Here's a fun fact about discounts — customers expect them. It’s no longer about making them happy; it’s about not making them angry.
Looking at the eCommerce market today, running discounts isn’t just an option—it’s essential. Discounts attract shoppers, create excitement, and help your brand stand out.
For Shopify brands, having a mobile app takes this a step further by building stronger connections with customers and building loyalty.
A well-designed app offers convenience, keeps your brand top of mind, and can turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
But with the rise of app commerce, convincing shoppers to download your app isn’t always easy, especially when they have choices like Amazon just a click away.
And this is where strategic Shopify discounts come in.
In this blog, we’ll cover the various types of discounts you can offer to boost Shopify mobile app downloads and drive more sales this season.
3 Types of discounts to boost your app downloads
Discount coupons can be powerful to boost your Shopify mobile app downloads. They incentivize customers to take that extra step of downloading your app, where they can find even more value and convenience in their shopping experience.
By offering discounts exclusive to the app, you can encourage more customers to make the switch from website shopping to app shopping, helping you build a loyal mobile customer base.
Here are some discounts that you can consider running to increase your app downloads:
1. App-Exclusive Discounts
App-exclusive discounts are special deals available only to customers who shop through your app.
For example, on product pages, you can add a message that says, “Get this product at a lower price in our mobile app!” This tactic can make app usage attractive, as customers are always hunting for the best deals.
Not only does this approach encourage app downloads, but it’s also a strategic win—you’re only giving discounts to customers who download the app, so you retain margins for web shoppers who don’t make the switch.
Here’s how NET-A-PORTER encourages shoppers to buy using their mobile app:
2. First Purchase on App Discount
This discount applies exclusively to a customer’s first purchase made through your mobile app.
Even your most loyal customers may not have downloaded your app, preferring to shop directly on your website. To encourage them to try your mobile app, display a banner on your online store that offers a first-time discount for purchases made on the app.
By using a Shopify coupon, customers who download and shop through the app can enjoy a special discount. This simple promotion rewards customers for completing a specific action—downloading and using your app—giving them a reason to switch their preferred shopping channel.
3. Cart Recovery Discount
Recovering abandoned carts is essential to boosting conversions, and offering a cart recovery discount for app users can be a game-changer.
Use email marketing campaigns to reach out to customers who have abandoned their carts, and offer them a slightly higher discount if they download your Shopify mobile app to complete the purchase.
If you’ve built your app with the right Shopify mobile app builder, these abandoned cart emails can include deep links that take customers directly to the app’s cart or product page, making it easy for them to finish checkout.
Here’s a quick email template:
Subject Line: Don’t Forget! Get an Extra Discount on Our App
Email Body: “Hi [Customer’s Name], your cart is waiting! Download our app now and get an extra [discount percentage]% off on your purchase. Just click here, and we’ll take you directly to your cart in the app!”
Something that looks like this...
20 Types of discounts to boost your shopify sales
Here are some types of Shopify discounts that will help increase your eCommerce sales. These discount strategies not only attract new customers but also encourage repeat purchases, making them an effective way to boost your store’s performance:
1. Percentage-off offers
Percentage-off discounts, such as “20% off,” are popular for a reason—they’re simple, attractive, and effective. This type of offer instantly gives customers a sense of savings and can be used sitewide, on specific categories, or on individual products. It works well for both new and returning customers, helping to increase conversions by providing a straightforward incentive.
2. BOGO deals (buy one, get one)
BOGO deals encourage customers to buy multiple products by offering a second item for free or at a discounted rate. This type of discount is excellent for moving inventory, increasing average order value, and enticing customers to try new products. BOGO offers can be tailored, like “Buy One, Get One 50% Off,” to maximize both sales and customer satisfaction.
3. Free shipping offers
These discounts reduce the “extra cost” barrier and encourages customers to complete their purchases. Whether you offer free shipping on all orders or set a minimum order threshold, it can significantly reduce cart abandonment and drive conversions. For Shopify stores, free shipping banners can be placed across the site for easy visibility.
Here’s how Birchbox does it:
4. Weekly deal
Weekly deals are great for maintaining customer engagement and boosting sales on a consistent basis. You can promote a particular product, category, or collection each week with a special discount, encouraging customers to keep coming back to see what’s on offer. This approach can help establish a predictable sales rhythm and foster a sense of excitement around your brand.
5. Flash sale offer
Flash sales create urgency by offering limited-time discounts, typically lasting only a few hours or days. They work well to create a sense of exclusivity and immediate action, as customers don’t want to miss out on a fleeting deal. To increase the chances of success, promote your flash sales in advance via social media, email, and app notifications to get as many eyes on the sale as possible.
Here’s how Macy’s, a fashion brand, promotes their Shopify flash sale discount:
6. Product bundle discount
Product bundle discounts incentivize customers to buy multiple items together at a reduced price.
By running product bundle discounts, you can:
- Increase AOV: By offering discounts on grouped products, you encourage customers to buy more in one transaction, raising the average order size.
- Introduce new products: Bundles allow customers to try new products that complement items they already love, often leading to repeat purchases of those new products.
- Effective for clearing inventory: If you have overstocked items, bundling them with popular products at a discount can help move inventory more efficiently.
- Attracts value-seeking customers: Bundles appeal to customers who feel they’re getting more value for their money, making it a win-win for both parties.
7. Influencer coupons
Influencer coupons use social media reach by partnering with influencers who promote your brand and offer exclusive discount codes to their followers. This strategy helps increase brand exposure, builds credibility, and attracts new customers. By working with influencers who align with your brand values, you can drive targeted traffic to your Shopify store and convert it into sales, especially if their followers trust their recommendations.
Also Read: Influencer Marketing for Shopify Mobile App: Everything You Need to Know
8. Free gift with purchase coupons
Offering a free gift with purchase is a great way to sweeten the deal and enhance the customer experience.
Shoppers feel they’re getting extra value when they receive an additional product for free, even if it’s a small item.
Offering free gift with purchases:
- Increases customer satisfaction: Shoppers feel valued when they receive a “bonus” item, which can lead to greater brand loyalty.
- Encourages higher spending: Set a minimum order threshold to qualify for the free gift, encouraging customers to increase their cart value.
- Introduces new products: Gifting an item that customers haven’t purchased before lets them experience a new product, which could lead to future purchases.
- Effective for promotions: Free gifts are ideal for seasonal sales or limited-time promotions, adding excitement and urgency to shop before the deal ends.
Here’s how Lancome Paris does it:
9. Loyalty points programs
Loyalty points programs reward customers for making repeat purchases, giving them points that can be redeemed for discounts or exclusive products.
This type of program increases customer retention by incentivizing them to continue shopping at your store.
Over time, customers who accumulate points are more likely to make additional purchases to reach their reward goals, helping build long-term brand loyalty. There are Shopify apps that can help you implement these programs and track points.
10. Exit-intent discount offer
Exit-intent discounts target shoppers who are about to leave your site without completing a purchase. By offering a small discount or incentive when customers attempt to close the window, you have a chance to recover sales that would otherwise be lost.
These offers are often implemented through pop-ups and can be a powerful tool to reduce cart abandonment rates, giving hesitant shoppers an extra nudge to finish their purchase.
The pop-up would look something like this:
These exit-intent discounts:
- Reduces cart abandonment: Offering a discount as a customer is about to leave can prompt them to complete their purchase.
- Increases conversion rate: Exit-intent discounts provide a last-minute incentive that may tip undecided shoppers towards completing their order.
- Targets hesitant shoppers: Exit-intent offers reach customers who are interested but need a final push, making it a targeted discount strategy.
- Can be customized for triggers: Tailor exit-intent discounts based on customer behavior, such as cart size or time spent on site, for a more personalized offer.
11. Holiday discount
Holiday discounts capitalize on seasonal shopping spikes, like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Christmas.
Shoppers expect deals during these times, and offering discounts can help you stand out from competitors.
Whether you run sitewide promotions, product-specific deals, or bundled holiday packages, holiday discounts allow you to reach new customers and retain existing ones.
Use holiday-themed banners and countdown timers to create urgency and excitement around these limited-time offers.
Also Read: BFCM Discounting Strategies to 10x Your Sales Using an eCommerce App
12. Product pre-launch offer
Product pre-launch offers create buzz around upcoming releases by offering discounts to early buyers. This approach builds anticipation and rewards loyal customers who stay up-to-date with your brand’s new products.
With a Shopify mobile app, you can send notifications or emails to alert customers about pre-launch deals, creating a sense of exclusivity. Pre-launch discounts help you test demand, gauge interest, and make adjustments if needed before the official release.
Even brands like Samsung run discounts on pre-booking of products like here:
13. Newsletter signup offer
A newsletter signup offer is a simple but effective way to grow your email list and convert new visitors into paying customers. By offering a small discount in exchange for signing up for your newsletter, you capture potential customers’ emails and open up communication for future marketing. Once they’ve signed up, you can follow up with targeted emails to nurture them and offer exclusive deals, increasing their chances of returning to your store.
14. Minimum purchase discount
A minimum purchase discount is an ideal strategy to increase the average order value. This offer encourages customers to add a bit more to their cart to unlock a discount, such as “Spend $50, Get 10% Off.”
For customers who’ve already spent $20, spending an extra $5 makes sense if it leads to a discount. This technique helps direct customers toward certain products, driving sales while also motivating them to spend slightly more to reach the minimum threshold.
15. More discount types to increase sales
As long as it doesn’t hurt profitability, you can explore various discount types to increase Shopify sales. Here are some more ideas to help:
- Code for Purchasing In-Store: Incentivizes online shoppers to visit your physical store by offering a special discount code.
- Birthday Discount: Sends a personalized discount code to customers on their birthday, making them feel valued.
- Deal of the Hour: Creates urgency with limited-time offers for high traffic during specific hours.
- Members-Only Coupons: Rewards loyalty program members with exclusive discounts.
- Referral Coupons: Encourages existing customers to bring in new shoppers with discounts for referrals.
- Feedback Survey Discount: Offers a discount in exchange for completing a survey, gathering valuable customer insights.
Why should you offer different discount coupon types?
Providing a variety of coupon types is a smart strategy to attract new shoppers, build customer loyalty, and strengthen your competitive position.
It helps you:
- Draw in New Shoppers: Coupons are highly appealing to deal-seekers, making them more likely to explore your store and shop.
- Drive More Sales: A well-timed coupon can nudge hesitant customers to complete their purchase.
- Increase Average Order Value: Strategic coupons encourage customers to add extra items, boosting each transaction's value.
- Move Slow-Moving Inventory: Discounts can help clear out older stock, freeing up space for new arrivals.
- Build Customer Loyalty: Customers who receive great deals often come back, increasing repeat purchases.
- Stay Competitive: Unique coupon offers help you stand out and attract more attention than similar stores without discounts.
Run every type of discount on your eCommerce mobile app too!
Discounts remain powerful purchase motivators, enticing online shoppers and encouraging repeat visits. To make the most of their potential, experiment frequently, assess the impact, and fine-tune your strategy to find the best approach for your audience.
Running these discounts on your mobile app is just as essential. However, implementing them seamlessly requires a robust app foundation. If your Shopify app isn’t built with the right tools, certain discounts may be challenging to apply effectively. That’s why choosing the right Shopify mobile app builder is crucial.
With Appbrew, any discount you’re running on your Shopify store can be integrated effortlessly into your eCommerce mobile app. Book a demo to see how!
