How to choose good discount codes
A unique code is a code that can only be used once. Unlike one shared code such as SUMMER10, it can't be passed around on coupon sites, and you can see exactly which code was used for which order.
- Length. Longer codes are harder to guess. 8 characters is a common choice. People who type the code by hand prefer shorter codes, so don't go longer than you need.
- Characters. Letters and digits give the most combinations for a given length. Digits only are easy to type on a phone but need more characters to be safe.
- Look-alike characters. 0 and O, and 1, I and L, are easy to mix up when people read a code from an email or a printed card. Leaving them out saves you customer service questions.
- Prefix. A prefix such as XMAS- or NEWS- shows where a code came from. It is the same in every code, so it does not make the codes harder to guess.
How many combinations you need
The number of possible codes is c^L (c to the power of L), where c is the number of characters you allow and L is the length. Letters and digits without look-alikes are 31 characters, so 8 characters give 31^8 = 852,891,037,441 possible codes.
The share of valid codes is the chance that a random guess works. If you create 10,000 codes from 852 billion combinations, a guess works about once in 85 million tries. If your codes use more than 1% of the combinations, more than 1 guess in 100 works, and the tool warns you. Make the codes longer or allow more characters.
Unique codes as prizes in Scratcher
Unique codes work well as prizes in games and competitions. In Scratcher, you add your own codes as an instant-win prize: each winner gets one of your codes, and each code is only given out once. You can use them in a spin the wheel game, a scratch card or any other format. Read more about instant wins and prize draws, and get ideas in lead magnet ideas beyond the 10% discount.
Handing out codes on paper, in a shop or at an event? The printable coupon generator puts a unique code on each coupon. To see what a discount costs compared with a prize, use the discount vs prize calculator.
How to add the codes to your webshop
Most webshop systems can create a discount with many single-use codes, either by importing a list or by pasting the codes in. The steps differ from system to system, so check your shop's help pages. In general:
- Create the discount in your shop first: the amount or percentage, the minimum order, the expiry date and the products it applies to.
- Set each code to be used once, if your shop has that option.
- Import or paste the codes from the CSV file or the list above.
- Test one code at the checkout before you send them out.
Keep the CSV file somewhere safe. Anyone who has the list can use the codes.
