Coupons are promotional tools that play a vital role in influencing customer psychology. They offer special deals and discounts to attract new users and convert them into customers. Besides, through renewal coupons, you can motivate existing users to upgrade their subscription packages.
Moreover, coupons help lower the entry barrier for new users and ensure flexibility in the pricing strategy. This is extremely helpful when you're selling subscription-based or membership services.
WP User Frontend is such a plugin that thousands of WordPress users are using to create and sell membership services. It includes built-in support for membership plans and coupon codes. In this article, we'll show you how to create and manage coupons for membership plans with the plugin.
Why Should You Use Coupons for Membership Plans?
Before covering the tutorial part, let's spare a few more minutes to explore why you should use coupons for membership plans. Take a look at them below.
a. Attract New Users
As already said, coupons can make your membership plans more appealing by reducing the initial cost barrier. This encourages first-time visitors to sign up and explore your offerings with less financial risk.
b. Increase Sign-Ups During Campaigns
You may have a sales target during campaigns and the sales period. Limited-time discount offers can create a sense of urgency and motivate users to sign up instantly. This is why coupons are great for seasonal campaigns, product launches, and flash sales.
c. Reduce Cart Abandonment
There are many users who leave the checkout page without completing their purchase due to unexpected costs. A timely coupon code can re-engage and motivate them to complete the purchase.
Explore the best tips and tricks to reduce the cart abandonment rate.
d. Run Targeted Campaigns
You can create multiple coupons to personalize your marketing efforts by offering coupons for different sets of users, like students, first-timers, and email subscribers. This can remarkably increase your conversion rates.
e. Upgrade to Higher Tiers
Users often hesitate to upgrade to higher-tier plans due to excessive pricing. Coupons can make it easy by reducing the upgrade costs.
Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Coupons with WP User Frontend Pro
Coupon management is a premium feature of the WP User Frontend plugin. With the free version, you can create unlimited subscription packages, but not coupons. So, you need to install the premium version of the plugin as well. Get both these plugins from the buttons attached below.
Once these plugins are ready, start following the steps covered below.
Step 01: Create Subscription Packages
Go to User Frontend > Subscriptions. Create as many subscription plans as you want. As said, the subscription package is possible to create with the free version.
Step 02: Go to the Coupon Section
Now, to create coupons, go to User Frontend > Coupons.
Click the Add New Coupon button at the top of the page.
Step 03: Create Coupons
Once the button is clicked, a new page will open up like the one you can see below. Things you should do on the page are:
- Select a coupon type
- Set a discount amount
- Add a short description
- Select packages
- Set a usage limit
- Define validity
Let's fill in the information.
There are two types of coupons – Fixed Price and Percentage. Select the type of coupon you want.
For this tutorial, we'll select the percentage type.
Set the amount of discount you want to give. But don't place the % icon next to the amount. Next, add a description (optional) to the respective box.
Click and select the particular package where this coupon can be applied. You can select one or multiple packages.
Now, set the usage limit, validity date, and email restriction.
Note: If you select a specific future date as the starting date, the coupon will not work before that. Even you can't test it. So, remove the validity date if you want to explore the feature.
Usage Limit:
Sometimes, you may want to generate coupon codes for specific users when they approach you personally. For them, you can set a usage limit and mention their email ID in the Email restriction box. Setting a usage limit can save this coupon code from being overused or misused.
When all the necessary changes are done, click the Publish button.
Step 04: Test the Coupon on the Subscription Package
Go to the subscription page. Click the Buy Now button of any subscription plan.
You will come to the payment page. Click the ‘Have a discount code?‘ button.
Place the coupon code in the respective box. Hit the Apply Coupon button.
You'll see the price has been deducted after the coupon has been applied.
Previously, the cost for the subscription pack was $100, and now it's $65. This means that 35% has been deducted.
Bonus Point: Best Practices for Using Coupons Effectively
Now, it's easy to create and manage coupons, whether it's with WP User Frontend or any other plugin. But just creating the coupon alone doesn’t guarantee your ultimate success. There are several hacks we follow in our business that can help you as well. Explore them below.
1. Set Clear Expiry Dates
Always define a start and end date for each coupon. This can create a sense of urgency and prevent misuse. Besides, expiry dates can help you manage promotions in a timely and controlled way.
2. Limit Usage Per User
Restrict the number of times a user can apply a coupon to avoid overuse. This could be helpful when you want to generate coupon codes for specific users. It keeps your discounts exclusive and protects your revenue margins.
3. Target the Right Audience
Customize coupon campaigns based on user behavior, location, or membership level. Targeted offers can help you receive better conversions than generic and site-wide discounts. Here's a guide on how to run an effective email marketing campaign.
4. Use Unique Coupon Codes for Campaigns
Create separate coupon codes for different marketing channels like email, social media, or affiliates. This allows you to track performance and optimize your promotional efforts.
5. Monitor Coupon Performance Regularly
Keep an eye on how each coupon is performing in terms of usage and conversions. By analyzing their results, you can fine-tune future discount strategies for better impact.
Closing Up!
Remember, creating and managing coupons isn’t just about offering discounts. It can give customers a valid reason to trust your products and buy them right away. When used thoughtfully with the right strategies, they can be a powerful way to grow your user base and strengthen customer relationships.
When WP User Frontend came to the market, it brought about a revolution in the frontend WordPress management system, and they are still working to come up with new features through regular development.
Its coupon management system can give you full control to craft coupon strategies, whether it’s for eCommerce or content membership sites. If you still have any unanswered questions, mention them in the comment box. We’ll get back to you very soon with informative answers.