How to Spot Hidden Discounts When Shopping Online

There are plenty of ways to find hidden discounts when shopping online. In this article, I reveal my favorite methods so you can start saving money today.

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Alex Smith, CSCS, Shopping Expert

Posted on: December 17, 2024

Updated on: December 19, 2024

Shopping online? We all do it and we all love the convenience. But the real magic happens when you find hidden discounts that most shoppers unfortunately miss out on.

Whether you’re shopping for products from direct-to-consumer brands, amazon, or any of your favorite stores, these simple tips will save you money every time.

Your Cheat Sheet to Uncover Secret Online Savings

Here are my favorite ways to find discounts when I’m shopping online, regardless of what I’m buying.

Use Browser Extensions That Find Discounts For You

The most obvious way to find a discount online is to google “product coupon.” The problem with this strategy is most of the coupons just don’t work and you're left feeling frustrated.

Let technology do the work for you!

Here are my favorite browser extensions that work the majority of the time:

honey brand logo

Honey

Why I like it: Honey automatically applies the best promo codes at checkout.

rakuten brand logo

Rakuten

Why I like it: Rakuten allows you to earn cashback on top of finding discounts.

capital one shopping brand logo

Capital One Shopping

Why I like it: Compares prices across multiple stores, giving you the cheapest option. Sometimes, they don’t account for shipping, so make sure you know if you have to pay for shipping.

You’ll have to use google chrome and find each extension in the chrome store, download it and set up an account. After that, you can use the extensions whenever you want.

Pro Tip: Use multiple extensions, but check for conflicts. Sometimes stacking codes won’t work, and one app might find a better deal than another.

Leave Items In Your Cart (Patience Pays Off!)

This is my favorite trick and I use it all the time - add items in your cart and then… walk away.

What exactly does this do?

Well, brands want your business. So they know in order to get you back to your cart, they’ll have to incentivize you.

We’ve all received THAT email: “Did you forget something?” Followed by a discount code to lure you back. If it’s enticing enough… you’ll complete the purchase.

This strategy works best for me when I sign up for an account and then add items to my cart. Then, just let it sit, be patient and the code will come.

Pro Tip: Not in a rush? Wait 24-48 hours. The bigger the store, the better your chances of scoring that coupon.

Sign Up for First-Time Buyer Discounts

Most brands have a first-time buyer discount, which is great. Usually the way to get them is to exchange your email for a coupon code. These discounts range from 10-20% off just for subscribing to their email campaign.

Yes, you’ll be inundated with email marketing and that can get pretty annoying. But, if you set up a “shopping email” you really won’t have to worry about it too much.

Pro Tip: Sometimes, a small popup appears offering the deal. Don’t close it too fast—you might lose the discount!

Follow Brands on Social Media for Exclusive Deals

The one thing I learned over 6 years covering direct-to-consumer wellness brands, is that they love to reward loyal followers. Really, this goes for any brand, not just wellness brands.

Check out their Instagram, Facebook and TikTok pages for promo codes and flash sales. If you dig deep enough, you’ll find something.

Some brands will share “social-only” discounts for their followers.

Pro Tip: If a brand doesn’t list deals, send a friendly DM asking if they have any promos or discounts running. You’d be surprised how often they do!

Use Cashback and Rewards Programs

One of the most under-utlized online shopping techniques is the cashback and rewards programs. The problem with most consumers is they don’t know where to start. Well, I live to serve…

There are plenty of cashback apps out there, such as Rakuten, Ibotta or TopCashback. These apps let you earn a small percentage back on most purchases you make.

For Rakuten, all you have to do is sign up for a free account and shop through Rakuten's platform. Sometimes, it will automatically apply promo codes to help you save more.

Then there’s the credit card rewards, which you can use for extra savings. Just make sure to get a reliable credit card that offers cashback or other rewards.

Some of my favorites are:

  • Chase Freedom Flex®
  • Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
  • Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • Discover it® Cash Back

Pro Tip: Combine cashback with promo codes for ultimate savings. It’s like getting paid to shop.

Look for Referral or Loyalty Discounts

There’s nothing better than earning a referral sale. Many online stores offer a referral program, which allows you to share a tracking link to one of your friends or family members. If they use your link to purchase an item from that store, they get a discount and you’ll get the credit, which usually results in store credit, discounts or sometimes cash.

Loyalty programs allow you to earn points on purchases you make. Those points can add up and be a savings opportunity when you shop in the future.

To find out if a brand offers a referral program, visit their website and scroll all the way to the bottom of their page. If they have one, there will be a link in the footer.

Pro Tip: Some referral programs are super generous (like $10-$20 off). Keep those links handy!

Check Deal Sites Before Buying

Ok, I’m going to share some real nuggets here. Yes, you have your classic coupon sites out there, such as RetailMeNot, Slickdeals and DealNews. Sometimes those coupon codes work, and sometimes they don’t.

But, here are my go-to deal sites. One of them you probably know about, the other is a hidden gem.

groupon brand logo

You can often find some excellent deals on groupon, upwards of 50-60% off. Plenty of brands use this platform to introduce their products to consumers at a discounted rate.

gonift brand logo

No one really talks about this site, but it’s awesome. You can find deals on brands upwards of 90% off! The concept is similar to Groupon, however it’s more for newer brands. It’s a platform where consumers can discover new brands at a discounted rate, which they call “gifts.” Nift also uses AI technology to match you up with brands you most likely will vibe with.

Once you’ve found a hidden discount, make sure it’s legit by learning how to spot fake discounts and shop smarter.

Parting Thoughts

Finding hidden discounts doesn’t take a crazy amount of effort. Whether it’s leaving items in your cart, using browser extensions, or simply signing up for emails, these tips add up to big savings over time.

Go ahead and start with one or two of the tips I shared on your next purchase - you’ll be amazed at how much you save.

About the Author

Alex is an entrepreneur, dad, husband, former college football coach with a Certification in Strength and Conditioning (CSCS). He's your regular consumer and started A Couple Consumers with his wife Tami. Together, they shop and buy products from trending brands thinking it will improve their lives. They decided to create product reviews from products they've been using for years to help other consumers shop - revealing the truth. A savvy shopper and a keen eye for reputable brands, you'll find his personal stories with these products ranging from his wellness journey to fashion to home & lifestyle to stuff for his dog Lou and his kids. He enjoys strength training, football, time with his family and a good laugh.

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