Which offer type to use for seasonal discounts?

Hi,

I would like to run a seasonal discount on my app and offer -30% off for subscribing for the first year to all new and lapsed users.

I can achieve that in two ways:

  1. Create a new Subscription with an Introductory offer (for the new users). And add a Promotional offer to existing subscription (for the lapsed users).

or

  1. Add Offer Code to existing subscription. Make it available for new users and previous subscribers.

It seems that both ways produce the same result, which one should I prefer? Are there any caveats to them? Thank you!

Answered by App Store Commerce Engineer in 788603022

Hello!

You wouldn't want to create a separate SKU just for seasonal discounts. Use subscription offers on an existing SKU, and choose one or more offer type that suits best the campaign you have in mind.

For example, if you want to market the discount via various digital or offline methods, one-time-use or custom offer codes (with a deep link where applicable) are a good fit.

Creating an introductory offer might be the easiest way to manage the discount for new users. You can also distribute the discount on the App Store via promoted in-app purchase. Remember to never hardcode the price in the app UI and check for intro offer eligibility.

Promotional offers are also a great and seamless way to win back lapsed customers. You can choose when and how to display the offer within the app.

If you combine intro offer & promotional offer with offer codes for new and lapsed customers, remember to not allow user to redeem both when setting up the offer codes.

So depending on the ways you want to market the campaign, you might choose to create all three subscription offer types that are essentially the same 30% discount, but mechanics of how they are distributed and redeemed will vary slightly. Or if you want to minimise the management time and effort on your side, setting up intro offer and promotional offer takes the least of it.

Accepted Answer

Hello!

You wouldn't want to create a separate SKU just for seasonal discounts. Use subscription offers on an existing SKU, and choose one or more offer type that suits best the campaign you have in mind.

For example, if you want to market the discount via various digital or offline methods, one-time-use or custom offer codes (with a deep link where applicable) are a good fit.

Creating an introductory offer might be the easiest way to manage the discount for new users. You can also distribute the discount on the App Store via promoted in-app purchase. Remember to never hardcode the price in the app UI and check for intro offer eligibility.

Promotional offers are also a great and seamless way to win back lapsed customers. You can choose when and how to display the offer within the app.

If you combine intro offer & promotional offer with offer codes for new and lapsed customers, remember to not allow user to redeem both when setting up the offer codes.

So depending on the ways you want to market the campaign, you might choose to create all three subscription offer types that are essentially the same 30% discount, but mechanics of how they are distributed and redeemed will vary slightly. Or if you want to minimise the management time and effort on your side, setting up intro offer and promotional offer takes the least of it.

Which offer type to use for seasonal discounts?
 
 
Q