In the world of eCommerce, offering discounts is one of the most effective ways to entice customers, increase conversions, and drive sales. A fixed cart discount in WooCommerce is a feature that allows store owners to offer customers a fixed monetary discount on their entire cart value. This discount can be a great way to boost sales, encourage repeat purchases, and provide a competitive edge. In this blog post, we will explore how WooCommerce fixed cart discounts work, the benefits they offer, and how to set them up for your store.
What is a WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount?
A fixed cart discount is a discount that applies a set amount (e.g., $10 or $50) off the total value of a customer’s cart. Unlike percentage-based discounts, which apply a percentage reduction to the cart total, a fixed cart discount reduces the total amount by a specific dollar value. This type of discount can be applied to the entire cart or specific products and can be used to encourage customers to make larger purchases, clear out inventory, or promote special events and sales.
For example, if a customer has a cart value of $100 and applies a $20 fixed cart discount, the total amount they pay will be $80.
The Benefits of WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discounts
Increased Average Order Value (AOV)
One of the key advantages of offering a fixed cart discount is the ability to increase your store’s average order value. By offering a fixed amount off a larger cart total, you can encourage customers to add more items to their cart to reach a specific threshold for the discount. For example, offering a $10 discount on orders over $50 might encourage customers to spend a bit more to qualify for the discount, resulting in an increase in AOV.
Boosted Conversion Rates
Offering a fixed cart discount can also boost conversion rates by providing an incentive for customers to complete their purchase. Customers are more likely to make a purchase if they feel they are getting a good deal, and a fixed cart discount provides them with that sense of savings. This can be especially effective when you’re running a limited-time promotion or seasonal sale.
Encouraging Repeat Purchases
Fixed cart discounts are a great way to encourage repeat business. For example, offering a discount for first-time customers or providing a discount for customers who make a certain number of purchases can incentivize them to return and make additional purchases. WooCommerce allows you to create discount codes that can be used multiple times, which is a great way to build customer loyalty and increase lifetime value.
Promoting Special Sales and Events
You can use fixed cart discounts to promote specific sales events, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or holiday sales. A fixed cart discount can be part of a larger promotional strategy, offering customers an attractive deal while still maintaining profitability. Offering a set discount during special promotions can drive more traffic to your store and increase sales during peak seasons.
Reducing Cart Abandonment
Cart abandonment is a common challenge for eCommerce stores. Offering a fixed cart discount can be a way to recover abandoned carts and encourage customers to return to their purchase. For example, sending a follow-up email to a customer who left items in their cart, with a time-sensitive fixed cart discount, may entice them to complete the purchase. This can be particularly useful in increasing your conversion rates and decreasing abandonment rates.
How to Set Up Fixed Cart Discounts in WooCommerce
Setting up a fixed cart discount in WooCommerce is easy and can be done through the built-in WooCommerce coupon functionality or by using a plugin. Below is a step-by-step guide to setting up a fixed cart discount using WooCommerce’s native coupon system.
Step 1: Enable Coupons in WooCommerce
Before you can create a fixed cart discount, you need to make sure that coupons are enabled in WooCommerce. To do this, go to your WooCommerce settings:
Go to the WordPress dashboard.
Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings.
Click on the General tab.
Ensure that the option for “Enable the use of coupon codes” is checked.
Click Save changes.
Step 2: Create a Coupon
Now that coupons are enabled, you can create a fixed cart discount coupon:
From your WordPress dashboard, go to WooCommerce > Coupons.
Click on Add Coupon.
Enter a coupon code. This is the code customers will enter at checkout to apply the discount (e.g., “SAVE10”).
Under Coupon data, select the Cart Discount type.
In the Discount amount field, enter the fixed amount you want to discount (e.g., $10, $20, etc.).
Optionally, you can specify usage restrictions, such as a minimum order amount, product exclusions, or the ability to apply the coupon to specific product categories.
Step 3: Set the Coupon Expiry and Usage Limits
You can also set an expiry date for your coupon, so the discount is only available for a limited time. You can also set usage limits if you want the coupon to be used only a certain number of times.
Under the Usage limits tab, you can limit how many times the coupon can be used.
Under the Usage restrictions tab, you can set conditions like minimum/maximum spend, which products the coupon applies to, or exclude certain products or categories.
Step 4: Publish the Coupon
Once you’ve configured your coupon settings, click on Publish to save the coupon. You can now promote it to your customers. They can enter the coupon code during checkout to receive the fixed discount on their cart total.
Using Plugins to Enhance Fixed Cart Discounts
While WooCommerce’s native coupon system allows for basic fixed cart discounts, there are also several plugins that can help you take your discount strategy to the next level. Some popular plugins for enhancing cart discount functionality include:
WooCommerce Smart Coupons
This plugin allows you to create more advanced discount strategies, including fixed cart discounts, store credits, and gift cards. It also provides additional functionality, such as generating coupons in bulk and applying automatic discounts without requiring a coupon code.
WooCommerce Discount Rules
With this plugin, you can create complex discount rules based on a variety of factors, including cart total, user roles, product categories, and more. You can also combine fixed cart discounts with other types of discounts, such as percentage-based discounts, to create flexible promotional campaigns.
WooCommerce Conditional Shipping and Payments
This plugin allows you to set conditional rules for when and how your fixed cart discounts apply, including conditions like specific shipping methods, payment gateways, or customer location. This can be useful for creating tailored discounts for specific customer segments or regions.
Tips for Maximizing the Impact of Fixed Cart Discounts
Combine Discounts with Free Shipping
Offering free shipping in addition to a fixed cart discount can create an irresistible offer for customers. WooCommerce allows you to combine these promotions, making the deal even more attractive.
Create Time-Sensitive Offers
Creating urgency around your fixed cart discount can increase conversions. Set expiry dates for your coupons and promote them as limited-time offers to encourage customers to act quickly.
Use Fixed Cart Discounts for Cross-Selling and Upselling
Offering a fixed cart discount for larger purchases can incentivize customers to buy additional items. For example, you could offer a $20 discount on orders over $100, prompting customers to add more items to their cart to reach the discount threshold.
Conclusion
WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount are a powerful tool for increasing conversions, boosting average order values, and driving sales. By offering customers a set discount on their cart, you can create an attractive incentive that encourages them to complete their purchase. Whether you’re running a special promotion, recovering abandoned carts, or simply looking to boost sales, fixed cart discounts can be a great addition to your eCommerce strategy.
By taking advantage of WooCommerce’s built-in coupon system or utilizing advanced discount plugins, you can easily create and manage fixed cart discounts that enhance your store’s performance and help you meet your business goals.