Coupons Ultimate Guide
In this tutorial, we will show you the types of coupons you can create using Voucherify. We'll cover all coupon features that you can set up while creating a new campaign.
Contents
- Glossary
- Types of coupon campaigns
- Coupon code
- Coupon types
- Discount effects
- Timeframe & validation rules
- Dynamic discount value formula builder
- Create coupons
Glossary
We've listed coupon-related definitions to help you feel comfortable when creating coupon campaigns in the Voucherify dashboard.
Standalone coupon
A standalone code is a single coupon code with a predefined discount type and value, typically for multi-use.
Unique bulk coupons
Unique coupons are coupon codes with the same discount grouped in a campaign. Each unique code can be assigned (published) to a specific customer who becomes the coupon owner as a result.
Coupon code
Voucherify generates only digital coupons represented by unique codes. Each coupon in the Voucherify project is unique; you can't create two same codes in a single project.
Case-sensitive coupons
This option is set per project, and it's enabled by default. It means that Voucherify differentiates between capital and lower-case letters in your codes.
Code formats
The app creates a standard text code, barcode (format Code128), and QR code for each code.
Code pattern
When creating a coupon code (standalone coupon or bulk codes campaign), you can use advanced code settings to define the code pattern (length, postfix, prefix, and so on).
Validation rules
Validation rules are limits and rules attached to codes, checked during the redemption.
Discount type
Voucherify supports percent, amount, unit, and free shipping discount types.
Discount value
The value of a discount defines a discount that is applied to a customer's order during a single code redemption.
Discount effect
The discount effect defines how the discount is applied to the customer's cart. There are different effects available depending on the discount type.
Types of coupon campaigns
Before you start creating coupons, decide whether you need a standalone code or bulk codes campaign.
| Standalone code | Bulk codes campaign |
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Standalone codes are usually multi-use coupons used for flash sales and similar promotions. When it comes to bulk unique codes campaigns, they provide advanced tracking possibilities and personalization. You can publish each unique code from a campaign to a particular customer and track it individually. Moreover, validation rules can control your budget using both campaign and code limits.
Coupon code
Standalone and unique coupons are represented by digital codes. The text format of a code can be customized when creating coupons in the Campaign Manager. 
Coupon types
When creating standalone or bulk coupons, you need to define a discount type:
- Percentage discount.
- Amount discount (in the currency set in your Project Settings).
- Fixed amount (Fixed total amount or fixed prices for particular items).
- Unit (based on Products added to your account).
- Free shipping.
Amount discount
You can offer your customers a discount in any currency, for example, $20 off or £10 off. Before creating amount discounts, please visit Project Settings and set the proper currency for your discounts.
Percentage discount
You can offer a percentage discount like 10% off or 50% off and also secure your budget by defining an Amount limit (the total amount of the discount given per order or per discounted item). 
Fixed order amount
When using this discount type (1), the order total amount will be set to the value of the Fixed amount (2). The discount value is calculated during the redemption as it's a difference between the total amount of the customer's order and the Fixed amount.
Using validation rules, you can create predefined buying scenarios that qualify the customer for a fixed order amount. For example, if a customer buys three t-shirts and the cart total is less than 50, then the new total with a discount code is always $30. 
Unit discount
Unit discount enables you to offer items from your inventory for free. First, you need to decide on the discount effect.
Then, you need to decide how many free items you want to offer with the coupon code. 
When the number of units is defined, select the free product. You can choose between products and SKUs added to your account or add a new product by using the plus. 
Please note that this type of discount is based on the products added to the Products section in your dashboard. If you haven't synced your inventory yet, please follow this guide first.
Free shipping
You can also offer your customers a specific unit discount – free shipping.
Dynamic discount values
For percentage, amount, fixed and unit discounts you can set a fixed discount value or use a formula builder to create a dynamic discount expression. Formulas with mathematical and logical operators assign a dynamic discount value. Discount value will be calculated during redemption based on the provided formula and metadata values. Read more here.
Discount effects
When the discount type is set, choose respective discount effect. The discount effect defines how the discount is applied to a customer's order.
| Discount Type | Effects |
|---|---|
| Amount discount | Apply discount to the whole cart Apply discount to items (each or selected) Apply discount proportionally to amount Apply discount proportionally to quantity Apply discount to each unit of matched product |
| Percentage discount | Apply discount to the whole cart Apply discount to items (each or selected) |
| Unit discount | Add new order items Add missing items Add multiple item types |
| Fixed order amount | Apply discount to the whole cart Apply discount to selected items |
All product-specific discounts can be applied to the cheapest or most expensive items. Read more.
Timeframe & validation rules
Time limits and validation rules define when the coupon code is valid. Read more here.
Validation rules define discounted items, required cart structure, and other buying circumstances that qualify customers for a code redemption. You can create validation rules beforehand in the dedicated dashboard section or when creating coupons in the Campaign Manager. Read more here.
Dynamic discount value formula builder
You can also create formulas with mathematical and logical operators and assign a dynamic discount value for each of the discount types. Values will be calculated during redemption based on the provided formula and metadata values.
To create dynamic discount expression you need to use formula builder. Click the plus icon next to the discount value field.
The formula builder requires a fallback value in case the dynamic discount value cannot be calculated from the given parameters in the formula.
You can either use the Formula builder utility with step-by-step dialogs that you fill out to build the formula from element building blocks or the Expression output with operators and operands.
Formula Builder
Expression Output
Read more in our dynamic discount value builder guide.