How to Sell Coupons Online and Make Money

In today’s digital age, selling coupons online has become an excellent way for individuals and businesses to generate income. Whether you are looking to earn some extra money on the side or build a full-fledged business, selling coupons can be a lucrative venture. Coupons are in high demand as consumers look for ways to save on their purchases, and selling them online opens up opportunities for broad exposure and high profits. This guide will walk you through the steps of selling coupons online and making money while highlighting some essential tips and strategies to help you succeed.

Why Sell Coupons Online?

Selling coupons online is not only beneficial for businesses but also for individuals looking to tap into the massive online shopping and savings culture. Coupons can be sold for various purposes, including:

• Discount codes for online stores
• Printable coupons for in-store use
• Gift card discounts
• Subscription-based coupon services

The benefits of selling coupons online include:

• Wide Reach: With millions of shoppers online, the potential market for coupon sales is enormous.
• Recurring Revenue: If you sell subscription-based coupon services, you can create a recurring revenue stream.
• Low Start-Up Costs: Selling coupons can be done with minimal investment, making it an attractive option for beginners.

Now that we’ve covered the “why,” let’s dive into the how.

Steps to Sell Coupons Online and Make Money

Selling coupons online involves several key steps, from selecting the type of coupons to promoting them effectively. Let’s break it down.

1. Choose Your Niche or Focus Area

The first step is deciding what type of coupons you want to sell. This decision will depend on your target audience and the kinds of products or services people are interested in. Popular niches include:

• Retail discounts: Coupons for major brands or online stores like Amazon, Walmart, etc.
• Restaurant deals: Discounted meals or special promotions for restaurants.
• Travel and leisure: Discounts on hotels, flights, and car rentals.
• Beauty and wellness: Coupons for beauty products, fitness services, or wellness packages.

You should choose a niche that aligns with your interests and the demand in the market. By focusing on a specific area, you can cater to a targeted audience and increase the likelihood of making consistent sales.

2. Find Reliable Coupon Providers

If you are not creating your own coupons, you will need to find reliable coupon providers. This includes companies that are offering legitimate discount codes or printable coupons. You can either:

• Partner with brands: Reach out to brands and negotiate affiliate partnerships. You can promote their coupons and earn a commission when users make a purchase.
• Use coupon affiliate networks: Websites like Rakuten, FlexOffers, and ShareASale provide affiliate programs where you can earn a commission by sharing coupons and deals with your audience.
• Create your own coupon database: If you have a large number of coupon offers, you could build your own site where people can access and purchase them.

3. Set Up an Online Platform

To sell coupons online, you need a platform to host your deals. You can create a website or use established platforms such as:

• Affiliate Networks: These include sites like Rakuten, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate, where you can promote coupons and earn commissions on sales.
• Coupon Websites: You can create your own coupon website, like Coupons.com or RetailMeNot, to host and promote the discounts.
• Social Media: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest are great places to promote coupons and drive traffic to your sales page.
• Online Marketplaces: You can sell coupons through marketplaces like eBay or Etsy, although you should check their rules regarding the sale of digital goods like coupons.

4. Market Your Coupons

Once you have a platform in place, it’s time to start marketing. Some effective marketing strategies for selling coupons online include:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing your website and content for search engines will help drive organic traffic to your coupon listings.
• Social Media Advertising: Leverage paid social media ads to target specific demographics interested in the kinds of coupons you sell.
• Email Marketing: Build an email list and send out regular newsletters featuring new coupons, deals, and promotions.
• Influencer Marketing: Partner with influencers in your niche who can help promote your coupons to their audience.

5. Set a Fair Price for Your Coupons

If you’re not offering free coupons, it’s essential to price them correctly. Some things to keep in mind:

• Discounted Pricing: Offer your coupons at a discount, but ensure the price is still competitive. You may also want to offer exclusive deals to increase the perceived value.
• Price Tiering: Consider having different pricing tiers, such as a premium subscription for access to high-value coupons.
• Bundle Coupons: Create coupon bundles or packages that offer more value for a higher price.

6. Monitor Performance and Optimize

Once you start selling coupons, you need to keep an eye on your performance. Use tools like Google Analytics and affiliate networks’ reporting tools to track sales, user engagement, and conversions. Adjust your strategies accordingly:

• A/B Testing: Experiment with different types of marketing content and offers to see what works best.
• Customer Feedback: Ask customers for feedback and use it to improve your service and offerings.

Monetizing Your Coupon Business

To maximize the profits from your coupon business, you can try several monetization strategies:

1. Affiliate Commissions

By promoting coupons from affiliate programs, you can earn commissions on sales generated through your links. This is one of the most popular ways to monetize coupon sites, especially if you have high traffic.

2. Subscription Services

You can offer premium memberships for access to exclusive deals or a monthly supply of coupons. Subscription services can provide a steady income and improve customer loyalty.

3. Selling Coupon Advertising Space

If your website attracts significant traffic, you can sell advertising space to other brands or coupon providers who wish to promote their offers.

4. Selling Physical Coupon Books

If you are focusing on local deals, consider creating and selling physical coupon books with printed offers from local businesses. You can sell these books directly on your website or through local retailers.

Important Tips for Selling Coupons Online

• Build Trust with Your Audience: Always make sure the coupons you’re offering are legitimate. If customers feel they’ve been scammed, they won’t return.
• Focus on User Experience: Make sure your website or platform is easy to navigate. A good user experience encourages repeat business.
• Stay Updated: Coupon codes and offers change often. Keep your deals updated to ensure you’re offering the best and latest discounts.

Wiki Table of Coupon Selling Platforms

Understanding the Types of Coupons You Can Sell Online

When selling coupons online, it’s essential to know the different types of coupons you can offer. These categories allow you to cater to different types of customers, increasing your chances of making sales. Here are the main types:

1. Printable Coupons

Printable coupons are a popular form of coupon that users can print and use at brick-and-mortar stores. These types of coupons are especially common in the grocery and retail sectors. Printable coupons are easy to distribute, and you can sell them as part of a bundle or individually.

2. Digital Coupons

Digital coupons, which are usually in the form of codes or links, can be used for online purchases. These coupons are commonly offered by e-commerce sites like Amazon, Walmart, and smaller stores. The advantage of digital coupons is that they can be easily distributed via email, social media, or affiliate networks.

3. Cashback Coupons

Cashback coupons are an attractive option for users looking to save money on their purchases. These coupons give consumers a percentage of their purchase price back after completing a transaction. Cashback offers are common in categories such as groceries, online shopping, and entertainment.

4. Voucher Codes

Voucher codes are typically a string of numbers or letters that users can apply at checkout to receive a discount. These codes are highly popular in the travel industry for discounts on flights and hotels. Vouchers can also be used in conjunction with seasonal promotions or flash sales.

5. Gift Cards

Although not technically a coupon, selling discounted gift cards is a popular way to make money online. People buy gift cards to use them at specific retailers, often at a discount, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious shoppers.

6. Subscription-Based Coupons

Subscription models offer customers access to exclusive deals over a certain period, typically monthly or annually. As a seller, you can set up a platform or site where users subscribe for a monthly fee and get access to a curated selection of coupons in their inbox regularly.

How to Build an Effective Coupon Website

If you decide to create a dedicated website for selling coupons online, here are some elements that you should consider to make your website user-friendly, trustworthy, and profitable.

1. Choosing a Domain Name

Your domain name should be relevant, easy to remember, and related to coupons or discounts. Ideally, include keywords like “coupons,” “deals,” or “savings” in your domain name to improve search engine optimization (SEO).

2. User-Friendly Design

A clean, user-friendly design is crucial for keeping visitors engaged. Make sure that your website is easy to navigate, with clear categories, filtering options, and a search bar. Visitors should be able to quickly find the coupons they are looking for without having to sift through unrelated content.

3. Responsive Design

Ensure that your website is mobile-responsive. Many users will access your coupon site through their smartphones, so the site must be optimized for smaller screens to improve usability and conversion rates.

4. Offer Deal Alerts or Newsletters

Offer an option for visitors to subscribe to your newsletter for exclusive deals, or send out notifications when new coupons or discounts are available. This helps create a loyal audience who regularly visit your site for deals.

5. Coupon Tracking and Expiration Dates

It’s vital to keep your coupons up-to-date. Display expiration dates clearly, and remove expired coupons as soon as possible. Many websites allow users to report expired coupons, which helps you maintain an up-to-date inventory.

6. Trust Badges and Secure Payment Options

As you’re dealing with digital goods, it’s important to build trust with your users. Use trust badges and SSL encryption on your site to ensure secure transactions, especially if you’re selling directly through your platform. Payment options such as PayPal, credit cards, or Stripe are trusted by most users.

Leveraging Affiliate Marketing for Coupon Sales

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways to make money by selling coupons online. With affiliate marketing, you promote deals from other companies, and you earn a commission for each sale made through your unique affiliate link. Here’s how to get started:

1. Join Affiliate Networks

To start promoting coupons through affiliate marketing, you need to join an affiliate network. Some popular affiliate networks for coupon websites include:

• Rakuten Marketing
• CJ Affiliate
• ShareASale
• FlexOffers

These networks provide you with affiliate links for different companies, where you can promote their coupons or discount offers. When a user clicks on your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.

2. Promote Coupons on Your Website or Blog

Once you join an affiliate program, you can promote these coupons on your website or blog. By writing content around the coupons (e.g., a blog post about top discounts for a specific month), you attract organic traffic from users searching for deals. Be transparent with your audience and disclose your affiliate relationships.

3. Use Coupon Widgets

Some affiliate networks and brands provide widgets that you can embed on your website. These widgets display the latest or most popular coupons in real time, making it easy for visitors to grab the best deals without having to search manually.

4. Social Media Marketing

Social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are ideal for sharing coupons and deals. Many coupon sellers use social media to promote their affiliate links, engaging with users through posts, stories, and ads. Using hashtags like #couponing or #dealhunter can help you reach your target audience.

Selling Coupons through Mobile Apps

Mobile apps have become a major platform for selling coupons. As more users rely on smartphones for shopping, offering a mobile app for coupon sales can help you tap into a broader market. Here’s how to approach this:

1. Develop a Mobile App

If you’re serious about selling coupons, consider developing a mobile app that offers discounts and deals. The app could feature:

• Exclusive deals for app users
• Push notifications for new coupons
• Easy coupon redemption via QR codes

2. Partner with App Developers

If you lack the technical know-how to develop your own app, you can partner with app developers or use app builder platforms to create a custom app. This allows you to expand your coupon offerings to a mobile audience.

3. Use Existing Coupon Apps

Alternatively, you can list your coupons on popular coupon apps like Honey, Ibotta, or CouponSherpa. These apps already have a large user base, so listing your coupons there could increase your visibility and sales potential.

Building a Community Around Your Coupons

Creating a community around your coupon business can lead to long-term success. A loyal community of customers will not only use your coupons regularly but also recommend your site or platform to others. Here’s how to build that community:

1. Engage with Your Audience

Engage with your audience through newsletters, social media, or blog posts. Encourage them to share their best deals or couponing tips. By being active in the community, you foster trust and loyalty.

2. Create a Referral Program

Implement a referral program where existing customers can earn rewards, such as discounts or exclusive coupons, by referring others. Referral programs are an effective way to grow your user base and increase sales.

3. Incentivize Reviews and Feedback

Encourage users to leave reviews of the coupons they’ve used. Positive reviews will help build credibility, and constructive feedback can help improve your service.

4. Run Contests and Giveaways

Hosting occasional contests or giveaways can generate buzz and attract new users. For example, you can offer a large discount or a free subscription to your coupon service as a prize.

By combining these strategies, you can successfully build a community that keeps coming back for more deals, while also spreading the word about your coupon-selling platform.

FAQs

1. Is it legal to sell coupons online?
Yes, selling coupons is legal as long as they are not fraudulent or expired. Always ensure you have the proper rights to distribute the coupons.

2. How do I make money from selling coupons online?
You can make money through affiliate commissions, selling your own coupons, offering premium memberships, or selling ad space on your site.

3. Do I need a website to sell coupons?
While having a website is beneficial, you can also sell coupons on established platforms like Rakuten, eBay, or social media.

4. How can I get coupons to sell?
You can partner with brands, use affiliate networks, or create your own collection of coupons to sell.

5. How much can I make by selling coupons online?
Your earnings can vary widely depending on the size of your audience, the demand for the coupons, and your marketing efforts. Many sellers earn a few hundred to several thousand dollars a month.

Summary

Selling coupons online can be a profitable venture, whether you’re an individual or a business. By selecting the right niche, building an online platform, and implementing effective marketing strategies, you can tap into a lucrative market. Always stay updated with offers and maintain transparency with your customers to ensure long-term success.