In an increasingly digital world, digital wallets such as Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are transforming the way businesses interact with their customers. These tools not only improve the experience for your attendees, but also open up new possibilities to engage them more effectively.
In our previous post, ‘Implementing a Loyalty Program at your Night Club’, we talked about the steps to build a successful programme and its advantages. In this post we will look at a basic guide on how to integrate such a programme into digital wallets, maximising all its benefits.
Benefits of Digital Wallets
Digital wallets offer convenience for customers by eliminating the need for physical cards or install unwanted applications. With a single tap, users can access their passes, something that is already commonplace in their day-to-day lives for flights, events and payments. In addition, these platforms allow automatic notifications to be sent when the customer arrives at the event, reminding them of benefits, discounts or special promotions.
On the other hand, these tools reinforce your brand identity by allowing you to design customised badges with your logo, colours and messages. This raises the professional perception of your nightclub. On an operational level, using digital cards eliminates the use of plastic, which also contributes to a more sustainable and attractive approach to an increasingly environmentally conscious public.
How to Set Up in Apple Wallet
1. Create your Developer Account
Sign up for the Apple Developer Program. This account gives you access to the tools you need to create and manage digital passes.
2. Access PassKit tool
Apple provides PassKit, a tool designed specifically for creating digital passes. Here you can consult the Passkit detailed documentation
3. Design your Digital Card
The "Generic Pass" format is ideal for setting up membership cards. You can include your club's logo, as well as use colours that reinforce your visual identity. It is important to highlight the benefits your customers will get, so that the pass is attractive and functional.
To ensure a consistent and visually appealing design across all devices, we recommend following Apple's Human Interface Guidelines.
4. Sign the Pass with an Apple Certificate
In order for Apple Wallet to recognise your passes, they must be signed with an Apple-issued certificate. This process ensures the authenticity of your passes.
You can request and download the necessary certificates from the Certificates, Tokens and Profiles portal.
5. Issue your Passes
You're almost there! To issue the digital card, you can include the pass download in your mobile app, send a direct link via email or add a button on your website that allows you to add the pass directly to the wallet.
Once the user has saved the pass in their wallet, iCloud will automatically sync it with all the devices linked to their account.
How to Set it up in Google Wallet
1. Create your Google Developer account.
To get started, you need a Google Developer account. This account will give you access to the tools you need to create and manage digital passes. You can sign up at Google Developers and consult the detailed documentation at Loyalty Cards.
2. Create a Passes Class
A class defines a set of properties that are common to several passes, similar to a template. In our case, it would define which fields are the same on all membership cards, such as the name of the club, the logo, etc. Each class has a unique ID** that we will use for the creation of the passes.
3. Create a Passes Object
An object defines the properties of a unique pass that will be issued to a specific user. For example, it would define fields that are unique to a specific card, such as the attendee's name, a QR code, and so on. You must also assign each pass a unique ID, which is used to identify it when it is issued.
4. Encode and sign the Pass in a JWT (JSON Web Token)
To issue a pass to a user, a Passes Class and a Passes Object must be encoded in a JSON Web Token (JWT). The JWT format is a common standard that allows us to issue passes to specific users and ensure that they are not duplicated in Google Wallet.
To issue a pass it must be signed with the credentials you have previously provided in the Google Wallet Business Console.
5. Distribute the passes
Done! The pass is ready for the user to save it in their Google Wallet. Include a link in your website or email with the format https://pay.google.com/gp/v/save/<signed_jwt>. Ideally show this link to the user as an ‘Add to Google Wallet’ button.
Ready to transform your customer experience?
If you have a night club and want to implement your loyalty programme without spending time and resources on setup, FesteaPay has a complete service for you.
We help you implement your digital membership programme seamlessly, as well as the sale of drinks during and before the event, making sure you make the most of every opportunity to build loyalty and increase your revenue. Contact us today and transform your customers' experience.