The discontinuation of Hallmark’s eCards business in March 2021 will bring an end to the use of electronic greeting cards. There are a number of reasons why Hallmark chose to end its eCards service, despite the fact that some people may find the move surprising.
The growing competitiveness in the market for digital greeting cards is one of the primary causes. People can now send digital greetings for free or at a lesser cost than traditional eCards thanks to the growth of social media and messaging apps. Due to this, it is now challenging for businesses like Hallmark to compete with free options, which has decreased eCard sales.
Additionally, Hallmark’s eCards service was experiencing technical difficulties, making it challenging for consumers to move around the website. Additionally, the company had a poor reputation as a result of several complaints regarding the caliber of its eCards. As a result, Hallmark chose to discontinue the service rather than devoting further funds to resolving these problems.
The pricey production and distribution of conventional greeting cards was another factor in Hallmark’s decision to discontinue its eCards service. Greeting cards are expensive to create since they are frequently handmade and call for specific talents. The cards are more expensive than digital substitutes due to additional printing, packaging, and shipping expenses.
A greeting card typically costs roughly $4.50, according to a report by the Greeting Card Association. This might not seem like much, but if you send several cards, it can add up. Aside from that, the price of greeting cards might differ based on the occasion and design, with some costing $10 or more.
Greeting card production is expensive, yet the market is still booming. By producing distinctive, superior-quality cards that stand out from the competition, card manufacturers can make a solid living. Additionally, there is still a large demand for greeting cards, with birthdays being the most common occasion, then Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day.
In conclusion, a number of factors, including growing competition in the digital greeting card market, platform technical problems, and the exorbitant cost of making conventional greeting cards, led to Hallmark’s decision to discontinue its eCards service. While eCards may no longer exist, traditional greeting cards are still popular, and card manufacturers may still make a good living by designing distinctive, premium cards that people adore giving and receiving.