Combine discounts to maximize success, how and why Shopify Plus stores use them

Let’s read about why and how Shopify plus stores should combine discounts.

Should you run a loyalty program centered around store credits or let customers use discounts? This is an ongoing debate, and there will never be a clear winner because it all depends on the target audience and the brand image the store wants to establish. But it doesn’t mean you can’t get the best out of both strategies. This also means that stores can combine the two strategies to cater to all audiences.

Shopify launched a combining discount feature in 2022. Since then, many Shopify plus stores have been using this strategy. The option allowed merchants to launch custom campaigns that helped them get more sales and retain their customers. 

Why should you combine discounts? 

Taking inspiration from Brian Vines’s quote- “One may get the job done, but a stack of them can be a lot more satisfying. It’s referred to as coupon stacking, and experienced deal hunters employ every tool at their disposal to compound savings”. We strongly suggest that plus stores try combining discounts with another discount or a cashback loyalty program with discounts. 

Shopify plus stores can combine the Flits loyalty program and shipping discount or use Flits reward for free shipping at checkout with product/order-based discounts.

Advantages of combining discounts

1. Increase sales: Stackable discounts are an immediate eye-catcher for customers; many online stores already use this strategy to increase sales. Separate offers stacked together influence consumers more effectively.
2. Increase Average Order Value: Combining discounts can also help increase the average order value of your customers. You can increase the revenue you generate from each sale by incentivizing customers to add more items to their cart to claim a discount.
3. Create unique promotional campaigns: This allows you to promote your brand more effectively with unique campaigns. Most discount campaigns are straightforward, such as 10% off or 20% off, but with this, you can add another layer to it.
4. Surprise your customers – Customers are used to traditional one-time discounts; hence offering them one discount on top of another will surprise them, and they will return to the store hoping to take advantage of it again.

Combine Flits loyalty program with Shipping discounts

Imagine a scenario where your customer earned 10 dollars as a credit on their first purchase or signing up. In addition to this, you also wish to provide them a rebate on shipping. It was not possible to combine discounts earlier, but now Shopify allows plus stores to combine discounts. But if you are a plus stores owner you can let customers combine a reward credit with shipping discounts. 

How to combine the Flits loyalty program with a Shipping discount?

There are two ways merchants can combine Shipping discounts with Flits store credits. 

Case 1. You use Flits store credit  and wish to give free shipping discount

Case 2. You use Flits store credits for shipping and want to give product/order-related discounts

Case 1: If you want to use the store credits via checkout for orders and also need to let customers use the free shipping discount code (created by you), you need to contact the Flits support team. You also need to go to the freeship discount code and check to mark the checkbox for (order discount & product discount).

Click on discounts > click on create discount > click on select discount type- Free shipping discount> scroll down to combinations> click on both or any option that fulfills your needs

Case 2: If you want to provide credit via checkout for free shipping and also wish to enable an order or product discount (created by you). Contact the Flits support team for the same, and you also need to follow the following steps. 

For order discounts with shipping discounts- Open discounts > click on create discounts > select discount type – amount off order > scroll down to combinations > click on Shipping discounts.

For product discounts with shipping discounts-Open discounts > click on create discounts > select discount type – amount off products > scroll down to combinations > click on Shipping discounts or order discounts with shipping discounts.

Long-term sustainability and the impact of combining discounts on brand loyalty and profitability

are intertwined aspects that require careful consideration for Shopify Plus stores. Here’s how the content can explore this connection:

1. Building Brand Loyalty: Combining discounts strategically can play a pivotal role in fostering long-term brand loyalty. By offering personalized incentives and rewards through combined discounting strategies, Shopify Plus stores can create a sense of appreciation and value among customers. Over time, this strengthens the emotional bond between customers and the brand, leading to increased loyalty and repeat purchases.
2. Enhancing Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): The long-term sustainability of a business heavily relies on maximizing customer lifetime value. When discounts are combined thoughtfully to incentivize additional purchases or higher order values, they contribute to increasing CLV. By nurturing loyal customers who are more likely to engage with the brand repeatedly, Shopify Plus stores can secure a stable revenue stream and sustainable growth trajectory.
3. Differentiating Brand Experience: Strategic discount combining allows Shopify Plus stores to differentiate their brand experience from competitors. By offering unique and compelling discount promotions tailored to individual customer segments, stores can create memorable shopping experiences that resonate with their target audience. This differentiation fosters brand affinity and increases the likelihood of customers choosing the brand over competitors in the long run.
4. Driving Profitability: While discounts may initially seem counterintuitive to profitability, when implemented strategically, they can drive sustainable revenue growth and profitability for Shopify Plus stores. Combined discounts can incentivize larger purchases, upsells, and cross-sells, thereby increasing average order value and overall sales volume. Additionally, loyal customers acquired through effective discounting strategies tend to have lower acquisition costs and higher lifetime value, further contributing to profitability over time.
5. Maintaining Competitive Advantage: In today’s competitive e-commerce landscape, maintaining a competitive advantage is crucial for long-term sustainability. By leveraging combined discounts effectively, Shopify Plus stores can stay ahead of competitors by offering compelling value propositions that resonate with customers. Continuously innovating and refining discounting strategies based on customer feedback and market insights allows stores to remain relevant and appealing to their target audience.
6. Balancing Short-Term and Long-Term Goals: Achieving long-term sustainability requires striking a balance between short-term sales objectives and long-term brand equity. While discounts may drive immediate sales, it’s essential to consider their impact on brand perception, customer lifetime value, and overall profitability in the long run. By aligning discounting strategies with broader business goals and values, Shopify Plus stores can ensure sustainable growth and enduring success in the competitive marketplace

You may wish to explore more about using store credits as cashback as opposed to discounts. The decision of using a combination or using either of the two will depend on your long term and immediate business goals. A combination of discount with cashback will for sure delight your customers but merchants may need to find a middle ground that benefits both parties.

In conclusion, combining discounts is a great way for Shopify plus stores to increase sales, average order value, create unique campaigns and surprise customers. Combining rewards with discounts Shopify plus stores can get the best of both worlds. By following the steps outlined in this blog.