Running effective promotions can make the difference between an online store with few sales and one that grows steadily. It’s not just about offering discounts. Well-thought-out promotions can help you increase traffic, convert more visitors into customers, build buyer loyalty, and move stock.
In this guide, we share practical and specific tips to make your online promotions really work.
Define a goal before launching any promotion
Before running a promotion, ask yourself: What do I want to achieve?
Some options:
- Increase sales in a specific period
- Attract new customers
- Build loyalty among those who have already purchased
- Sell products with low turnover
- Promote a new product line
Each goal requires a different strategy. For example, a 2-for-1 offer to attract new customers is not the same as an exclusive discount for existing customers.
Offer simple and clear promotions
The promotions that work best are those that can be understood in seconds. If a customer has to read twice to understand what they are getting, they will probably leave.
Effective examples:
- 20% discount until Sunday
- 2×1 in the entire store
- Free shipping on orders over $50
- 3 interest-free installments until tomorrow
Avoid complicated rules, confusing restrictions, or hidden conditions. Clarity builds trust.
Limit the time to create urgency
A promotion without an end date loses its impact. When there is a time limit, people tend to act faster.
Phrases that help:
- Only today
- While supplies last
- Last hours
- Ends at midnight
In addition, displaying a countdown timer in your store can increase urgency and improve conversion.
Use discount codes to measure results
Discount codes are useful for finding out which promotions work best. You can create different codes for each campaign:
- INSTAGRAM10 for social media
- WELCOME20 for new customers
- JULYSHIPPING for free shipping
This will allow you to analyze which channel or type of promotion generates the most sales.
Apply personalized promotions
Not all your customers are the same. That’s why personalizing the promotion according to user behavior is a good idea.
Some possible actions:
- Offer an exclusive coupon if someone abandoned their cart
- Send a special promo by email to those who have already purchased
- Offer progressive discounts if someone buys more than one product
The more relevant the promotion is to the person, the more likely they are to buy.
Show the benefit from the start
The promotion message must be visible in the online store, on the home page, on the product, at checkout, and on social media. Don’t hide it.
Make sure the customer sees what they can gain right from the start:
- A main banner with the promotion
- Highlighted text on product pages
- A pop-up when entering the website
This generates interest from the first click.
Don’t promote just any product: choose strategically
Not all products are good for promotion. Choose those that:
- Have enough margin to absorb the discount
- Are in stock
- You want to promote
- Are trendy or seasonal
This way, you avoid affecting your profitability and achieve better results.
Use social media to spread the word
A good promotion that no one sees is useless. Take advantage of social media to spread the word.
- Show the product with the old and new prices
- Create countdown stories
- Post testimonials from people who have already bought
- Invite your followers to share
If you also invest in advertising or ads, you can achieve greater reach and sales.
Take care of the customer experience
A bad experience can ruin a good promotion. Pay attention to:
- That the site loads quickly and well on mobile devices
- That the checkout process is easy and clear
- That customer service is available via ticket, chat, or email
- That shipping is on time
Promotions attract, but service builds loyalty.
Choose a platform that allows you to sell and apply promotions
Not all platforms allow you to apply discounts, coupons, or promotions easily. With Neolo Shop, you can do it with just a few clicks. Plus, you get key benefits:
- No sales commissions
- Free 30-day trial
- Your own domain name for use in emails
- And most importantly, our WhatsApp support is fast, friendly, and ready to help you with any questions
With a tool like Neolo Shop, running effective promotions is much simpler.
In summary: keys to running promotions that work
- Be clear about what you want to achieve with the promotion
- Show the benefit clearly and simply
- Create urgency with a time limit
- Use codes to measure
- Segment your audience
- Choose the right products
- Communicate it across all your channels
- Ensure a good customer experience
- Use a platform like Neolo Shop to support you
Related frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What types of promotions work best for online sales?
Those that are simple, limited in duration, and offer a clear benefit (discount, free shipping, 2-for-1, installments).
How long should a promotion last?
It depends on the objective, but in general, between 3 and 7 days is ideal. Any longer can dilute the sense of urgency.
What mistakes should be avoided when running online promotions?
Don’t set an expiry date, don’t communicate the benefit clearly, don’t make the rules confusing, and don’t promote products that are out of stock.
How can I measure whether a promotion was effective?
Look at the number of sales, the use of discount codes, the traffic generated, and the conversion rate.
Where should I communicate my promotions?
In your online store, on social media, in emails, on WhatsApp, and any other channel where you interact with your customers.
Is it worth running promotions if I have a small margin?
Only if there is a clear strategy behind it: for example, clearing stock, gaining visibility, or attracting new customers.
How often should I run promotions?
There is no set rule. The important thing is not to overdo it. If you promote all the time, your customers will stop buying at regular prices.