Coupons vs Vouchers vs Promo Codes

The origin of the word ‘promotion’ can be traced to the Latin word promovere, which means moving forward. As the word suggests, companies have widely adopted promotion to make their business move forward, and it has always been a major factor in business success.

Before the digital revolution, promos existed in print forms like billboards, pamphlets, newspaper advertisements, and other forms. But, after the arrival of the internet, it has been majorly shifting to digital form. With the emergence of shopping sites, the best way to promote a business is by offering coupon codes and giving away vouchers and promo codes.

People always have various questions in their minds like, what is promo code? And what is the difference between coupons and vouchers? Here we have come up with the meanings, uses, definitions, and differences between coupons, vouchers, and promo codes, which will easily help you understand the subtleties of the three terms. here you can also check List of Best Coupon Apps & Coupon Websites in India

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What Is the Difference Between Coupons, Vouchers, and Promo Codes?

What is a promo code?

A promo code is an umbrella term used for the practice in which companies provide customers with some sort of discount on their products and services. It is a sequence of alphanumeric codes which helps customers avail discounts given by sites to promote their business, resulting in increased sales. They are often categorised as vouchers, discount codes, and coupon codes.

What are coupons?

Coupon codes are distributed by the marketing team via email, SMS, notifications, or individually distributed in print form by independent bodies to attract audiences and, in a lot of cases, convert new users to the platform. Coupons can be redeemed more than once, depending on the cap. Sometimes coupons work, once, twice, or for a set time period. 

How do coupon codes work?

Coupon code works to provide a discount on the purchase when applied at checkout or personal details page. Customers can apply coupons code while making a purchase which will cut down the price of products or services.

Is it illegal to use coupon codes online?

No, using coupon codes online is not illegal. It is legal to apply coupon codes to get discounts.

What happens when you use a promo code?

When you use a promo code, the price of the product or service prices slashes down to the discounted coupon rate assured in the promo code.

Why isn’t my coupon code working?

Your coupon code is not working because it has either expired or your order is not eligible for applying that specific promo code. Read the coupons code terms and conditions carefully.

How do I get a coupon or promotional code?

You can get coupons and promotional codes from 1500+ shopping sites at India’s biggest Cashback and coupon app and website – CashKaro.

What are the benefits of coupons?

When buying any product or service, coupons can help you benefit by purchasing it at a discounted coupon rate.

What are vouchers?

Voucher (Image source: Freepik)

Vouchers are typically distributed by companies directly to the customer. Often it is distributed in the form of gift cards and loyalty cards as a reward. Customers can redeem their vouchers to get freebies or discounts, or even sometimes, it comes up with an added balance that customers can use to purchase products or services of a company. The main motive of vouchers is to aid repeat purchases.

Difference between coupons, vouchers, and promo codes

Promo code is a wider term used for all the promotional tactics applied by businesses in the form of an alphanumeric code to promote sales, increase user engagement, and provide promotional discounts to the customer, either in the form of coupons or vouchers. When it comes to vouchers and coupons, people always have various questions about the difference between coupons and vouchers and their benefits.

Both these promotional mechanisms provide additional discounts and help you save money, but there is a difference between them. Both of them come with different motives and outcomes.

Businesses often provide discount coupons for their customers, partners, and selected audiences. Sometimes the company collaborates with influencers and provides a custom coupon code where the customer can grab discounts via a third-party channel.

Coupons are generally common for all; they also come in printed form, distributed by the marketing team to grab public attention and promote a business. Whereas, vouchers are generally a set of alphanumeric sequences provided by businesses directly to the customer via email, SMS, loyalty card, gift cards, and more.

Often vouchers come with 100% redeem capability. Customers can directly redeem their points, gift, or digital money to buy any product or service without spending a single rupee. It is often in reward or compensation to encourage loyal customers to make regular and repeat purchases.

Difference between Coupons and Vouchers

FactorsCouponsVouchers
PaymentAssociated with paymentsNot associated with payments
SpecificalityUniversal for allPerson specific
SessionUsed during checkoutUsed while login session
RedemptionCan be used once, twice, or moreCan be redeemed only once

FAQs

What is a promo code?

Promo code is a wider term for coupons and vouchers; companies offer customers discounts and additional perks in an attempt to increase engagement and promote sales.

What is a coupon code?

A coupon code is a series of alphanumeric text provided by shopping sites or other mediums to offer discounts on the purchase of products or services.

How to get a coupon code?

You can get a coupon code via email, SMS, or other promotional mediums.

How to get a promo code?

You can get a promo code at product/services specific websites, or you can get it on CashKaro, India’s biggest coupons and cashback website and app.

How to get a promo code for Amazon?

You can get a promo code for Amazon at promo code sites, apps, and in various coupon giveaways.

How to apply promo code in Paytm?

You can apply a promo code in Paytm at the checkout page by choosing from the offers section or applying the code manually.

How to use coupon codes on Amazon?

You can use coupon codes on Amazon at the checkout page to get discounts.

How to apply coupon code on Flipkart?

You can apply a coupon code on Flipkart by adding the code in the coupon box available at the checkout page.

How to use coupons in the Airtel app?

You can use coupons in the airtel app after selecting your plan and proceeding to the checkout page.

How to apply coupons in Myntra?

After adding the items to the shopping cart, you can apply coupons on the Myntra app.

Abhishek Kumar
Abhishek Kumar

Abhishek is a graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication. He has worked with several organizations as a Journalist, Content Developer, Fact-checker and Photojournalist. He has a keen interest in fact-checking. When not writing or analysing web content, he spends time doing research and fact-checks to combat misinformation/disinformation on the internet. Abhishek has joined us as a Content Analyst with a positive outlook for Indian e-commerce buyers.

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