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10+ Promo Code "Hacks" You Should Always Try at Checkout

6 minute read

A word of advice from one online shopper to another—always try to add a coupon to your order before checking out. Here are the top ten promo codes that are always worth a shot at any online store, whether you know it works or not. Fortune favors the bold, and the worst thing you can get is an error message saying the code is invalid. Let's go!

1. Welcome Offers

Many online stores offer a special discount when you sign up for their email newsletter for the first time. The codes for these offers are usually WELCOME, followed by a number representing the discount offered. Here are the most common welcome codes that give you 5% to 20% off your first purchase after signing up for email updates:

2. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Holiday Discount Codes

Major holidays are always a great time to try out promo codes specific to that particular holiday. For simplicity's sake, some coupons are very obvious, such as BLACKFRIDAY of BF for Black Friday and CYBERMONDAY or CM for Cyber Monday. There may also be codes related to the holiday, like LUCKY for St. Patrick's Day, THANKYOU for Thanksgiving, HOLIDAY for Christmas, etc. Like other promo codes, it's always a good idea to try adding a number at the end of the keyword, like BLACKFRIDAY20 or CYBERMONDAY10.

Here are popular examples of holiday discount codes:

3. Free Shipping Codes

Shipping fees are one of the biggest reasons people avoid online shopping and prefer to buy in-store instead. Most online brands know this, of course, which is why they offer free delivery when you spend a minimum amount on their website. Another solution is to give away free shipping promo codes that usually go by  FREESHIP or FREESHIPPING. These codes also may contain numbers that signify the minimum purchase required not to pay any delivery fees. Here are the most famous examples:

4. SAVE Promo Codes

When you think of coupons or promo codes, the first things that come into your mind are words like sale and savings. So it's not a coincidence that many online stores give away codes that start with SAVE or SALE, followed by the discount percentage. The numbers are usually multiples of 5 or 10, like the following examples:

5. Any Number Followed by OFF

Coupons give discounts, so they are usually named after the amount of savings you earn by using them. The most obvious code is the number of the discount itself, followed by the word OFF. Want a 10%, 15%, or 20% discount?

Try entering:

These promo codes are the ones most offered by online retailers because they are easy to memorize and immediately inform customers how much they can save by using them.

6. Seasonal Discount Codes

There's no better way to celebrate a new season than by having a huge sale. Fashion brands advertise different clothing types for spring, summer, fall, and winter. And obviously, the coupons they give away are specific to a particular season. Some stores that sell outdoor gear even give discounts during rainy or snowy seasons. Depending on what month you are shopping on, try using the following codes plus a number value at the end (10, 15, 20, 25, and so on).

7. Back to School Season Promo Codes

Seasonal discounts were mentioned above, but Back to School Season deserves its spot on this list. School supply retailers use this time to offer huge discounts on everything from stationery to laptops. Back to School discounts are usually limited in amount and are only valid from August to September. However, you do not need to be a student or teacher to take advantage of these extra savings. Here are the popular codes for Back to School Season. If they do not work, try adding a value like 10, 20, or 25.

8. Event Promo Codes

Large events in sports and entertainment are also a venue for brands to advertise their products. Online sportswear retailers usually give out codes related to the name of any upcoming sports event. Here are a few popular examples:

Do not forget to add numbers (usually 5 or 10) at the end of each code (ie. FAN10). Who knows, you might input a working code and enjoy extra savings on your jersey, cap, or other sports merch.

9. Social Media Codes

Nowadays, having a social media presence is important for online brands to find more customers. Social media is also the fastest way for a brand to give out promo codes because people spend more time online than finding coupons in newspapers or physical stores. The most common code names are the names of the social media networks themselves, such as:

Mix it up by abbreviating the name or adding a value at the end, such as FACEBOOK10 or FB10. You might get lucky and end up with a promo code that works like a charm.

10. The TEST Coupon

TEST is the common name for a promo code that software developers use to test e-commerce websites. Sometimes this promo code still works even if not used for testing purposes. This tactic is very hit or miss, but who can say no to an extra discount when it works? Not to mention that fantastic feeling you get when a code you randomly tried is valid.

Happy Shopping!

Did you try any of the codes in this guide and get an incredible discount? Let us know in the comments below, and you might inspire other people to try out their luck!

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