shop terms and conditions, Order process.
