Start with the task at the counter
A café rewarding repeat visits and a brand offering personalised ordering may need different tools. First describe what customers should be able to do. A Wallet card and a dedicated app can also work together.
Wallet card or app: the practical differences
| Criterion | Dedicated app | Wallet card |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Journeys built for your requirements | Card, progress and rewards |
| Installation | Customers install the business app | Customers add a card to a compatible Wallet |
| Branding | Custom interface within the project scope | Branded card within the Wallet interface |
| Budget | Development, hosting and maintenance to quote | Subscription and features to compare |
| Notifications | Depend on permissions and the phone | Depend on settings and Wallet rules |
| POS integration | Must be planned and tested | Depends on the connector and POS edition |
Neither format guarantees sign-ups or return visits. Test whether customers understand the reward and the invitation at your counter.
When does a Wallet card fit?
A Wallet card fits a programme built around collecting stamps or points and finding a reward on a phone. With Goodly, customers add the card through a link or QR code without installing a Goodly app.
This does not mean the Wallet is already configured on every phone. On Android, Google Wallet may need installing and requires a Google Account. See Google Wallet requirements.
When does a dedicated app make sense?
Consider an app for an interactive catalogue, complex ordering or a specific account journey. Ask for a quote covering development, updates and support. Check whether a mobile website already meets part of the need. A loyalty card does not automatically provide these functions.
Notifications and location: what to test
Sending a message does not guarantee it appears on the lock screen. On iPhone, passes have settings for updates and lock-screen suggestions; see Apple Wallet pass settings. Being nearby does not guarantee a notification every time someone enters an area. Test your customers’ devices before promising this behaviour.
A practical trial for a café
- Choose a reward and check its cost against your margin: calculate the cost of a loyalty reward.
- Test adding the card on an iPhone and an Android phone.
- Have your team add a stamp and redeem a reward using the intended POS setup.
- Track cards added, returning customers and rewards redeemed separately over a defined period.
Installations alone do not prove increased revenue. To prepare this journey, explore the loyalty card for cafés.
Goodly plans
Monthly prices are €29 excluding VAT for Pro, €69 excluding VAT for Business and €149 excluding VAT for Multi-site. The 14-day trial applies to Pro. Features and limits vary by plan: compare Goodly plans.
Before deciding, check your POS on the Goodly integrations page or book a demo around your own use case.