Conditional Discounts for WooCommerce: A Complete Guide

Want to boost sales and keep your WooCommerce customers happy?

Conditional discounts are your best bet and game-changer. These aren’t your basic, one-size-fits-all discounts. We’re talking about smart, targeted offers that adapt to your customers’ shopping habits.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about WooCommerce conditional discounts. We’ll explore how to set up discounts based on products, cart totals, payment methods, and more.

Let’s get started.

What Are WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

So, what do conditional offers mean?

In the context of WooCommerce, conditional discounts are discounts that apply only when specific, pre-defined conditions are met. These conditions are the foundational rules behind WooCommerce dynamic pricing & discounts, allowing for highly targeted and adaptable promotions.

To put it in simple terms, unlike standard, blanket discounts that apply to all customers or products, conditional discounts operate on an “if-then” logic.

For example, instead of a simple “10% off,” you might implement a rule stating, “10% off if a customer purchases two or more items” or “Free shipping if the order total exceeds $50.”

This approach offers a significant advantage over traditional discounting methods. Standard discounts are, frankly, a bit blunt. They apply to everyone, all the time, or with a simple code.

Conditional discounts for WooCommerce, however, allow you to get incredibly specific. You can target particular products, reward specific customer groups, or even incentivize the use of preferred payment methods.

This level of precision allows you to create truly effective promotions that resonate with your customers.

How WooCommerce Conditional Discounts Differ from Standard Discounts

Unlike standard WooCommerce discounts, which apply fixed reductions (like a storewide 20% off sale), conditional discounts are dynamic and depend on shopper behavior or cart conditions.

Conditional discounts give store owners like you more control over their promotions and ensure they drive customer engagement while protecting profit margins.

What are Common Use Cases for WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

Conditional discounts can be applied in various ways to increase conversions, encourage bulk purchases, and reward loyal customers. Here’s a list of use cases where these discount rules for WooCommerce can be implemented:

1. Quantity-Based Discounts (Bulk Discounts)

Encourage customers to buy in larger quantities by offering discounts based on the number of products purchased.

• Buy More, Save More – 10% off when buying 3+, 15% off when buying 5+.
• Tiered Discounts – $5 off for 2 items, $10 off for 3 items.
• Buy X, Get Y Free (BOGO) – Buy 2, get 1 free.
• Bundle Discounts – Buy a laptop + mouse together and get 10% off.

2. Cart Total-Based Discounts

Provide discounts based on the total cart value to encourage higher spending.

• Spend $100, Get 10% Off
• Flat $20 Off on Orders Above $200
• Free Shipping for Orders Over $50
• Extra Discount on Large Orders – $50 off on orders over $500.

3. User Role-Based Discounts

Reward specific customer groups with exclusive discounts.

• Wholesale Discounts – 20% off for wholesalers.
• VIP/Subscriber Discounts – Special deals for loyalty program members.
• First-Time Customer Discounts – 10% off for first-time shoppers.
• Student & Military Discounts – Verification-based discounts for students or military personnel.

4. Payment Method-Based Discounts

Offer discounts based on how customers choose to pay.

• Bank Transfer Discount – 5% off for direct bank transfer payments.
• Credit Card Discount – 2% off for using specific credit cards.
• Cryptocurrency Discount – 10% off when paying with Bitcoin.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) Offers – Special discounts for using Klarna, Afterpay, etc.

5. Product-Specific Discounts

Apply discounts only to selected products or categories.

• Seasonal Discounts – 20% off winter clothing in summer.
• New Product Launch Discounts – Introductory 15% off on new arrivals.
• Clearance Discounts – 50% off last-season items.
• Discounts on Slow-Moving Stock – Special discounts to clear inventory.

6. Category-Based Discounts

Encourage purchases within specific categories.

• 10% Off Electronics Category
• Discount on Home & Kitchen Items
• Bulk Discounts on Books – Buy 5 books, get 10% off.
• Discounts on Complementary Products – Get 5% off a camera lens when purchasing a DSLR.

7. Recurring/Subscription Discounts

Provide discounts for subscription-based purchases.

• Subscribe & Save – 10% off monthly subscriptions.
• Loyalty Discounts – 5% off for subscribers after 3 months.
• Yearly Plan Discounts – Pay annually and save 20%.

8. Location-Based Discounts

Offer discounts based on the customer’s geographical location.

• Country-Specific Discounts – 10% off for customers in Canada.
• City-Based Promotions – Special pricing for local customers.
• Regional Holiday Discounts – Special pricing for Black Friday in the U.S., Diwali in India, etc.

9. Referral & Social Sharing Discounts

Encourage customers to refer friends or engage with your brand online.

• Refer a Friend & Get 10% Off
• Share on Social Media for a Discount
• Influencer Discount Codes – Special discounts through influencers.

10. Membership & Loyalty Discounts

Reward returning customers with exclusive discounts.

• Gold Membership Discounts – 15% off for premium members.
• Points-Based Discounts – Redeem points for discounts.
• Exclusive Member-Only Coupons – Hidden discounts for loyalty members.

11. Shipping Method-Based Discounts

Encourage the use of specific shipping methods.

• Discount for Store Pickup – 5% off when choosing local pickup.
• Express Shipping Discounts – Reduced rates for express delivery.
• Free Standard Shipping on Orders Over $50

12. Coupon-Based Conditional Discounts

Offer discounts based on specific coupon conditions.

• Buy X, Get Discount Y with a Coupon – Use “BULK10” to get 10% off on orders over $100.
• Limited-Time Flash Sale Coupons – “HURRY20” for 20% off for 24 hours.
• Personalized Coupons for Returning Customers – “WELCOME5” for 5% off the next purchase.

13. Festive & Seasonal Discounts

Apply discounts for special occasions.

• Black Friday & Cyber Monday Discounts
• New Year Discounts
• Back-to-School Sales
• Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Discounts

14. Device-Based Discounts

Offer discounts based on the device used for purchase.

• Mobile-Only Discount – 5% off for purchases via mobile app.
• Desktop Exclusive Discount – Special offers for desktop users.

15. Purchase History-Based Discounts

Reward customers based on past purchases.

• Repeat Purchase Discounts – 10% off for returning customers.
• Cross-Sell Discounts – Discounts on complementary products.
• High-Spender Discounts – VIP pricing for customers who’ve spent over $500.

16. Limited-Time & Urgency-Based Discounts

Encourage quick purchases with time-sensitive offers.

• Countdown Timer Discounts – Special deals for the next 24 hours.
• Early Bird Discounts – Special prices for first 100 buyers.
• Flash Sales – 50% off for the next 3 hours.

17. Conditional Free Gifts & Perks

Offer additional incentives instead of direct price reductions.

• Free Gift on Orders Over $100
• Buy One, Get a Free Sample
• Exclusive Perks for Loyalty Members

Using WooCommerce conditional discounts effectively can increase sales, improve customer loyalty, and maximize profits. The key is to choose the right conditions that align with your business goals while ensuring customers feel they’re getting a valuable deal.

How to Set Up WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

WooCommerce does offer a discount feature—the coupon tool—which allows you to create some conditional discounts. However, customers must manually collect and apply these coupons at checkout.

You cannot automate the process, nor can you automatically promote discount codes in WooCommerce (e.g., displaying a sale badge or discounted price). To unlock the full power and flexibility of conditional discounts, you need a WooCommerce discount manager plugin.

For this article, we will use a free discount plugin called Disco. This tool packs all the powers of a premium paid plugin and allows you to create a vast range of discounts – be it basic or advanced conditional discounts.

Let’s jump right into creating WooCommerce conditional discounts.

Example Discount: 10% off when the cart total reaches $50 or more.

Here are the steps to offer this discount rule in your WooCommerce store –

Step 1: Install a WooCommerce Discount Plugin (Disco)

As mentioned earlier, Disco is a completely free plugin, and you can find it on the WordPress plugin repository.

• Log in to your WordPress admin panel and navigate to Plugins >> Add New.
• Search for Disco, install, and activate it.

Step 2: Create a New Discount Rule

Disco generates a dedicated menu on WordPress’s left menu panel. Click to visit the Disco dashboard.

• From the dashboard, click the Create a Discount button.

• Input a name for the conditional discount.

• Select the Cart discount intent.

• To offer the WooCommerce discount on all products, select All Products.

• From the Discount Type dropdown, select the Percentage Discount.

• Enter the WooCommerce discount percentage in the Discount Value box.

Step 3: Configure Discount Conditions

In addition to defining discount intents in the top section, Disco offers a wide range of condition filters that bring true flexibility to your discount rules. These filters enable you to create dynamic and highly targeted discounts.

You can apply discounts based on cart conditions, product types, customer behavior, and payment methods. Plus, Disco allows you to combine multiple conditions within a single rule using AND/OR logic, giving you full control over how discounts are applied.

• Click the Add Condition button.

• For the current example, we will need the Cart Subtotal condition. Scroll and select it.

• Select the Greater Than Or Equal operator and set your minimum cart value.

Step 4: Save and Test

Hit the Save button at the bottom of the window.

To test this discount, go to your storefront and add products worth $50 or more.

As you can see, the cart page applied the 10% discount when the cart subtotal reached the target threshold. This is how to set up conditional discounts in WooCommerce.

Advanced WooCommerce Conditional Discount Strategies

The 10% discount for orders over $50 is a great start, but why stop there?

With Disco, you can create smarter, more strategic discounts that boost sales, encourage repeat purchases, and keep customers happy. Whether you want to reward bulk buyers, give special deals to VIPs, or reduce shipping costs, there’s a discount strategy for that.

Let’s explore some of the best ones you can set up right now.

Bulk Purchase / Tiered Discounts

Want customers to buy more?

WooCommerce bulk discounts or a tiered strategy is all about giving bigger savings when they add more items to their cart. Think of it as rewarding them for buying in bulk or for reaching certain purchase levels.

Example:

• Buy 1-5 units = 5% off
• Buy 6-10 units = 10% off
• Buy 11+ units = 15% off

Why use this?

• Sell more items at once by offering bigger discounts as they buy more.
• Get customers to spend more overall by pushing them towards higher discount levels.
• Make customers feel like they’re getting a great deal, encouraging them to add more to their cart.

How to Set Up Tiered-Based WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

Disco has built-in discount intent for creating these types of WooCommerce quantity discounts. Let us walk you through the steps.

• Select the Bulk discount intent after naming your discount rule.

• Select All products or specify your products.
• From the Bulk Rules, input 1 in the Minimum Quantity and 5 in the Maximum Quantity box.

• Select the Percentage option and set the value for the first bulk set. Next, Click the Add More button twice to create 2 new rows.
• Set your values according to your bulk strategy. Keep the Maximum field empty for the last set to offer 15% discounts on any product quantity above 11.

• Save and test the rule from the front site.

Add products between the 1 and 5 range to check the result on the cart page.

For 6-10 units, it should automatically apply 10% off the total.

Finally, for 11 or more products, here’s the result.

Shipping-Based WooCommerce Conditional Discounts

Tired of losing customers because of shipping costs? You’re not alone—shipping fees are one of the top reasons for cart abandonment.

This is where shipping discounts can make a real difference in reducing abandonment rates. By offering a free or reduced shipping discount, you give customers an incentive to complete their purchase.

You can set thresholds, like offering free shipping when customers reach a certain order value, which encourages bigger orders and keeps them from leaving their carts behind.

Example: “Free shipping on orders over $100.”

Why use this?

• Get customers to spend more to qualify for free or discounted shipping.
• Encourage customers to choose faster shipping options.
• Reduce the number of people who leave their carts because of shipping costs.

How to Set Up Shipping Based WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

Setting up a shipping discount using the conditional discounts for WooCommerce free plugin is pretty straightforward. Here are the steps –

• Select the Shipping intent from the top.
• From the Discount section, select your products and discount deadline.
• Add the condition Cart Subtotal.
• Set the Greater Than operator and enter your cart value.
• Save and test the rule.

User Role Conditional Discounts

Want to make your best customers feel extra special? User role discounts let you give exclusive deals to specific groups, like loyal members or wholesale buyers. It’s a way to reward them for their support.

Example: “20% off for ‘Wholesale’ members.”

Why use this?

• Reward loyal customers and encourage them to buy again.
• Get more people to sign up for memberships or accounts.
• Offer special pricing for wholesale or business customers.

How to Set Up WooCommerce User Role Discounts?

Disco is the best WooCommerce plugin for conditional discounts based on user role. Let us walk you through the steps to create the above example rule using the plugin.

• Select the Product intent and specify your products.
• Set the percentage value.
• Add the condition User Role.
• Scroll or type in your target user role and save the rule.

Now, your Wholesale members can enjoy 20% off of their next purchases.

Location-Based Discounts

Want to target customers in specific areas? This discount strategy lets you offer deals based on where your customers are located. It’s perfect for running regional promotions or celebrating local events.

Example: “10% off for customers in [Specific Region/Country].”

Why use this?

• Increase sales in specific regions with targeted promotions.
• Run special promotions for local holidays or events.
• Encourage local customers to choose pickup or local delivery.

How to Set Up Location Based WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

Disco has 3 filters for targeting locations.

1. Country
2. State
3. Zip

The Zip filter allows you to set the exact location or area of your target customers. For this example, we will target a specific state.

Here are the steps –

• Select the Product or Cart intent and specify your target products.
• Set the percentage value.

• Select the State filter.
• Search and select your target state.

• Save the discount rule, and customers from selected locations can now enjoy the discount.

Payment Method-Based WooCommerce Conditional Discounts

Want to encourage customers to use a specific payment method? This discount strategy lets you offer savings when they pay with a preferred gateway. It can help you save on transaction fees and guide customer behavior.

Example: “5% off when paying with [Specific Payment Gateway].”

Why use this?

• Encourage customers to use payment methods that have lower fees.
• Get customers to try out different payment options.
• Promote specific payment methods during special offers.

How to Set Up Discount Per Payment Method for WooCommerce?

Follow these steps to create a conditional payments for WooCommerce rule–

• Select the Cart discount intent and the products from the top sections.
• Specify your percentage value in the Discount Value box.

• Add the condition Payment Method.

• The value dropdown will display all the payment methods available in your store. Select the target payment method and save the rule.

Cart Quantity Discounts

Want to get customers to add more items to their cart? WooCommerce cart discount strategy lets you offer savings when they reach a certain number of items. It’s a great way to encourage them to buy more.

Example: “Get $20 off when cart item quantity is 5 or more.”

Why use this?

• Increase the number of items customers buy in each order.
• Encourage customers to add related or complementary products.
• Give away free samples or promotional items with larger purchases.

How to Set Up Cart Quantity Based WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

We have explored how to set up cart subtotal-based WooCommerce Conditional Discounts earlier in the article. This time, we will walk you through how to set up discounts based on cart quantity. Here are the steps –

• Select the Cart discount intent.

• For selecting specific products, select the Few Products option.
• Search and select the products.

• From the Discount Type, select the Fixed Discount option and set the discount amount.

• Add the condition Cart Items Quantity.

• Select the Greater Than Or Equal operator and set the value.
• Save and test the cart-based WooCommerce product discount rule from the front.

How to Set Up WooCommerce Conditional Discounts Using Coupon Tool?

The coupon tool allow you to create some basic conditional discounts, such as WooCommerce conditional discount for specific product categories, cart total, etc.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create these discounts:

1. Enable Coupons in WooCommerce

Before creating coupons, ensure that the coupon feature is enabled in your WooCommerce settings:

• Navigate to WooCommerce >> Settings >> General.
• Check the box labeled Enable the use of coupon codes.
• Save changes.

2. Create a New Coupon

• Go to Marketing >> Coupons.

• Click on Add Coupon.
• Enter a Coupon Code(e.g., DISCOUNT10).
• Provide a Description (optional).

3. Configure Discount Type

• In the Coupon Data section, under the General tab:
  • Choose the Discount type:
    • Percentage discount: A percentage off the cart total.
    • Fixed cart discount: A fixed amount off the entire cart.
    • Fixed product discount: A fixed amount off individual products.
  • Enter the Coupon amount (e.g., 10 for 10% or $10).

4. Set Usage Restrictions

Switch to the Usage Restrictions tab:

• Minimum spend: Set a minimum cart total for the coupon to apply.
• Maximum spend: Set a maximum cart total for the coupon to apply.
• Individual use only: Prevents the coupon from being used with other coupons.
• Exclude sale items: Excludes products on sale from the discount.
• Products: Include specific products that the coupon applies to.
• Exclude products: Exclude specific products from the coupon.
• Product categories: Apply the coupon to specific product categories.
• Exclude categories: Exclude specific product categories from the coupon.
• Email restrictions: Limit coupon usage to specific email addresses.

5. Set Usage Limits

Go to the Usage Limits tab:

• Usage limit per coupon: Set how many times the coupon can be used in total.
• Usage limit per user: Set how many times a single user can use the coupon.
• Limit usage to X items: Restrict the coupon to a certain number of items.

6. Set Expiry Date (Optional)

• In the Coupon Data section, under the General tab:
  • Check the Coupon expiry date.
  • Select the Expiry date for the coupon.

7. Publish the Coupon

• Click Publish to make the coupon active.

8. Test the Coupon

• Add qualifying products to your cart.
• Proceed to checkout.
• Enter the coupon code to ensure the discount applies correctly.

By following these steps, you can set up basic conditional discounts in WooCommerce using the built-in coupon tool.

What are Best Practices for WooCommerce Conditional Discounts?

Implementing WooCommerce conditional discounts can significantly boost sales and customer loyalty, but it’s crucial to approach them strategically. Here’s a detailed breakdown of best practices:  

1. Define Clear Objectives:

• Start with a Goal: Before setting up any discount, clearly define what you want to achieve. Are you aiming to increase average order value, clear out old inventory, reward loyal customers, or attract new ones?
• Align with Business Strategy: Ensure your discount strategies align with your overall business goals and marketing campaigns.

2. Target the Right Audience:

• Segment Your Customers: Don’t offer the same discount to everyone. Use customer segmentation based on purchase history, demographics, or behavior to target specific groups.  
• Personalize Offers: Tailor discounts to individual customer needs and preferences to maximize engagement. For example, offer discounts on frequently purchased items or related products.  

3. Create Clear and Compelling Offers:

• Keep it Simple: Make discount rules easy to understand. Avoid complex conditions that might confuse customers.
• Highlight the Value: Clearly communicate the benefits of the discount and how it will save customers money. Use strong, action-oriented language.
• Use Urgency Sparingly: Limited-time offers can create a sense of urgency, but overuse can lead to customer fatigue.  

4. Test and Optimize:

• A/B Testing: Experiment with different discount strategies, conditions, and messaging to see what works best.
• Monitor Performance: Track key metrics such as conversion rates, average order value, and customer retention to measure the effectiveness of your discounts.  
• Analyze Data: Use data to identify trends and patterns and adjust your strategies accordingly.  

5. Communicate Effectively:

• Prominent Placement: Display discount offers prominently on your website, product pages, and checkout.  
• Clear Terms and Conditions: Provide clear and concise terms and conditions to avoid misunderstandings.
• Email Marketing: Use email to notify customers about upcoming discounts and promotions.
• Social Media: Promote discounts on social media platforms to reach a wider audience.  

6. Avoid Common Pitfalls:

• Over-Discounting: Avoid excessive discounts that can devalue your products or erode profit margins.  
• Confusing Conditions: Keep discount rules simple and easy to understand.
• Neglecting Mobile Users: Ensure your discounts are optimized for mobile devices.
• Lack of Tracking: Don’t implement discounts without tracking their performance.

7. Leverage Plugin Features Wisely:

• Explore Plugin Capabilities: Utilize the full range of features offered by your chosen best discount plugin for WooCommerce.
• Automate Processes: Automate discount application and management to save time and reduce errors.  
• Use Reporting Features: Take advantage of reporting features to monitor discount performance and identify areas for improvement.

8. Consider Long-Term Impact:

• Customer Loyalty: Use discounts to build long-term customer relationships, not just to drive short-term sales.  
• Brand Perception: Ensure discounts enhance your brand image and don’t cheapen your products.
• Sustainable Strategies: Focus on creating sustainable discount strategies that benefit both your business and your customers.

9. Strategic Discount Combinations:

• Layer Discounts Carefully: Combine different conditional discounts strategically to create powerful promotions. For example, offer a quantity discount with a free shipping discount.
• Avoid Overlapping Discounts: Be mindful of overlapping discounts that might lead to unexpected price reductions. Test thoroughly.

10. Stay Updated:

• Plugin Updates: Keep your WooCommerce and discount plugins updated to ensure compatibility and security.  
• Industry Trends: Stay informed about the latest discount strategies and industry trends.
• Customer Feedback: Regularly solicit and analyze customer feedback to improve your discount offerings.

Wrap Up

Offering WooCommerce conditional discounts can open a window of opportunities for you to boost traffic and conversions and grow your business manifold. However, you must be in the know when and how to use them efficiently to enjoy the maximum impact.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and test different discount strategies to see what resonates best with your audience. Leverage the tools and plugins available to automate and streamline your discount management. And most importantly, always prioritize clear communication and transparency with your customers.

By mastering the art of conditional discounts, you can create a win-win scenario: happier customers and a thriving WooCommerce store.