Introduction
The CirclePOS Promotions Tool with Discount Codes for Bookstores is a handy feature that lets bookstores craft personalised online promotions tailored for specific target audiences using discount codes.
Why use Discount Codes for selling books online?
Offering your customers a discount code for shopping online at your bookstore can be a useful strategy for several reasons. Firstly, it incentivises potential book buyers, acting as a compelling nudge that encourages them to make a purchase. People love a good deal, and a discount can be the deciding factor for someone on the fence about buying a book.
Secondly, it creates a sense of urgency. Limited-time promotions or exclusive discounts (targeted to one of your user groups) create FOMO (fear of missing out), prompting quicker decision-making among potential customers. This urgency can drive more immediate and spontaneous book purchases.
Offering discounts can also help attract new customers who might be hesitant to try a new author or genre at full price. It serves as a low-risk entry point, enticing them to explore new literary experiences. For example, you may want to offer $5 off all books in your “Romance” category over the Valentine's day period.
Lastly, a well-promoted discount code can also serve as a marketing tool. It provides a reason to engage with your audience through promotional campaigns, social media, or email newsletters, increasing visibility and generating interest around your books. A percentage promotion for an author’s new book could be applied just for the period covering their book launch.
Key Features of the Promotions Tool with Discount Codes for Bookstores
- Promotions can be created on item specific titles using ISBNS (one or many), or on specific categories.
- Promotions can also be applied across sitewide items.
- If a specific Customer (or Customer User Group) has an existing % discount, the system will automatically apply the BEST available discount. Eg.. if my Customer Account has a 5% personal discount and the promo has a 10% discount, the web order will have a 10% discount.
- Discounts can be created as percentages or fixed dollars.
- Promotions can have start and end dates and times.
Advantages of a Promotions Tool with Discount Codes for Bookstores
Why Use Promotional Codes instead of a traditional sale?
Online promotions using discount codes differ from in-store sales in several key aspects:
- Accessibility and Reach:
- Online promotions reach a much wider audience, breaking down geographical barriers.
- In-store sales are limited to the physical location, catering primarily to local customers.
- Convenience:
- Online promotions offer the convenience of shopping from anywhere at any time.
- In-store sales require customers to physically visit the store, which may be less convenient.
- Targeting and Personalisation:
- Online promotions allow for precise targeting and personalisation
- In-store sales may rely more on general merchandising strategies and may not offer the same level of personalised promotions.
- Promotion Visibility:
- Online promotions can be easily shared through digital channels, maximising visibility.
- In-store sales depend on foot traffic and traditional advertising methods, potentially reaching a smaller audience.
- Cost:
- Online promotions can be more cost-effective in terms of reaching a broader audience with lower distribution costs. You can leverage social media, email marketing, and other online channels to promote your products or services.
- In-store promotions, on the other hand, may involve costs such as printing materials, in-store displays, and potentially higher labour costs if additional staff is needed.
- Impulse Buying:
- Online promotions can capitalise on impulse buying behaviour through strategically placed calls-to-action and limited-time offers.
- In-store sales may benefit from the immediate availability of products, encouraging spontaneous purchases.
- Return on Investment (ROI) Tracking:
- Online promotions enable detailed tracking of customer interactions and conversions, providing insights for ROI analysis. CirclePOS offers a detailed report on any promotion, helping you make more informed decisions.
- In-store sales may have limited tracking capabilities, making it challenging to measure the exact impact of specific promotions.
FAQs
- Do titles get discounted when they are tagged with a secondary category?
- Yes, you don’t need to nominate the ISBN individually; all items in that secondary category should be discounted.
- Can I create a promotion for a set of ISBNs and Categories simultaneously?
- Yes, you can create them separately or in one promotion.
- You can create separate promotions if you prefer a different % or amount of discount.
- Can I edit an existing promotion?
- You can edit existing promotions to update the listed ISBN or Category.
- Simply click the “Edit” button, update the ISBN or Category, and then click the " Update " button.
- Can customers use the discount code in-store?
- No, this feature is online only.
Conclusion
In essence, the Promotions Tool with Discount Codes for Bookstores not only boosts immediate sales but also serves as a strategic tool to attract, retain, and expand your reader base. It’s also a great way to test out discounts on targeted groups, or draw attention to stock that isn’t moving.
Have a quick look at how the Video demonstration: How the Promotion Tool works
If you are a CirclePOS customer but didn’t know about this feature there might be other features in the system you’re not aware of. The Benefits of Training with CirclePOS provides a good insight into how one-on-one training can help you get the most out of CirclePOS.
The CirclePOS Promotions tool goes hand in hand with enhancing customer loyalty
If you’re opening a new bookstore, or would like to learn more about the problems CirclePOS can solve for Bookstores, schedule a call with Mary or Rick.