Coupon Sites Making It Easier For Customers To Save And Retailers To Sell
- By Jane Dawson
- Published 01/24/2011
- Online Shopping
- Unrated
Online shoppers are hunting for coupons in these tough economic times. Many buyers can justify their purchase when they have saved on the product they desire.
Unique visitors to online coupon sites are hovering around thirty-five million per month. That is up seven percent more than last year, for those saying they use coupons from brand sites. Overall online coupon use is up two percent to thirty-one percent. These new statistics were reported by comScores chairman Gian Fulgoni during a Webinar going over the research firms findings for the first quarter of 2009. ComScore provides marketing data and services to many of the Internets largest businesses.
Comscore data shows fifty-four percent of the consumers surveyed cited online coupon sites as very important in affecting their shopping behavior. Potential buyers are using online coupon sites as search engines to locate incentives to purchase products.
How Do Coupon Sites Work?
As you browse through the hundreds of coupon sites now available, the design and layout of the websites vary but most are divided into categories because there are so many products being offered. There are specific industry coupon sites or generic directories offering everything from health and beauty products, mens apparel, travel deals, and everyday service providers. Your product or brand logo is displayed with your coupon promotion and a link to your website. Some companies offer coupons for cash discounts on the immediate purchase, others offer incentives for future purchases. No more clipping coupons out of the Sunday newspaper. Consumers can now cut and paste coupons and promotional codes to the payment section of your website to receive a discount.
Implementing a Coupon Program
Ensure your shopping cart software supports coupon functions. If your software vendor does not offer coupon compatibility it is well worth it to purchase new shopping cart software. Another type of application that can be used is promotional code software. This type of software may be compatible to your current shopping cart software. Do your research when implementing these applications.
Include coupons on any landing pages. This will assure the buyer that the offer is legitimate and they have linked to the right website.
Set expiration dates for your promotion. A dated coupon creates a sense of urgency, this is what some buyers need to get them to purchase now. But keep in mind that recent research suggest that there be a fairly long timeline for expiration, probably one year.
Use memorable codes. Do not make your coupon codes like VIN numbers on automobiles (HJK453LM). Use creative phrases like JULYSALE or SHIPZERO or your company logo so people can remember them.
Offer deferred discounts. Give coupons that will offer a discount incentive if the consumer returns to your website and repeats a purchase.
Offer a coupon as a sign up bonus to joining your site. People are usually willing to give you their e-mail address in exchange for a valuable coupon. This will give you information to contact these potential buyers in the future by e-mail promotions to create a stronger repeat customer base.
Post coupons everywhere you advertise. If you use pop up ads or pay per click banners get a coupon offer on that ad space. Viewers will be intrigued by what you are offering and go directly to your site to make a purchase.
As you decide what coupon promotion is right for your online store check out what kind of coupon promotions your competition is offering.
Unique visitors to online coupon sites are hovering around thirty-five million per month. That is up seven percent more than last year, for those saying they use coupons from brand sites. Overall online coupon use is up two percent to thirty-one percent. These new statistics were reported by comScores chairman Gian Fulgoni during a Webinar going over the research firms findings for the first quarter of 2009. ComScore provides marketing data and services to many of the Internets largest businesses.
Comscore data shows fifty-four percent of the consumers surveyed cited online coupon sites as very important in affecting their shopping behavior. Potential buyers are using online coupon sites as search engines to locate incentives to purchase products.
How Do Coupon Sites Work?
As you browse through the hundreds of coupon sites now available, the design and layout of the websites vary but most are divided into categories because there are so many products being offered. There are specific industry coupon sites or generic directories offering everything from health and beauty products, mens apparel, travel deals, and everyday service providers. Your product or brand logo is displayed with your coupon promotion and a link to your website. Some companies offer coupons for cash discounts on the immediate purchase, others offer incentives for future purchases. No more clipping coupons out of the Sunday newspaper. Consumers can now cut and paste coupons and promotional codes to the payment section of your website to receive a discount.
Ensure your shopping cart software supports coupon functions. If your software vendor does not offer coupon compatibility it is well worth it to purchase new shopping cart software. Another type of application that can be used is promotional code software. This type of software may be compatible to your current shopping cart software. Do your research when implementing these applications.
Include coupons on any landing pages. This will assure the buyer that the offer is legitimate and they have linked to the right website.
Set expiration dates for your promotion. A dated coupon creates a sense of urgency, this is what some buyers need to get them to purchase now. But keep in mind that recent research suggest that there be a fairly long timeline for expiration, probably one year.
Use memorable codes. Do not make your coupon codes like VIN numbers on automobiles (HJK453LM). Use creative phrases like JULYSALE or SHIPZERO or your company logo so people can remember them.
Offer deferred discounts. Give coupons that will offer a discount incentive if the consumer returns to your website and repeats a purchase.
Offer a coupon as a sign up bonus to joining your site. People are usually willing to give you their e-mail address in exchange for a valuable coupon. This will give you information to contact these potential buyers in the future by e-mail promotions to create a stronger repeat customer base.
Post coupons everywhere you advertise. If you use pop up ads or pay per click banners get a coupon offer on that ad space. Viewers will be intrigued by what you are offering and go directly to your site to make a purchase.
As you decide what coupon promotion is right for your online store check out what kind of coupon promotions your competition is offering.
Jane Dawson
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