WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount: Boost Sales with Flat-Rate Discounts

Introduction

Discounts are one of the most effective ways to attract customers, increase conversions, and boost revenue in an online store. WooCommerce offers multiple discount types, but fixed cart discounts stand out as one of the simplest and most effective promotional strategies.

A fixed cart discount applies a flat-rate discount to the entire shopping cart, regardless of the number of products or their individual prices. Unlike percentage-based discounts, which adjust based on the cart value, fixed cart discounts provide a consistent discount amount, making them easy to understand for customers.

In this blog, we will explore:

• What a fixed cart discount is
• How it differs from other discount types in WooCommerce
• Benefits of using fixed cart discounts
• How to set up a fixed cart discount in WooCommerce
• Best plugins for managing cart discounts
• Best practices for maximizing sales with cart discounts

What is a WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount?

A fixed cart discount applies a specific amount off the total cart value, rather than adjusting prices at the product level.

For example:

• $20 off on an order total of $100 reduces the cart total to $80.
• If the cart total is $150, the discount remains $20, making the final amount $130.

Unlike percentage discounts, which scale with cart value, a fixed cart discount remains constant, providing a clear and predictable discount for customers.

Fixed Cart Discount vs. Other Discount Types

Why Use a Fixed Cart Discount in WooCommerce?

1. Simple and Easy for Customers to Understand

Fixed discounts are clear and straightforward—customers know exactly how much they’re saving.

2. Encourages Higher Cart Value

When customers see a flat discount, they’re more likely to increase their cart total to make the discount more valuable.

3. Increases Conversion Rates

Discounts encourage hesitant shoppers to complete their purchases, reducing cart abandonment rates.

4. Works Well with Limited-Time Promotions

A fixed cart discount is great for flash sales, seasonal promotions, and store-wide discounts.

5. Provides Better Control Over Discounts

Unlike percentage-based discounts, where high-value purchases lead to larger discounts, fixed cart discounts limit the discount amount, helping store owners maintain profitability.

How to Set Up a Fixed Cart Discount in WooCommerce

WooCommerce allows store owners to create fixed cart discounts using built-in coupon functionality or plugins.

Method 1: Using WooCommerce Coupons

Step 1: Enable Coupons in WooCommerce

1. Go to WooCommerce → Settings → General
2. Scroll to the Enable Coupons section
3. Check “Enable the use of coupon codes”
4. Click Save Changes

Step 2: Create a Fixed Cart Discount Coupon

1. Navigate to WooCommerce → Marketing → Coupons
2. Click Add Coupon
3. Enter a coupon code (e.g., “SAVE20”)
4. In the Discount Type dropdown, select Fixed Cart Discount
5. Enter the discount amount (e.g., $20)

Step 3: Set Additional Conditions (Optional)

• Minimum cart value: Require customers to spend a certain amount before applying the discount
• Usage restrictions: Apply the discount to specific products, categories, or exclude sale items
• Usage limits: Limit the number of times a customer can use the coupon

Step 4: Save and Test the Coupon

• Click Publish to activate the coupon
• Test the coupon by adding products to the cart and applying the code

Method 2: Using a WooCommerce Plugin for Automatic Cart Discounts

Instead of requiring customers to enter a coupon code, some plugins automatically apply a fixed cart discount when conditions are met.

Best WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount Plugins

1. WooCommerce Discount Rules by Flycart

✅ Create automatic cart discounts without coupon codes
✅ Set minimum cart total conditions
✅ Apply discounts based on user roles

Price: Free & Paid

2. Advanced Coupons for WooCommerce

✅ Schedule time-based cart discounts
✅ Set cart-based conditions for discounts
✅ Combine cart discounts with free shipping

Price: Free & Paid

3. Smart Coupons for WooCommerce by WebToffee

✅ Generate bulk discount codes
✅ Offer one-time use cart discounts
✅ Create custom discount rules

Price: Paid

Best Practices for Using Fixed Cart Discounts

To maximize sales and conversions, follow these best practices when using fixed cart discounts:

✅ Set a Minimum Cart Total for Discounts

Encourage customers to spend more by setting a minimum cart value before the discount applies (e.g., $50 minimum purchase to get $10 off).

✅ Use Cart Discounts for Limited-Time Offers

Create urgency by running flash sales or seasonal promotions using fixed cart discounts.

✅ Combine Discounts with Free Shipping

Boost sales by offering a fixed cart discount plus free shipping for orders above a certain amount.

✅ Target Discounts Based on User Roles

Offer exclusive cart discounts for VIP customers, wholesale buyers, or first-time shoppers.

✅ Avoid Overlapping Discounts

Make sure cart discounts don’t stack with other promotions to prevent excessive discounts.

Common Questions About WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discounts

1. Can I Apply Fixed Cart Discounts Automatically Without Coupons?

Yes, you can use plugins like WooCommerce Discount Rules to automatically apply cart discounts when conditions are met.

2. Can Fixed Cart Discounts Be Applied to Specific Products?

No, fixed cart discounts apply to the entire cart total. If you want to discount individual products, use a fixed product discount instead.

3. Can I Restrict Cart Discounts to Logged-In Users?

Yes, you can use user role restrictions to limit cart discounts to specific customers (e.g., members, wholesalers).

4. Can I Offer Different Fixed Cart Discounts for Different Order Amounts?

Yes! You can create multiple discount tiers (e.g., $10 off $50+, $20 off $100+) using a plugin.

5. Will Fixed Cart Discounts Work with Other WooCommerce Coupons?

WooCommerce allows one coupon per order by default, but you can enable stacking in settings.

Final Thoughts

A WooCommerce Fixed Cart Discount is a simple yet powerful tool for boosting sales, improving customer satisfaction, and encouraging higher cart values. Whether you use WooCommerce’s built-in coupon system or an advanced plugin, fixed cart discounts help create effective promotions.

By strategically setting minimum purchase limits, combining discounts with free shipping, and automating cart discounts, you can drive more sales while maintaining profitability.