How to Apply Coupons Automatically in WooCommerce?

Here is a step-by-step guide on creating auto-apply coupons in WooCommerce, both with and without a plugin. It also covers common use cases for auto-applied coupons using the Smart Coupons for WooCommerce plugin.

Imagine purchasing something from a store where the coupon is automatically applied at checkout. Customers would be delighted! Redeeming coupons can sometimes be a complicated process, especially when coupon codes are not easily visible.

But what if you could make this process simple? Let’s see how to do just that!

Key Takeaways

  • Learn how to create an auto-apply coupon code in WooCommerce with a WooCommerce discount code plugin.
  • Explore how to set up automatic discount at checkout without a plugin.
  • Discover common use cases for activating auto-apply WooCommerce coupon codes.

WooCommerce doesn’t include this feature—unfortunately. The platform doesn’t offer WooCommerce apply coupons automatically feature. However, there are ways to do this: the hard way (manually) or the easy way (with a plugin).

How To Generate Auto-Apply Coupons Without a Plugin?

Let’s look at the manual method first. You can apply coupons automatically at checkout in WooCommerce by using custom code.

Step 1: Create a WooCommerce Coupon

  • Go to Marketing > Coupons and click on Add coupon to create a new coupon.
  • Generate a WooCommerce coupon or enter it manually in the field.
  • In the Coupon data widget, provide the necessary coupon details, such as Discount type, Coupon amount, Usage restrictions etc.
  • Click on Publish to activate the coupon.

Step 2: Auto-apply Coupons at Checkout

  • Go to Appearance > Theme Field Editor. Click on the functions.php file.
  • Add the following code at the end of the file, updating it with the coupon code and any desired usage restrictions.
Auto-apply coupon without plugin
  • Click on Update File.

Now, add products to the cart and see the discount automatically applied at checkout.

activate auto apply coupons

While this method works, adding code for each coupon can be a time-consuming process. But don’t worry—there’s an easier way. Next, we’ll cover how to auto-apply WooCommerce coupons using a free plugin.

How To Generate Auto-Apply Coupons With a Free Plugin?

Auto-apply coupons can be generated easily using the free WooCommerce coupon extension Smart Coupons for WooCommerce. This plugin will help you to generate coupons that can be redeemed automatically.

It is a simple setup that you can implement with the plugin. We’ll explain how to increase your sale by using auto-apply coupon step by step.

Step 1: Install and Activate the WebToffee’s WooCommerce Smart Coupons Plugin

  • Go to Plugins > Add New Plugin.
  • Search for Smart Coupons for WooCommerce.
  • Click on Install and Activate the coupon plugin.

Step 2: Create Auto Apply WooCommerce Coupons

  • Go to Smart Coupons > Add Coupons to create a new coupon.
  • From the General panel, configure the Discount type and Coupon amount.
  • Next, enable the Apply coupon automatically option.
  • Click on Publish to activate the auto-apply WooCommerce coupon.
Auto-apply coupon with plugin

This simple coupon can be automatically redeemed every time from the cart because it has no other conditions to satisfy.

And that’s it! You’ve created discount codes that apply automatically in WooCommerce. The best thing is that you can create thousands of WooCommerce coupons and prioritize which coupons apply first. That’s pretty cool, right? Check out the article linked below to learn how.

Next, let’s explore a few use cases for auto-apply WooCommerce coupons to maximize sales:

  • Apply the coupon automatically if the minimum spend is $100 or more.
  • Automatically apply the coupon on a customer’s 5th purchase. (Pro feature)/

Use-Case 1: Apply Coupon Automatically Only If The Minimum Spend Is $100 Or More

You can set up this automatic discount application by editing your existing coupon and setting a minimum spend requirement.

  • Edit your coupon from the Coupons page.
  • Navigate to the Usage restriction panel.
  • Enter a value in the Minimum spend field.
  • And finally, update the auto-apply coupon.

When a customer meets the minimum spend, the discount will apply automatically.

Use-Case 2: Apply Coupon Automatically On Your 5th Purchase

As above, edit your published coupon and follow the steps below.

Note: You will need the premium version of the WebToffee WooCommerce coupons plugin to set up Nth purchase discount coupons. So, install and activate that plugin before proceeding.

  • Edit your published coupon from the Coupons page.
  • Navigate to the Purchase History panel.
  • Select the Number of orders drop-down value as equals.
  • Enter the number for the nth purchase in the text box next to the Number of Orders.
  • Select the appropriate Order status to apply the discount only on successful orders.
  • Update the coupon.

This coupon setup allows the WooCommerce coupon code to apply automatically for customers upon their 5th order.

How to Automatically Apply Discounts With a Coupon URL?

Think about discounts automatically applied to the cart when users click a URL. With the free Smart Coupons plugin, this feature is now possible.

Coupon URLs are URLs that correspond to a specific coupon code. When a user clicks on this coupon URL, they will be redirected to the eCommerce website, and the coupon code will be automatically attached to the cart.

Coupon URLs comes with benefits attached.

We already know coupons help generate sales by attracting new users and retaining existing customers, often giving them that final nudge to complete their purchase. To maximize their impact, you need to promote coupons widely. And this is where coupon URLs excel.

To maximize their impact, you need to promote coupons widely. And this is where coupon URLs excel. They can be shared both inside and outside your store, making them a powerful tool for boosting visibility and encouraging more purchases.

Conclusion

Of all the coupon strategies that have been used thus far, auto-apply coupons and coupon URLs are the best ideas. It is a very powerful way to earn more sales for your store. Thus, you do not have to think twice about employing this feature in your WooCommerce store.

I hope this article was of interest to you. Do let us know what you think in the comments below.

Article by

Anjali is a Testing Engineer at WebToffee who loves working on WordPress and WooCommerce with a passion for doodling the experiences of her life.

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