How do I create a coupon or discount code?

The short version

• In WooCommerce, coupons must be switched on before the menu works.
• Choose the type: a percentage, a fixed amount off the cart, or a fixed amount off each product.
• Always set an expiry date and a usage limit per user.
• Tick Individual use only unless you want codes to stack.
• Test the code in a private browser window before you announce it.

How do I create a coupon in WooCommerce?

These steps follow WooCommerce’s coupon management guide, checked on October 31, 2026. You need the Administrator or Shop Manager role.

1. Switch coupons on, once. Go to WooCommerce, Settings, General, tick Enable the use of coupon codes, and save.
2. Start the coupon. Go to Marketing, then Coupons, and select Add new coupon.
3. Set the code. Type your own, such as SPRING10, or select Generate coupon code. Codes aren’t case-sensitive.
4. Add a description for yourself. Customers don’t see it, but in a year you’ll want to know what it was for.
5. Choose the Discount type:
   • Percentage discount: a percentage off the qualifying items.
   • Fixed cart discount: a set amount off the whole cart.
   • Fixed product discount: a set amount off each qualifying item.
6. Enter the Coupon amount as a number only, with no $ or % sign.
7. Tick Allow free shipping if the coupon should also give free shipping. Your free shipping method must be set to accept a coupon; see how to charge for shipping.
8. Set the Coupon expiry date.
9. Set restrictions on the Usage restriction tab (below).
10. Set limits on the Usage limits tab (below).
11. Publish, or schedule it to start later from the Publish box.

Expected result: entering the code at checkout applies the discount, and the coupon’s usage count goes up after each order.

Which restrictions should I use?

• Minimum spend and Maximum spend: the cart subtotal range the coupon works in.
• Individual use only: stops the code being combined with other coupons.
• Exclude sale items: stops discounts on top of sale prices.
• Products, Exclude products, Product categories, Exclude categories and brands: limit what the coupon applies to.
• Allowed emails: limit the code to certain billing emails, for example one customer’s apology code. Wildcards like *@example.com work.

Which limits should I set?

• Usage limit per coupon: total uses across everyone. Good for “first 50 orders.”
• Usage limit per user: uses per customer. Set it to 1 for welcome codes.
• Limit usage to X items: caps how many items get a percentage or per-product discount.

How do I create a discount in Shopify?

Shopify’s discounts page describes four kinds: an amount off, a percentage off, buy X get Y, and free shipping. You can make discount codes that customers type at checkout, or automatic discounts that apply on their own. Both are made and managed on the Discounts page of your Shopify admin. Set an end date and a per-customer limit there too. If several staff manage discounts, Shopify suggests checking nobody else is editing the same one.

Why does it matter?

A good code brings back lapsed customers, rewards loyal ones and clears old stock. A careless one gets posted on coupon-sharing websites and used by everyone, forever. The settings above are what separate the two.

What are the common mistakes and edge cases?

• No expiry date. The code from a holiday sale three years ago still works.
• No per-user limit, so a “first order” code works on every order.
• Codes that stack. Two percentage codes plus a sale price can push an item below cost. Use Individual use only and Exclude sale items.
• Fixed cart versus fixed product. “$10 off” as a fixed product discount on a cart of five items takes $50 off. Pick the type carefully.
• Coupons and sale displays. A coupon isn’t a sale price, so coupon items don’t show as “on sale” in the shop. For that, see why sale products aren’t showing.
• Free shipping coupons that do nothing because the free shipping method isn’t set to accept a coupon.
• Minimum spend before or after the coupon. WooCommerce’s free shipping guide has a setting for whether the minimum is checked before or after coupon discounts.

What if this didn’t work?

• “Coupon is not valid.” Check the expiry date, the usage limits, the minimum spend and the product restrictions, in that order.
• The coupon field doesn’t show at checkout. Coupons may be switched off under Settings, General, or your theme may hide the field.
• The discount is the wrong amount. Check the discount type, and whether tax is calculated before or after the discount in your tax settings.
• A code is being shared online. Lower its usage limit to the number already used, or set the expiry date to today.

How much does it cost, and how long does it take?

Coupons are built into WooCommerce and Shopify at no extra cost. A coupon takes about 5 minutes to set up, plus a test order. More advanced offers, such as tiered or bundle pricing, may need an extension or app.

How does E-3 handle this?

Most owners make their own codes once they’ve seen it done. If you’d rather we did it, send the code, the discount, start and end dates and any limits. A person at E-3 sets it up, tests it at checkout, and confirms it’s live. For stores in our website care, checkout and coupons are part of what we test after updates.

Related questions

• What’s the best way to charge for shipping?
• How do I sell a product in sizes and colors?
• Do I have to charge sales tax on online sales?
• How do I refund an order?
• Back to the complete online store guide

Sources

1. Coupon management (WooCommerce documentation)
2. Discounts (Shopify Help Center)
3. Free shipping (WooCommerce documentation)