As online shopping continues to dominate the high street experts have found the best ways to ensure you are getting the most out of your money when browsing the internet.
Aktug Dogan, an online shopping expert at Refermate, has provided his top tips for people looking for discount codes and advice on how best to use them.
Mr Dogan’s Top Tips:
Install Browser Extensions
One quick way to access a huge number of discount codes is simply by downloading a browser extension that scours the internet to find applicable codes.
Mr Dogan said: “Browser extensions are a good option for saving time. You can visit the store in your browser and search for ‘coupons’ and select an extension that is popular and credible. When you’re shopping on a website, these extensions will pop up a window and try to find a coupon code that works,”
Download Apps of Your Favourite Stores
Some reward programs are only available to customers that download apps for their favourite stores, that’s why it is important to sign up for any potential money saving schemes possible.
Mr Dogan said: “The apps will feature exclusive discounts and coupons that are unavailable elsewhere. The rewards programs not only provide opportunities to benefit from in-store deals but also allow you to accumulate points. These points can be combined with coupons to maximise your savings even further”
Sign Up for Newsletters
Similarly to the above it is important to sign up for newsletters as businesses often reward their most loyal customers with special offers and codes.
Use Social Media
Once again staying updated with your favourite brands can make searching for discount codes a lot easier. Following your favourite brands and stores online is beneficial as often they will post about favourable deals and discounts across their social media pages.
The expert said: “Engage with the brand’s social media content by liking, commenting, and sharing, as companies may reward active followers with exclusive discount codes or giveaways.
Explore social media groups, communities such as on Reddit, or hashtags dedicated to sharing discount codes, where users often post and exchange valuable codes they have discovered.”
Check Out Coupon Websites
It is also important to regularly check coupon websites. Relying on others collating valuable discounts is invaluable as so many websites will have a variety of coupons available to take advantage of.
Mr Dogan said: “Coupon websites are not all perfect. You’ll find different discount codes listed on different websites. You’ll also come across expired coupon codes or codes that are not valid for specific items. It’s important that you bookmark reliable coupon websites for convenient access for the future.”
Talk to Customer Service
The same principles of haggling apply online as they do in person, simply asking any available customer service representative on the website or on the phone can be one quick and easy way to find discount codes.
The expert said: “When you’re talking with a customer service agent online, inform them that you’re checking different websites and looking for the best deal. Nowadays retailers provide discount codes to prevent customer loss and motivate them to complete their purchases on their website.”
Abandon Your Shopping Cart
Often online retailers will attempt to lure customers that have abandoned their shopping carts back to their website by offering discount codes via email. If you leave a website with a full cart you may well receive an email a few days later with a voucher to incentivise you to return to the shop and actually check out this time.
Try Coupon Phrases
Many retailers promote their discounts using key phrases such as 10OFF, 15OFF, 20OFF or simply OFF. By searching for these codes you can often find either the retailer directly providing codes or a website that has collected these codes in one place.
Be patient
It is important to not become frustrated on your journey to finding discounts, show patience and eventually, using these tips and tricks, you will be able to find the voucher you are looking for.
Mr Dogan said: “Remember that each retailer has their unique coupon strategies, which can vary on a monthly or quarterly basis. That’s why it’s important to be patient and try different techniques. You should take advantage of the discounts available, as shopping online is competitive”
