Creating discount codes for the Shopify Checkout integration

Creating a discount code is a great way to add value to your customer's purchase. Discounts are a great way to improve customer loyalty and obtain new customers. This guide provides instructions on creating discount codes in ReCharge and an explanation of each setting.

Before you begin

• This article covers how to create a discount code for ReCharge merchants using the Shopify Checkout integration. The process is a little different if you use the ReCharge Checkout on Shopify or BigCommerce, visit our dedicated guide for the correct process.
• Due to an API limitation, discount codes for subscriptions must be created in both ReCharge and Shopify. It is recommended to create your discount in Shopify first and add the same parameters to your discount code's settings in ReCharge. 
• If you would like your customers to be able to apply a discount code to an upcoming, recurring order, you will need to check the Allow customers to input discount code on customer portal box in Settings > Customer portal. 

Step 1 - Create the discount code in Shopify

Create a new discount code in Shopify. Take note of the following attributes you choose as they will need to be applied in ReCharge. 

• Discount code
• Type
• Value
• Usage limits
• Active Dates

Step 2 - Create a new discount code in ReCharge

1. In the ReCharge Dashboard, click on the wrench icon and select Discounts.
2. Click the Create discount code button in the upper right-hand corner. 
3. Enter the discount code you added to Shopify. Note that the discount names are not case-sensitive.

Step 4 - Apply discount to a specific product or collection

You may want to create a discount that only applies to a specific product or a specific collection. Under Applies to, select the product or collection. If the discount code applies to all products or collections, you can skip this step.

Step 5 - Select the product type

You have the option to apply the discount to all product types,  one-time products, or subscription products.

Optional - Select channel permissions

You can enable and limit which channels will accept the discount code.

• Customer Portal: Any discount applied via customer portal, typically by the customer.
• Merchant portal: Any discount applied within the store admin, typically by the merchant.
• API: Any discount applied via the apply_discount API endpoints used for bulk discount application, automated discount application via integration, or other custom merchant use.

Step 6 - Add application limits

You can set application limits to control how many times the discount code is used by subscribers.

Limit number of times this discount can be applied in total – When checked, you will be prompted to enter in a total amount. This will be the number of times the discount code can be applied in totalacross your customer base. For example, if you enter 100, this discount code could be used by 100 customers.

Limit to one subscription per customer – When checked, this setting will limit the application of the discount code to one per customer. ReCharge uses the e-mail address on file to determine if the customer has used the discount code previously.

Limit to first-time subscribers only – This restricts the discount so that it can only be applied by customers who do not already exist in ReCharge and have not previously purchased a subscription product. This check is based on their email and what subscriptions they have associated with that email.

How many times should the discount apply to the customer's order? – This determines the application limit on a customer basis. For example, if you select one charge only, the discount code will apply to a single charge and then expire. If you select All charges, the discount code will apply to all subsequent subscription orders for that customer until they cancel their subscription. If you would like to limit how many orders, select Set amount of charges.

Step 7 - Set a start and end date

If you want your discount code to begin on a specific date, you can use the date picker to select the start date. You can also specify the expiration date by selecting Set an expiration date for new customers. The date of expiration is 11:59:59pm EST.

The expiration date applies to new checkout orders. For example, if you set an expiration date but your discount code is set to apply to All charges, existing subscribers with the discount code will still receive the discount code for the duration of their subscription. However, new customers coming through the checkout will not be able to use the discount code after the expiration date.

Step 8 - Review and save

Before clicking Save at the bottom of the page, be sure to review the settings of your discount code. Once created, discount codes cannot be edited and will need to be deleted and re-created.

Bulk upload discount codes

If you have at least 100 discount codes to create, the ReCharge team can perform a bulk upload for you. For more information, visit Creating discount codes in bulk.

Troubleshooting

If you run into any issues with creating or displaying discount codes, please visit Troubleshooting discount codes. If you have any questions, reach out to support and we'll be happy to help out.