Discount codes have become a game-changer within the leisure sector. They're more than just a marketing ploy - they're a way to reward customers, attract new customers and build loyalty. In recent years their popularity in the leisure sector has increased enormously. But what exactly is the role of these discount codes? How do they influence customer behavior and business results? And how can companies in the leisure sector use them effectively? In this article we will discuss these questions in more detail.

The influence of discount codes on customer satisfaction

Discount codes are not only a way to save money, they also have a major effect on how customers experience a brand. These codes make customers feel satisfied because they get something extra. This is where the psychology of discounts comes into play.

There's something really satisfying about scoring a good deal. It gives you the feeling that you are shopping smart and have achieved something. And do you know what reinforces this feeling? Discount codes! They make you valued and rewarded as a customer, and make you think positively about a brand. Ultimately, this means higher customer satisfaction, more loyalty and of course more sales.

Furthermore, discount codes can help you as a business promote specific products or services, boost seasonal sales, or even win back customers who haven't done any activity with you in a while.

Discount codes as a useful tool to boost your turnover

But discount codes are not just a trick to entice customers. They can also give a significant boost to your turnover. And that is not just something, but is supported by numerous studies and success stories from the industry.

One way that discount codes can increase sales is by increasing the average purchase amount. According to the CCV Shop, it works well to combine a discount in euros with a minimum purchase amount, such as "Spend 100 euros and get 10 euros discount". This way, customers are encouraged to spend more to take advantage of the discount.

In addition, discount codes can be used to boost customer loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. According to Webwinkel Succes , there are different ways to offer discount codes, such as a percentage discount or a fixed amount of credit. By experimenting with different types of discounts, you as a company can discover what works best for your customers and business goals.

Moreover, discount codes can help convince doubting customers. Digitale Versnelling reports that some web shops use apps that detect doubting customers and automatically provide them with a discount code.
This can give customers that extra push they need to make a purchase. But beware, successfully implementing a discount code strategy requires careful planning and management. As a company, you must set clear goals for your discount promotions, know your prices well before you give a discount, and ensure that you can accurately measure the impact of the discounts.

Finding the right balance between discounts and profitability

So giving discounts can be a powerful way to increase sales, but it is also a fine balance. Discounting too much can decrease profitability, while discounting too little can undermine the purpose of the promotion. It is therefore important to find the right balance.

It all starts with understanding your costs. Before you offer a discount, it is important to know exactly how much margin you have on your products or services. Make sure the discount you offer doesn't eat up your entire profit.

Another smart strategy is to use discount codes to encourage customers to buy more. For example, if you have a bowling alley, you can offer a discount code for an appetizer board when they reserve the lane for 2 hours instead of 1. This way, customers are encouraged to spend more while still feeling like they are getting a get a good deal.

Moreover, it is important to regularly evaluate and adjust your discount strategy. Monitor how customers respond to different types of discounts and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Giving discounts does not necessarily mean that you make less profit. With the right approach and tools, as a company in the leisure sector you can use discount codes to increase customer satisfaction, stimulate turnover and remain profitable at the same time.

The future of discount codes in the leisure sector

The future of discount codes in the leisure sector looks really promising. With the growth of digital marketing and e-commerce, discount codes are likely to play an even more important role in engaging customers and generating sales.

A trend that we see more and more often is the personalization of discount codes. Companies use data analytics to offer customized discount codes that fit the preferences and purchasing behavior of individual customers. This can help make discount codes more relevant and effective, increasing conversion rates and increasing repeat purchases (source: Retail Touchpoints).

Another emerging trend is the use of discount codes in combination with loyalty programs. For example, gyms use discount codes to encourage existing members to renew their memberships or attract new members. These types of strategies can help strengthen customer loyalty and increase customer lifetime value.

In the future, we're likely to see even more advanced technologies used to make discount codes better. Consider, for example, artificial intelligence that is used to determine the best discount strategy for each customer, or automated systems that provide real-time feedback on how the discount codes are performing.

Whatever the future of discount codes looks like, at i-Reserve we continue to support our customers with these developments. We continue to invest in technology and innovation so that our customers have the tools they need to be successful in the ever-changing landscape of the leisure sector.

The power of discount codes within the i-Reserve reservation system

It is clear that discount codes can be a super useful tool in the toolbox of any leisure company. They can help to stimulate customer loyalty, increase the average spending amount and convince doubting customers. But to be truly effective, they must be well managed and tailored to the unique needs and goals of your business.

At i-Reserve we understand that managing prices, discounts and surcharges is essential for running a successful business in the leisure sector. That's why we've designed our reservation system in such a way that it can apply both simple and complex discounts or surcharges.

In the i-Reserve reservation system you can set discounts or surcharges on a product in certain situations. These can vary from a percentage to a fixed amount. This means you have the freedom to tailor your pricing strategies to meet the unique needs and goals of your business.

You may want to offer a discount on last-minute bookings to encourage customers to make spontaneous decisions. Or perhaps it is a good idea to reduce the hourly price for a booking of 2 or 3 hours, as a reward for customers who book with you for longer. You can even set a discount or surcharge for a certain number of participants to encourage or manage group bookings.

Regardless of your goals or strategies, i-Reserve is here to help. We have the tools and expertise you need to effectively manage your prices, discounts and allowances. This way you can fully focus on what really matters: offering your customers the best experiences. Want to know more about the possibilities of i-Reserve ? Please contact us, we will be happy to help you.

October 2023