Discount Code

A discount code is a string a shopper enters at checkout to get money off, such as a percentage, fixed amount, or free shipping.

What a discount code is

A discount code is a string a shopper enters at checkout for money off: a percentage, a fixed amount, or free shipping.

Codes are targeted by design. Unlike a sitewide sale, they reach only the people you gave them to.

Why discount codes matter

They let a store discount selectively: a welcome offer for new emails, a win-back for lapsed customers, a thank-you after a problem, all without repricing the catalog.

Where codes get used

  • Welcome offers for first-time signups
  • Win-back campaigns for lapsed customers
  • Influencer and affiliate tracking codes
  • Service recovery after a bad experience

Frequently asked questions

Does the empty coupon field hurt conversion?

It sends shoppers hunting for codes mid-checkout, and some don’t come back. Auto-applied links or a collapsed field reduce the detour.

How do you avoid training shoppers to wait for codes?

Keep discounts occasional and reasoned: a welcome, a recovery, a season. Predictable monthly codes teach everyone to never pay full price.

Related terms

Flash Sale · Free Shipping Threshold · Urgency