Discount codes: how they work and how to earn by sharing them

A discount code is a short word or combination of digits that lowers the price when entered in an online shop. In Lithuania “nuolaidos kodas” (discount code) and “nuolaidų kodai” (discount codes) are searched for hundreds of times a month, and together with shop names – thousands of times. For buyers a code is a discount, and for affiliates it is one of the most effective ways to earn a commission.

This part of the guide covers how discount codes work, how a personal affiliate code differs from a public one, and how to share codes so that they sell.

How a discount code works

1. The seller creates the code and sets its terms: the size of the discount, its validity, which products it applies to.
2. The buyer enters the code in the basket, and the price goes down.
3. If the code belongs to an affiliate, the sale is attributed to that affiliate and a commission is calculated.

Public and personal codes

In many affiliate systems, including track.lt, an affiliate code entered by the buyer takes priority over a link: if the buyer clicked one affiliate's link but entered another affiliate's code, the sale is attributed to the owner of the code.

Why codes work

• A reason to buy now. A discount helps people make up their mind.
• Easy to remember. A short code can be said in a video or written on a photo.
• Works without links. Even if the buyer finds the shop on their own, the code will attribute the sale to you.
• A visible result. The seller sees how many sales your code has brought.

How to share a code so that it sells

1. Explain why you recommend the product – a code without context looks like an advert.
2. Show the product in use – a photo or a short video works better than a description.
3. State the terms of the code – the size of the discount and how long it is valid.
4. Remind people – before the holidays, at the start of the season, when the code is about to expire.
5. Disclose that you receive a commission.

Coupon sites

A large share of “shop + discount code” searches lead to coupon sites that collect public codes. Many affiliate programmes restrict or prohibit posting personal codes on such sites, because they take sales away from the affiliates who actually recommended the product. Before publishing a code publicly, check the programme's rules.

Frequently asked questions