20 Discount Code Ideas to Get More Deals [+Examples]

Discount codes and coupons make people happy. Shoppers feel smarter and more satisfied when they use one, and for a store they drive sales, conversions, and loyalty.

If you want discount code ideas that reach those goals, this post gives you 20, with copyable examples for each and case studies from brands running them.

Jump to sections:

• Do coupons and discounts help sell?

• Discount code ideas by goal

• Case studies of businesses using discounts

Discount code ideas by goal

Tap any code to copy it, then adapt it to your brand:

Case studies of businesses using discounts

Do coupons and discounts help sell?

Yes. Here is the evidence from recent surveys and reports.

Discounts are the most common tactic to convert new customers, used by 70% of ecommerce businesses on Shopify.

Here is the breakdown of the discount sizes they use most:

1. First order offer

This code goes to visitors who have not bought from you yet, which makes it a strong way to convert first-time visitors and build your email list at the same time.

Code ideas:

• NEW15

• FIRSTFIT15

• FRESHFACE20

• 48HOURSNEW

• FIRSTBUY20

• FIRSTLOOK25

• STARTSHOPPING20

• JOINTHEPACK

Tips:

• Test different discount sizes to find the one that converts without hurting margin.

• Match the code to your brand voice, so TRAINLIKEPRO suits a fitness label.

• Distribute codes with popups, and you can create unique Shopify discount codes inside the popup app.

Example:

Nutrimuscle shows a branded first-order code in a welcome popup, and its campaigns convert 4% of visitors.

2. Weekly deal

This code is valid for one week only, which gives you a reliable way to lift orders when sales are slow. You can limit it to a category, a set of products, or a special week.

Code ideas:

• WEEKLY20

• WEEKLYDEAL15

• THISWEEK30

• WEEKLYFLASH30

• BONUS10

• WEEKEND15

Tips:

• Send several reminders across the week, for example an announcement on Monday, a nudge on Wednesday, and a last call on Sunday.

Example:

Foot Locker shares a weekly student discount through the code UNiDAYS.

3. Deal of the hour

You offer a strong deal for one hour only. It suits gifts, VIP discounts, and coupon codes, and it is a common move in Black Friday marketing.

Code ideas:

• HOURDEAL

• FLASH60

• SAVEIN60

• QUICKBUY

• 60MINLOOK

• NOWORNEVER

Tips:

• Run a different promotion each hour on a holiday to build anticipation, and tell shoppers when the next drop lands.

Example:

This hourly promotion applies a discount to one product category for sixty minutes.

4. Flash sale offer

A short, urgent sale drives impulse buying. Sales promotions like this are effective enough that Americans spend about $2.5 billion a year on them, so a flash code is a fast way to generate leads and quick sales.

Code ideas:

• FLASH50NOW

• QUICKBUY20

• STYLEFLASH30

• TRENDFLASH25

• SAVE40

• FLASHHURRY10

Tips:

• Show reviews near the offer so shoppers feel confident making a fast decision.

• Use our in-depth guide to flash sales and ecommerce case studies to plan yours.

Example:

TOMS Shoes runs regular flash sales and tells customers by email with a short, memorable code such as FLASH30.

5. Exit-intent discount

This code gives you a chance to convert visitors who are about to leave, including those who abandoned a cart. You show it in an exit popup, so every leaving visitor sees the deal and has a reason to reconsider.

Code ideas:

• LASTSHOT25

• TOOGOOD15

• WAITUP20

• STAY4LESS10

• ALMOSTGONE30

• LASTCHANCE20

Tips:

• Keep the offer short, since a leaving visitor will only read a line or two.

• Add exit campaigns with an exit popup tool.

Example:

A clear exit popup works best: state the discount, state the deadline, and give one button to claim it.

6. Holiday discount

A festive discount on a key date draws more shoppers to your store. Beyond the winter season, days like Mother's Day and the Fourth of July work well too.

Code ideas:

• HOLIDAY20

• FESTIVE15

• MERRY25

• SEASONAL30

• XMAS50

• WINTER10

Tips:

• Pick your calendar first. Here are the major U.S. shopping holidays when consumer interest peaks.

Example:

Maud's Coffee and Tea offers a $20 Labor Day code, LABORDAY, to all visitors.

7. Free shipping discount

Removing shipping cost takes away a major reason to abandon a cart, which helps you increase ecommerce sales from both new and repeat buyers, who read free shipping as a risk-reducing factor if they need to return an item.

Code ideas:

• FREESHIP150

• FREESHIP99

• SHIPFREE

• FREESHIPNOW

• SHIPON50

• FREEDROP

Tips:

• Offer free shipping to first-time customers.

• Try it on high-margin products, or on small and light items where it costs you least.

Example:

This free shipping code, FREESHIP150, applies only to orders above $150, which nudges average order value up while covering the cost.

8. Product pre-launch offer

If you take pre-orders or run pre-launch campaigns, this code lets you offer a discount to shoppers who want to buy a product before it ships.

Code ideas:

• PREORDER10

• EARLYBIRD20

• RESERVE15

• BOOKNOW25

• FIRSTPICK20

• GETITEARLY15

Tips:

• Start marketing before pre-orders open.

• Send email reminders to keep momentum going.

• Tease updates through onsite messages as the launch nears.

Example:

A common approach: a pre-order brand offers the product at a lower price than it will cost once it is in stock, rewarding shoppers who commit early.

9. Newsletter signup offer

The most common code of all: a discount in exchange for an email, which builds your list while giving the shopper a clear reason to sign up.

Code ideas:

• JOINNOW10

• HELLO20

• SIGNUP15

• WELCOME25

• GETIN10

• NEWVIP15

Tips:

• List the benefits of signing up. As in this signup form example, mention news, offers, and exclusive events.

Example:

Emma Bridgewater promises 15% off for a newsletter signup with a unique code such as WSFEB22-7p5kkx.

10. Product-specific discount

This code applies to one product's price. Shoppers look for it when stocking up on items they replenish, and it helps you personalize offers and improve return on a specific line.

Code ideas:

• SAVEON[PRODUCT]20

• [PRODUCT]DEAL15

• GET[PRODUCT]10

• LOVE[PRODUCT]25

• [PRODUCT]NOW30

• PICK[PRODUCT]15

Tips:

• Use it to speed up sales of one item.

Example:

Backstory Coffee Roasters offers SUMMERBREAK25 for a discount on its Summer Break blend.

11. Product bundling discount code

This code combines matching or complementary items. Apparel brands use it to sell whole looks, and it also works for bundles of a single replenishable product.

Code ideas:

• BUNDLE20

• BUILDABUNDLE

• SET15

• PAIRUP10

• MOREFORLESS

• STOCKUP20

Tips:

• Know the margin on each product in the bundle before you set the discount. A rule of thumb: margins under 50% call for no more than 10% off.

Example:

Death Wish Coffee runs a 20% code to lift sales of its coffee bundles.

12. Minimum purchase discount

A discount for spending above a set amount raises average order size, and it lets you steer shoppers toward specific products while lifting overall sales.

Code ideas:

• SPEND100SAVE

• OVER150

• STOCKUP15

• BIGCART20

• GET20AT200

• MORE10

Tips:

• Use it on replenishable products to push shoppers to buy before the deal expires.

Example:

Valerie Confections promotes a minimum-purchase discount by email.

13. Buy one, get one free deal

BOGO adds urgency by promising a free product. Stores use it to move overstock and to sell edible or bulk items faster.

Code ideas:

• BOGOFREE

• GETONE

• BUY1GET1

• ONEFREE

• BOGO50

• GET2FOR1

Tips:

• Make the promotion easy to access, with a fair price on the two items involved.

Example:

Fashion Nova uses BOGO to clear inventory at the end of the summer season.

14. Customer referral promo code

Over 90% of customers are likely to buy a product a friend recommends, which makes referral codes strong for both list growth and sales.

Code ideas:

• FRIEND20

• REFER15

• SHARE20

• GIVE20GET20

• BRINGAFRIEND

• SARAH20

Tips:

• Use a referral app to generate and track each code, so referral sales sit in one place and the process runs on its own.

Example:

PRESS Foods gives 20% off to both the referrer and the friend they invite.

15. Abandoned shopping cart offer

Send a code to convince a shopper to finish a purchase. It is a popular recovery tactic, since unexpected costs are the top reason shoppers leave without buying.

Code ideas:

• COMEBACK15

• FINISHUP10

• STILLHERE20

• DONTGO15

• CARTSAVE10

• WRAPITUP20

Tips:

• Use a time-limited code. A 24-hour deadline creates urgency to complete the order.

Example:

Chubbies, one of the top Shopify stores, recovers carts with email codes that expire in 24 hours.

16. Loyalty-based discount codes

This code celebrates loyal customers. Offer discounts at milestones, such as a number of purchases, to show appreciation and keep them coming back.

Code ideas:

• VIP20

• LOYAL15

• THANKYOU10

• MEMBER25

• INSIDER20

• REWARD15

Tips:

• Let customers earn points toward a discount for every dollar spent, so they feel they get the best deal on the next order.

Example:

Steve Madden's loyalty program, SM Pass, gives new members 20% off their first purchase.

17. Code for purchasing in store

Selling online and offline? Email a code that can only be redeemed in your physical store, which gives customers a reason to visit in person.

Code ideas:

• INSTORE10

• VISITUS15

• LOCAL20

• SHOWTHIS10

• POPIN15

• STOREONLY20

Tips:

• Use it to build a base of local, loyal customers, since a strong first impression is easier to make in person.

Example:

Saugatuck Brewing Company emails a 10% code redeemable only at its brewery, with the address included.

18. Coupon for shopping in a mobile app

This code encourages purchases in your mobile app. If you want the app to become a major order source, a discount is a direct way to move shoppers to it.

Code ideas:

• APP15

• GETAPP10

• MOBILE20

• APPONLY15

• TAP10

• APPDEAL20

Tips:

• Add extra incentives to encourage the download itself.

Example:

NET-A-PORTER gives a 15% code for buying through its official app.

19. Birthday discount

A birthday discount makes customers feel valued. The personal touch supports loyalty and gives them a reason to treat themselves or someone else.

Code ideas:

• HAPPYBDAY

• BIRTHDAYGIFT

• BDAY20

• CELEBRATE15

• MYDAY20

• BIRTHDAYTREAT

Tips:

• Collect birthdays through loyalty programs, popup forms, and email.

Example:

Simple codes such as HAPPYBDAY or BIRTHDAYGIFT work well, though some brands use longer unique ones.

20. Feedback survey discount

This code rewards customers for completing a survey, which gives you useful insight in exchange for a small discount.

Code ideas:

• FEEDBACK20

• SURVEYTHANKS

• TELLUS15

• YOURVOICE10

• REVIEW20

• INSIGHT15

Tips:

• Add the survey link to post-purchase emails or to survey popups on your site.

Example:

Codes like FEEDBACK20 for 20% off, or SURVEYTHANKS, are a clear way to encourage responses.

What's next?

To keep growing your store, take a look at these guides:

• How to get sales on Shopify

• How to write product descriptions

• 10 giveaway ideas

• Best Shopify apps