In today’s digital age, internet coupons have become an extremely popular way for consumers to save money on their online purchases. With just a few clicks, shoppers can easily find and use promo codes, discount codes, coupon codes, voucher codes, and other exclusive deals for all kinds of products and services. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about finding and using internet coupons effectively.
What are Internet Coupons?
Internet coupons are promotional codes that online stores issue to encourage consumers to shop on their websites. They typically consist of a sequence of numbers, letters, or a combination of both that provide the user with an exclusive discount or offer. For example, an online retailer might offer a coupon code like “SUMMER20” that takes 20% off a purchase. Customers simply need to enter the code during checkout to redeem the savings.
Unlike traditional paper coupons which must be physically clipped and presented at a store, internet coupons are digital and can be used immediately online. They provide a quick and convenient way for ecommerce businesses to incentivize purchases, reward loyal customers, promote new products, and more. Furthermore, shoppers can easily search for and find relevant active coupon codes for nearly any website with just a couple of clicks.
Why Should You Use Internet Coupons?
There are many compelling reasons why consumers should take advantage of internet coupons:
Save Money Instantly
The #1 benefit of using online promo codes is the ability to immediately save money on purchases. Coupon discounts are typically a percentage off or a dollar amount off the full price. For example, a 50% off code cuts the listed price in half. A $10 off code deducts $10 from the total cart amount. Either way, shoppers pay less overall when redeeming an internet coupon at checkout.
Stack Savings
Many online retailers allow customers to combine multiple coupon codes on a single order for amplified savings. You might have one code that takes 30% off your entire purchase, another that provides free shipping, and a third one that saves you $20 on a specific product. Stacking several promotional codes together results in even greater value.
Gain Free Shipping
One of the most common types of internet coupons offered by online stores is free shipping. This allows customers to avoid paying shipping fees and essentially gets products delivered to their door for less. Free shipping promo codes are extremely convenient and result in additional savings.
Access Exclusive Deals
Online coupons often unlock promotional offers that aren’t available to the general public. Special sales, limited-time percentage discounts, and early access to new products are just a few examples of exclusive deals you can take advantage. Internet coupons provide a way to get in on the savings.
Shop Online Stores Globally
The digital nature of internet coupons allows consumers to use them at online stores around the world. For example, you could find a coupon code for a popular European clothing brand and enjoy discounted shipping on an international purchase. This opens up global online shopping opportunities.
Where to Find Internet Coupons
Now that you know why internet coupons are so valuable for online shopping, let’s discuss the top places to both find and share them:
Directly on Online Store Websites
The most obvious place to find coupon codes for a particular store is to go directly to that retailer’s website. Many ecommerce businesses showcase any available live promotional codes directly on their website for easy access. Check the top navigation bar, homepage banners, product page banners, designated coupon page, footer links, or sales and promotions section. If a code exists, the store makes it easy to find and use during checkout.
Email Newsletters
Signing up for a brand’s email newsletter is a great way to receive periodic notifications about the latest coupon codes, sales, and special offers. Most online retailers send regular emails to subscribers advertising deals and including exclusive promo codes just for email subscribers. Stay on their radar for perks.
Social Media Channels
Follow your favorite stores on social media and pay attention to occasional coupon code promotions posted on those networks. Retailers will often advertise short-lived percent-off codes or free shipping codes on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to generate buzz.
Coupon Aggregator Sites
Coupon aggregator websites compile and share codes across thousands of online stores in one place. All you need to do is search for the retailer you plan to shop at, and you’ll find a list of any currently active coupons for stacking savings. Examples include CouponCabin, RetailMeNot, and Groupon Coupons.
Browser Extensions
Specialized deal finder browser extensions, like Honey, automatically search the web for any available coupon codes for the site you are currently visiting. Upon landing on a product page, the extension runs a check in the background for potential promo code savings. This effortlessly applies discounts at checkout.
Influencer Marketing
Social media influencers often partner with brands to promote special coupon codes and advertisements to their audiences. Keep an eye out for exclusive influencer promo codes that you can use for added savings on popular online stores.
Loyalty Programs
Signing up for loyalty or rewards programs at your favorite stores can unlock special member-only coupon code offers. This serves as an additional perpetual source for online promo codes reserved for loyal repeat customers.
Referral Programs
Some internet retailers offer referral programs that reward existing customers with coupon codes for each new customer they successfully refer. Asking your friends and family members if they have any unused referral promo codes is another potential avenue for savings.
News & Deals Websites
Sites like Slickdeals and DealNews allow users to share, vote on, and discuss the best current coupon deals across the internet. You can discover codes for all sorts of retailers via these online communities of avid bargain hunters.
Cash Back Websites
Cashback websites like Rakuten, TopCashback, and Swagbucks provide coupon codes along with cashback percentages on purchases made through their sites. This results in a double dip of savings from using promo codes and earning cash back rewards.
How to Use Internet Coupons
When you’ve found an enticing internet coupon code that you want to redeem, using it to unlock savings generally follows a simple standard process:
Add Products to Your Online Cart
First, browse the online store and add all desired items to your shopping cart. Make sure your cart total meets any minimum spend requirements for the coupon code to be valid.
Navigate to Checkout
Proceed to the checkout page when ready to complete your transaction. Look for any box, button, or link that says something along the lines of “Enter coupon code”, “Apply promo code”, or “Have a discount code?”
Copy and Paste the Code
Have your coupon code (words, numbers, or combination) ready to go. Highlight and copy the code from wherever you found it. Then, on the checkout page, paste the code into the appropriate discount code text box.
Hit Apply
There should be an “Apply” or similarly labeled button next to the coupon code box. Press this to activate your code so the system can check it validity and apply the correlated discount to your order.
Verify it Works
Make sure to review your total savings amount before finalizing the order to verify the coupon code was accepted and took effect as expected from the discount percentage or dollar amount advertised.
Complete Purchase
Finish entering in your payment and shipping details to complete checkout with your newly discounted total savings!
Tips for Finding the Best Coupon Codes
Follow these strategies and tips to improve your odds of discovering the greatest possible savings with internet coupons:
Search on Google
Try using search operators on Google such as “site:domain.com promo code” or “site:domain.com coupon code” to surface any published codes.
Use Multiple Coupon Sites
Don’t rely on just one coupon aggregator site. Check RetailMeNot, CouponCabin, and others to compare available codes.
Read Coupon Fine Print
Pay attention to the fine print terms like expiration dates, usage limits, eligibility conditions, and excluded product categories.
Be Flexible with Brands
Expanding your search beyond your single favorite brand often reveals better promo code discounts from competitor retailers.
Set Alerts for New Coupons
Use coupon sites’ alert features to receive notifications when new codes for your chosen stores become available.
Shop on Holidays & Key Sale Days
Holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday in addition to other sales like Amazon Prime Day tend to offer extra coupon code opportunities.
Follow Deal Experts on Social Media
Veteran bargain hunters on Instagram and Twitter regularly share fresh coupon finds with their communities.
Search Online Forums
Visit destinations like Reddit’s r/frugalmalefashion to uncover coupon code suggestions from fellow deal-seeking users.
Always Try Referral Codes
Take advantage of referral codes from friends/family, influencers, and cashback sites for potential stackable savings.
Use a Separate Email for Coupons
Register a designated email address solely for coupon newsletters to stay organized.
Common Problems With Internet Coupons
Despite their many perks, customers will occasionally run into a few common problems when attempting to use internet coupons:
Expired Code
Coupon codes are time sensitive and will eventually expire after a certain promotional period ends. An expired coupon won’t provide any savings at checkout. Always double check the valid dates before trying to apply a code.
Invalid Code
Some online codes randomly stop working or never existed in the first place. These invalid codes won’t trigger any discount upon entry during checkout – but thankfully you can usually just move on to the next one.
Exclusions
The retailer may have set certain exclusions like particular brands, newly released items, clearance products, or other categories that make the coupon code inapplicable. Read the details!
Can’t Stack with Other Discounts
If a coupon states it cannot be combined or stacked with other promo codes, you unfortunately can’t pair it up with other savings. You’ll have to choose between the options.
Minimum Spend Not Met
Many coupon codes require a minimum purchase amount to be valid. Be sure your cart total exceeds this threshold before attempting to apply the code to avoid issues.
Single-Use Only
Some one-time promo codes are restricted to just one use per customer. Re-applying the code on a separate purchase results in an error stating it was already redeemed.
Restricted to Certain Customers
Certain coupons are exclusive to specific shopper segments like new email subscribers, loyalty program members, or existing customers only. Qualify first.
How to Find Coupon Codes for Specific Stores
Here are some tips for finding coupon codes from your most-shopped online retailers:
Amazon
– Check the Amazon coupons page and “Today’s Deals” section
– Use Honey’s browser extension to automatically test for codes at checkout
– Follow the Amazon account on social media for promotions
– Search Google for Amazon promo code aggregators
Walmart
– Check the Walmart online coupons page and weekly ad for codes
– Use the Coupons.com app to locate active in-store and online codes
– Open Walmart emails and check the promo code section
– Search Walmart’s help forum where employees sometimes share coupons
Target
– Check Target’s coupons page as well as the weekly ad
– Install the Target app for access to app-exclusive mobile coupons
– Text COUPON to 827438 and enter your email to join their program
– Follow influencers on social media that may have Target partnerships
Best Buy
– Check Best Buy’s limited time deals and student deals pages
– Sign up for emails to receive exclusive subscriber promo codes
– Follow Best Buy’s social media accounts for random coupon giveaways
– Search Google for terms like “Best Buy 10% off code”
eBay
– Check eBay’s Coupons page as well as the daily deals section
– Install the eBay mobile app for access to app-exclusive coupon badges
– Subscribe to eBay emails for subscriber sales and coupon codes
– Participate in eBay’s feedback program for coupon rewards
How to Use RetailMeNot for Coupons
RetailMeNot is one of the largest and most reputable internet coupon aggregator sites. Here are some tips for using it effectively to find active promotional codes and cash back offers:
Install Browser Extension
Add the RetailMeNot extension to automatically apply viable coupon codes at checkout
Use Category Filters
Filter by store category and sort by trending, highest discounts, verified codes only
Read Coupon Details Carefully
Pay close attention to usage limits, verified status, and expiration dates
Search for Specific Stores
Use the search bar to look for coupon codes from your favorite retailers
Compare Cash Back Rates
Click through to RetailMeNot when shopping online to earn cash back alongside coupons
Read User Reviews
Check reviews from other shoppers regarding their coupon experience
Submit Missing Coupons
Help build the database by submitting new codes missing from store pages
Share Coupons
Click share buttons for any particularly good coupon find to help others save
Enable Deal Alerts
Opt-in to deal alerts so you never miss notifications about new coupons
How to Use Honey for Coupons
Honey is a popular browser extension that automatically tests for applicable coupon codes. Here are some recommendations for maximizing savings with Honey:
Add to Your Browser
Download and install the Honey extension on Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Edge
Enable Price Drop Alerts
Turn on alerts to be notified when the price drops for items you’ve saved
Create Your Honey List
Add items you want to buy later to your Honey List and receive price history
Shop Normally
Honey runs in the background and will automatically apply coupon codes for you at checkout
Review Any Codes Found
Take a moment to review any codes Honey discovers to ensure you approve of the savings
Integrate Membership Programs
Connect your loyalty/rewards accounts from other brands to earn points too
Share Successful Coupons
Help the community by sharing particularly good coupon finds via the Share button
Manage Website Permissions
Customize per-site permissions for Honey in your browser extension settings
Use Amazon Integration
See price history charts, droplists, and exclusive codes for Amazon purchases
Conclusion
With this comprehensive guide, you now have a wealth of valuable knowledge on all aspects of finding and using internet coupons successfully. Key takeaways include understanding what online promo codes are, where to locate them from various sources, strategies for finding the best deals, how to actually use codes at checkout, troubleshooting common coupon issues, and leveraging handy browser extensions. Coupon hacking will take your online discount savings game to the next level.
So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start searching for some enticing coupon codes that align with your upcoming online purchases. The savings are out there waiting to be discovered! Feel free to reference back to this guide anytime you need a quick refresh on effective couponing tips and tricks. Happy deal hunting!