Introduction
The e-commerce functionality of the platform offers the possibility to create and manage coupons that final users can use to get discounts when purchasing one or more courses. Coupons can trigger amount or percentage discounts and can become part of your marketing strategy to engage customers with your training program.
Use case scenarios
If you want to enable potential customers to browse a collection of courses via an external catalog available to non-authenticated users, you can provide a more complete scenario by creating a unique coupon code that can be given to potential customers at their point of sale.
Once created a new coupon, define its details as explained in the next chapters of this article. Set a coupon validity, and ensure the coupon can only be used once and by a single user (set "1" in the single-use coupon with limited usage option). Continue to configure the other settings including the amount of discount applied as well as the minimum order required. After you’re content with the settings applied, repeat the process for the number of users who will require coupons.
Creating a coupon
In order to create a new coupon, log in as the Superadmin, access the Navigation menu > Configuration (spanner icon) > E-commerce > Coupons.
In order to create a new coupon, click on the plus button in the top right corner of the page. Define a code for the coupon, or click Generate to automatically create a random one. Set a description for your coupon. Since users will see the coupon description when using it, make it as clear and effective as possible. Press Create and Edit to proceed with the creation procedure.
Coupon codes must be unique. It is not possible to re-use them, even after they have expired or have been deleted.
Defining the coupon details
The creation procedure will redirect you to the Coupon properties page. Once in this page, move to the Details section to set the coupon validity defining whether the coupon is valid for a predefined period, or has no expiry date.
Flag the option Coupon applies to all courses, learning plans, and training credit packs to make the coupon redeemable on any of those items, whether pre-existing or created in the future.
→ When this option is not activated, you will later need to configure the set of courses to which the coupon applies, as described in the chapter Associating courses to the coupon.
In the Coupon Application section, select how the coupon will be handled, choosing among the listed options:
- coupon always applicable: the coupon can be used multiple times by multiple users during its validity period
- single-use coupon: the coupon can be used once only per user
- single-use coupon with limited usage: the coupon can be used by a limited number of users. The coupon code will be deactivated after being used for the predefined number of times.
When a user applies a coupon with limited usage and then clicks on Confirm order, they are counted as a user of the coupon, irrespective of the outcome of the transaction. The 'Used By' tab includes both pending and canceled transactions in the count of coupons used.
For both single-use coupons and single-use coupons with limited usage, the same user cannot use the coupon more than once. An error Coupon already redeemed by the user will occur.
A single-use coupon can be used by multiple users but not simultaneously. When the coupon is added to a shopping cart it becomes “locked” and cannot be used in other transactions. The coupon becomes usable again:
- After the transaction is finalized, irrespective of its outcome (successful - pending - cancelled). Or after 24 hours if the transaction is not finalized.
- If it is removed from the shopping cart
In the Discount section, define the discount value, either a percentage or an amount discount and optionally configure if a minimum cart amount is needed in order for the coupon to be applied.
Tip: Coupon usage for training credit packs
If you want the coupon to be applicable to training credit packs, you must configure it as follows:
- Select the option Coupon applies to all courses, learning plans, and training credit packs
- The coupon discount must be of the percentage type.
- The coupon must not have a Minimum order value
Associating courses to the coupon
If you have not enabled the option Assign this coupon to all of the existing and future courses and learning plans, move to the Assigned courses tab, click on the plus button in the top right corner of the page, and select the courses and the learning plans where the coupon will be usable.
If you enable the option, the coupon will be usable in all courses and learning plans and you will not need to go through the manual selection.
Checking the coupon usage
You can check the coupon usage by moving to the Used by tab. This page lists all of the users who took advantage of the coupon codes and includes information about the transaction amount, and the usage date.
Hover your mouse over the menu icon at the end of the row and select View transaction to see more details about the payment method and status.
Best practices
There are several options for sending or displaying coupon codes to a specific branch or group of users. The coupon code could be sent outside the platform via a newsletter or in the body of a specific notification, such as the User has been created (by administrator) notification. The coupon code could also be shared inside the platform by being placed in a custom content box widget on the learner's homepage.