Adding Discount Code to Paypal Items
December 3, 2009 4:37 AM Subscribe
How to add discount codes to the Paypal checkout process?
I helped a neighbor set up a website to sell some things. It is a basic page with a bunch of "buy now" buttons. Now my neighbor would like to offer 20% off of his wares for a few weeks for the holidays. I'd rather not have to make new buttons for each item. I noticed during the checkout process that one is prompted to enter a discount code if they have one. But I am having a great deal of difficulty finding out how I can use the feature. I assume some javascript is the way to go?
My neighbor has a fully verified account (premiere?) if that helps.
Adding a third-party shopping cart or changing from Paypal at this time are not an option.
I helped a neighbor set up a website to sell some things. It is a basic page with a bunch of "buy now" buttons. Now my neighbor would like to offer 20% off of his wares for a few weeks for the holidays. I'd rather not have to make new buttons for each item. I noticed during the checkout process that one is prompted to enter a discount code if they have one. But I am having a great deal of difficulty finding out how I can use the feature. I assume some javascript is the way to go?
My neighbor has a fully verified account (premiere?) if that helps.
Adding a third-party shopping cart or changing from Paypal at this time are not an option.
Without knowing how you built the site it's hard to say. Pretty much all of the shopping cart addons for joomla/wordpress (zencart, phpcart, etc) include coupon functionality independent of the paypal widget.
If you did this by hand, or if you're wanting some secret paypal hax, I got nothin'.
posted by TomMelee at 5:32 AM on December 3, 2009
If you did this by hand, or if you're wanting some secret paypal hax, I got nothin'.
posted by TomMelee at 5:32 AM on December 3, 2009
Best answer: Thanks. It is built in Wordpress and only using PayPal Buy Now (email, not form) buttons. My research is leading me to the conclusion that it will require adding some javascript and a form.
I think I may have my answer, but I am open to any other suggestions.
posted by terrapin at 5:35 AM on December 3, 2009
I think I may have my answer, but I am open to any other suggestions.
posted by terrapin at 5:35 AM on December 3, 2009
Best answer: I personally use Google Checkout and Google has an easy to use coupon feature. I am trying to convince my neighbor to switch to Checkout, which I find easier to use.
posted by terrapin at 5:58 AM on December 3, 2009
posted by terrapin at 5:58 AM on December 3, 2009
I was unsuccessful at finding a purely-PayPal way to do coupons/discount codes when I set up a site for a client earlier this year. We ended up using ejunkie.com for the buttons & shopping cart (with PayPal still used for processing). It's cheap, easy to set up, & seems to be working well.
posted by belladonna at 7:17 AM on December 3, 2009
posted by belladonna at 7:17 AM on December 3, 2009
Kinda weird that this question was live for less than 2 hours before you marked your own answers as best, but w/e.
Coupon codes suck, imo. Paypal gives you the option to save your buttons, just make a big "Holiday Sale" banner and do it that way.
posted by TomMelee at 7:33 AM on December 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
Coupon codes suck, imo. Paypal gives you the option to save your buttons, just make a big "Holiday Sale" banner and do it that way.
posted by TomMelee at 7:33 AM on December 3, 2009 [1 favorite]
As far as my research goes, they do not have it yet. I cannot remember the paypal forum that I read that on, but it was about 6 months ago. I know there are hacks, but they sound spotty. I am waiting, as I would love to offer it to my customers. Right now, rewriting the buttons sounds too crazy.
posted by Vaike at 11:59 AM on December 3, 2009
posted by Vaike at 11:59 AM on December 3, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
For example, I'd love if I could write "Please use the code 'xmas' in the promotion code field during the checkout process to take advantage of our holiday sales"
If I am going to have to redo all the buttons I may as well just save the old code, make new buttons and then when the sale is over, replace the old codes.
There must be a better way.
Any ideas?
posted by terrapin at 5:01 AM on December 3, 2009