Gift Cards & Store Credit Setup

Overview

Whenever you need to issue a gift card or store credit to your customers—whether as part of a return, exchange, warranty claim, or any other resolution—Corso offers two methods to handle this process. Both methods integrate with Shopify’s native gift card system, but differ in how the gift cards are created and delivered.

The two options are:

1. Gift Card (Recommended) - Automatically creates and delivers gift cards directly to customers via email
2. Gift Card Order - Creates a gift card order in Shopify that requires additional setup

Recommended Approach

The Gift Card method is recommended for most brands because it’s easier to set up, reduces the potential for configuration errors, and provides a cleaner customer experience without creating additional orders in Shopify.

Method 1: Gift Card (Recommended)

This method uses Shopify’s Gift Card API to issue gift cards directly—no need to create a separate gift card order. This streamlines reporting, simplifies fulfillment, and improves the customer experience.

Benefits

• No new order created = clean analytics and no confusion for customers
• Automatic email delivery from Shopify with gift card code and redemption link
• Set expiration dates to control when gift cards expire
• Fulfillment teams and 3PLs don’t need to ignore fake gift card orders
• Shopify-native = smoother and faster for everyone
• Less setup required with no risk of configuration errors

How to Enable

1. Go to Corso Admin > Return Settings
2. Find the setting for Gift Card Type
3. Select Gift Card from the dropdown
4. Click Save

Once enabled, when you issue a gift card as part of a claim, the customer will receive it directly by email. No new order will be created in Shopify.

Setting Gift Card Expiration Dates

Corso now supports setting expiration dates for gift cards created using the Gift Card method. This feature allows brands to define a specific number of days for the gift card to remain valid.

Key features:

• Set a custom number of days until expiration
• Expiration date appears in the Shopify gift card email
• Expiration is displayed on the gift card itself within Shopify
• Provides an easier, more reliable way to manage store credit lifecycles

Note

Gift card expiration dates are only available when using the Gift Card method. This feature is not available with the Gift Card Order method.

Customize the Gift Card Page

Below the Gift Card Type setting, you’ll see Gift Card Template Suffix. This lets you:

• Customize the landing page text and branding
• Differentiate gift cards issued through returns vs. other channels

Use Shopify Liquid templates to define a suffix like:

gift_card.returns.liquid

You can then customize that Liquid template in Shopify to say something like:

“This gift card was issued from your recent return.”

Customer Experience

• Gift card is emailed directly to the customer by Shopify
• Includes a clickable code and link to a Shopify-powered gift card page
• No new order appears in their order history
• Clear expiration date displayed (if configured)

Method 2: Gift Card Order Method

This method requires creating a dedicated gift card order in Shopify and configuring Corso to use it. When a gift card is issued, Corso creates a gift card order in Shopify.

Important Setup Required

This method requires careful configuration in both Shopify and Corso. Missing or incorrect steps can cause issues with gift card delivery. If you’re just getting started, we recommend using the Gift Card method instead.

Setup Steps

1. Go into your Shopify admin
2. Click on Products > Gift Cards in the left side menu
   
3. Select “Add gift card product” in the top right of the page
4. Add a title, description, media, and other information you want on the product. We recommend using a title that your team will recognize and is clearly identifiable from your other gift card products
5. Scroll down to denominations and delete all of them. If Shopify requires that you have at least one, set it to $1.00
6. Set the product status to “Active”, but unpublished on any sales channels, then save
7. In the URL at the top you will see the product ID at the end of the store address. Copy this ID
8. Paste the ID in the Corso Admin under Settings > Returns > Store Credit

Limitations

• Creates a gift card order in Shopify (can clutter order history and analytics)
• Requires manual setup that’s prone to configuration errors
• Does not support setting expiration dates
• May require fulfillment teams to filter out gift card orders

FAQ

Does this work with all Shopify plans?

Yes, as long as your store has Shopify’s Gift Card feature enabled.

Can I switch between methods?

Yes, you can toggle between the Gift Card and Gift Card Order methods at any time in your Corso Return Settings.

Will customers still receive an email?

Yes. With the Gift Card method, Shopify handles the email delivery automatically. With the Gift Card Order method, Shopify sends an order confirmation email.