Digital Gift Card

A Digital Gift Card (also called an eGift card or virtual gift card) is a gift card that exists entirely in electronic form. Instead of a physical plastic or paper card, the recipient receives a unique redemption code delivered via email, SMS, or a messaging platform. The code carries a prepaid monetary value that can be applied at checkout.

How digital gift cards work

When a customer purchases a digital gift card, the store generates a unique code and links it to the selected balance. The system then sends a delivery notification to the recipient (or the buyer, depending on configuration) containing the code, the balance, and redemption instructions. Many stores allow the sender to personalize the message, choose a visual template, and schedule delivery for a specific date—making it ideal for birthdays and holidays.

Advantages over physical cards

  • Instant delivery: No shipping delays or costs. The recipient can use the card within minutes.
  • Zero fulfillment overhead: No inventory of blank cards, no packaging, no postage.
  • Scalability: A store can sell thousands of digital cards without any physical logistics.
  • Personalization: Buyers can add custom messages, choose themed templates, and schedule future delivery.
  • Eco-friendly: No plastic waste or shipping carbon footprint.

Implementation in WooCommerce

Digital gift cards in WooCommerce are typically handled by a plugin that creates a dedicated product type. On purchase completion, the plugin fires a hook (usually on woocommerce_order_status_completed or woocommerce_payment_complete) to generate the code and trigger the delivery email. The email template can be customized through the plugin settings or by overriding the template in the theme.

Best practices

  • Provide a balance-check page so recipients can see their remaining credit without starting checkout.
  • Include a resend option in the buyer’s order details in case the email was lost or went to spam.
  • Use branded, mobile-responsive email templates so the card looks professional on any device.
  • Log every redemption and balance change for audit and support purposes.