15 Types of Promotions to Attract Customers and Boost Conversions

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Promotions are the secret sauce of marketing. If done right, they can grab your customers’ attention, nudge them to hit “Buy Now,” and even turn them into loyal fans through well-chosen promotion strategies.

But here’s the catch: not all promotions are created equal. Knowing which type of promotion to use—and when—can be the difference between a campaign that converts and one that fizzles.

In this article, we’ll share 15 effective types of sales promotions designed to attract customers, supercharge your conversions, and boost sales.

Let’s get started!

Discount-based sales promotions

When it comes to grabbing attention quickly, nothing works better than a straightforward discount. These types of promotions are simple, effective, and universally loved by shoppers.

1. Percentage discounts

Percentage discount sales promotion examples

Who doesn’t love a good percentage off? These promotions are the bread and butter of sales campaigns.

They’re simple, effective, and appeal to a wide audience. Think of seasonal sales like “20% off all items this weekend!” or welcome offers to new customers like in the example above.

These are classic examples of sales promotion techniques that have a long history of effectiveness across various industries.

Why they work: Everyone loves a deal they can easily calculate. Plus, they create a sense of urgency—who wants to miss out on saving money?

2. Buy one get one free (BOGO)

Colourpop's BOGO sales promotion is effective, and stand out from the crowd.

BOGO deals offer customers a free product when they buy another.

Whether it’s “Buy one shirt, get another free!” or variations like “Buy two, get one free,” these sales promotions are perfect for clearing inventory while boosting sales volume.

Why they work: Customers perceive more value while you increase product turnover. Win-win!

3. Free shipping offers

Free shipping offer sales promotion examples

In the ecommerce world, free shipping can make or break a sale.

High shipping costs are a leading cause of cart abandonment, so offering free shipping (e.g., “Free shipping on orders over $50!”) is a great way to sweeten the deal.

Why they work: It removes a key friction point for online shoppers, encouraging them to complete their purchases.

Value-added sales promotions

Sometimes, it’s not about cutting prices but adding value. These sales promotions make customers feel like they’re getting more bang for their buck without necessarily slashing your profits.

Value-added promotions can effectively encourage customers to make purchases or increase their cart value.

4. Bundling offers

Bundling discount pricing strategies

Bundling involves combining products or services at a single, discounted price.

For example, “Buy a laptop and get a mouse for just $20!” encourages customers to spend more while feeling like they’re getting a bargain.

Why they work: Customers feel they’re saving money, while you boost your average order value.

5. Gift with purchase

Earth Harbor's free gift lead capture popup: Lead capture form popup offering free stuff, with "Limited time only" to capture email addresses and increase urgency for website visitors.

Who doesn’t love a freebie? Gifting a product (e.g., “Receive a free tote bag with orders over $100!”) creates excitement and adds perceived value to the purchase.

Why they work: Gifts make customers feel appreciated, which can lead to bigger purchases and repeat business.

6. Loyalty rewards

Use loyalty campaigns to build your brand voice and customer retention at the same time.

Loyalty programs reward loyal customers and repeat customers with points or perks. For example, “Earn 1 point for every $1 spent, redeemable for discounts!” These programs keep customers coming back for more.

Why they work: It’s easier (and cheaper) to retain a customer than acquire a new one. Rewards programs encourage ongoing engagement.

Experience-oriented promotions

Modern consumers crave experiences, not just products. These types of promotions tap into emotions like excitement and urgency, making shopping an adventure instead of a chore.

7. Flash sales

LOFT sales promotion examples

Flash sales are high-energy promotions lasting a short time—think “50% off sitewide for 24 hours only!” These create urgency and tap into FOMO (fear of missing out).

Why they work: The ticking clock drives impulse purchases, especially for bargain hunters.

8. Seasonal or holiday promotions

Seasonal sales promotion examples

Whether it’s Black Friday, Valentine’s Day, or back-to-school season, aligning promotions with special occasions (e.g., “20% off all winter gear!”) taps into your customers’ shopping habits.

Why they work: Seasonal events are already on people’s minds, so they’re primed to shop.

9. Limited-time exclusives

Limited-time sales promotion examples

These promotions offer something unique for a short time, such as limited-edition products or collections. For example, “This week only: exclusive holiday candles!”

Why they work: Scarcity drives demand and makes customers feel they’re getting something special.

Digital and interactive promotions

In the digital age, creativity meets convenience. These sales promotions harness the power of technology to engage customers, spread brand awareness, and drive conversions.

10. Referral programs

Casper's referral marketing on their site

Leverage your existing customers by rewarding them for referrals. For instance, “Refer a friend and you both get $10 off!” Referral programs turn happy customers into brand advocates.

Why they work: Word-of-mouth is one of the most trusted forms of marketing, and incentives amplify its power.

11. Social media contests/giveaways

Social media giveaway sales promotion examples

Engage your audience by hosting contests like “Tag a friend for a chance to win a $100 gift card!” These promotions boost visibility and interaction.

Why they work: They’re fun, easy to enter, and highly shareable, driving brand awareness.

12. Email-exclusive offers

Organics Ocean Black Friday email marketing

Reward your loyal subscribers with special deals like “Subscribers-only: 30% off this weekend!” These promotions create a sense of exclusivity.

Why they work: Customers feel valued, and email campaigns often have high conversion rates.

Creative and unique promotions

Want to stand out from the crowd? These unconventional promotions bring a fresh perspective to marketing, surprising and delighting customers in the process.

13. Spin-to-win or gamified discounts

Spin-to-win sales promotion examples

Gamification adds an interactive twist to promotions. Tools like spin-to-win wheels offer discounts like “Spin for a chance to win up to 50% off!”

Why they work: They make shopping fun and memorable, increasing customer engagement.

14. Pay-what-you-want promotions

Let customers set their own prices for certain products or services. For example, “Name your price for this eBook!” This strategy works particularly well for digital goods.

Why they work: It builds trust and can generate goodwill, especially if customers feel your product is worth more than the minimum price.

15. Charity tie-ins

Appeal to socially conscious shoppers by donating a portion of sales to a good cause. For instance, “For every product sold, we donate $1 to [Charity Name].”

Why they work: Customers love supporting brands that align with their values, making them feel good about their purchase.

FAQ

What is a sales promotion?

A sales promotion is a marketing tactic designed to boost interest, encourage purchases, and drive conversions by offering discounts, perks, or other incentives tailored to the target audience.

What are some great promotion types for existing customers?

Loyalty rewards, referral programs, and email-exclusive offers are excellent ways to engage and reward your existing customer base.

How to promote your sales promotion ideas?

One of the most effective ways to promote your sales is through popups. Popups grab your website visitors’ attention instantly. Use them to announce discounts, highlight flash sales, or offer exclusive deals. 

Here are some sales promotion popup templates that ensure maximum impact:

Wrapping up

Sales promotions aren’t just about discounts—they’re about strategy. The right types of promotion at the right time can attract new customers, deepen loyalty, and skyrocket your conversions.

Experiment with these 15 sales promotion types to see what resonates with your audience, and don’t be afraid to get creative!

Ready to take your promotions to the next level? Start planning today and increase sales immediately!