Coupons Continue to Drive Sales: Online and Off

Dan Blank -- Expert Business Source, 3/12/2007 4:15:00 AM

The Wall Street Journal still believes in the power of coupons:

“Whether your business is online, off or both, Internet coupons can be a simple, low-cost way to draw sales from a wide audience.”

With digital deliver, business owners can now track the power of their coupons via unique codes. Even if you focus on driving online sales, the coupons can still help increase foot traffic in your store, and boost in-store sales as well.

A few tips:

• Include an expiration date.
  Be sure to create a sense of scarcity and the sense that this is a very special offer.
• Require a code.
  By instructing buyers to enter a number or word on their online orders, or show it to sales clerks when shopping in person, you can keep track of the effectiveness of your marketing program.
• Use email.
  Coupons are most effective in emails because they give the recipient a sense of personal attention.
• Clearly express value.
  Use the term “coupon” and “free” in email subject lines and the coupon itself.
• Post on related Web sites.
  Post the coupons on websites and forums throughout your industry.

For more details, check out the Startup Journal.