If you’re considering running a promotion over the holidays, have you stopped to work out if you can actually afford it?

It’s the right question to ask upfront because not every online store operates with profit margins that allow for discounts (let alone deep ones of 50% or more). Plus: setting up and running a promotion takes time, which is something new store owners don’t have in handfuls.

The good news is you don’t have to offer a discount to stand out during the holidays. You could do something as simple as offering free shipping or as little as a few dollars off (if certain order criteria are met).

We’ve picked four of tried and tested alternatives to deep discounts for sprucing up the holidays.

Before we dive in: let’s explore the question of whether you can afford to offer a discount in the first place.

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Your customers expect a lot of things during the holiday season — giftable goods, fast shipping, maybe even the option to gift wrap their presents — but above all else, the one thing they’re going to be looking for are those sweet, sweet deals.

Bringing shoppers to your store isn’t as simple as making a coupon or slashing a price. It takes smart marketing to get the word out about what you’re offering, first of all. And in many cases, you might find that creating attractive deals for your specific audience takes a little more than “here’s a code for $5 off.”

To help you prepare your store for bonafide holiday success, we’ve compiled a selection of six WooCommerce extensions that will help you create, distribute, and promote successful holiday offers.

From multi-purpose coupon extensions to add-ons that turn your store into a marketing machine, these solutions will give you everything you need. Read on to find out what they are and how you can use them.

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We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: your customers love a good sale. For some shoppers, there’s nothing more motivating than a coupon code, discount, or order shipped free of charge.

Chances are, you already knew this. But what you might not have known was that right out of the proverbial box, WooCommerce has the ability to offer all of these promotions — and then some — to your customers. And all without purchasing or adding a single additional extension.

Here are seven ways you can attract and delight shoppers with sales using options baked right into WooCommerce.

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If you’re trying to get potential customers to pay attention to your store — or repeat customers to come back — your thoughts will naturally gravitate toward a sale.

Simple sales and 10% off coupon codes are great, but it pays to think outside of the box and experiment with creative strategies that work with your audience.

Today we’ll look at different types of sales you can try in your online store, plus the WooCommerce extensions that make each one possible.

From product bundles to flash sales to members-only discounts, here are 10 ideas chosen just for you.

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By now, you probably know that customers love a good sale. Discounts, coupon codes, and special offers are enticing, and often good for business, considering how much attention they can drum up.

When it comes to promotions created by owners of small or new online stores, though, finding the time to walk through every step of the process can be tough. The temptation is often there to “wing it” — to simply set up what sounds appealing and hope it works out for everyone.

Winging it might work for a little while, but the decisions you make should be based on data, not guesswork. After your promotions end, you should be reviewing the results and learning what to do differently next time. Otherwise, both you and your customers could be missing out.

Let’s take a look at what you should review after each sale concludes, plus what you should do to ensure each subsequent promotion is a perfect fit for your shoppers.

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With the holiday season almost upon us, finding ways to appeal to shoppers is likely at the top of your to-do list. This probably means creating a discount or two, or sending out a coupon code to your email subscribers.

Holiday deals take work, though, and quite a bit of time to maintain. If your time or resources are limited, you might be dreading the process of setting up, monitoring, and discontinuing these offers.

The good news? There’s a way to make your customers happy and save yourself some time. This involves setting up and advertising “smart” holiday discounts that automatically apply to products or purchases based on specific criteria.

Today we’ll explore how you can use a solution like Dynamic Pricing to automatically offer discounts or special deals to customers during the holiday season — no maintenance required.

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September is underway, and now is the right time to prepare your store for the holiday shopping season. We know it seems premature, but we like how Think With Google summed it up:

Any way you look at the calendar, September is a big month for holiday shopping preparation. If it seems a little too early for Bing Crosby and warmed chestnuts, that probably means you’re right on schedule.

One of the biggest aspects of your holiday shopping season will be promotions — what to offer, how much to offer, and when to offer it. It seems like the “when” is the hardest part to figure out, because even if you start planning now, it’s often hard to know when your customers will be shopping and acting on your offers.

Today, we’re here to help you decide when to start your online store’s holiday promotions, including discounted products, coupon codes, and free shipping offers. We’ll explain why timing matters so much, and give you a few ways you can use common sense, research, and information on your audience to determine the best timing for your store’s promotions.

Keep reading to get ahead on your store’s promotional planning.

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Now that 73% of holiday purchasing decisions are influenced by coupons or promotions, online retailers need to find a way to tie important dates to appealing and relevant offers in their store. This may be as simple as celebrating major holidays with a deal… or it may mean getting creative with a minor holiday that is tightly linked to your brand’s products or niche.

Let’s review, step-by-step, how your eCommerce brand can identify important holidays, create promotions around them, and ensure your offers reach your target audience in enough time to inspire action.

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