Coupons and promotion codes
This guide explains how discounts work in Arca, how to create coupons and the codes customers redeem, how to apply them, and how to fix codes that won't work.
How coupons work
There are two pieces:
- A coupon defines the discount (the rule).
- A promotion code is what a customer types in. One coupon can have many codes.
A coupon's discount can be:
- Percentage off,
- a fixed amount off (in a specific currency),
- a price override (sets eligible items to a set price), or
- trial only (adds free trial days to a subscription, with no money discount).
For subscriptions, a coupon can apply once, forever, or for a set number of billing cycles.
Creating a coupon and its codes
- Create the coupon: choose the discount type and value (and currency for fixed-amount), and the duration.
- Add one or more codes. You can let Arca generate them, or set your own; you can also generate codes in bulk.
- Set any limits you want (see below).
You can archive a code to take it out of circulation and unarchive it later.
Limits you can set
| Limit | What it does |
|---|---|
| Max redemptions | How many times the coupon or a specific code can be used. |
| Budget cap | The total discount the coupon may ever give. |
| Expiration date | After this date the code stops working. |
| Minimum amount | The cart must reach this amount to use the code. |
| Customer-specific | Lock a code to a single customer. |
| First purchase only | Only valid on a customer's first successful payment. |
Applying a code
- On a payment link, turn on Enable promotion code so the checkout shows a code field.
- Customers enter the code at checkout; the discount is applied to the amount due.
- A coupon can also be attached to a subscription.
Common problems
"The code isn't working" / it has expired
-
Cause
The code or coupon is past its expiration date.
SolutionCheck the expiry and extend it, or issue a new code.
"Promotion code has reached the maximum number of redemptions"
-
Cause
The redemption limit (on the coupon or the specific code) has been hit.
SolutionRaise the limit or create additional codes.
The discount wasn't applied (or was smaller than expected)
-
Cause
The coupon hit its budget cap, applies only to certain products that aren't in the cart, or the fixed discount was capped at the item amount.
SolutionCheck the coupon's budget usage and which products it covers.
"Promotion code currency must match the currency of the product"
-
Cause
A fixed-amount coupon is tied to one currency, but the purchase is in a different currency.
SolutionCreate a fixed-amount coupon per currency, or use a percentage coupon (which works in any currency).
"Coupon not applicable to customer" / first order only
-
Cause
The code is locked to a specific customer, or is valid only on a first purchase and the customer already has prior payments.
SolutionConfirm the customer matches, or issue an unrestricted code for general use.
There's no place to enter a code on my payment link
-
Cause
Enable promotion code is off on that link.
SolutionEdit or recreate the link with promotion codes enabled.
Error message reference
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Coupon has expired | Past its expiration date | Extend it or issue a new code |
| Promotion code has reached the maximum number of redemptions | Redemption limit hit | Raise the limit or add codes |
| Promotion code currency must match the currency of the product | Fixed-amount coupon in the wrong currency | Use a matching-currency or percentage coupon |
| Coupon minimum amount has not been reached | Cart is below the code's minimum | Lower the minimum or have the customer add more |
| Coupon is not active | The code is archived | Unarchive it, or create a new code |
| Coupon not applicable to customer / first order | Customer-locked or first-purchase-only code | Check the customer, or issue an open code |
Still having trouble?
Contact Arca support and include:
- The code and the coupon it belongs to
- The exact message (a screenshot helps)
- The order or customer it was used on