Are you making the most of your WooCommerce store’s coupon system? If not, this guide will walk you through the types of WooCommerce coupons that can increase sales, attract new customers, and boost retention rates.
What if you could turn occasional visitors into loyal customers just by implementing the right coupon strategy? Whether you want to increase average order value, encourage first-time buyers, or reward existing customers, WooCommerce coupons offer various ways to incentivize purchases and drive business growth.
Key Takeaways
- Coupons are discounting tools that incentivize purchases by offering a percentage off or a price reduction.
- Explore the different types of coupons used by shoppers in general.
- Understand the various coupon types available in WooCommerce.
Ready to explore the different types of WooCommerce coupons? Let’s dive in!
Before we dive into WooCommerce-specific coupons, let’s start with the basics of what coupons are and the different types of coupons shoppers commonly encounter.
Coupons are powerful marketing tools that offer discounts or special deals, influencing buying decisions and encouraging purchases. Different types of coupons have different purposes. While some create urgency, others focus on long-term customer engagement.
For example, imagine a customer comes across a coupon that says, “Get 10% off on orders above $100.” If they’ve been considering a $120 pair of shoes, they will likely proceed with the purchase, knowing they’ll save $20. This is how coupons influence buying decisions.
Now that we understand what a coupon is, let’s explore some types of coupons shoppers use.
Shoppers often use different types of coupons, individually or in combination, to finalize purchase decisions. These coupons play a key role in influencing customer choices. Some of the most commonly searched coupon types when considering a purchase include:
Manufacturer’s Coupons
Manufacturer’s coupons are discounts offered directly by the product manufacturer rather than the seller. These types of coupons are commonly used in industries such as electronics, beauty, and consumer goods, where brands want to promote their products across multiple retail stores.
For example, a skincare brand might offer a $5 off manufacturer’s coupon that can be redeemed at any store selling their products.
Promo Codes
Promo codes are coupon codes that unlock special discounts at checkout. These discount codes are often shared through email campaigns, social media, or affiliate programs to drive traffic and encourage purchases.
For example, an online fashion store offers first-time shoppers an additional discount, such as a WELCOME10 coupon code, which gives them 10% off their first order.
Store Coupons
Unlike manufacturer’s coupons, store coupons are issued by sellers and can only be redeemed at that particular store. WooCommerce store owners frequently use these for store-wide sales, exclusive discounts, or personalized promotions based on customer behavior.
For example, a store might offer a $20 coupon on a minimum spend of $100 to increase cart value.
Since store coupons are the most relevant coupon type to WooCommerce store owners, this guide will explore them in detail. Let’s examine the different types of WooCommerce coupons and how to use them effectively.
Also read: What is Coupon Stacking in WooCommerce?
As discussed earlier, offering the right type of coupons and deals can drive more conversions and customer retention in your WooCommerce store. Coupons are a great way to incentivize purchases.
By default, WooCommerce comes with a basic coupon system that allows store owners to offer essential coupon types. However, with a WooCommerce coupon extension like Smart Coupons for WooCommerce by WebToffee, you can create advanced coupon features that provide greater granularity and personalization.
Let’s break down the different types of coupons available in WooCommerce, starting with those in the default coupon system, followed by advanced coupon types enabled by WooCommerce coupon extensions.
Default WooCommerce Coupons
- Percentage Discount Coupons: A percentage discount coupon reduces the total price by a set percentage. This is one of the most commonly used discounts in WooCommerce. For example, a “SUMMER20” coupon offering 20% off all products encourages shoppers to purchase during a seasonal sale.
- Fixed Cart Discount Coupons: This type of coupon applies a fixed amount discount to the total cart value, regardless of the products inside. For example, a WooCommerce store offers a $10 discount on orders above $50, incentivizing customers to increase cart value.
- Fixed Product Discount Coupons: Instead of applying a discount to the whole cart, this coupon type reduces the price of specific products. For instance, a WooCommerce store selling electronics offers a $5 discount on all phone cases.
- WooCommerce Free Shipping Coupons: Free shipping can be a powerful incentive for customers, reducing checkout abandonment rates caused by unexpected shipping costs. For example, a store offers free shipping on orders over $50.
- Store Credit Coupons: Store credit coupons allow customers to receive redeemable credit, which they can apply to future purchases. For example, a store offers a $20 store credit for customers who spend $200.
- Minimum/Maximum Purchase Discount Coupons: This type of coupon sets conditions based on the cart total, applying a discount only if customers meet a minimum or maximum order value. For example, a 15% off on orders above $100 but limit it to purchases under $500 to maintain profitability.
- One-Time Use Coupons: A one-time use coupon, also known as a single-use coupon, ensures that customers can only redeem the discount once, preventing coupon misuse. For example, a “WELCOME10” coupon offering 10% off first-time purchases encourages only new customers to use it without applying to existing customers.
Advanced WooCommerce Coupon Types with Smart Coupons
By using an advanced WooCommerce coupon extension like Woo Discount Rules, store owners unlock additional discount types that enhance marketing strategies and customer engagement.
- BOGO (Buy One Get One) Coupons: BOGO coupons offer a free or discounted item when customers buy a certain quantity of a product. For example, a “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” coupon could allow customers to buy two T-shirts and get one free, thereby increasing the average order value.
- Auto-Apply Coupons: Rather than requiring customers to manually enter a code, auto-apply coupons automatically apply discounts when conditions are met. For example, if a customer adds a specific product to their cart, a 10% discount is applied without needing a coupon code, which fastens the checkout process.
- Bulk-generated Coupons: Stores running large-scale promotions can generate multiple unique coupon codes in bulk, distributing them through email using the Smart Coupons plugin. For example, a WooCommerce store offering a holiday sale might generate 500 unique $5 coupons, each valid for one-time use.
- Role-Specific Coupons: This coupon type offers discounts based on user roles, such as members-only WooCommerce coupons, wholesale buyers, or VIP customers. You can also include or exclude specific user roles. For example, a WooCommerce store might offer “VIP20,” a 20% discount exclusively for loyalty members.
- Bulk Purchase Discounts: These are a popular type of coupon that encourages customers to buy in larger quantities by offering tiered discounts. For example, a store offering “Buy five and get 20% off” makes it more appealing for shoppers to increase their order size.
- First Purchase Coupons: Encouraging first-time shoppers with an exclusive discount can be a great way to turn them into loyal customers. First purchase coupons offer a warm welcome by offering a special deal on their initial order. For example, with a coupon like “NEW10” for 10% off, new customers feel incentivized to complete their first purchase.
- Nth Order Discounts (Customer Milestone Coupons): Building customer loyalty is essential for any WooCommerce store, and Nth Order Discounts help achieve just that. This type of coupon rewards customers after they reach a specific purchase milestone, encouraging repeat business and long-term engagement. For example, a store offering a 15% discount on the 5th order.
- Next Order Discounts: Next order discounts are coupons to reward customers with discounts on their future purchases after completing an order. This type of coupon encourages repeat purchases by giving customers a reason to return.
- Signup Coupons: Signup coupons are a great way to encourage visitors to create an account or subscribe to your newsletter in exchange for a discount. By offering a 10% off coupon upon registration, store owners can incentivize first-time shoppers while building a loyal customer base.
- Gift Card Coupons: This popular type of coupon allows customers to purchase store credit in the form of gift cards, making them a valuable gifting alternative for special occasions. For example, a customer buys a $50 gift card for a friend. This ensures the money stays within your WooCommerce store while attracting new shoppers.
- URL Coupons: URL coupons simplify discount redemption by automatically applying a discount when a customer clicks a unique link. They are an effective type of coupon for social media promotions or referral campaigns.
- Abandoned Cart Coupons: Recover lost sales by sending discount offers to customers who abandon their carts. These coupon types are automatically triggered via email, nudging customers to return and complete their purchases. For example, “Come back and complete your order! Here’s a 10% discount just for you” can encourage shoppers to come back.
- Countdown Timer Coupons: This type of coupon sets a time limit on discounts to create urgency and drive faster purchases. For example, a deal like “Extra 20% Off! Expires in 24 Hours” uses the fear of missing out, prompting customers to act quickly.
- Shipping Address-based Discounts: With the WooCommerce Smart Coupons plugin, store owners can easily create shipping discount coupons for various locations. This type of coupon allows you to apply discounts based on the shipping address.
That’s it, folks! We’ve explored various types of coupons in WooCommerce, from basic percentage discounts to advanced coupon types. When crafting your WooCommerce coupon marketing strategy, a mix of discounts, BOGO deals, and loyalty rewards ensures higher conversions and repeat purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can generate a WooCommerce coupon code using the Smart Coupons for WooCommerce plugin. This plugin allows you to create and manage discount coupons. It also supports bulk generation of coupons, personalized discounts, and store credits, making it a powerful solution for running coupon promotions.
No, you cannot use manufacturer coupons on Amazon. However, Amazon offers its own digital coupons, discounts, and promotions on products.
Coupon verbiage refers to the specific wording used in a coupon’s terms and conditions, ensuring clarity on how discounts apply. It typically includes details about eligibility, expiration dates, usage limits, and any restrictions.
A well-crafted coupon disclaimer helps prevent misunderstandings by outlining exclusions, minimum purchase requirements, and whether the offer can be combined with other promotions.
Conclusion
The right mix of WooCommerce coupon types can increase your average order value without cutting too deep into profits. Coupons are more than just discount tools. They are strategic incentives that drive customer behavior, boost sales, and enhance customer retention.
By implementing various coupon strategies, WooCommerce store owners can drive immediate purchases, attract new customers, retain loyal buyers, and recover abandoned carts.
Now that you have a detailed understanding of different WooCommerce coupon types, it’s time to experiment with these coupon strategies. Have any questions? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments below; we are happy to help!
Thanks for reading!