One of the most powerful ways to attract and retain customers in an online store is by offering discounts. WooCommerce, being a robust and flexible platform, offers several ways to apply discounts, one of the most popular being the Fixed Cart Discount. This type of discount allows store owners to provide customers with a specific amount off their total cart value, rather than a percentage-based discount.
In this blog, we’ll explore how the WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount works, its benefits, how to set it up, and strategies for using it effectively to boost your sales and improve customer satisfaction.
What is a Fixed Cart Discount?
A Fixed Cart Discount in WooCommerce refers to a fixed amount of money (like $10, €20, or £50) that is deducted from the customer’s total cart value when they reach the checkout. Unlike percentage discounts, which offer a reduction in the price based on a percentage of the total cart amount, fixed cart discounts offer a flat rate reduction regardless of the cart total.
For example, a store offering a fixed cart discount of $20 means that the customer will get $20 off their total cart value, whether they are purchasing $100 worth of products or $500 worth of items.
Why Use a Fixed Cart Discount?
Offering a fixed cart discount can be highly beneficial for both customers and store owners. Here are a few key reasons why you might want to use this type of discount:
- Encourages Larger Purchases Fixed discounts are ideal for increasing the order value. For example, offering a $20 discount for orders above $100 can encourage customers to spend more to avail of the discount. It can be an effective way to incentivize upselling and increase average order value (AOV).
- Easier for Customers to Understand Fixed discounts are simple and straightforward. A customer can easily see that they will get a set amount off their cart, and it helps eliminate confusion compared to percentage-based discounts, which can sometimes seem ambiguous depending on the cart size.
- Budget Control Fixed discounts provide better budget control for store owners. With percentage discounts, the discount amount grows as the total cart value increases, which could lead to bigger discounts than expected. A fixed cart discount ensures that the discount amount is always the same.
- Effective for Promotional Campaigns A fixed cart discount can be used in seasonal promotions, limited-time offers, or special sales events. It provides a clear and attractive offer for customers, making it easy to communicate the promotion in marketing materials.
- Reduces Cart Abandonment Fixed cart discounts are a powerful tool to prevent cart abandonment. By offering a discount during the checkout process, you can push customers who are on the fence about completing their purchase to finalize their order.
How to Set Up a Fixed Cart Discount in WooCommerce
Setting up a fixed cart discount in WooCommerce is easy and can be done directly through the WooCommerce coupon settings. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create and apply a fixed cart discount to your store.
- Create a Coupon Code
- From your WordPress dashboard, go to WooCommerce > Coupons.
- Click Add Coupon at the top of the page.
- Choose a coupon code. This can be a random code or something specific like “SAVE20” or “SPRINGSALE”.
- Choose the Discount Type
- In the General Coupon Data section, you will see a drop-down menu labeled Discount type. Select Fixed Cart Discount from the options.
- Enter the fixed discount amount in the Coupon amount field. This is the exact amount that will be deducted from the customer’s cart total.
- Set Usage Restrictions
- You can set restrictions like a minimum order amount or specify which products the coupon applies to. For instance, you can require the customer to spend a minimum of $50 to qualify for a $10 discount.
- You can also limit the coupon usage to certain categories, specific products, or user roles (like only for registered customers).
- Set Usage Limits
- If you want to limit how many times the coupon can be used, you can configure usage limits in the Usage limits tab. For example, you can restrict the coupon to be used only once per customer or allow it to be used a set number of times.
- Publish the Coupon
- Once you’ve configured the settings to your liking, click Publish to save and activate the coupon. Your customers will now be able to use this coupon during checkout.
Advanced Strategies for Using Fixed Cart Discounts
While a fixed cart discount is a powerful tool on its own, you can use it more strategically to maximize sales and customer satisfaction. Here are a few advanced strategies for using this feature effectively:
1. Use Fixed Cart Discounts to Boost Sales During Slow Periods
If you’re experiencing a sales slump, offering a fixed cart discount can help boost orders. For example, running a fixed cart discount promotion like “Get $20 off orders over $100” during a quiet week can encourage more customers to make a purchase, helping you maintain consistent sales.
2. Combine Fixed Discounts with Free Shipping
Offering a fixed discount along with free shipping is an effective way to entice customers to buy more. Many customers abandon carts because of high shipping costs. By offering a fixed cart discount that includes free shipping, you can reduce this barrier and increase conversions.
3. Time-Limited Discounts for Urgency
Creating urgency around your fixed cart discounts can push hesitant customers to buy now. For example, “Save $20 on orders over $100—Today Only!” can create a sense of urgency and encourage customers to complete their purchases before the promotion expires.
4. Combine Fixed Cart Discounts with Loyalty Programs
If you have a loyalty program, you can use fixed cart discounts as a reward for repeat customers. Offering discounts based on customer behavior or milestones, like “$10 off your next order for reaching 100 points,” can enhance customer loyalty and increase customer retention.
5. Leverage Fixed Discounts for Special Occasions
Fixed cart discounts are great for holiday sales, anniversaries, or product launches. For example, a store could offer a fixed $50 discount on orders over $200 during the holiday season. This creates a festive atmosphere and drives more sales.
How Fixed Cart Discounts Improve User Experience
Using fixed cart discounts not only benefits store owners but also enhances the user experience in the following ways:
- Simplified Decision Making: Customers appreciate the simplicity of fixed discounts. They don’t need to calculate the percentage savings or worry about complicated discount structures. A fixed amount off the cart is clear and easy to understand.
- Incentivized Purchases: A flat rate discount encourages customers to add more items to their cart, knowing they will get a specific discount amount. This creates an incentive to shop more.
- Increased Perceived Value: Offering customers a fixed cart discount can increase the perceived value of the products. Customers feel like they are getting a better deal, which can encourage repeat business.
Conclusion
The WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount is a simple but powerful tool for increasing sales, improving customer satisfaction, and boosting your store’s conversion rate. By offering a set discount amount on the cart total, store owners can provide a clear and attractive incentive for customers to complete their purchases.
Whether used for promotions, seasonal sales, or to encourage larger orders, fixed cart discounts are a great way to drive revenue and enhance the shopping experience. Implementing them effectively can lead to more satisfied customers, higher order values, and improved business performance.
By combining fixed cart discounts with other strategies like free shipping, loyalty programs, and time-limited offers, you can maximize the impact of your discounts and continue to grow your WooCommerce store.