The Coupon, a marketing gimmick that provides consumers with a rebate or a discount on various products, originated in the early 20th century.

Now, it is one of the most important marketing tools and has become ever popular with most online retailers. Online shopping has grown in leaps and bounds, thanks to smarter, efficient and agile, and sophisticated mobile gadgets.

Consumers now use their mobile devices to search for and purchase products they want.

Feeding this online shopping frenzy is digital coupon marketing.

Digital coupon marketing Statistics and Trends

Infographic Source- Digital Coupon Marketing

Key Takeaways from the Infographic:

  • Rapid Growth: The number of eCoupons redeemed worldwide is projected to increase from 16 billion in 2014 to 31 billion by 2019.
  • Mobile Dominance: Mobile coupon usage is expected to grow significantly, with 1.05 billion mobile coupons redeemed in 2019, up from 560 million in 2014.
  • Consumer Engagement:
    • 68% of consumers believe coupons build brand awareness.
    • 68% also agree coupons generate loyalty.
    • 50% are more likely to visit a store if they receive a coupon.
  • Email Efficiency: Emails containing coupons experience:
    • 14% increase in open rates
    • 34% increase in unique clicks
    • 48% higher revenue per email sent
  • Mobile Coupon Usage:
    • 83% of digital coupon users rely on mobile devices.
    • 55% of consumers use smartphones to locate coupons in-store.
  • Behavior Impact: 77% of shoppers spend $10–$50 more than anticipated when redeeming mobile coupons.

The Digital Coupon Revolution

A windfall of gains in digital coupon marketing has been seen in the online shopping platform and is expected to double over the next three years.

According to Marketing Blog, digital coupons are driving Omni-channels and mobile sales. The following statistics and trends, courtesy of Invesp, will give you more insights into the incredible potential of digital coupon marketing.

A total of 16 billion coupons were redeemed in 2014. By 2019, this will have grown to 31 billion coupons, of which 1.05 billion will be mobile coupons. In 2015, about 57.5% of U.S consumers used digital coupons while shopping. This will grow to about 59% by the end of 2016.

Mobile Couponing Is the Way to Go

Despite the fact that only 48% of U.S companies will use mobile coupons, up from 36.5% in 2014, statistics indicate that 55% of consumers use mobile while searching for coupons, and 83% of all digital coupon users will use mobile by 2016.

According to Mobile Commerce Daily, 62% of smartphone users are extremely likely to use coupons. An eMarketer report about digital statistics found similar figures in 2014, predicting that at least 70% of mobile users will hunt for online coupons by 2016.

Emails with Coupons Have More Clicks and Open Rates

As more and more sellers bank on upon digital coupons to attract new sales and to increase conversions, one should underestimate the power of email marketing. Experian’s Email Benchmark report 2013 shows that emails with coupons experience more success than those without. Here are some of the notable findings by Experian:

Emails that contain coupons experience 14% higher open rates and perform 34% better when it comes to unique clicks. Moreover, these emails experience 27% rise in transaction rates and 48% increase in revenue per email compared to other types of email campaigns.

According to Inmar, people actually want to be sent digital coupons for products that they usually buy. 53% of shopper who receive personalized coupons spend more. So you should give your customers what they want. In particular, 77% of shopper spent $10-$50 more than anticipated when redeeming mobile coupons

What Do Customers Think About Digital Coupons?

Customers are actually more than receptive of digital coupons. According to Amasty,

  • 66% of consumers think coupons helps in building brand awareness.
  • 68% of customers say coupons generates customer loyalty.
  • 60% of customer say they simply love to receive coupons.
  • 50% of shoppers say they are likely to visit a store if they receive a coupon.

Best Practices for Designing Mobile Coupons

As mobile coupon usage continues to surge, ensuring your coupons are effective and user-friendly is critical. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Focus on Simplicity

  • Keep the design clean and easy to understand.
  • Use minimal text to communicate the offer clearly.
  • Ensure the call-to-action (CTA) is prominent, such as “Redeem Now” or “Claim Your Discount.”

2. Mobile-Friendly Design

  • Optimize coupons for all screen sizes and devices.
  • Use responsive designs that adapt seamlessly to different mobile platforms.
  • Include a scannable QR code for in-store redemption.

3. Use Eye-Catching Visuals

  • Incorporate high-quality images that reflect your brand and product.
  • Use contrasting colors to make the discount or offer stand out.
  • Add your logo to reinforce brand identity.

4. Personalize Offers

  • Leverage user data to create personalized coupons based on purchase history or preferences.
  • Include the recipient’s name or a targeted message for added engagement.

5. Leverage Geo-Targeting

  • Use location-based technology to send coupons when customers are near your store.
  • Highlight “limited-time offers” to create urgency.

6. Ensure Easy Redemption

  • Simplify the redemption process by offering multiple options:
    • Scanning QR codes.
    • Entering a promo code online.
    • Clicking a link that applies the discount automatically.
  • Avoid requiring excessive steps like printing coupons or filling lengthy forms.

7. Incorporate Expiration Dates Strategically

  • Include a clear expiration date to create urgency.
  • Use phrases like “Valid for 48 hours” or “This week only” to encourage immediate action.

8. Optimize for Sharing

  • Allow users to easily share coupons via SMS, email, or social media.
  • Include a referral incentive for users who share the coupon with friends.

9. Test Before Launching

  • Conduct A/B testing to evaluate coupon designs and messaging.
  • Optimize based on user behavior and engagement metrics.

10. Track and Measure Performance

  • Use analytics tools to monitor coupon usage, redemption rates, and customer acquisition.
  • Refine future campaigns based on performance insights.

Bottom Line

Taking into account these digital coupon usage statistics and trends marketers should distribute coupons through several channels to increase sales, email open rates, brand awareness and create customer loyalty.

Digital coupons are not just a trend but a core element of modern marketing strategies.

By using mobile platforms, email campaigns, and personalization, businesses can increase sales, foster loyalty, and improve brand awareness. Marketers who distribute coupons across multiple channels stand to gain a competitive edge in today’s digital world.