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How to Setup an eCard Form to Charge for Sending eCards (How to sell eCards)
How to Setup an eCard Form to Charge for Sending eCards (How to sell eCards)

eCards for Fundraising: How to setup Donation eCards and Digital Gifts eCards

Tim Badolato avatar
Written by Tim Badolato
Updated over a week ago

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of setting up the eCommerce feature for your eCard Widget, enabling donors and customers to donate-to-send or pay-to-send digital ecards for various use cases.

Video Guide:

1. Overview

There are two main options for implementing payments for eCards:

1.1 Built-in Payment Form (Recommended)

  • Processed through Stripe (stripe.com)

  • Seamlessly integrated into the eCard sending process

  • Payments are sent directly to your bank account

  • Offers more flexibility and features

  • Supports multiple recipients and various sending methods (email, SMS, social media)

1.2 Shopify Integration

  • Requires attaching cards to Shopify products

  • Customers choose cards from the Shopify product page

  • Payment is processed through your Shopify account

  • Limited to email-only and one recipient at a time

  • Allows for adding multiple cards to cart for multiple recipients

For detailed information on the Shopify integration, please refer to our separate guide: Shopify Integration Guide

This guide will focus on setting up the built-in payment form, which offers more flexibility and features.

2. Built-in Payment Form Setup

Follow these detailed steps to set up the built-in payment form:

  1. Log into your account

  2. Create a new Widget or edit an existing one.

  3. Navigate to the eCommerce tab within your widget settings

  4. Connect your Stripe account:

    • Click "Connect to Stripe"

    • If you have an existing Stripe account, you can connect to it

    • If not, you'll be prompted to create a new Stripe account

    • Follow the prompts to create a sub-account linked to your main Stripe account

    • This sub-account helps separate eCard donation data from your main account for better tracking

  5. Once connected, you'll see "Connected to Stripe" in the eCommerce tab

3. Configuring Payment Options

After connecting Stripe, configure your payment options:

  1. Enable payments by toggling the switch in the eCommerce tab

  2. Set up donation options:

    • Add preset amounts (e.g., $5, $20, $100)

    • Enable/disable custom amount field

    • Set minimum and maximum limits for custom amounts

  3. Configure charge per recipient:

    • Useful for flat-rate pricing per card

    • When enabled, the selected amount is multiplied by the number of recipients

  4. Choose currency:

    • Select from available options

    • Contact support if your desired currency is not listed

  5. Add support contact information:

    • Enter a special support email (if not provided, the Stripe account email is used)

    • Add a support phone number

  6. Customize content above the form:

    • Add text explaining the donation process

    • Include information about tax-deductibility if applicable

    • You can add formatted text and even images

  7. Customize email receipt message:

    • Edit the default message to personalize it for your organization

4. Testing the Payment Form

Before going live, it's crucial to test the payment process:

  1. Enable Test mode in the eCommerce settings

  2. View your widget's public page

  3. Fill out the eCard form as a donor would

  4. In the payment section, you'll see "Stripe test mode enabled by admin"

  5. Use the following test card information:

    • Card number: 4242 4242 4242 4242

    • Expiration date: Any future date

    • CVC: Any 3 digits

  6. Complete the form and submit

  7. Verify that the test payment processes correctly

  8. Check that you receive the email receipt

Remember to disable Test mode before making your widget public.

5. Customization and Additional Features

Enhance your eCards with these features:

  • Confetti effect: Add a celebratory touch to your eCards

  • Multiple sending options:

    • Email

    • SMS

    • Social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X)

    • Shareable link for other platforms

  • Preview option: Allow senders to preview their card before sending

  • Save payment information: Offer donors the option to save their payment details for future donations

6. Examples of Implementation

Here are two examples of successful eCard campaigns:

6.1 One Tail at a Time: Valentine's Day Campaign

  • Seasonal theme with specific card designs

  • Set donation amounts for simplicity

  • Focused on a particular holiday or event

6.2 Open Door: Year-round Card Selection

  • Diverse range of cards for various occasions

  • Multiple giving options ($5, $10, $25, $50, and custom amount)

  • Flexibility for donors to choose their giving level

7. Troubleshooting and Support

If you encounter any issues or need assistance:

  • Use the live chat feature on the platform for immediate help

  • Email support for detailed inquiries, [email protected]

  • Check the FAQ section for common questions and answers

Remember to always disable Test mode before making your eCard widget public. Regularly review your settings and test the donation process to ensure a smooth experience for your donors.

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