Shopify Sales Made Simple: How to Set Up Discounts and Promotions

Ever wondered how to put products on sale on Shopify and make your store more appealing to customers? Let’s break it down step by step so you can create discounts and deals that grab attention and drive sales. It’s easier than you think, and the results can be a total game-changer for you and your business!

Find the Sweet Spot: When to Put Products on Sale on Shopify

So, when should you put products on sale on Shopify? Honestly, it depends on your business strategy and goals, but there are some pretty common occasions that just make sense for sales. Sometimes, it’s not just about boosting revenue; it’s about staying competitive or meeting customer expectations.

Seasonal Events and Holidays

Planning sales around holidays and seasonal events is a smart way to tap into your customers’ shopping moods. Here are some common events:

• Key Holidays: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, New Year, Valentine's Day, etc.
• Seasonal Events: End-of-season sales (e.g., summer clearance, winter clearance).
• Local or Cultural Events: Tailor sales around regional holidays or cultural events relevant to your target audience, such as Thanksgiving, Ramadan, and Eid. 

New Product Launches

Got fresh arrivals? That’s another great time to run a sale on the Shopify store! 

Sure, some businesses like to keep things low-key and just announce their new products, but offering a special launch deal can create buzz and get people talking. A limited-time discount adds urgency and makes shoppers feel like they’re getting something exclusive.

Low Sales Periods

Let’s be real: sales tend to skyrocket during Black Friday, New Year, or holiday shopping sprees in December. But what about those quieter months, like January or February? After all the festive shopping, customers usually tighten their wallets, leaving many businesses facing a slump. This is when a well-timed discount can be a lifesaver. Offering deals during these slower periods can help bring customers back and nudge them to hit “buy now.”

See the pattern here? It’s all about timing and knowing your audience. Whether it’s a holiday rush, a product launch, or just a slow season, planning your sales strategically can work wonders for your Shopify store.

Inventory Management

Not every sale needs to revolve around big events like Black Friday or slow periods. Sometimes, it’s just about clearing out old stock and making room for new inventory. Marking items on sale on Shopify with older products is a smart way to manage your inventory while giving customers a reason to snag a deal. Think of it as decluttering your store while still turning a profit.

Recovering Abandoned Carts

Ever notice how many customers add items to their cart but then leave without checking out? It’s frustrating, but it’s also a big opportunity. One effective way to bring them back is by offering a discount or a special deal. Whether it’s through an email reminder, a pop-up notification, or even a time-limited offer, a little nudge can go a long way in convincing them to complete the purchase. After all, who doesn’t love a good deal to seal the deal?

With strategies like these, you’re not just boosting sales, you’re also building a better relationship with your customers.

Smart Discounting: Factors to Keep in Mind

Offering a discount isn’t just about slashing prices! it’s a little more strategic than that. There’s some groundwork to lay before running a sale on your Shopify store:

1- Define Your Goals

First things first: what’s the purpose of your discount? Are you trying to boost brand awareness, clear out excess inventory, or drive up sales? Each goal calls for its own strategy—you can’t unlock every door with the same key, right? So, figure out what you want to achieve before you start.

2- Create Your Strategy

Once you’ve nailed down your goals, it’s time to map out your strategy. What kind of discount makes sense? Are you going for percentage-off deals, BOGO offers, or maybe a limited-time flash sale? Think about what fits your business and your audience best. 

Read more here: Mastering the Art of a Discount Strategy in Retail

3- Optimize Your Conversation Rate

It’s one thing to get visitors to your site, but turning them into customers? That’s the real challenge. Watching people browse without hitting “Buy Now” can feel like a total buzzkill. So, make sure your website is ready to convert! 

Clean up the design, optimize for mobile, and keep the checkout process simple. Little tweaks can make a huge difference. Need more tips? Check out our article on improving your conversion rate.

4- Target the Right Audience

This one’s huge: know who you’re talking to. You wouldn’t try selling casual dresses to seniors or skincare exclusively to men, would you? Tailor your offer to the right crowd, and connect with them in a way that makes sense.

5- Promote the Offer Effectively

Picture this: you’ve got the perfect deal, an amazing product, and a solid plan. But no one knows about it. What’s the point? 

Use email, social media, and other marketing channels to make sure your audience doesn’t miss out.

6- Avoid Devaluing Your Brand

Too many discounts can hurt your brand’s reputation. People might start seeing your products as “cheap” instead of valuable. So, plan your offers carefully and don’t overdo it.

7- Don’t be Cheap

Speaking of “cheap,” make sure your discount makes sense. A 90% off sale might eat your profits, while a tiny 2% discount probably won’t excite anyone. Find that sweet spot where the deal feels rewarding but doesn’t hurt your bottom line.

8- Create FOMO

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is your best friend here. People are more likely to act when they feel like time’s running out or quantities are limited. Use urgency to your advantage; things like “Only 24 hours left!” or “Limited stock available!” can work wonders.

Turn Discounts into Buzz: Announce Like a Pro

Alright, so your discount strategy is ready to roll. You’ve dotted the i’s, crossed the t’s, and set up the offers. But hold on! How are people supposed to know about it? Unless your customers have psychic powers (which would be cool, but unlikely), you’ve gotta announce it!

Spreading the word is the secret sauce for grabbing attention and boosting sales. Let’s break down some smart ways to do it:

Via Email Marketing

Have a list of subscribers? It’s time to let them in on the deal.

• Send an email with eye-catching visuals, clear details about the offer, and a strong call-to-action like “Shop the Sale Now.” moreover, as the sale is about to end, send a reminder email.

Social Media

Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: pick your platforms and get creative.

• Post visually appealing content: countdowns, before-and-after price comparisons, or even fun reels showcasing your products.
• Don’t forget those engaging calls-to-action like “Grab it before it’s gone!”

SMS and Push Notifications

Sometimes, a quick text or notification is all it takes to seal the deal.

• Use SMS tools to send short, punchy messages with direct links to your store.
• Got an app? Send push notifications with a snappy message about your offers.

Homepage Banner and Pop-ups

On your Shopify store, make sure no one misses your offer:

• Add a bold, eye-catching banner or a pop-up that screams, “Big Sale!”
• Amp up the urgency with a countdown timer.

How to Put Products on Sale on Shopify (Without Stress!)

Thinking of putting products on sale on Shopify but not sure where to start? Don’t worry; it’s easier than you think! Whether you want to use Shopify’s built-in tools or explore some third-party apps, here’s a clear breakdown to guide you through.

Option 1: Using Shopify’s Built-In Features

Shopify already has some handy tools to set up discounts. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Log in to your Shopify admin panel.
2. Go to the “Products” tab.
3. Pick the items you want to discount.
4. Scroll down to the “Pricing” section and adjust the current price.
5. Hit Save and boom! You’ve got a discounted product!

Want to Show Before-and-After Prices?

If you want to make those discounts more eye-catching, use the Compare-at-Price feature. It lets you show both the original price and the discounted one side by side. Here’s how:

1. Open your Shopify admin panel and select “Products.”
2. Choose the product you want to discount.
3. In the “Pricing” section, look for the “Compare-at-price” field.
4. Enter the original price here and adjust the “Price” field to the discounted amount.
5. If your product has variants (like sizes or colors), update the pricing for each variant individually.
6. Don’t forget to save!

Want more tips? Check out Shopify’s detailed guides on using Compare at Price effectively.

Option 2: Running Discounts with Third-Party Apps

If Shopify’s native features don’t quite fit your needs (or you want to get fancy with your discounts), there are plenty of apps for that! Here’s the general flow for setting up a sale with a third-party discount app:

1. Download and Install the App
   Head to the Shopify App Store, browse for discount-related apps and install one that fits your needs.
2. Choose Products or Collections
   Inside the app, select the specific products or collections you want to discount.
3. Set the Discount Type
   Decide on the type of discount: percentage off, fixed amount, tiered pricing or other types.
4. Schedule the Sale
   Set start and end dates to keep things organized (and prevent that awkward “forgot-to-end-the-sale” moment).
5. Customize the Look (Optional)
   Some apps let you add sale badges or update the product page visuals to make discounts stand out.
6. Preview and Go Live
   Take a quick look to make sure everything looks good, then launch the sale. Easy-peasy!

Choosing Wisely: Discounts via Third-Party Apps or Shopify?

So, you’re thinking about offering discounts on your products on Shopify. Nice move! But if you’re scratching your head over which approach is better or when to use Shopify’s built-in tools versus third-party apps, don’t stress. The answer really depends on how complex your discount strategy is and the size of your business.

Shopify’s built-in features are better when:

• You’re just starting out or running a small business. 
• You only need straightforward discounts like a percentage off or fixed-amount deals.
• You want to avoid extra costs or complications; sometimes, less is more!

On the other hand, a Third-Party Discount App can be a better choice if:

• You’ve got a mid-to-large business with more complex promotional strategies.
• You’re looking to combine multiple discount codes or get fancy with advanced pricing logic.
• Personalization is a big part of your marketing.
• You want detailed analytics to see what’s working and what’s not so you can tweak your game.

Finding Your Perfect Match: Which Discount App is Right for You

Alright, so we’ve talked about how to put products on sale on Shopify and shared some solid tips to make your offers shine. But here’s the thing: if you’re running a store with a variety of products, using a third-party app like Discounty isn’t just a good idea, it’s a must!

Discounty makes running multiple campaigns at once a total breeze. And getting started? It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Install the app.
2. Set up the discount type you want.
3. Add any extra features to make your campaign pop.

Cool Features You’ll Love with Discounty.ai

With Discounty, you’ve got everything you need to create and manage powerful discount campaigns that drive results such as:

• Multiple Discount Tiers: Want to reward your shoppers for buying more? No problem! Offer 20% off when they grab 2 items and 30% off when they snag 3. Easy to set up, easy to manage!
• Advanced Pricing Configurations: Choose whether the discount is applied to the regular price or the compare-at price, it’s your call!
• Simple Product Filters: Quickly include or exclude products in your campaigns with a few clicks. Need something out? Done!
• 24/7 Expert Support: Stuck? No worries. The Discounty team is available round the clock to help you out with any issues or questions.
• Automated Campaign Scheduling: Set start and end dates for your campaigns and let the app handle it. Perfect timing, every time!

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