How to set up coupons and discounts

Coupons and discounts are a powerful tool for driving sales, attracting new customers, and building loyalty.

We make setting up, managing, and customizing coupons to fit your store's unique needs easy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating and optimizing coupons for your on-demand store.

Getting Started: Accessing the Coupon Feature

Log into your Brikl admin dashboard and navigate to the Discounts section. 

Here, select ‘Add New Coupon’.

This section is the central hub for creating, managing, and tracking coupon performance. You’re ready to start crafting your first discount.

The form you open when you click ‘Add New Coupon’ allows you to define the specifics of your discounts. 

Coupon Settings

• Allocate a Store: Assign each coupon to a store for easy management and identification (e.g., "Moo Deng Merch"). 
• Coupon Redemption Schedule: Define the time range during which the coupon is valid, ensuring customers redeem it only within the specified dates. For example, you can set start and end dates (e.g., Nov 14, 2024, to Nov 22, 2024) to create a sense of urgency.
• Coupon Redemption Limit: Set a global limit for how many times the coupon can be used across all customers. For instance, a limit of "1" means the coupon can be redeemed once collectively by all customers, but each customer can use it for multiple items in one purchase if permitted.

Coupon Distribution in Stores

• Coupon Quantity: Define the total number of coupons available. For example, setting "100" coupons means they’ll be distributed equally among selected stores unless specified otherwise.
• Prefix: Add a custom prefix for easy identification, such as "WELCOME." This prefix can reinforce branding or identify the coupon’s purpose (e.g., "NEWYEAR").
• Discount Type:
  • Percentage Discount: Offers a discount based on a percentage of the purchase total (e.g., 25% off).
  • Fixed Amount Discount: Deducts a set amount from the total purchase (e.g., $10 off).
• Discount Amount: Define the specific discount rate or amount. For instance, entering "25" with a percentage discount type applies a 25% discount to eligible purchases.
• Usage Conditions:
  • If the purchase amount is less than the coupon’s discount value, the coupon will still be considered "used." This can encourage higher spending levels to maximize coupon value.
  • Discounts are applied before tax calculations, which can be relevant for customers who are mindful of total costs after the discount.
  • By default, the coupons are divided equally among the stores selected. However, you can manually adjust distribution as needed if certain stores should receive a larger or smaller share of the total.

Customizing Coupon Controls

You can set a minimum purchase threshold, which is effective for increasing average order values. For instance, you might require a minimum purchase of $50 to redeem a coupon.

You can also choose to limit coupons to specific products or categories. If you’re running a promotion on a new collection, restricting the coupon to that product category can drive focused traffic and sales.

To prevent overuse, set limitations on how many times a single coupon can be used. For example, setting it to “one-time use per customer” ensures only first-time buyers benefit, supporting customer acquisition goals.

Setting Expiration Dates and Validity Periods

In Brikl, you can assign start and end dates to each coupon. This is particularly useful for seasonal promotions, limited-time sales, or flash discounts. 

Setting expiration dates creates urgency, encouraging customers to purchase sooner rather than later. Simply select the dates from the calendar provided in the coupon setup form.

Testing Your Coupon

Before making the coupon available to customers, it’s a good idea to test it to ensure it works as expected. Here’s how:

- Create a test order in your assigned store. 

- Apply the coupon code at checkout to verify it provides the correct discount.

- Check for compatibility with other promotions or any usage limitations you’ve applied.

Activating and Managing Your Coupon

After configuring the details, save your settings and activate the coupon by toggling the status to “Active.” Your coupon will now be live and usable in your store. In the Coupons section, you can view all active and inactive coupons, enabling you to manage and track each campaign’s effectiveness.

Analyzing Coupon Performance

Reporting offers insights into each coupon’s performance - simply go to Coupons > Download Coupons to track metrics such as: 

• Type: Percentage or value discount
• Value: Value assigned to the coupon
• Code: Code assigned to the coupon
• Start Date: The date the discount starts from
• Expiration Date: The date on which the discount can no longer be redeemed
• Total Usage Limit: Maximum amount of times the coupon can be used
• Stores to Apply: Name of the stores the discount can be applied to
• Applicable to Each Store: True or False as assigned by the system
• Redemption Count: The number of times the coupon has been redeemed

This data helps you understand which promotions resonate most with customers, allowing you to refine future campaigns.

Tips for Effective Coupon Campaigns

To maximize the effectiveness of your coupons, consider these strategies:

- Create Exclusive Coupons for Loyal Customers: Reward repeat customers with exclusive discounts. This not only encourages repeat purchases but also strengthens customer loyalty.

- Run Flash Sales with Short-Term Coupons: Create a sense of urgency by offering limited-time coupons that expire quickly, driving immediate action.

- Combine Coupons with Other Promotions: Consider using coupons alongside other promotions, like free shipping or bundle discounts, for a more compelling offer.