E-commerce Tips & Tricks 6 min read
14 Dec 2021

7 Ways To Prevent Cart Abandonment By Using Coupon Codes

7 Ways To Prevent Cart Abandonment By Using Coupon Codes

Did you know that 7 out of 10 customers will not finish their transaction on ecommerce stores?

That's an alarming number, right?

But what you're about to discover inside this article are surprisingly easy ways to reduce cart abandonment rate — using this ONE overlooked thing.

Most of the time, people think they have to do a ton of work. And it requires expertise to pull this off.

But that's NOT true.

Because today, in this blog, I'll be sharing how to convert abandoned carts — by just using coupon codes!

Yes you heard that right!

Coupon Codes?

I'm sure you'll find this extremely useful once you've applied what you're about to learn!

So, let me start by explaining...

 

What Is Cart Abandonment?

Cart abandonment is when your potential customer leaves their carts without purchasing from your website. Hence it's called "cart abandonment."

Let me elaborate...

Let's say some of your customers already have some of your products in their carts... but they wouldn't complete their transaction. To sum it up, they abandoned them.

Now, this is a struggle for some ecommerce business owners like you. The high amount of cart abandonment rate sounds disturbing.

Who would want their customers to leave? Or who wouldn't want to make sales?

But I'll tell you what... there are many factors why this happens to you and other ecommerce brand owners.

Let me tell you some of the reasons why you might be doing some of these...

 

Why Do You Have A High Cart Abandonment Rate?

 

1. Long Checkout Process

Is your checkout process unnecessarily long?

If yes, uh-oh! Your customers HATE it. And that's one of the reasons why they're abandoning their carts!

You see, customers don't like it when you're asking for too much information, and you have several forms they need to fill in.

Did you know that 18% of customers abandon their shopping cart because of a long checkout process?

Customers want convenience. And this isn't it.

That's why if you don't want them to abandon their carts, make sure to simplify your checkout process, like this Shopify store example.

Long Checkout Process

(Source)

As you can see, there's not much happening on the checkout page. It's easy on the eye, and it doesn't look complicated at all.

You can only notice the user, shipping, and payment information. You can also see the cart preview on the side. You don't have to go here and there just to check out your cart.

Convenient, right?

So, this kind of checkout setup makes it much easier for your customers to pursue their transactions.

Another reason is...

 

2. Few Payment Options

If your customers want to pay via digital wallets, you have to let them pay via digital wallets.

To reduce your cart abandonment rate, you have to give your customers options. They want to use what's convenient for them.

As I said, if they want to pay using their digital wallets and it's inaccessible... they might just try another online store with more flexible payment options. That's an increase in your cart abandonment rate.

And you don't want that, right?

A few payment options will result in loss of customers... which is clearly one of the shopping cart abandonment effects.

So, to enhance your customer experience, make sure to provide payment options so they can choose based on their needs.

The following reason is...

 

3. No Discount Codes

Did you know that digital coupon redemption is expected to reach $91 billion by 2022?

Yep, BILLION. That's massive!

Are you surprised? Me, too!

And if you have clever online shoppers, they know the ins and outs of online shopping. They know how to maximize their savings while shopping generously.

So, not having promo codes will force some of your customers to leave your website without completing the transaction and go to your competitor that might have one.

Uhh... doesn't sound good to me!

Now, before we hop on the good stuff... let me teach you this first!

 

How To Calculate Cart Abandonment Rate?

How To Calculate Cart Abandonment Rate?

How would you know if your cart abandonment rate is at an all-time high? By computing it, of course!

To compute your cart abandonment rate, just input the number of transactions, divide them, and follow the formula in the photo.

So, let's say you have 250 successful transactions. On the other hand, there are 500 shopping carts created for the month. Then your cart abandonment rate is 50%.

And if that seems a bit big for you, no worries! Because now, we're going to talk about some actionable tips!

 

How To Convert Your Customers Through Coupon Codes?

How To Convert Your Customers Through Coupon Codes?

 

1. Use Popups

Want to hit two birds with one stone? Use popups when promoting your promo codes.

This is one way on how to convert abandoned carts. Ask them to sign up for your newsletter or membership and give them a code to use — VOILA!

You can increase your sales and email list, AND they can buy your products for a lower price! It's a win-win situation, right?

Let's look at how Flourist does it.

Use Popups

(Source)

We can see that in order to get your free shipping code on your first order, you need to subscribe first. And the offer is beneficial to the brand and customer. Because through signing up on your email list, they can get the first dibs on your future offers!

Oh, by the way... I have a bonus tip for you.

If you're using the Debutify theme, you can do this by adding the Newsletter Popup Add-On on your website. It's easy to customize according to your liking, so you wouldn't have a hard time activating it on your ecommerce store.

Now, let's talk about the next one...

 

2. Plan Your Offer

Before you use abandoned cart coupon code ideas for your ecommerce store, it's essential to choose the offers wisely.

Even if you have a ton of codes available... your customers wouldn't still continue upon checkout if the offers aren't exciting enough.

My tip is to focus on what your customers need. For example, ask yourself based on their purchase behavior... which do you think would they prefer more? Discounts or offer free shipping fees?

You need to determine these factors first before you make an offer. Again, it wouldn't be successful if your customers aren't fond of your offers.

So... here are some delightful offers you can share with your customers!

  • Offer free shipping fee
  • Free service fee
  • Free gifts
  • Discounts
  • Referral codes

Look at BLK and Bold. Their offer is 15% off on their customers' first order, and they can get the code after signing up for their email list.

Plan Your Offer

(Source)

So, it depends on your business plan how you can offer an abandoned cart discount on your Shopify.

Another tip I have is...

 

3. Make Promo Codes Unique

It's important to make your coupons unique. You can base it on your campaign, the season, or even personalize them for your customers.

This way, it will be easier for your customers to remember them upon checkout if they would have to input them manually.

I have another example...

Make Promo Codes Unique

Bailly put a reminder for their customers to use the code SPRING15 for 15% off on top of their website.

It's easier to remember and put in when checking out, right?

Another technique on how to convert abandoned carts is...

 

4. Create Urgency

If you don't want your customers to abandon their carts, then it's time to add some urgency upon checkout!

So, why is urgency vital if you want to use this for your strategy?

  • It can make your customers act fast. If they see that the code or their cart is only available for a limited time, they'd be rushing to check it out quickly. They don't want to lose the deal!
  • FOMO. Or fear of missing out. Ever heard of it? Some customers have FOMO. And if they see that others are checking out their carts or using the discount code, they also want to do it.

Let me show you an example.

Create Urgency

(Source)

You can see that the cart is only saved for 4 minutes. Hence if you want to save the products you like, you need to hurry and input the code in the box.

And I'm sure it makes other customers act quickly. So, if you want your customers to utilize your promo codes... include some urgency!

Now, we're down to our last three!

 

5. Include Where Your Customers Can Insert The Promo Code

So... you have a discount code.

Now, what? How will your customers use it? You need a cart discount box!

Your abandoned cart coupon code ideas will be useless without including a cart discount box. It allows your customers to input the promo code they have upon checkout.

I will show you an example.

Include Where Your Customers Can Insert The Promo Code

(Source)

As you can see, Rothy's includes a Promo Code form where their customers can use the promo codes. While some customers prefer automatic codes... this is also convenient if you don't have an automatic feature for your promo codes.

Bonus tip: Once you install the Debutify theme, you can easily add the Cart Discount Add-On for your customers to use! This will be very convenient for your customers.

Now, for our second to the last tip...

 

6. Promote the promo codes

Spread. The. Word!

Have 100 coupons? Share them around the world! Use email marketing, social media, and optimize your website.

This is a surefire way to reduce your basket abandonment. Why? Because you can reach more people and encourage them to buy from you using the codes!

Here's an example:

Promote the promo codes

Unlocator made sure to spread the word by sending emails to their subscribers. There are also an instruction on how to use the coupon.

If you have promos going on, be sure to share them on your channels! This is a great way to reduce your Shopify's abandoned carts... by promoting your discount codes, your potential customers can see what your online store has to offer!

Now, for our last tip...

 

7. Don't Be Afraid To Get Creative

Surprise!

You can creatively offer promo codes or discounts. Some of your customers might even think this is more enticing.

Yep, you don't need to stick with the usual process on how your customers can acquire the codes. You can totally spice it up and make it fun!

Want to see an example?

Don't Be Afraid To Get Creative

Look at MFMG (Makeup For Melanin Girls). As you notice, you can play roulette to win prizes. There's a free product, 20% off, 15% off, and more!

Looks exciting, right? They took it to the next level!

So, if you want to prevent cart abandonment on your Shopify store, take advantage of coupons and optimize your online store.

I'm sure you're now ready to...

 

Reduce Your Cart Abandonment Rate With Promo Codes!

Want to increase your sales while making your customers happy? Start using promo codes now!

Apply these tips to make sure your customers will not abandon their carts again. Also, to excite them with your offers.

But here's the catch... using promo codes is not the only answer.

If you really want to make constant sales, you have to optimize your whole website for conversion. And you know what's going to help you?

A Shopify theme that's optimized for conversion... which is Debutify!

The best part? Debutify is more than a theme. But a Profit Optimization Partner.

It has over 50+ Add-Ons to enhance your store's "looks and feels" while also improving your conversion rate, average order value, and profits!

Sounds fantastic, right? If yes...

Then what are you waiting for?

Join over 371,957+ ecommerce brand owners who switched to Debutify!

 

Optimize Your Website For Conversion With Debutify - Today!

14-Day Free Trial. No Code. No Credit Card Required.

Diane Eunice Narciso
Author

Diane Eunice Narciso

Diane Eunice Narciso is a content marketer, strategist, and writer who's skilled and passionate about marketing, social media, eCommerce, etc. And is also an expert in sales and business development nurturing strategic partnerships and collaborations.

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