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Getting Started

This guide will help you create your first bulk gift card job and get familiar with the Datora Bulk Gift Cards app interface.

Your First Gift Card Job​

Let's create a simple gift card job to get you started. In this example, we'll create a small batch of gift cards with custom codes.

Step 1: Access the App​

  1. Log into your Shopify admin
  2. Navigate to Apps in the left sidebar
  3. Click on Datora Bulk Gift Cards
  4. You'll see the main dashboard showing your job history

Step 2: Start a New Job​

  1. Click the Create Gift Cards button on the dashboard
  2. You'll be taken to the gift card creation form

Step 3: Set Quantity and Value​

Fill in the basic information:

  1. Quantity: Enter the number of gift cards you want to create (e.g., 10 for a first test)

    • The maximum quantity depends on your plan (Free: 50, Basic: 750, Premium: 7,500, Ultimate: unlimited)

  2. Initial Value: Set the monetary value for each gift card (e.g., $25.00)

    • All gift cards in the job will have the same initial value

Step 4: Customize Code Format (Optional)​

Configure how your gift card codes will look:

  1. Prefix: Add a prefix to all codes (e.g., "GIFT" produces codes like GIFT-xxxx-xxxx)
  2. Suffix: Add a suffix to all codes (e.g., "2026" produces codes like xxxx-xxxx-2026)
  3. Code Length: Set the length of the random portion of the code (8-20 characters)
    • Longer codes are more secure; shorter codes are easier for customers to enter

Step 5: Set Additional Options (Optional)​

  1. Expiration Date: Set a date when the gift cards will expire
    • Leave empty for gift cards that never expire
  2. Note: Add an internal note to the gift cards for your reference (e.g., "Spring promotion 2026")
    • Notes are visible in the Shopify admin but not to customers

Step 6: Create the Job​

  1. Review your settings
  2. Click Create to start the job
  3. You'll be redirected to the dashboard

Step 7: Monitor Progress​

Once the job starts:

  1. The dashboard shows a progress bar for your active job
  2. Watch as gift cards are created in real time
  3. The status will change to Completed when all cards have been generated

Step 8: Download Your Gift Cards​

When the job is complete:

  1. Click on the completed job in the dashboard
  2. Click Download CSV to get a file with all your gift card codes
  3. The CSV includes the code, initial value, and other details
  4. Use the CSV to distribute gift cards via your own channels

Tips for First-Time Users​

Start Small​

Create a small test job (5-10 cards) first to familiarize yourself with the process. You can always create larger batches once you're comfortable.

Use Prefixes for Organization​

Adding a prefix like "SPRING26" or "VIP" makes it easy to identify which promotion or campaign a gift card belongs to.

Check Your Plan Limits​

Before creating a large job, verify that your current plan supports the quantity you need. You can upgrade your plan at any time from the Settings page.

Download Promptly​

Download your CSV files after jobs complete. While you can always re-download from the dashboard, it's good practice to save a local copy.

Quick Actions​

Common tasks you'll perform regularly:

Duplicate a Job​

  1. Find a completed job in the dashboard
  2. Click the Duplicate button
  3. The creation form opens with the same settings pre-filled
  4. Adjust settings as needed and create

Save a Preset​

  1. When configuring a new job, set up your desired options
  2. Click Save as Preset and give it a name
  3. Next time, load the preset to skip manual configuration

Batch Download​

  1. Select multiple completed jobs from the dashboard using the checkboxes
  2. Click Download Selected to get all gift card codes in a single CSV file

View Gift Card Usage​

  1. Click on a completed job in the dashboard
  2. View the usage summary showing redeemed vs. unredeemed cards
  3. Check individual card balances and redemption status

Best Practices​

To get the most from bulk gift card creation:

  1. Use Descriptive Notes: Add notes to your jobs so you can easily identify them later
  2. Set Expiration Dates: Create urgency and manage liability by setting expiration dates on gift cards
  3. Secure Your CSVs: Gift card codes are like cash -- store downloaded CSV files securely
  4. Test Before Large Batches: Always run a small test before creating thousands of gift cards
  5. Monitor Redemptions: Regularly check usage tracking to understand how your gift cards are performing
  6. Use Presets: Save time on recurring jobs by creating and reusing presets

Next Steps​

Now that you've created your first gift card job, explore more features:

  • Save job presets for recurring campaigns
  • Set up email delivery to send gift cards directly to recipients
  • Configure Slack notifications to get alerted when jobs complete
  • Explore gift card deactivation for managing expired promotions

Getting Help​

Need assistance?