Offering discounts to customers can be a powerful way to grow your business, especially if you run a wholesale store. If you are using WooCommerce payment options for your online store, using discount strategies might be the key to getting new customers and keeping the ones you already have.
In this article, we will guide you through when and how to start offering discounts to your customers, and why this strategy can help your wholesale business. We will cover the best ways to tell customers about discounts and the long-term benefits you can get from them.
Let’s get started!
Communicating Discounts To Customers
Telling your customers about discounts is really important if you want the discounts to work well. When you do it right, offering discounts to customers can feel like a real benefit and not just a trick to get them to buy. You need to make sure your customers know what they are getting and why it’s a good deal.
Imagine you are running a wholesale business. Wholesale customers often buy in large quantities, and discounts can be the push they need to complete a big order. Make sure you tell them clearly what kind of discount they will get. Whether it’s a percentage off for a big order or a special seasonal deal, be clear about how much they will save. For example, you can say, “Order 50 units and get 10% off!” or “This week only, get special pricing on our most popular products!”
In a wholesale business, offering discounts can help increase sales because it encourages customers to buy more than they originally planned. It creates a sense of urgency and adds value to their purchase. For those running an online store, discounts are also one of the best ways to grow your customer base. Discounts help build trust, which makes customers more likely to return and buy again. It’s a win-win for both the store owner and the customers—customers get a good deal, and you see more sales and happy customers.
Offering Discounts To Customers: How And When To Do It
Offering discounts isn’t just about lowering prices randomly. You need a plan to make sure you get the most out of it. Here are 10 ways to offer discounts to your wholesale customers, with examples of when each one works best:
1. Reward loyal customers
One great way to offer discounts is to reward your loyal customers. These are the customers who keep coming back, so giving them a special discount can make them feel appreciated. You can base loyalty discounts on how often they buy from you or how much they have spent over time. This personal touch shows that you value them, and it makes them want to keep buying from you.
Example: Rewarding your loyal wholesale customers
You have a wholesale customer who has been buying from you for over a year and places big orders every few months. Offer them a 15% discount on their next order as a “Thank You” for their loyalty. You could also send a personal email saying, “We really appreciate your support over the past year. As a thank you, we’re giving you an exclusive 15% discount on your next order!” This makes the customer feel valued and helps strengthen your relationship.
If you want to know how you can make personalized loyalty programs, you can read our tutorial on How To Start A WooCommerce Loyalty Program.
2. Quantity-based discounts
Wholesale customers usually buy a lot at once, so offering quantity-based discounts is a good way to encourage bigger orders. The more they buy, the more they save. This helps you sell more products and increases the value of each order.
Example: Encouraging bigger orders
Offer a 10% discount for customers who buy 100 units or more. If a customer planned to buy 80 units, they might decide to buy 20 more to get the discount. Imagine a customer who wants to restock but isn’t sure about the budget. By offering a discount for a bigger order, you can encourage them to buy more, which helps you and makes the customer feel they are getting a great deal.
If you’re interested, you can read more about setting quantity discounts in our article: How To Use WooCommerce Quantity Discounts To Grow Your Wholesale Business.
3. Seasonal discounts
Use special holidays or times of the year to offer discounts. This could be during Christmas, Black Friday, or other busy times. Seasonal discounts help create excitement and make people want to buy before the sale ends.
Example: Black Friday discount
Offer a 20% discount during the Black Friday weekend to boost sales during this busy time. You could send promotional emails a week before to let your customers know about the upcoming sale: “Get ready for our biggest sale of the year! This Black Friday, enjoy 20% off all products for three days only!” This creates excitement, and the limited-time offer makes people want to act quickly.
4. First-time buyer discounts
Offering a discount to new customers is a great way to turn them into regular customers. A small discount can make them want to try your products, which can lead to a long-term relationship.
Example: First-time buyer offer
Offer a 10% discount to first-time buyers to encourage them to make a purchase. For example, if someone has visited your online store a few times but hasn’t bought anything yet, you can send an email saying, “We noticed you’re interested in our products! Here’s a 10% discount to help you get started with your first order.” This can be the little push they need to place their first order, and if they have a good experience, they might come back for more!
5. Bundle discounts
Bundle discounts encourage customers to buy more products by giving them a discount when they buy certain items together. This works well for products that are used together or complement each other.
Example: Bundle discount for related products
If a customer buys two related products, like a printer and printer paper, offer a 15% discount on both. For example, “Buy our high-quality printer and get 15% off printer paper!” This not only helps you sell more items but also makes the purchase more affordable for the customer. Bundling products can also introduce customers to items they didn’t plan to buy but would find useful.
6. Clearance discounts
If you have too much stock or items that aren’t selling, clearance discounts can help you clear space while still making some profit. These discounts are also helpful for making room for new items.
Example: Clearance sale to make room
Offer a 30% discount on items that are not selling well to make space for new products. Imagine you have products taking up space in your warehouse. You can run a clearance sale with a message like, “Clearance Sale: Get 30% off select items while supplies last!” This encourages customers to buy products they may not have considered before, helping you free up space.
7. Special event discounts
Offer discounts during special events like your store’s anniversary or when you reach a milestone. This is a great way to celebrate with your customers and give them a reason to buy.
Example: Anniversary celebration discount
For your store’s 5th anniversary, offer a 10% discount on all items for one week. Send your customers a personal email saying, “We’re turning 5! To celebrate, we’re offering 10% off everything in our store for the next 7 days. Thank you for being part of our journey!” This type of promotion helps drive sales and makes customers feel like they are part of your success.
8. Abandoned cart discounts
Sometimes customers add items to their cart but don’t finish the purchase. Offering a discount can encourage them to come back and complete it. This helps you recover lost sales.
Example: Recovering abandoned carts
Send an email offering a 10% discount if they complete their purchase within 24 hours. For example, “We noticed you left some items in your cart! Complete your purchase within the next 24 hours and enjoy 10% off your order.” This creates a sense of urgency and gives them a reason to finish the checkout process.
If you’re interested to know how you can improve the abandoned carts in your online store, you may read our article about WooCommerce Cart Abandonment: The Ultimate Guide For Wholesalers.
9. Limited-time offers
Creating urgency with a limited-time offer can encourage people to buy quickly. People don’t want to miss out on a good deal, so this type of discount can boost sales in a short time.
Example: Limited-time offer for large orders
“For the next 48 hours only, get 20% off all orders above $500!” Imagine a customer who is thinking about making a big purchase but hasn’t decided yet. By adding urgency with a message like, “Act now! This exclusive 20% discount is available for the next 48 hours only,” you push them to make the decision and complete the purchase.
10. Referral discounts
Encourage your current customers to refer new ones by offering a discount for every successful referral. Referral discounts not only bring in new customers but also reward your loyal customers.
Example: Referral discount to bring in new customers
Give customers a $25 discount when they refer someone who makes a purchase. For example, “Refer a friend and get $25 off your next order once they make a purchase!” You can also offer the referred customer a discount, like 10% off their first order. This builds trust through word-of-mouth, and people are more likely to buy when someone they know recommends it.
Benefits Of Implementing A Discount Strategy
Using a discount strategy can really help your wholesale business grow. Here are five major benefits:
1. Build customer loyalty
When you offer discounts, it helps build stronger relationships with your customers. If customers feel like they’re getting a good deal, they’re more likely to come back. For example, if a wholesale customer knows they’ll get occasional discounts, they’ll want to stick with your store instead of going to your competitors. These loyalty discounts make customers happy, and that encourages them to keep buying from you.
2. Higher average order value
Discounts, like volume-based or bundle discounts, encourage customers to buy more. This means bigger orders and more revenue for you. For instance, if a customer planned to buy 50 units, but you offer a discount for buying 100, they might decide to increase their order. This helps you clear inventory and also brings in more money per order.
You can read more about average order value in our article: How To Increase Average Order Value In Wholesale (7 Effective Strategies)
3. Improved customer acquisition
Discounts are great for getting new customers. First-time buyer discounts or referral discounts can help bring in new customers. Imagine someone visits your store for the first time and sees a 10% discount on their first order—this might be all they need to decide to buy. Referral discounts also help you get new customers without spending too much on advertising. Once these new customers experience your products, they’re likely to become loyal clients.
4. Competitive advantage
By offering discounts, you can stand out from your competitors. In a competitive market, price matters. Imagine you’re competing with other suppliers offering similar products. By using discounts like seasonal promotions, loyalty rewards, or volume incentives, you add value that your competitors might not. This makes your business more attractive, and people are more likely to choose you.
5. Upscaling your wholesale business with Wholesale Suite plugins
Using tools like Wholesale Prices Premium allows you to set different discount levels, encouraging customers to buy more. Wholesale Order Form makes it easy for customers to place big orders without any trouble. Likewise, Wholesale Lead Capture turns potential leads into customers by offering exclusive discounts. Wholesale Payments offers flexible payment options, making it easier for customers to complete bigger orders. Together, these tools make managing discounts easier, giving your customers a smooth and rewarding shopping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you say when offering a discount?
When offering a discount, it’s important to be both clear and friendly, making your customer feel valued. Here are a few different approaches depending on the scenario:
- General promotion: “We’re excited to offer an exclusive 15% discount for all our valued customers! This special offer is only available for a limited time, so we invite you to take advantage of it before it ends!”
- Targeted offer: “As a loyal customer, we’d like to thank you with an exclusive 20% discount on your next purchase. This is our way of saying thank you for your continued support.”
- Holiday or special event offer: “In celebration of [holiday/event], we’re offering a discount of 25%! Don’t miss out—this offer is only valid until [date]. Shop now and make the most of these savings!”
The key is to create a sense of urgency while expressing gratitude and excitement, encouraging the customer to act without feeling pressured.
How do you write a discount offer message to a customer?
A discount offer message should be concise, engaging, and personalized when possible. Here are a few examples tailored to different tones and contexts:
- Friendly and personalized: “Hi [Customer Name]! We’re thrilled to let you know that you’re eligible for a special 15% discount on your next purchase. Just use code ‘THANKYOU15’ at checkout. But hurry—this offer is only available until [Date]! We can’t wait to see you back soon.”
- Exclusive VIP offer: “Hello [Customer Name], we appreciate your loyalty! As a valued VIP member, we’re offering you an exclusive 20% off your next order. Use code ‘VIP20’ before [Date] to save big. Thank you for being a part of our community!”
- Urgency and call to action: “Hey there! For the next 48 hours only, get 10% off everything in our store! Use code ‘FLASH10’ at checkout before the sale ends on [Date]. Act fast and grab your favorites while they’re still available!”
- Clear and direct: “Hi [Customer Name], get 15% off your entire order with code ‘SAVE15’. This offer is valid until [Date], so don’t miss out on the savings!”
In all these messages, using a friendly tone, clear instructions, and a deadline helps create urgency without overwhelming the customer. Adding personalization, like their name or references to their past purchases, can also make the message feel more special and increase engagement.
Can I write off discounts given to customers?
Yes, discounts given to customers can often be written off as a business expense. They are typically considered a reduction in revenue rather than an expense, but they still reduce your taxable income. Consult with your accountant to understand how discounts apply in your specific case.
Conclusion
Offering discounts to customers is a powerful way to grow your business. By knowing when and how to give discounts, you can increase sales, attract new customers, and keep your current ones coming back. Whether it’s volume discounts or rewarding loyal customers, each type of discount can help your business in a different way.
In this article, we talked about when and how you can propose offering discounts to customers in ten ways:
- Reward loyal customers
- Quantity-based discounts
- Seasonal discounts
- First-time buyer discounts
- Bundle discounts
- Clearance discounts
- Special event discounts
- Abandoned cart discounts
- Limited-time offers
- Referral discounts
We also discussed the benefits when you offer discounts to your customers:
- Build customer loyalty
- Higher average order value
- Improved customer acquisition
- Competitive advantage
- Upscaling your wholesale business
In the wholesale industry, discounts can make a big difference in getting larger orders and building long-term customer relationships. If you haven’t started offering discounts yet, now is a great time to start. Use the ideas in this article to start offering discounts in your WooCommerce store, and watch as your customer loyalty and sales grow!
Have questions regarding offering discounts? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
