Coupon codes.

[dynamic08]

Do you have a coupon code box on your checkout?

Love it or hate it.

Im thinking of removing mine...

[downsouth]

why are you looking to remove it?

Always a good feature should you wish from time to time to send offers out, reward existing customers

[Christiane]

I often create a coupon code for my newsletter readers and other promos. Unless you are not using it, I think it's a great feature to have. It can help customer loyalty.

[dynamic08]

well I think that potential new customers are looking at it and thinking where can I find a coupon code.

Then they may decide to look elsewhere!

I would prefer it if i could hide it and show to only existing customers.

I dont do logins though defo a no no.

[Christiane]

well I think that potential new customers are looking at it and thinking where can I find a coupon code.

Then they may decide to look elsewhere!

I would prefer it if i could hide it and show to only existing customers.

I dont do logins though defo a no no.

yes you are right. I get new customers whithholding their order until I answer their query as to where they can find a coupon code. I tell them I put them in newsletters and magazines. I get another newsletter subscriber and I haven't lost the sale (they come back and checkout)

If you don't have logins, you can't make it work. If you had login for regular customers, you could make it appear once they have logged in.
It seems in your case you should hide the feature alltogether if you're not making the most of it.

[dynamic08]

Well there is a solution actually.

Under the coupon box I could put in small font "Where can I get a coupon code" click then and hey presto 5% off.

My regular customers though recieve 10% etc off.

What do you think about that?

[greenbox]

I think coupon codes are a good way to get customers to return to your site.
As well as getting people who have never bought from you to buy from your site.

Lots of companies use coupons and not just on the web eg 2 for 1 Gournmet Burger Kitchen, Pizza Hut etc ...

[Fuzzy]

We have a voucher code system and it has worked very well. I think potential customers are always on the look out for a bargain/money off:D

[dynamic08]

my main point is it putting off NEW CUSTOMERS who dont have a coupon code.

[Christiane]

What confuses me is that you say that you don't have login for your customers yet your regular customers use a coupon code. Do they enter the code every time?

TBH how big is this problem for you? You seem to make it like all new customers ask you about it. In any case, you found the solution in your post #6.

[deniser]

my main point is it putting off NEW CUSTOMERS who dont have a coupon code.

I have processed tens of thousands of orders and no-one has ever asked me for a coupon code. I actually only issued a general code once via someone else's newsletter and not a single person used it.

I keep the box for when I make a cock up with someone's order - I then give them a personal code so they get a discount for their next order. They really appreciate this and do use it so I keep the customer's loyalty.

I also use it sometimes when someone buys in bulk and asks if they can have a discount if they buy lots of something. I then give them 10% off for that order.

So the box is useful and hasn't ever lost me a sale as far as I know.

[dynamic08]

How big a problem! well conversions have gone down alot.

regular customers do come back but we want to reward them.

Our products they might buy once a month.

[Christiane]

Do you really think lower conversions is all due to the coupon code box?

I have this box on my site, I get the occasional query as I mentioned, my sales are going up month on month. I think your problem lies elsewhere. Do you sell items that are hit by the recession? Have you changed/downsized your advertising campaign?

Try the fix you mentioned in your earlier post as this seems the most logical solution to your problem but if it's lower conversion there might be other reasons...

[dynamic08]

likewise just.b sales are going up month on month.

But thats from regular custom more than new to be honest. We also sell on ebay which is doing very well for us.

[GM Wholesale]

No dont m8 i have one on mine my customers love it i get there date of birth and on there birthday i send a voucher dont scrap it m8 its a key to reward your customers and to show how much you appreciate them after all its the customers that keep the business alive! just a though hope this helps m8

[GM Wholesale]

Try offering a voucher for free shipping if they open a account

[AaronPollock]

Assuming the coupon box really is your problem, which it may not be, there is a way around this.

If you're sending out email newsletters, the coupon code can be entered into the URL of the link the recipients click to get to your site. That eliminates the coupon box entirely while still allowing you apply the discount and track the source of the order.

For direct mail, offline ads, etc. simply give them a special URL to use, e.g. www.example.com/cosmopolitan which will apply the discount at checkout (I haven't looked to see what you sell or whether it'd ever appear in Cosmo!)

No point giving away discounts when you don't have to for new customers.

[dynamic08]

Aaron I tried that approach before. I have decided im going to keep it. Im going to add a little message below the coupon box.

Buy now and recieve your UNIQUE 5% off next time you order.

That should do the job.

thanks for all of the replys.

[J-Wholesale]

You could try changing the location of your coupon box if you feel it's a problem where it is. We used to have a coupon box on our basket page (where they usually are), and did get the odd query from new customers. We moved it to page 2 of the checkout process, alongside the name, address, and VAT number info, added an 'About' popup, and got no more questions. The reason we did this was simply to 'unclutter' the basket page, not because we were losing any business.

[GetMusical]

You could just post discount codes on the various coupon sites out there. I did this a while ago and if someone searched for "getmusical.co.uk voucher" they'd find one easily.

Have a look at www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk. I don't think it's against any of their rules to post your own discount codes.

[SillyJokes]

If you are using vouchers and an affiliate programme you may find you are paying voucher code sites a great deal of commission on orders which you have already made and not due to any effort on their part. The customer os already sold on your products but they just nip out to get a voucher and even when one isn't current they pick up the affiliate commission cookie on the way.

There is considerable debate about this and some big retailers won't have voucher code sites as affiliates as a result.

Vouchers are a good incentive, but you don't want to be paying 10% commission on top of giving away 5 or 10% voucher - that starts to get a bit ridiculous.

Vouchers - handle with care.

[GM Wholesale]

Aaron I tried that approach before. I have decided im going to keep it. Im going to add a little message below the coupon box.

Buy now and recieve your UNIQUE 5% off next time you order.

That should do the job.

thanks for all of the replys.

Thats the spirit make use of it thats the kind of sales youre after use it for inticement and help to get sales it helps!

[GM Wholesale]

Thats the spirit make use of it thats the kind of sales youre after use it for inticement and help to get sales it helps!


i use nothing like that i just send newsletters every fortnight with vouchers on it also i give a voucher if your a new customer which will be emailed when you open an account

visit: gm-wholesale.com