You found our list of free gift ideas for businesses.
Free gift ideas for businesses are items and services that companies can offer their clients as incentives for doing business with them. Examples of these ideas include themed gift baskets, donations, and branded presents. The purpose of these free gifts is to appreciate clients, build trust, and create lasting impressions. These ideas also help businesses promote new products, enhance upselling strategies, and improve sales on slow-moving products.
Free gift ideas for businesses are similar to loyalty program ideas, corporate giveaway ideas, and promotional giveaway ideas. Giving away free gifts to clients and employees is one of the top branding ideas for businesses and helps reward employees for hard work.
This article covers:
- free gift ideas for small business
- cheap gift with purchase ideas
- complimentary gifts for customers
- free gifts to include in packages
Let’s begin!
List of the best free gifts for businesses
Offering customers free gifts is one of the special ways to appreciate them. This gesture is also among the most effective sales and marketing tips for businesses. Here are some of the free gift ideas your clients would love.
1. Free items with purchases
Giving buyers additional products when they purchase commodities is among the best cheap gift with purchase ideas. This gifting strategy works best with distributors like superstores and online retailers.
Businesses can attach the gifts to the product on the shelf and label those gifts as free. The gifts can be of the same or smaller value, quantity, or size. For clients to benefit from the giveaways, attaching items similar to or compatible with the product they are paying for is best.
Offering these free products and services are effective sales trick, especially when you persuade customers with catchy phrases like:
- Buy three, get one free
- Get two for the price of one
- Reduced cost, save 10%
- Value pack, get an extra 20% free
Service-oriented businesses can also adopt this strategy by offering free services as gifts to their customers. For instance, a beauty parlor can offer free aromatherapy for massage clients.
2. Charity service
Charity services are among the most impactful gifts organizations offer to the public. Businesses use charity to help improve the livelihoods of the community. Charity also helps firms promote their services or products while spreading awareness for their brand.
Here are some interesting charity ideas for businesses:
- Cleaning services and detergent companies can offer voluntary cleaning services at a hospice care facility
- Construction companies or building material suppliers can build worshiping centers
- A pet products distributor or dog-walking firm can help the elderly walk their pets
- Hospitals, clinics, or medics can offer free medical camps
With proper planning, these services are pretty simple to undertake. Plus, charity work can be a fulfilling community-building activity for the organization’s volunteers and staff.
3. Donations
Companies can donate part of their profits as gifts to fulfill some of a community’s unmet needs. Typically, donations aim to fill gaps in basic needs and financial constraints. Organizations can give monetary and nonmonetary assistance, which also helps those firms leverage their brand and products.
Here are some donation ideas for businesses:
- Food
- Construction materials
- School books
- Children’s toys
- Wheelchairs
- Clothing
To share your donation process with customers, be sure to prominently include information about it on your website. For example, you could include which charity you support and what percentage of profits goes toward the cause. Optionally, you could feature a special product where 100% of the proceeds go to charity. Overall, donations help consumers feel good about supporting your brand and may encourage repeat business.
4. Free after-sales services
Free after-sales services are among the most practical free gifts to include in packages. Retail companies use this tactic to show appreciation to customers for shopping at their stores. The free services benefit the customers and can lure more prospects to purchase from you.
Examples of free after-sale services include:
- Machine installation
- Free site delivery
- Training on how to use a product
- Free repairs and maintenance
- Replacement warranties
These services help consumers cut down on related costs and get maximum benefits from a product. In addition, these services enable customers to make a purchase decision for your products quickly and easily.
5. Gifts based on spending goals
Giving gifts to consumers for spending a certain amount on your products is one of the top free gift ideas for small business owners. Retailers can set these limits on a single checkout. However, for repeat customers, you can calculate the total spent on a cumulative basis. The gifts may be in the form of a product, service, or experience.
For example:
- Free shipping for goods worth $500 or more
- A one-night tour for two when you spend $1,000
- Goods worth $50 for every $750 spent
- Branded gifts for every purchase above $100
Having a variety of such gifts can help businesses attract and value more buyers. This business trick also encourages shopping sprees, eventually increasing sales turnover.
6. Discounted prices
Discounts are some of the most irresistible gifts to consumers. As a result, businesses offer varying discount plans to achieve different goals. For example, lowering the cost of products can attract more buyers, promote selected products, and penetrate new markets.
Flash sales and bulk purchases are good examples of typical business discounts. Customers often find such offers to be compelling due to their cost-cutting nature. Besides, the price cuts help clients save more and possibly redirect spending to other available products. Businesses can target first-time clients or regular customers with amazing discounts. This idea works best by keeping accurate customer data, like buyers’ names and email accounts.
7. Customer loyalty programs
Customer loyalty is an essential part of growing a successful business. One of the most effective ways to gain customers is by introducing them to loyalty reward programs. For instance, customers can acquire loyalty cards and earn redeemable points with every purchase.
Companies then let customers redeem their points for selected gifts. The type and value of these gifts may depend on how many points the customers have earned. Businesses may also allow clients to redeem their points for cash or as means of payment at that particular organization. Offering loyalty programs helps retain clients longer.
8. Service upgrade
A service upgrade is among the most desired gifts for customers. Service-oriented businesses offer extra services at no additional cost or a higher level of service at a lower price. These gifts aim to give consumers a better experience and persuade them to consider paying for the extras. Also, businesses may use this gift periodically to show appreciation to loyal customers.
Examples of providers that can upgrade services include:
- TV subscription
- Productivity tools and software
- Airplane tickets
- Hotel rooms
Practical examples of these upgrades include moving clients from basic to premium plans or upgrading tickets from economy to VIP class.
9. Free packaging and shipping services
Free packaging and shipping services are among businesses’ most viable complementary gifts. When clients purchase products, businesses can repackage them into premade gift boxes, wrap or box them, and send them directly to recipients.
These services grant clients the gift of saving the time and hassle of delivering products. Snack delivery services and jewelry retailers are common examples of this type of gifting. Clients can facilitate this process by providing accurate physical addresses for delivery services.
10. Gift card
Gift cards are among the best free gift ideas for small businesses. Companies hardly go wrong with gift cards because these coupons allow clients to redeem their preferred product or service. You can issue clients gift cards for specific stores or universal cards to shop from an outlet they prefer. Or, if you are a manufacturer or retailer, then you can tailor gift coupons that can only pay for your products.
Gift cards are versatile, and you can customize them to include recipients’ names or company logos. Giving clients reloadable gift cards is also a good business idea to help them save for future purchases.
11. All-expenses-paid holiday
Travel opportunities are among the top complimentary gifts for customers. A paid holiday is a good example of these desirable gifts. Both clients and employees can enjoy the traveling experience, enabling them to discover the world and rejuvenate from daily routines.
Businesses can offer paid vacations as gifts to their stakeholders. For instance, firms can give this award to the employee of the year, the most effective supplier, or the client that has brought the largest share of sales. Companies can also make paid outings more enjoyable by accommodating at least one extra individual to accompany the recipient.
12. Meal voucher
One of the best ways to impress your clients is to treat them to a delicious meal. Sending clients a meal voucher is a fun way of communicating your appreciation. Plus, the coupons allow the clients to sample meals for free at the selected eatery.
You can make an advance payment or use a prepaid debit card to book a table. Next, you will provide your clients’ details for the restaurant to contact them and complete the reservation. This simple process lets your clients choose the most convenient time to enjoy the gift. The hotel or restaurant will also advise your clients on the available tables to enhance their dining experience.
13. Free subscriptions
Free subscriptions are an interesting way for businesses to introduce buyers to a service or product.
Here are examples of ways to offer free subscriptions:
- One-month free trial for purchasing software
- Free access to use a facility for paying for club membership
- Two-week free unlimited data bundles for installing WiFi
- One-month gym discount when you pay an annual subscription
Businesses can offer free subscriptions to promote their solutions to customers. This idea helps build trust so clients identify with the brand and continue consuming the service or product.
14. Free branded gifts for marketing
Engaging customers in your marketing campaign is a great way to spread the word about your business. Free branded items are some of the best giveaway ideas to offer clients at events like trade fairs and conferences. These items can include T-shirts, car accessories, and branded umbrellas.
Currently, swag bags are some of the best marketing products to use. Companies can use branded apparel as staff uniforms, onboarding gifts for new employees, or gifts for clients. Customizing the content of the swag bag to contain regular day-to-day items and tailored offerings makes the bag special and unique.
15. Cash back
Cash back is a leading free gift idea for customers. Businesses offer cash back to clients by refunding a specified percentage of the purchases in cash or as a discount. This method allows buyers to withdraw the cash refund or buy more products.
Cash-back services can help customers see how much the business appreciates them. This gift also offers clients greater value for their money and fosters trust in the company. When utilizing this idea, be sure to let clients know your cash-back policies so they can reap the maximum benefits.
16. Holiday-themed gift baskets
Holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Mother’s Day are some of the best opportunities to give free gifts to clients. Businesses can help make these occasions memorable by offering themed gift baskets. Such gifts become more impressive when you personalize the contents. For example, companies can include customized mugs, scented candles, and favorite wines in the package.
Themed gift baskets are among the best free gift ideas for manufacturing firms, wholesalers, and retailers. These types of businesses supply their own assorted products, which they can package into exciting sets. Thus, this idea also helps promote new and existing products.
17. Milestone gifts
Milestone gifts are among the most effective means of connecting with clients and employees. These tokens show you care for the recipients and make them feel happier and valued. Businesses can offer tailored gifts to mark several personal milestones, including the following:
- Birthdays
- Retirement
- Work anniversary
- Promotion
- Wedding
- New baby arrival
A thoughtful gift on such special occasions is usually moving and can create lasting impressions about the products or the gifting organization.
18. Employee appreciation day swag
Setting up an internal employee appreciation day is a smart strategy companies can adopt to motivate staff. Businesses may use gifts to reward and encourage exemplary performance, like hitting sales targets, managing crises, and demonstrating leadership.
Companies can give varying employee appreciation days gifts. One great option is offering branded products. Swag benefits both the recipient and the firm, as the user gets a new product, and the firm advertises its branding. These items may depend on the company’s budget and internal policies. Nonetheless, customizing the giveaways to match the recipients’ needs and preferences is usually a winning idea.
19. Free classes
Giving the gift of education is a great way to earn new clients’ business. This option is great for service providers like art or yoga studios. Allowing participants to join one or a few classes for free lets them decide if they like the learning environment. Additionally, you can take this opportunity to show attendees what value your firm offers. For example, perhaps a customer believes they could get just as much value out of a free yoga class on YouTube. However, you can demonstrate expert instruction, adjust their poses, and create a welcoming environment. Then, the student may realize your studio provides more than they would have at home and sign up for continuing courses.
Conclusion
Giving free gifts is one of the most rewarding sales and marketing strategies. Businesses can explore a wide range of monetary or nonmonetary ideas to give their clients a memorable free gift. This tip influences clients and persuades them to choose your services or products. Applying some creativity and understanding clients’ needs also help firms select the most effective gifts. Additionally, businesses adopt free gift ideas based on available products, the business’ financial availability, and the value of the gift to clients. Sometimes, these ideas require firms to partner with other relevant institutions to reduce costs or offer additional services.
Next up, learn more about small business promotional items, client gifts, and sales prospecting gifts.
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