A coupon is a code shoppers type at checkout for money off your products. Coupons are part of the Plus and Premium plans and live under Marketing, then Coupons. This guide makes one from scratch.
Creating a coupon
- Click Add New Coupon.
- Code is what shoppers type. Keep it short, no spaces, and easy to say out loud: SPRING10, THANKYOU, NEWSLETTER.
- Type. Percentage discount takes a percentage off each of your items. Fixed cart discount takes a set amount off the shopper’s total for your items. Fixed product discount takes a set amount off each item.
- Amount. For a percentage, enter the number only: 10 for 10%.
- Expiry Date. Leave blank for no expiry, or set one to create a bit of urgency.
- Click Create Coupon.
Limits and restrictions
- Usage Limits: how many times the code can be used in total, and how many times by one customer.
- Minimum & Maximum Spend: only apply above or below a basket value. A minimum spend is the usual way to make a discount pay for itself.
- Product Restrictions: choose the Products the code applies to, or Exclude Products it should never touch. Leave both blank and it applies to everything you sell.
- Individual use only: the code cannot be combined with another coupon.
- Exclude sale items: skip anything already reduced.
Free shipping coupons
Two actions are needed here.
- Tick Allow free shipping on the coupon
- Turn on Free Shipping Coupons under Settings, then Shipping Profiles.
When a shopper applies the code, shipping for your items in that order becomes £0. If the setting is off, the free shipping part of the coupon is ignored.
How shoppers use it
They enter the code in their basket or at checkout. Only your items in their basket are discounted; another shop’s items in the same order are unaffected. The discount comes off your earnings, so price with that in mind.
Managing your coupons
The Coupons list shows each code with its type, amount, how many times it has been used, its status and expiry. Edit to change it, Delete to stop it working straight away.
Ideas that work
- A launch-week code when you list a new range.
- A thank-you code on the note you pack with an order, to bring a customer back.
- A code for your own newsletter or social followers.
- Avoid a permanent discount. If everything is always 10% off, it is just your price. Marketing, advertising and coupons has more on combining them.