Introduction
Offering discounts is one of the best strategies to attract customers and increase sales in your WooCommerce store. While percentage-based discounts are common, fixed cart discounts provide a straightforward way to incentivize customers by offering a flat reduction on the total cart value.
A WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount applies a fixed amount discount to the entire shopping cart, regardless of the products inside. For example, offering a $10 discount on all orders above $50 can encourage customers to spend more and complete their purchases.
Why Use Fixed Cart Discounts in WooCommerce?
✔ Simple and Transparent – Customers clearly see how much they save.
✔ Encourages Higher Spending – Setting a minimum order value increases average order size.
✔ Reduces Cart Abandonment – Discounts provide a strong incentive to complete checkout.
✔ Attracts New Customers – A limited-time fixed discount can drive first-time purchases.
✔ Increases Customer Loyalty – Rewarding returning customers with exclusive fixed discounts can improve retention.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to set up a fixed cart discount, best practices, and strategies to maximize its impact.
How to Set Up a Fixed Cart Discount in WooCommerce
WooCommerce provides two main ways to offer a fixed cart discount:
1️⃣ Using WooCommerce Coupons (Built-in Feature)
2️⃣ Using a WooCommerce Discount Plugin
Let’s explore both methods.
Method 1: Create a Fixed Cart Discount Using WooCommerce Coupons
WooCommerce has a built-in coupon system that allows you to apply a fixed cart discount to customers' orders.
Steps to Create a Fixed Cart Discount in WooCommerce
1️⃣ Go to WordPress Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons.
2️⃣ Click “Add Coupon” and enter a coupon code (e.g., SAVE10).
3️⃣ In the Discount Type dropdown, select “Fixed Cart Discount”.
4️⃣ Enter the discount amount (e.g., $10).
5️⃣ (Optional) Set a minimum order value (e.g., customers must spend $50 to get the discount).
6️⃣ (Optional) Restrict the discount to specific user roles (e.g., only for subscribers or first-time buyers).
7️⃣ Click Publish to activate the coupon.
✅ Customers can now enter the coupon code at checkout to receive a fixed discount on their cart total.
Method 2: Use a WooCommerce Discount Plugin
If you need more advanced discount rules, WooCommerce discount plugins can help you:
✔ Automatically apply discounts without requiring a coupon code.
✔ Set category-based or product-based cart discounts.
✔ Create discounts based on user roles, cart quantity, or shipping methods.
✔ Schedule discounts for limited-time promotions.
Recommended WooCommerce Fixed Discount Plugins
Plugin Name | Features | Price |
---|---|---|
WooCommerce Dynamic Pricing & Discounts | Fixed & percentage discounts, user role-based pricing, bulk discounts | Paid |
WooCommerce Advanced Coupons | Auto-apply coupons, BOGO offers, cart conditions | Free & Paid |
WooCommerce Discount Rules | Fixed cart discounts, category discounts, buy more save more | Paid |
Steps to Set Up a Fixed Cart Discount Using a Plugin
1️⃣ Install a WooCommerce discount plugin from Plugins > Add New.
2️⃣ Navigate to WooCommerce > Discount Rules (or similar).
3️⃣ Create a new discount rule and select Fixed Cart Discount.
4️⃣ Define the discount amount (e.g., $15 off).
5️⃣ Set conditions such as minimum cart value or eligible user roles.
6️⃣ Click Save to activate the discount.
Best Practices for Using Fixed Cart Discounts
📌 1. Set a Minimum Cart Value to Encourage Larger Orders
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Example: “Get $20 off on orders above $100”
📌 2. Offer Discounts for Specific Customer Groups
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Reward loyal customers, first-time buyers, or subscribers with exclusive cart discounts.
📌 3. Use Time-Sensitive Offers to Create Urgency
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Example: “Limited-time offer: $10 off for the next 48 hours”
📌 4. Combine Discounts with Free Shipping
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Example: “Spend $75 and get $10 off + free shipping”
📌 5. Display Discounts Clearly on the Cart and Checkout Pages
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Use cart notices or popups to highlight the discount and encourage checkout.
Advanced Discount Strategies for WooCommerce Stores
🚀 1. First-Time Purchase Discount
Offer a fixed cart discount for first-time customers to encourage conversions.
🚀 2. Abandoned Cart Recovery Discount
Send an automated email offering a discount if the customer doesn’t complete checkout.
🚀 3. Holiday and Seasonal Discounts
Use fixed cart discounts during Black Friday, Christmas, and other sales events to boost revenue.
🚀 4. VIP and Loyalty Discounts
Reward repeat customers with exclusive fixed discounts to increase retention.
🚀 5. Quantity-Based Discounts
Encourage bulk purchases by offering higher discounts on larger cart values.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Offering Discounts Without a Minimum Spend
✔ Always set a minimum order value to avoid reducing profit margins.
🚫 Not Promoting the Discount
✔ Advertise discounts via banners, popups, emails, and social media.
🚫 Applying Discounts Without Clear Conditions
✔ Specify if the discount applies to specific products, categories, or user roles.
🚫 Stacking Too Many Discounts
✔ Prevent customers from combining multiple discounts that lower profits too much.
🚫 Forgetting to Test the Discount Functionality
✔ Ensure discounts work correctly before launching a promotion.
Final Thoughts
A WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount is a powerful marketing tool to increase sales, encourage higher spending, and improve customer retention. Whether you use WooCommerce coupons or a discount plugin, applying fixed cart discounts strategically can help grow your store and maximize revenue.