How to Create WooCommerce Cart Discounts: Easy Guide

Curious about an interesting fact? 

WooCommerce stores experience a staggering 75% loss in sales due to cart abandonment.

Sounds scary right? Well, it is. But there is a key solution to it and the solution is offering cart discounts. 

I mean who doesn’t love a good discount? They make shopping sweeter and budgets happier. 

That is why nearly 70% of shoppers adjust their shopping habits in response to discounts.

Not just that! Apart from helping to recover abandoned carts in WooCommerce, these cart discounts can help you increase customer satisfaction and get you more sales and revenue. 

So, buckle up!

In this guide, you will learn what cart discounts are, how to create WooCommerce cart discounts using a plugin, and some tips & practices for using them properly.

Let’s dive in!  

What is a cart discount in WooCommerce?

A WooCommerce cart discount is a way to apply the discount and reduce the total price of a customer’s shopping cart based on specific rules or conditions set by the WooCommerce store owner. 

This type of discount is applied to the overall cost of items in the cart before the customer checks out. 

So in a very simple way, any discount that is applied based on the shopping cart can be counted as a cart discount. What else, you ask?

Well, these discounts come with attractive packages and deals. You can display these discounts to customers as different promotional offers, coupon codes, or automatic reductions based on predefined conditions.

When you create cart discounts in WooCommerce it can also help you a lot to attract more customers, encourage higher order values, reduce cart abandonment rates, and get higher revenues.

What are the Different Types of Cart Discounts in WooCommerce?

WooCommerce cart discounts can be offered in different ways. It can be offering a percentage discount, a fixed amount discount, or applying discounts based on specific rules, etc. Want to know more? Have a look.

1. Total Purchase Amount

This is one of the most common methods. You can set discounts based on the total amount spent in the cart. Let’s say, you offer a 10% discount on orders over $100. 

2. Total Product Quantity

Offer discounts based on the total number of products added to the cart. For example, buy a total of 3 products and get 20% off, or, buy 2 products and get the third one at 50% off.

3. Cart Weights

You can apply discounts based on the total weight of products in the cart. Imagine offering free shipping coupon for orders over a certain weight threshold. It is one of the most effective ways of getting more customers.

4. Selected Products or Categories

You get to provide discounts for specific products or categories in the cart. Think about something like – getting a 30% off any laptop accessories. 

5. Customer Type

This includes providing discounts based on customer roles or types. For instance, offer a 10% discount for logged-in members or exclusive discounts for loyal and long-term customers. 

6. Combo Discounts

Combo discounts offer savings when customers purchase specific combinations of products together. For example, “Buy a laptop and get 50% off any laptop bag or accessory.” 

These cart discounts can help you a lot to attract more customers, encourage higher order values, reduce cart abandonment rates, and increase revenues in your ecommerce store. So, let’s learn how to add them to your WooCommerce store and use them as effectively as we can. 

How to Create Cart Discounts in WooCommerce: Step-By-Step Guide

There are multiple ways to create cart discounts. But, the easiest way to create one is by using a WooCommerce discount plugin. But, which plugin should you use? 

Well, let me introduce you to Discount Rules for WooCommerce. It is a freemium plugin that will save you time and help you create cart discounts (error-free) in a few simple steps. 

So, in your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins>Add new plugins. Then search for “Discount rules for WooCommerce” to find the plugin. Now, install and activate it. 

Remember when I mentioned the various ways to offer cart discounts? Well, this plugin covers all types, and I’ll walk you through each one.

Don’t worry, the steps are all quite similar—you just need to choose the desired type. Without further ado, let’s get into it. 

1. Cart Discount Based on Total Purchase Amount 

As you know, this type of discount is offered on the entire amount of the cart. For example, make a $500 purchase to get 10% Discounts. Sounds familiar right? I bet because these types of discounts are loved by all. Here’s how to enable it.

Go to the WooCommerce menu and select ‘Discount Rules’. 

Now, click on the ‘Add new Rule’ which is right below ‘Discount Rules’.

On the following page, you will find the option to set your discount type.

Go for the ‘Cart Adjustment’ Option. 

Now, in the filter section, you can select ‘all products’ if you want the discount to apply to all products.

However, if you want it for specific products, select ‘products’. Then from the list select your desired products. In my case, I have gone for the light gray T-shirt from my store. 

Next up, it is the discount section. Choose the discount type as ‘Percentage Discount’ and set your desired value. In my case, I have gone for 10%.

Last but not least, there is the ‘Rules’ section. In there, click on the ‘Add Condition’.

Select the condition type as ‘Subtotal’ as you want the discount to be for the total amount. Now in the ‘Greater than or equal’ section give your desired amount. As I want the customers to make a purchase of ‘$500’, I have given ‘500’. 

Now, go back to the top, give this rule a name, and click on ‘save’ to enable the rule. 

Here’s a sum up: 

Once you are done with the process. You will find out that this rule is enabled and running. 

If your customers decide to order the products and follow the requirements set by you, then they will get the cart discounts. 

2. Create a Free shipping discount – Based on Cart Total

Now let’s learn how to set up a free shipping option for the cart total. The steps are quite similar. Have a look.

First, just like the previous step, from the WooCommerce Menu click on ‘Discount Rules’. 

Then, click on ‘Add new Rules’. Now, give it a name and choose the discount type as ‘Free Shipping’. 

Next up, in the ‘Rules’ section, select the condition type as ‘Subtotal’ and then add the Subtotal amount. 

Quick reminder! You can change the ‘subtotal should be’ part as well to select your preferred range. In my case, I have selected the subtotal amount as 100. 

Now, click save and enable this rule. 

Here’s a glimpse of customers getting the option to select ‘free shipping’. 

3. WooCommerce Cart Discounts by Product Category

Offering cart discounts on specific product categories can be a powerful strategy to attract customers and increase sales in your WooCommerce store. 

But, how can you discount a category in WooCommerce? Let’s get a look into the entire process.

First things first. Again from the WooCommerce Menu, you need to click on ‘Discount Rules’. 

Then, select ‘Add new Rules’. Now, give it a name but in this part, you have to select the discount type as ‘Product Adjustment’. 

What next, you ask? In the filter section, you need to select ‘category’ and then set up the specific category you want to provide discounts for.

As you can see, I have gone for ‘Accessories’ products of my WooCommerce store. 

After that, you have to go down below to the ‘Discount’ section. Select the percentage discount and your desired value. I have gone for 10%. 

That’s pretty much it. Save and enable it. 

If you do accordingly, your customers will get 10% off on the accessories or on the specific category of your WooCommerce store. 

4. WooCommerce Cart Discounts Based on Total Quantity of Items 

Picture this. It is the end of the rainy season and you want to sell all of your products(Umbrellas, Raincoats) as quickly as you can to get new kinds of products. 

So, in a case like this where you have to sell as many products as you can, this type of discount offering can turn out to be a blessing. 

You should offer discounts based on the quantity of the items. But what’s the way forward? 

Check it out.

You are probably tired of hearing this one. But what to do! 

From your WooCommerce menu select ‘Discount Rules’ and select ‘Add New Rule’. 

Now, the discount type should be chosen as the ‘Cart Adjustment’ type. 

Then, in the filter section, you can go for all the products or specific products, whichever you want. 

I have opted for all the products in this case. But why, you ask? Well, I want to offload the products as quickly as I can. 

Then, in the ‘discount section’, you should set up your discount percentage. I selected an amount of 10%. You can select more or less.

Next in line, you have to go to the ‘Rules’ section to ‘Add Condition’. 

The ‘Condition Type’ should be set as ‘Item Quantity’. Then you have the option to set up ‘Cart Item Quantity’ according to your needs. This will be the amount your customer has to order to get the required discount.  

Now, you can select this option for all the products or for the specific products you had selected in the filter section. 

As I have put the Cart Item Quantity as 100(I know it’s a bit too much), whenever a customer orders 100 products from my store, they will get the discount. 

5. WooCommerce Cart Discounts Based on Customer Purchase History 

Now that you’ve learned how to create cart discounts in WooCommerce using popular methods, what if you want to offer discounts to specific customers?

For instance, you may want to reward loyal customers who have made multiple purchases with a special discount as a token of gratitude.

Don’t worry, this WooCommerce discount plugin can take care of that as well. 

To create a new discount rule like this one in WooCommerce, go to the WooCommerce menu, click on ‘Discount Rules’, and then select ‘Add New Rule‘.

Give a name to the discount rule and select the ‘Discount Type’ as ‘Product Adjustment’. 

Then what? 

Well, you know the next two sections very well I believe. In the filter section, you should choose either all products or your specific products. After that, just set up the discount percentage. 

Here comes the crucial part. In the ‘Rules’ section you should provide information accurately. 

• Condition Type: Select the ‘number of orders made’ as you want to give discounts to customers who have previously ordered some amount of products from your store. 

• Purchase before: This refers to the time frame for customer purchases. You can select ‘all time’, specific months, or years when customers placed their orders.

• Purchase Quantity: This is the total number of products a customer must buy within the specified time period to qualify for the discount.

• Order Status: Order status indicates the stages of customers’ orders. You can choose from ‘completed’, ‘on hold’, ‘processing’ etc. 

That’s it. Save the rule and the customers who have ordered 3 or more products from your store will get the 20% discount.

Note: 
Hope you got a solid understanding of the process of making cart discounts in WooCommerce. However, another popular discount method is the bulk discount. 
It simply means your customers will pay less when they purchase products in larger quantities or in bulk amounts. So, if you decide to go for it, have a look at our article on How to Set Up WooCommerce Bulk Discounts. 

Why Should You Add Cart Discounts in WooCommerce: 8 Key Benefits 

Adding cart discounts to your WooCommerce store can offer several advantages such as you can attract more shoppers, increase order sizes, reduce abandoned carts, and many more. See for yourself.  

1. Reducing Cart Abandonment

This is one of the biggest advantages of officer cart discounts in WooCommerce. This type of discount can significantly reduce the cart abandonment rate. 

The discounts create a psychological impact and motivate customers to complete their purchases.

Bonus Tip: 
Talking about cart abandonment, you can check our guide on WooCommerce Abandoned Cart Email to get your customers back. 
Also, I’d advise you to have a look at Best Abandoned Cart plugins for WooCommerce as they might become beneficial if you are facing cart abandonment problems.

 2. Increasing the Sales

Offering cart discounts can significantly increase your WooCommerce sales by encouraging customers to make purchases they might otherwise hesitate on.

For example, a “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” promotion can motivate customers to buy more items, increasing the overall order value.

3. Attract More Customers

Promotional discounts attract new customers who are actively seeking deals. For instance, advertising a “20% Off First Purchase” discount can entice first-time buyers to explore your store and make a purchase. 

So,  if you want to grow your eCommerce store by attracting new customers, try to offer good eye-catching discounts. 

4. Enhanced Customer Loyalty

Rewarding loyal customers with exclusive cart discounts can lead to repeat business and build strong relationships. 

When a customer gets a good discount he or she might specifically visit your store next time to see what kind of discounts or products are available in your WooCommerce store. 

For example, offering a “VIP Customer Exclusive: 15% Off Your Next Order” discount can make loyal customers feel appreciated and valued.

5. Improve Customer Satisfaction

Cart discounts won’t just only increase your customer sales but it will make the customers satisfied as well. But how, you ask? 

Offering discounts can increase customer satisfaction of your WooCommerce store by providing value and savings to shoppers. When customers feel they are getting a good deal, they are more likely to have a positive shopping experience and return for future purchases. 

6. Increase Average Order Value

Implementing cart discounts can increase the average order value by encouraging customers to add more items to their cart. This significantly increases the average order value.

For example, offering free shipping on orders over a certain amount can prompt customers to add more items to reach the minimum requirement.

7. Competitive Advantage

Using cart discounts strategically can give your store a competitive edge by offering better deals than competitors. 

For example, Not just cart discounts, offering attractive bundle discounts or BOGO offers can sway customers to choose your store over others. 

8. Clear Excess Inventory

Discounts are effective for clearing excess stock or slow-moving inventory. By offering discounts on specific or extra items, you can reduce excess inventory and free up space for new products. 

Running promotions like “Clearance Sale: Up to 50% Off Last Season’s Styles” can attract bargain-hunting shoppers and move stagnant inventory.

This will not only clear out extra products but also improve the cash flow, sales and revenue. 

Note: 
If you want to properly manage your inventory, take a quick look at our in-depth article on The Best WooCommerce Inventory Management Plugins. 

In short, when you offer cart discounts you can get a lot of benefits for your WooCommerce store and make the customers happy too. So, try your best to use them in a proper strategic way. 

8 Best Tips and Practices on Creating Cart Discounts in WooCommerce

By now you already know how important WooCommerce cart discounts can be. And to make the most of these discounts, it’s important to follow key tips and best practices. Take a look into the essential tips and best practices to create cart discounts in WooCommerce:

1. Set Clear Objectives

Before implementing cart discounts, define specific goals such as increasing sales revenue, drive traffic to your ecommerce store, promoting specific product categories, or clearing out excess inventory. 

Clear objectives will guide you in selecting cart discount strategies and you will be able to apply the appropriate type of discount to meet your goal. 

2. Know your Audience

This is one of the key factors. You should understand your audience properly. So, take your time and conduct research to understand your target audience’s preferences, buying behavior, and demographics.

But how will this help? 

Well, you can use this information to tailor your discount offers to meet their needs and motivations effectively. It can also improve your WooCommerce conversion rate.

3. Choose Relevant Discount Types

Hopefully, you will know your customers properly. Now select discount types that align with your objectives and resonate with your audience. 

For example, use percentage discounts (e.g., 20% off), fixed amount discounts (e.g., $10 off), or free shipping promotions based on what appeals most to your customers.

4. Create Urgency

 This is one of the most effective practices. Try to create urgency in your discount strategy. But, how do you make it happen?

By setting limited-time offers or running flash sales. Display countdown timers or use CTAs like “Buy Now” to create a sense of urgency and prompt customers to take advantage of the discount before it expires.

5. Set Clear Terms and Conditions

This is another important factor. You can get a lot of customers by offering discounts. But if you lose a customer due to confusion or dissatisfaction during the discount process it can lead to losing them permanently.

So, how can you avoid this?

Clearly communicate discount terms and conditions to customers to avoid confusion and ensure transparency.

Specify these things properly-

• eligibility criteria, 
• discount amounts, 
• expiration dates, 
• product exclusions, 
• and any other relevant details upfront.

6. Staying Competitive 

Today’s world is highly competitive. We cannot deny it. So, it is likely that your competitors will also try their best to give the best possible discounts. 

That’s why you should keep an eye on competitors’ discount strategies and adjust your approach accordingly to stay competitive in the market. 

Offer unique and compelling discounts that differentiate your store and attract customers away from competitors.

7. Promoting the Cart Discount Offers on Social Media

This is one thing many people ignore. But promoting on social media platforms is one of the easiest ways to Boost your eCommerce Sales.

So, you should not just give out discounts and sit idle. Try to promote the offers and discounts on different social media platforms. If you use the right techniques then customers will definitely come to your website to see the discounts. 

8. Monitor Performance

Continuously monitor the performance of your cart discounts. My suggestion would be to use different analytics tools provided by WooCommerce or third-party plugins. 

Track key metrics such as sales revenue generated by discounts, customer engagement, and reduced cart abandonment rate etc to assess the impact on your business. 

Bottom Line 

WooCommerce cart discounts can turn out to be a game changer for your entire business. So, go through the process again and use cart discounts strategically.

Remember, discount offers can make the customers a lot happy and increase your store’s sales and traffic at the same time. 

That’s why, take your time and use the plugin to giveaway cart discounts properly. Use the tips and practices properly to utilize the cart discounts in the best manner possible. Till then, Good luck and may your store flourish with each discount