Common Discount Codes That Attract Shoppers and Boost Sales

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Most online retailers know the thrill of seeing carts filled with items, only to have that excitement dashed by a slew of abandoned checkouts.

Discount codes, however, are a powerful tool that can turn hesitant browsers into committed buyers and keep your customers coming back for more.

In this article, we’ll explore the common discount codes that effectively attract shoppers and how to use them to boost sales.

Let’s get started!

Why should you use discount codes in your ecommerce store?

Discount codes (or coupon codes) do much more than just cut into your profit margins. They’re a strategic way to drive conversions, build brand loyalty, and even increase your average order value.

Here’s a quick look at how they can impact ecommerce stores:

1. Increases sales volume

Discounts create a sense of urgency that encourages customers to act fast. Flash sales, countdown timers, and limited-time offers play into FOMO (fear of missing out) and can prompt shoppers to buy now, especially if they think the deal won’t last long.

2. Reduces abandoned carts

Abandoned carts are a big pain point in ecommerce, often due to added costs like shipping or tax surprises at checkout. Offering coupon codes like free shipping can reduce these cart abandonment rates and help seal the deal.

3. Improves customer retention and loyalty

Offering promo codes to loyal customers shows that you value their business. Loyalty discounts foster a strong connection with your brand, incentivizing repeat purchases and helping to make your store their go-to option.

4. Attracts new buyers

Discounts for first-time buyers or referral codes are effective ways to bring in new shoppers. People love trying new brands when there’s a little extra incentive in it for them, and once they’re in, they’re more likely to make future purchases.

5. Enhances brand awareness

Discount codes that are shared through social media or influencers can increase your brand’s visibility. A well-placed code can attract new audiences and make your brand memorable in a sea of competitors.

Types of common discount codes

Now, let’s dive into the types of common coupon codes that tend to drive the best results. Each serves a unique purpose, and knowing when and how to use them is key to a successful strategy.

1. Percentage discounts

Percentage discounts offer a fixed percentage off the total purchase amount (e.g., 10% or 20%). These are particularly effective for attracting price-sensitive customers who are looking for the best deal.

  • Appeal: These are simple, compelling offers that encourage people to add more items to their cart.
  • Best for: Acquiring new customers and moving high-volume products.
CeCe's Home & Gifts percentage discount code example promoted on a popup

2. Dollar-amount discounts

Dollar-amount discounts provide a specific amount off the purchase, like $10 off a $50 purchase. These tend to attract customers quickly, as they clearly indicate savings.

  • Appeal: They’re straightforward and easy for customers to understand at a glance.
  • Best for: Encouraging higher cart values and promoting upsells.
Mott & Bow personalized fullscreen popup

3. Free shipping codes

Shipping fees can often lead to cart abandonment. A free shipping offer with a minimum purchase amount can eliminate this barrier and encourage customers to complete their orders.

  • Appeal: Eliminates a major reason for abandoned carts.
  • Best for: Online stores where shipping costs can be flexibly adjusted.
Cherieswood free shipping offer example promoted on a popup

4. Buy-one-get-one (BOGO) promo codes

With BOGO deals, customers can buy one item and get another item free or at a discounted rate. These are ideal for stores looking to clear out seasonal or excess inventory.

  • Appeal: Great for encouraging bulk purchases and increasing order quantities.
  • Best for: Product launches, clearing out overstock items, and seasonal sales.
BOGO discount strategy example

5. Limited-time or seasonal coupon codes

Limited-time coupon codes create urgency and prompt quick action. Examples of such codes include weekly deals, holiday promotions, or Black Friday-only discounts, that are valid for a limited time, boosting sales during slow periods.

Seasonal offers also help move products that are relevant for specific times of the year.

  • Appeal: Perfect for sparking excitement and urgency during peak shopping seasons.
  • Best for: Holiday sales, seasonal items, and clearance events.
Obvi Black Friday coupon code promoted on a popup

6. First-time buyer codes

First-time buyer coupon codes are a friendly way to welcome new customers and make that first purchase easier.

  • Appeal: They attract new users by offering an exclusive deal to help them test the waters.
  • Best for: Acquiring first-time customers and converting casual browsers into buyers.

7. Loyalty or VIP codes

Reward your most loyal customers with exclusive promo codes to make them feel valued. Loyalty codes are often given through a loyalty program or sent to repeat buyers to keep them engaged.

  • Appeal: Strengthens customer loyalty and increases repeat sales.
  • Best for: Loyalty programs, VIP memberships, and customer retention.
Discount strategy for existing customers

8. Referral discounts

Referral codes encourage existing customers to bring in friends by offering a discount for both the referrer and the referee. It’s an effective way to leverage word-of-mouth marketing.

  • Appeal: Engages loyal customers while introducing new ones to your brand.
  • Best for: Growing a customer base organically through customer referrals.
Casper's referral marketing on their site

8 best practices for effective use of discount codes

When it comes to coupon codes, how you use them is just as important as the type you offer. Here are some best practices to make sure your discount codes work effectively:

1. Limit duration and scope

Keep offers limited to create urgency, but be cautious. If coupons are always available, customers may wait for the next one and never pay full price.

2. Promote across multiple channels

Make sure customers know about your discount codes by promoting them across emails, social media, SMS, and even website popups. Each channel adds reach and keeps the offer top-of-mind.

Here are some ready-to-use popup templates to promote your best coupon codes to website visitors:

3. Personalize coupon codes

Personalization goes a long way in customer experience. Consider sending birthday or anniversary discounts to make customers feel valued and unique.

4. Use randomized coupon codes

Randomized coupon codes (like “AX6S7”) create a sense of exclusivity. Unlike common coupon codes like “10OFF,” these temporary codes suggest that customers shouldn’t wait, as they might disappear soon.

Here’s how you can set up automatically generated coupon codes with OptiMonk:

How to set up automatically generated coupon codes with OptiMonk

5. Automatic coupon redemption

Platforms like OptiMonk offer auto-redeem functions, which apply coupons directly at checkout. This makes the process smoother and ensures customers don’t abandon their carts by forgetting their code.

Auto-redeem your discount code

6. Remind users of the coupon code

Displaying a reminder of the discount code throughout the checkout process encourages shoppers to complete their purchase. 

Enhancing the online shopping experience by reminding users of the discount code can significantly boost conversion rates. A sticky bar is a good way to do this.

7. Analyze and optimize

Measure the performance of each discount code to see which ones resonate most with your audience. Regularly adjust based on data and customer feedback to stay effective.

8. Avoid over-discounting

While coupon codes can drive sales, too many can devalue your brand. Strike a balance between offering discounts and maintaining full-price sales to keep your brand image strong.

Wrapping up

Coupon codes are a versatile tool to help boost your sales, reduce cart abandonment, and grow a loyal customer base.

By strategically using the right types of promotional codes and following best practices, you can attract new shoppers while keeping current ones engaged and coming back.

Remember, coupon codes don’t just mean giving away profits—they’re a smart investment in growing your business. So, start experimenting with different coupon code strategies and watch your sales soar!