Guide to Using Online Coupon Codes and Promo Links

by: SmartShopper | last updated: February 27, 2009
Category: Smart Shopping | Tags: online shopping, coupons, bargain shopping, coupon codes, online shopping, promo codes, promo links

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A great way to save a little while shopping is by using online coupon codes and promotional links. Online coupons are rapidly increasing in popularity, but still many do not fully understand what they are.

There are many different coupons and promotional codes available for online shopping. One type is called the "coupon code" or "promotional code" and the other is a "link only" promotion. Most online merchants will offer one or the other when running online promotions. The most common types of coupons and promotional codes available are those which offer a discount on the total purchase price of an order and promotional codes which offer free shipping on an order. Both of these offers can be financially beneficial to the shopper.

You just need to know where to go online to find these codes, and exactly how to use them and that's what this guide's about.

Finding Promotional Codes and Coupon Codes Online

The easiest way to find online coupons is to search for online deal and coupon websites. These websites usually offer a large number of different coupons, all in one place. Online coupon websites are popular because they often require little time or effort. You can easily find an online coupon website by performing a simple internet search. Craigscoupons.com is a great place to start looking for online Coupons.

Another way is to subscribe to the mailing list of the merchants you regularly shop from. This ensures that you will be notified by e-mail of any ongoing promotions or offers including coupons.

Even Subscribing to the RSS of a Coupon site that regularly updates with the latest coupons is a good way of getting your hands on some money saving coupons. This way you can scan through all the coupons of the day sorting out the ones you need or might like to avail of.

Identifying & Using these Coupons

Similar to coupons which are valid at traditional stores, online coupons or promotional codes usually have an expiration date after which the discount is no longer valid as well as a coupon code to enter before billing at the checkout.

A linked coupon does not have an actual coupon code to activate the promotion, but instead a special link. When you click the link to the online store, you will get the discount automatically when you check out.

Depending on the merchant, there are a few different places to enter the coupon code. In some cases, the coupon can be entered while in the shopping cart. Other times, the coupon is entered on the order review page prior to checkout. Look around carefully for the coupon "submit" area the first time you purchase from any website.

If you don't find a place to enter the code Check and see if the website has a FAQ (frequently asked questions) page that offers the information. Often times you can find it on their "Customer Service" pages too.

How to Check if the Coupon has Worked

Usually the merchant will have a page showing how much you are being charged for the merchandise, how much is being discounted because you submitted your discount code, and any shipping fees that may be applied. This should show on an order page before you submit approval of the charges. If you enter the coupon code and do not see the discount on the order review page, do not place the order.

Often times a linked promotion will take you directly to the product that is being promoted at a special price or the page that advertises your discount. If it does not then look for it on your order page before you accept the transaction as a desired purchase

Look out For...

Take the time to read the details of the coupons. Many times if not all the time they have conditions and restrictions.

Common examples of these restrictions include an expiry date and a required minimum purchase to use the discount. A common restriction associated to offers of free shipping is a minimum required purchase. In these cases the consumer must purchase more than a specific dollar amount from the online retailer in order to be eligible for free shipping (eg. Free Shipping on orders over $75).

Another example of a common restriction on online coupons or promotional codes is a required minimum purchase necessary to receive a discount. In some cases, the online retailers are willing to offer a greater percentage or amount of discount to buyers who spend more money on their products or services. For example the coupon may offer a 5% discount on purchases of more than $50, a 10% discount on purchases of more than $75 and a 20% discount on purchases of more than $100 or like wise $10 Off on purchases worth $50, $20 off on purchases worth $100 and so on.

Online Coupons can really shave off a few dollars on your purchase or get free shipping and Since they are virtually free to obtain and use, why not at least give them a try?