Introduction
When creating digital passes like loyalty cards, coupons, or event tickets, you’ll often use Static Fields and Dynamic Fields. These two types of fields help you customize your passes to meet your needs. Let’s break it down in simple terms!
Static Fields: Fixed and Consistent
What are they?
Static Fields are used for information that stays the same for all passholders or doesn’t change often. Think of them as the “set-it-and-forget-it” parts of your pass.
When to use them
Use Static Fields for details like:
Your business address
Contact information
Terms and conditions
Brand logos or slogans
Key features
The same for everyone.
Updated manually (e.g., via the pass designer or API).
Changes apply to all passholders in the same pass type.
Example
A coffee shop’s loyalty card might use a Static Field to display the shop’s address. This address stays the same for every customer.
Dynamic Fields: Personalized and Updatable
What are they?
Dynamic Fields are used for information that changes or is unique to each passholder. They’re perfect for real-time updates and personalization.
When to use them
Use Dynamic Fields for details like:
A customer’s loyalty points
Personalized messages
Event dates or times
Unique coupon codes
Key features
Can be updated automatically (e.g., via APIs, Zapier, or Make).
Unique to each passholder.
Keeps passes fresh and engaging.
Example
A coffee shop’s loyalty card might use a Dynamic Field to show a customer’s current points balance. This balance updates automatically as the customer earns more points.
Static vs. Dynamic Fields: Quick Comparison
Feature | Static Fields | Dynamic Fields |
Content | Fixed and consistent | Personalized and updatable |
Updates | Manual (applies to all passholders) | Automatic (unique to each passholder) |
Use Case | Business info, branding | Real-time data, personalization |
Field Key Example |
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Advanced Fields: Prebuilt for Your Convenience
To make things easier, PassKit provides Advanced Fields—prebuilt fields that are ready to use. These fields are a mix of Dynamic and Static types. We recommend using these fields if they fit your needs, as they’re designed to save you time and effort.
Dynamic Advanced Fields
These fields are personalized and updatable. Any field with a key starting with person. is treated as PII (Personally Identifiable Information) and has an extra layer of encryption for data protection. Examples include:
Mobile Number (
person.mobileNumber)First Name (
person.forename)Last Name (
person.surname)Full Name (
person.displayName)Salutation (
person.salutation)Suffix (
person.suffix)Gender (
person.gender)Date of Birth (
person.dateOfBirth)Tier (
members.tier.name)Tier Points (
members.member.tierPoints)Secondary Points (
members.member.secondaryPoints)
Static Advanced Fields
These fields are fixed and consistent for all passholders. Examples include:
Information (
universal.info)Legal (
universal.legal)
How to Add Custom Fields
If you can’t find the field you need in the prebuilt options, you can create your own by dragging and dropping a New Dynamic Field or a New Static Field onto the appropriate location of the Pass Template design.
Static Custom Fields:
Field keys start withcustom.(e.g.,custom.discountCode).Dynamic Custom Fields:
Field keys start withmeta.(e.g.,meta.eventTime).
Dynamic Fields in Action
Imagine a loyalty card with Dynamic Fields for the customer’s name, email, and phone number. When the pass is issued, these fields are filled with unique data for each customer. For example:
Customer A:
Name: Bill
Email: bill@yoursite.com
Phone: +41842362365Customer B:
Name: Fred
Email: fred@yoursite.com
Phone: +44862307965
The same pass design can display different information for each customer, thanks to Dynamic Fields.
Why Does This Matter?
Using Static and Dynamic Fields effectively helps you:
Engage customers with personalized, up-to-date information.
Maintain consistency with fixed branding and business details.
Save time by automating updates for Dynamic Fields.
Conclusion
By combining Static and Dynamic Fields, you can create passes that are both professional and personalized, ensuring a great experience for your customers!
When it comes to creating and managing digital passes, such as coupons, loyalty cards, or event tickets, PassKit offers a wide range of customization options to suit your specific needs.