15 Sales Promotion Tactics That Actually Work in 2025

Barbara Bartucz
May 9, 2025
Ecommerce
6 min read

You’ve got a killer product, a beautifully designed website, and your marketing team is working hard. But for some reason, your sales just aren’t where they should be. Sound familiar?

If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone—and more importantly, you’re not stuck. Sales promotion strategies can be the spark your business needs to increase sales by effectively engaging potential customers.

In this guide, we’ll show you five ways to promote sales and 15 ideas that won’t just drive clicks but will actually get people to hit “Buy.”

Let’s get started!

5 ways to promote sales in an effective way

Before we get into the tactics, let’s make one thing clear: sales promotions aren’t just about slapping a discount on your homepage.

They involve understanding the different types of sales promotions, which include strategic messaging, psychological nudges, and showing the right offer to the right person at the right time.

1. Website popups

Website popups are one of the easiest and most effective ways to promote your sales. When done right, they grab attention without interrupting the user experience. You can use popups to promote seasonal discounts, flash sales, or even exclusive deals for first-time visitors or existing customers.

The key is personalization and timing. Trigger popups based on user behavior—for example, when someone scrolls halfway down the page or is about to exit.

With OptiMonk, you have access to over 300 popup templates that are customizable to match your branding and goals.

2. Embedded content

Unlike popups, embedded content sits naturally within your site. This includes announcement bars, product labels, and in-line banners that blend into your design. Because they don’t interrupt the browsing experience, they’re perfect for longer-running sales or highlighting discounts site-wide.

For instance, a homepage banner announcing a “Mid-Year Sale – 30% Off Everything” is subtle but effective. It’s always visible, so users are constantly reminded of your offer without feeling pushed.

Embedded content also plays well with mobile UX, which is critical given that over 60% of traffic comes from smartphones.

3. Email and SMS marketing

Email marketing remains one of the most cost-effective channels for sales promotions. It allows you to speak directly to your audience, segment messages based on behavior or demographics, and automate campaigns for maximum efficiency.

Here’s an example of an email marketing campaign from Pearly, promoting their flash sale on Matcha kits:

Combine this with SMS marketing—which boasts open rates of 98–99%—and you have a direct line to your customers’ attention. SMS is ideal for time-sensitive sales promotion strategies, like flash sales or last-minute deals.

Just remember to keep messages concise and valuable.

4. Social media marketing

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are ideal for promoting flash sales, new collections, or seasonal events. Use engaging formats like Reels, Stories, and interactive polls to highlight your products and offers.

Pela Case maintains a strong social media presence. Check out how they promote their ‘Best Deals of the Year’ with a short, engaging Reels video to attract customers.

A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon

Pela Case (@pelacase) által megosztott bejegyzés

Short-form video content tends to perform well and gets shared quickly. Showcasing your products in action—paired with a limited-time offer—can drive both engagement and traffic, ultimately boosting sales.

Use clear CTAs and link directly to your landing page or product listings. Paid collaborations with creators can also expand your reach and add authenticity.

5. Paid ads

Running paid ads on Google or Meta (Facebook/Instagram) is a fast-track method to boost traffic and visibility during a sale. The key to success is targeting the right audience and crafting compelling ad copy that aligns with your sales promotion offers.

Check out Pela Case’s paid ad for their End of Year sale.

Use retargeting ads to reach people who visited your site but didn’t buy. Combine this with promotional messaging (something like “Still thinking about it? Get 15% off if you order today”) to bring them back.

Don’t forget to test different creatives and ad placements to find what resonates most with your audience.

How to get the most out of your sales promotions

Let’s take a closer look at the strategies that can make your sales promotions as effective as possible.

1. Increase urgency

Creating a sense of urgency can dramatically increase sales.

When customers feel like they might miss out, they’re more likely to take action. Countdown timers are an effective visual tool to highlight limited-time offers. You can place them on product pages, popups, or banners to emphasize how little time is left.

For example, Obvi uses countdown timers to show the time remaining to claim a discount, nudging customers toward a faster checkout decision.

Just make sure your timer is legitimate—false urgency can harm trust and lower customer satisfaction.

Get started with these templates now:

2. Target the right users

Effective sales promotions start with knowing your target audience. Not everyone visits your website for the same reason, so why should everyone see the same offer?

Use behavioral segmentation to tailor promotions. For example, you might show a 10% discount popup to new customers and a free shipping incentive to returning customers. Location, referral source, and cart value are all factors you can use to personalize sales messaging.

The more aligned your message is with the customer’s journey, the better your conversion rate will be.

3. Use flash sales promotions

Flash sales are short, time-limited promotions that drive urgency and excitement and attract customers. They’re perfect for creating buzz, clearing inventory, or re-engaging dormant subscribers.

A flash sale typically lasts between a few hours and 48 hours. This format creates a sense of scarcity, especially when combined with messaging like “Only 100 items left” or “Ends tonight.”

Brands like easyJet run successful flash sales offering limited-time discounts that incentivize immediate booking—and the same principle applies to ecommerce.

4. Show offers on exit intent

Exit-intent technology tracks user behavior and triggers a popup when someone is about to leave your site. This is your last chance to convert, so make it count!

Offer a one-time discount or bonus if they complete their purchase now.

Pairing this with urgency—a timer or a message like “only valid for 5 minutes”—often pushes hesitant buyers over the edge. This strategy works especially well for high-intent traffic that got distracted or simply needs a final nudge.

5. Partner with influencers & affiliates

Influencers and affiliates give you access to an audience that already trusts them. This third-party validation can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your sales promotions, especially if you choose creators who align with your brand values.

For example, GymShark partners with fitness influencers who promote the GymShark sale to their followers with an additional 10% off using unique promo codes.

Offering influencers custom promo codes tied to your campaign allows you to track results and tailor future promotions.

6. Gamify your promotions

Gamification taps into people’s love of fun and rewards. Tools like spin-to-win wheels or mystery discount reveals can make your sales promotions more interactive and memorable.

These tactics increase time on site, improve engagement rates, and make your brand stand out. Plus, they’re great lead generation tools—you can require an email or SMS signup to participate.

Make sure the rewards are worth it, and you’ll see a boost in both engagement and conversions.

7. Create product bundles

Bundling related products together at a discounted price can increase average order value and make the shopping decision easier for the customer. It also helps move more inventory while offering added value.

For example, if you’re selling skincare, bundle a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer as a “Complete Routine Kit” with a small discount. Customers feel like they’re getting a deal, and you’re increasing the size of the purchase in one go.

Here’s an example from MyProtein, who offers an ‘Impact Protein Bundle.’

You can promote bundles via banners, product pages, or popups—and they work great during special events like holidays or product launches.

8. Personalize your offers

Use behavioral data like browsing history, cart value, or repeat visits to serve tailored offers. For instance, if someone visits a product page multiple times but hasn’t purchased, show a targeted popup offering a small discount on that item.

Remember, personalization helps cut through the noise. Customers are more likely to convert when the offer feels made just for them.

9. Show a discount reminder bar

If you’re handing out coupons for a limited-time promotion, don’t let them go to waste. Customers often forget they have a code—even when they’re in the middle of shopping.

That’s where a discount reminder bar comes in. It’s a sleek, persistent banner that sits at the top or bottom of the screen: always visible, never intrusive. This gentle nudge keeps the offer fresh in your shopper’s mind and gives them that extra push to complete the checkout.

Don’t wait—try these reminder bars now:

10. Use randomized coupon codes

Want to make your customers feel like they’re part of a VIP club? Swap out generic coupon codes (like “SAVE10”) for randomized, one-time-use codes.

Why? Because they feel more personal—and more urgent. Shoppers see them as exclusive offers available just to them. And since these codes can’t be reused, they spark a “use it or lose it” mindset.

It’s a small tweak that can make a big difference in how people perceive your brand—and how quickly they act on your offers.

FAQ

What’s the most cost-effective sales promotion for small businesses?

Email marketing combined with website popups is one of the most budget-friendly and effective approaches. It allows you to directly engage your audience, personalize messaging, and drive conversions—all without spending heavily on ads.

With the right tools, it’s easy to set up, automate, and scale, making it a smart choice for businesses with limited resources.

Should I always offer a discount during a promotion?

Not always. Discounts are effective, but they’re not your only option. You can also drive urgency and value through free shipping, early access to new products, loyalty perks, or exclusive bundles.

The best approach depends on your brand positioning, your customers’ expectations, and your ability to maintain healthy profit margins.

How do I make sure my promotion strategies don’t hurt my brand?

The key is to be intentional. Don’t run constant discounts just to chase quick wins—that kind of approach can devalue your brand. Instead, align sales promotions with well-defined objectives like clearing seasonal stock, launching new collections, or celebrating milestones.

Integrate these promotions into a successful marketing plan that ensures your offers are fresh, time-bound, and aligned with your long-term brand strategy to avoid creating discount fatigue among your shoppers.

Wrapping up

Sales promotions don’t need to be aggressive or overwhelming.

When you tap into the rich insights they provide and use strategic marketing tactics, you can easily transform your business and hit your sales goals.

Combine targeted popups, embedded content, email and SMS, and other creative tactics to reach your audience at the right time with the right message—and watch those conversions roll in.

Ready to put these strategies to work? Get started with OptiMonk today and launch high-converting sales promotions that actually drive results—no coding, no guesswork, all results.

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