Stamp-collecting apps for shops: how to make an informed choice

The customer looks for their paper stamp card at the counter, but they don’t have it with them. The right stamp collection app for businesses can replace this situation with a digital card, but when making your choice, it’s worth examining the entire process: how the customer connects via a QR code, how they receive a stamp, and how they redeem their reward. You should also assess how much extra work this will involve for your staff whilst serving customers. The points below will help you choose the right system and design a loyalty programme that suits your customers.

Key Points to Consider

• When selecting a stamp-collecting app for your business, walk through the entire process of guest registration, stamp collection and reward redemption.

• Check whether the staff scanner app or kiosk mode is better suited to your day-to-day operations.

• Adjust the number of stamps and the rewards to suit your customers’ return habits and your business’s operations.

• Take a look at the statistics showing how the programme is being used, and consider which extra features your team actually needs.

• Before implementation, consider your data management requirements and check that the package you’ve chosen includes the necessary features.

Table of Contents

• What is a stamp-collecting app for businesses used for, and what problem does it solve?

• What features should you compare when choosing a stamp collection app?

• How can you assess whether a stamp collection app is suitable for your business?

• How can you integrate the stmpr stamp collection app into the next stage of your business?

What is a stamp collection app for businesses, and what problem does it solve?

A customer at the till is looking for their paper stamp card, but doesn’t have it with them. In such cases, the stamp may be missed, or the staff member has to decide how to handle the situation. A stamp collection app for shops manages stamps and the redemption of rewards digitally. If you set the rules in advance, both the customer and your team will know how the scheme works.

The process is simple: the customer scans a QR code to join, saves the loyalty card to their phone’s Wallet, and then collects stamps and redeems rewards according to the conditions set by your business. This is one form of loyalty programme. The customer’s Wallet card and the staff member’s stamping device each have a specific role: one displays the customer’s card, whilst the other is used to add stamps and redeem rewards.

How does digital stamp collection differ from paper cards?

With a paper card, the guest has to carry it with them and find it when they ask for a stamp. The digital version can be stored in the phone’s Wallet, so the guest can find it alongside their other Wallet cards. This is an alternative to the paper card; switching is not compulsory. Assess which format suits your guests and staff best for the service.

From a day-to-day operational perspective, also check how the stamping process works. The stmpr staff scanner app works even without an internet connection. If the QR code cannot be read, the four-digit backup code on the card can be used. Kiosk mode enables self-service stamping. Before making your choice, consider who will manage the process and how it fits into the service workflow.

Does the guest need to install a separate app?

No. The guest connects via a QR code and then saves the card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet without having to download a separate stmpr app. stmpr is a digital loyalty card built on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet; it is not a means of payment. You can read about how it works from the guest’s perspective in the guide on using Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Before making your choice, walk through the entire process – from sign-up and stamp collection to redeeming rewards – and check that every step is clear to both your guests and your team.

What features should you compare when choosing a stamp-collecting app?

A stamp-collecting app for businesses will fit in well with your operations if customers can sign up easily and staff can manage stamping and redeeming rewards with ease. Don’t just compare lists of features. Imagine how the process works during a busy period, and see how many steps it requires from both the customer and your team.

How does a guest join the scheme and how do they get a stamp?

The guest scans the QR code, joins the programme, and then saves the Wallet card to their phone. Staff can award stamps using the scanner app and can also manage the redemption of rewards via this app. The stmpr scanner app works even without an internet connection. If the QR code cannot be read, the four-digit backup code on the card can be used. During the trial, observe how quickly and clearly your team can carry out these steps.

What handling and measurement functions might be required?

If you want your staff to handle the stamping process, choose the scanner-based process. If you’re planning a self-service option, consider the kiosk mode. When making your decision, bear in mind who will be assisting the guest and where stamping fits into the service process.

The statistics show connections, stamps issued and rewards redeemed. Access to more detailed statistics, surveys and campaigns may depend on your package, so distinguish between basic card usage and the extra features you would actually use. When sending push notifications, bear in mind that the monthly sending limit depends on the package, and the guest’s marketing consent is required for marketing messages.

How can you assess whether a stamp collection app is right for your business?

A stamp-collecting app is a good fit for your business if the customer journey, the rules for rewards and staff responsibilities are clear. Before making a choice, go through the checklist below using your own business as an example.

• Customer journey: Try walking through the process from scanning the QR code to opening the Wallet card. Check that it is easy to understand, even for someone encountering the programme for the first time. You can place the QR code used to join the scheme on the counter, share it on social media, or print it on leaflets.

• Rewards system: Decide which purchases or visits earn a stamp, and what rewards can be redeemed. Tailor the number of stamps and the rewards to your shop’s offering and the frequency of customer returns; do not simply follow a generic template.

• Staff workflow: Decide whether a member of staff will apply the stamp or whether customers will use the self-service kiosk mode. The scanner app works offline, which means it can still be used even if the Wi-Fi connection is weak. When using kiosk mode, consider how features such as waiting times, daily limits, activity logs and PIN-code logout fit in with your operations.

• Metrics: Select in advance what you’d like to review, such as connections, stamps issued or rewards redeemed. These will give you an insight into how the programme is being used, but do not in themselves guarantee business results.

• Data management and campaigns: Your business is the data controller for the guest data collected upon sign-up, along with the associated responsibilities under the GDPR. Consider what data you are requesting and for what purpose. When running a targeted campaign, selecting the audience and timing is a separate matter from the delivery of the message. Only send push notifications with the appropriate marketing consent, and check the monthly sending limit included in your package.

Which stamping process suits your staff best?

In a café, a member of staff might award a stamp as part of the service, whilst in other shops a self-service process may be more convenient. In a hairdressing salon, for example, the reward could be linked to a return visit. In every case, tailor the number of stamps and the reward to your own services; don’t automatically adopt a generic template. You can find out more about digital options in the demonstration of digital loyalty card systems.

How can you integrate the stmpr stamp-collecting app into the next stage of your business?

Before you decide, walk through the entire process, from guest sign-up to redeeming rewards. The stmpr digital loyalty card is built on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Customers sign up using a QR code, whilst staff can add stamps using the scanner app or you can use kiosk mode. A stamp-collecting app for businesses fits seamlessly into your day-to-day operations when both the guest and your team know exactly what to do.

• Wallet card: Decide what design you want for your card. The appearance is managed by Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, so the card’s look may vary depending on the device.

• QR code: Think carefully about where your guests will come across it and whether the connection process is clear to them. You can display the code on the counter, on social media or printed on leaflets.

• Stamping: Decide whether a member of staff will stamp the card using the scanner app or whether the guest will use the kiosk mode.

• Rewards: Set the number of stamps and the reward that suit your business, then clarify how the rewards are redeemed.

• Team: Agree which staff member will handle stamping and redeeming, and what process the team will follow.

• Metrics: Select which data you’d like to review, such as sign-ups, stamps or redeemed rewards.

What should you know about the Wallet card and its settings?

Guests can save the loyalty card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet without having to install a separate stmpr app. Once published, the card’s logo, colours and stamp icon can be modified, but the structural settings are locked. This includes, for example, the number of stamps required and the conditions for receiving a reward. You should therefore consider the card’s structure and the rules for rewards before publishing it.

When is it worth trying out digital stamp collection?

Go ahead once you’ve thought through the guest journey, the reward conditions and your staff’s daily tasks. Features and usage limits may vary depending on the package, so check that the package you’ve chosen suits your planned operations. First, walk through the process from your business’s perspective, then see how it fits in with your team’s day-to-day work.

Choose the next step that suits your day-to-day operations

A stamp-collecting app is a good choice for businesses if customer sign-up, stamp collection and redeeming rewards fit seamlessly into your service process. Tailor the number of stamps and the rewards to suit your business, and clarify your staff’s responsibilities before launch.

stmpr’s digital loyalty card is based on Apple Wallet and Google Wallet. Customers sign up using a QR code and can save their Wallet card without needing a separate stmpr app. The staff scanner app works even without an internet connection, and if the QR code cannot be scanned, a four-digit backup code can be used. Based on this, you can assess in advance how the digital process will fit into your day-to-day work.

Think about what you need right now, then check the package-specific features as well. Start with your own rewards logic and see how the digital process works in your business.

Frequently asked questions about stamp-collecting apps

Do customers need to install a separate app to collect stamps?

No, customers do not need to install a separate stmpr app. They connect via a QR code and can then save their loyalty card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The display of the card is managed by the Wallet service, so its appearance may vary depending on the device. This means guests can keep the card on their phone without having to download a separate business app.

How does a guest get a stamp on their digital card?

The guest shows the QR code on their Wallet card, which the staff member scans using the scanner app. If the QR code cannot be scanned, the four-digit backup code on the card can be used. Your business determines the conditions for earning a stamp and when the reward can be redeemed. Make sure your team is clear on how to record the stamp and the redemption.

Does the stamp-collecting app work without an internet connection?

The stmpr staff scanner app works offline, so it can be used even with a weak Wi-Fi signal. The four-digit backup code can be used if the QR code cannot be scanned. This code is an alternative to scanning the QR code; it is not a general troubleshooting solution.

Can self-service stamping be used in-store?

Yes, kiosk mode enables self-service stamping. The customer holds their Wallet card in front of a device fitted with a camera. This feature includes a waiting period, daily limits, an activity log and PIN-code logout. These settings help manage kiosk mode, but do not provide complete protection against all forms of misuse. Before implementation, consider where to place the device and who will monitor daily operations.

Can the shop send push notifications to the Wallet card?

Yes, stmpr can send push notifications to saved Wallet cards. The monthly sending limit depends on the package, and marketing consent is required to send messages for marketing purposes. In the campaign, you can select the target audience and timing; push notifications are one of the ways to deliver the message. Before launching a campaign, check the terms and conditions of your package and consider whether the message is relevant to the selected guests.

Can the digital stamp card be edited after it has been published?

Yes, the visual elements of the card can be modified even after publication. These include, for example, the logo, colour scheme and stamp icon. However, the structural settings are locked after publication. This includes, for example, the number of stamps required and the reward conditions. Check these rules before you start to ensure the programme fits in with your business operations and the rewards offered to guests.

If you’re planning a digital stamp collection scheme, start by considering your own customers’ needs, then see how the process fits in with your team’s day-to-day work.