What you need before you start
No IT team, no designer, and no credit card required. All you need is:
- A phone or laptop with internet access.
- Your business logo (if you don't have one yet, you can skip it for now and add it later).
- A free Stamperly account — sign up with just an email, no credit card needed at all.
The whole process, from sign-up to a card ready to share with customers, usually takes 10-15 minutes.
Sign up for a Stamperly account
The first step is easy: create a Stamperly account with your email. It takes just a few minutes, and the free plan is ready to use right away — no credit card, no nerve-wracking trial period.
Once your account is set up, you land straight in the dashboard where every setting for your digital stamp card lives.
Design your card
This is where your digital stamp card starts to feel like it truly belongs to your business. Upload your logo, pick colors that match your brand, and choose how the stamps look.
One detail business owners often overlook: the number of stamps required. A practical rule of thumb — 8-10 stamps tends to be the sweet spot. Enough to build a habit, but not so many that customers give up halfway.
No logo yet? No problem. You can start with just your business name and colors, then add a logo whenever you're ready.
Set up your reward
Now decide what customers get once their stamp card is full. This reward is what keeps customers coming back, so make sure it feels worth the effort.
A few examples by business type:
- Coffee shop — a free coffee after 10 stamps.
- Barbershop or salon — a free haircut after 8 visits.
- Car or motorcycle wash — one free wash after 10 stamps.
The reward doesn't need to be expensive — it just needs to be clear and feel worth working toward.
Share it with customers
Your card is ready — now let people know about it. Two of the most effective ways to start:
- A QR code banner at the counter — download a print-ready banner and place it somewhere customers naturally look, like near the register or on the table. See how in the guide to sharing your card with customers.
- A link in your Instagram bio — add your card link to your Instagram bio so customers already following you can join instantly. Check out Stamperly's link in bio feature.
Give your first stamp
When your first customer joins and makes a purchase, it's time to give their first stamp. They simply open the card in their phone's wallet and show the QR code — you scan it from the Stamperly dashboard.
Full details on scanning and giving stamps are in the guide to giving stamps. It only takes a few seconds per customer, so it won't slow down the line at checkout.
Tips to keep your program running
Promote it on social media
Don't just put a QR code at the counter and stop there. Post on Instagram or a WhatsApp Story that you've launched a loyalty program — a lot of customers will join once they know it exists.
Give a bonus stamp on sign-up
Give 1-2 free stamps the moment a customer first scans your card. It makes them feel like they've already got a head start, which makes them more likely to come back.
Use broadcast messages
Send updates through customer messages whenever there's a promotion or a reward ready to claim. These notifications land right on the customer's lock screen, so they get seen far more than email or SMS.
Frequently asked questions
Is it really free?
Yes. Stamperly's free plan is free forever, no credit card needed. You only upgrade if you need more features or a bigger customer base.
Do I need design skills?
No. Just upload your logo and pick your colors, and your card looks polished automatically. There are also ready-made templates for different business types.
How long until my card is ready to use?
About 10-15 minutes from sign-up to sharing your card with your first customer.
Does it work for customers with Android phones?
Yes. The card saves to Google Wallet for Android users and Apple Wallet for iPhone users — no app install needed either way.
Can I create more than one card?
Yes, depending on your plan. Handy if you have multiple locations or want separate loyalty programs for different products.
Do customers have to download an app?
No. The card goes straight into the Apple Wallet or Google Wallet already on their phone — just scan, nothing to install.