Coupons and Discounts: Boosting Sales

Last updated on May 21, 2026 05:09

Running promotions is a proven way to increase sales, clear out old inventory, and reward loyal customers. PolyCMS includes a powerful built-in Coupon system that gives you complete control over your marketing campaigns.

Creating a New Coupon

To create a discount code, navigate to E-Commerce > Coupons and click Add New.

1. General Settings

Coupon Code: The actual code the customer will type at checkout (e.g., SUMMER20, FREESHIP). Make it memorable!
Description: An internal note for your team (e.g., "August Newsletter Promo").
Discount Type: Choose between:

Percentage Discount: Takes a percentage off the cart total (e.g., 20% off). * Fixed Amount: Takes a specific dollar amount off the cart total (e.g., $10 off).

2. Usage Restrictions

To protect your profit margins, you should set clear rules on when and how a coupon can be used.

Minimum Order Amount: The customer must spend a certain amount before the coupon activates (e.g., "Spend $50 to get $10 off").
Expiry Date: Set a strict end date for the promotion. The coupon will automatically disable itself when the clock strikes midnight.
Product Restrictions: You can limit the coupon so it only works on specific products, or specifically excludes products that are already on sale.

3. Usage Limits

Limit per Coupon: The total number of times this code can be used across your entire store (e.g., "Limited to the first 100 buyers!").
Limit per User: Prevents the same customer from using the code over and over again. Usually set to 1.

How Customers Use Coupons

Once your coupon is published, customers can enter the code on the Shopping Cart page or during the final Checkout step. The system will immediately validate the code against your restrictions and update their total price dynamically.

Marketing Tip: Share your coupon codes prominently on your homepage Banner Slider, in your email newsletters, or on your social media channels to drive traffic to your store!