Discount Code via advanced variables

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InterVac
Contributor
Contributor
Posted on
‎Oct-03-2013 12:14 PM

I've done some forum searches for ways to do a coupon or discount code.  Near as I could find it is possible to do with the discount variables offering a certain amount or percentage off an item, is there a way to code that portion possible based on information entered in the "text field".

 

So my site http://www.intervacbagsandmore.com sells a handful of parts.  We are thinking of running an ad campaign and want to have a coupon code associated with a discount on dust bags to give us an idea of whether or not this ad is working.

 

My thought was to change the add to cart button to offer a text area where you would normally put say engraving information in and instead it would be a predesignated coupon code, then through some nifty coding in the advanced variables reduce the price of the item by "X %/$"

 

Anyone have any experience with this?

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snowshoe
Frequent Advisor
Frequent Advisor
‎Oct-03-2013 01:16 PM

Yes, this can be done using either the "discount" variables with some custom scripting or just some custom scripting.

 

See this info:

http://ccaples.com/index.php/basic-scripts/examples-i/coupon-codes

 

 

And this info:

http://ccaples.com/index.php/basic-scripts/examples-i/coupons-using-paypal-s-discount-variables

 

 

Note, the online button creator does have it limitations meaning you can't use the Advanced Variables in Step 3 of the button creation process.  The code has to be manually written but, with a bit of scripting and the use of the "discount" variables to manage the logic, you can get creative.

 

 

Last, here's an Add to Cart example you can tweak:

 

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
<head>

<title>Button Example Code</title>

<!-- START META TAG SECTION -->
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en">
<!-- END META TAG SECTION -->


<!-- Start of Script -->	  
<script language = "javascript">
<!--
function validate(text1,text2) {

if (text1 == text2)
 {
 window.alert("Nice, you get a 10% Discount!");
 }
if (text1 !== text2)
 {
 window.alert("Sorry, No Discount!");
 }
}

function CalculateOrder(form) {

 if (form.text1.value == "GOLD10")
 {
 form.discount_rate.value = "10";
 form.discount_rate2.value = "10";
 form.on3.value = "Coupon Entered";
 form.os3.value = "GOLD10";
 }
}
//-->
</script>
<!-- End of Script -->


</head>

<body>

<!-- START SAMPLE CODE SECTION -->


<!-- PARAGRAPH 1 -->
Discount &amp; Coupon Examples

<br><br>

Add to Cart - Enter the Promo Coupon Code, Get a 10% Discount, on Screen Validation.

<br><br>

Notes:<br>
This example uses a script to verify the Promo Coupon Code and then applies the associated Discount Rate using the the &quot;discount_rate&quot; and the &quot;discount_rate2&quot; variables.
<br><br>
Give it a try, the Promo Coupon Code is:&nbsp;&nbsp; GOLD10 

<br><br>


<!-- START CONTENTS -->

<!-- START BUTTON EXAMPLES -->


Widgets in Space

<br><br>
 
Widget Cupcakes

<br><br>


<!-- Start of Add to Cart Form -->
<!-- Note: target="_self" was replaced with the variable target="_self" -->
<!-- Note: shopping_url also added to code -->
<!-- These two changes allow better functionality with IE and Firefox --> 
<form target="_self" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<!-- If using a Business or Company Logo Graphic, include the "cpp_header_image" variable in your View Cart code. -->
<input type="hidden" name="cpp_header_image" value="https://yourwebsite.com/logo.jpg"> 

Please Choose:&#160;&#160;
<input type="hidden" name="on0" value="Choice">
<select name="os0">
<option value="Standard, 6 each per Box" selected>Standard, 6 each per Box - $9.95</option>
<option value="Standard, 12 each per Box">Standard, 12 each per Box - $16.95</option>
<option value="Deluxe, 6 each per Box">Deluxe, 6 each per Box - $12.95</option>
<option value="Deluxe, 12 each per Box">Deluxe, 12 each per Box - $22.95</option>
</select>


<!-- option_index value=0 is associated with variable on0 -->
<!-- option_index value=1 is associated with variable on1 -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_index" value="0">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select0" value="Standard, 6 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount0" value="9.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number0" value="S-6-BOX">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select1" value="Standard, 12 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount1" value="16.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number1" value="S-12-BOX">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select2" value="Deluxe, 6 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount2" value="12.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number2" value="D-6-BOX">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select3" value="Deluxe, 12 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount3" value="22.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number3" value="D-12-BOX">
<!-- -->



<br><br>
Cupcake Flavors:&#160;&#160;
<input type="hidden" name="on1" value="Flavor">
<select name="os1">
<option value="Vanilla Dream" selected>Vanilla Dream</option>
<option value="Berry Burst">Berry Burst</option>
<option value="Chocolicious">Chocolicious</option>
<option value="Carrot Passion">Carrot Passion</option>
<option value="Banana Karma">Banana Karma</option>
<option value="Mocha-Chococcino">Mocha-Chococcino</option>
</select>

<br><br>
Optional Gift Message:&#160;&#160;
<input type="hidden" name="on2" value="Optional Gift Message">
<input type="text" name="os2" maxlength="60">

<br><br>
<!-- Start Coupon Validate -->	
Enter Promo Coupon - Get 10% Off:
&#160;&#160;&#160;
<input type="text" name="text1">
<input type="button" value="Check It" name="Submit" onclick=javascript&colon;validate(text1.value,"GOLD10") >
<!-- End Coupon Validate -->

<br><br><br>
<input type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" border="0" onclick=CalculateOrder(this.form) name="submit" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">
<input type="hidden" name="add" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_cart">
<!-- Replace "business" value with your PayPal Email Address or Account ID -->
<input type="hidden" name="business" value="your email address">
<input type="hidden" name="item_name" value="Widget Cupcakes">
<input type="hidden" name="no_shipping" value="2">
<input type="hidden" name="discount_rate">
<input type="hidden" name="discount_rate2">
<input type="hidden" name="on3">
<input type="hidden" name="os3">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to -->
<input type="hidden" name="shopping_url" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/Shop.html">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to after a successful transaction -->
<input type="hidden" name="return" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/ThankYou.html">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to after item cancellation -->
<input type="hidden" name="cancel_return" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/Cancel.html">
<input type="hidden" name="currency_code" value="USD">
<input type="hidden" name="lc" value="US">
<input type="hidden" name="button_subtype" value="products">
<input type="hidden" name="no_note" value="0">
<input type="hidden" name="cn" value="Add special instructions to the seller:">
<input type="hidden" name="bn" value="PP-ShopCartBF:btn_cart_LG.gif:NonHosted">
</form>
<!-- End Add to Cart Button Code -->	

<br>

<!--  Start of View Cart Button Code  -->
<form target="_self" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<!-- If using a Business or Company Logo Graphic, include the "cpp_header_image" variable in your View Cart code. -->
<input type="hidden" name="cpp_header_image" value="https://yourwebsite.com/logo.jpg"> 
<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_cart">
<input type="hidden" name="display" value="1">
<!-- Replace "business" value with your PayPal Email Address or Account ID -->
<input type="hidden" name="business" value="your email address">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to -->
<input type="hidden" name="shopping_url" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/Shop.html">
<input type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_viewcart_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">
</form> 
<!--  End of View Cart Button Code  -->




<!-- END BUTTON EXAMPLES -->



<!-- END SAMPLE CODE SECTION -->

<br><br>


<br><br><br><br>
<hr align="left" width="50%" noshade>
<br><br>
NOTES:
<br>
In order to test the code, you must replace the &quot;business&quot; value variable with your PayPal Email Address or Account ID.


</body>
</html>

 

 

 

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3 REPLIES 3
Solved

Go to solution
snowshoe
Frequent Advisor
Frequent Advisor
‎Oct-03-2013 01:16 PM

Yes, this can be done using either the "discount" variables with some custom scripting or just some custom scripting.

 

See this info:

http://ccaples.com/index.php/basic-scripts/examples-i/coupon-codes

 

 

And this info:

http://ccaples.com/index.php/basic-scripts/examples-i/coupons-using-paypal-s-discount-variables

 

 

Note, the online button creator does have it limitations meaning you can't use the Advanced Variables in Step 3 of the button creation process.  The code has to be manually written but, with a bit of scripting and the use of the "discount" variables to manage the logic, you can get creative.

 

 

Last, here's an Add to Cart example you can tweak:

 

<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
<head>

<title>Button Example Code</title>

<!-- START META TAG SECTION -->
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8">
<meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en">
<!-- END META TAG SECTION -->


<!-- Start of Script -->	  
<script language = "javascript">
<!--
function validate(text1,text2) {

if (text1 == text2)
 {
 window.alert("Nice, you get a 10% Discount!");
 }
if (text1 !== text2)
 {
 window.alert("Sorry, No Discount!");
 }
}

function CalculateOrder(form) {

 if (form.text1.value == "GOLD10")
 {
 form.discount_rate.value = "10";
 form.discount_rate2.value = "10";
 form.on3.value = "Coupon Entered";
 form.os3.value = "GOLD10";
 }
}
//-->
</script>
<!-- End of Script -->


</head>

<body>

<!-- START SAMPLE CODE SECTION -->


<!-- PARAGRAPH 1 -->
Discount &amp; Coupon Examples

<br><br>

Add to Cart - Enter the Promo Coupon Code, Get a 10% Discount, on Screen Validation.

<br><br>

Notes:<br>
This example uses a script to verify the Promo Coupon Code and then applies the associated Discount Rate using the the &quot;discount_rate&quot; and the &quot;discount_rate2&quot; variables.
<br><br>
Give it a try, the Promo Coupon Code is:&nbsp;&nbsp; GOLD10 

<br><br>


<!-- START CONTENTS -->

<!-- START BUTTON EXAMPLES -->


Widgets in Space

<br><br>
 
Widget Cupcakes

<br><br>


<!-- Start of Add to Cart Form -->
<!-- Note: target="_self" was replaced with the variable target="_self" -->
<!-- Note: shopping_url also added to code -->
<!-- These two changes allow better functionality with IE and Firefox --> 
<form target="_self" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<!-- If using a Business or Company Logo Graphic, include the "cpp_header_image" variable in your View Cart code. -->
<input type="hidden" name="cpp_header_image" value="https://yourwebsite.com/logo.jpg"> 

Please Choose:&#160;&#160;
<input type="hidden" name="on0" value="Choice">
<select name="os0">
<option value="Standard, 6 each per Box" selected>Standard, 6 each per Box - $9.95</option>
<option value="Standard, 12 each per Box">Standard, 12 each per Box - $16.95</option>
<option value="Deluxe, 6 each per Box">Deluxe, 6 each per Box - $12.95</option>
<option value="Deluxe, 12 each per Box">Deluxe, 12 each per Box - $22.95</option>
</select>


<!-- option_index value=0 is associated with variable on0 -->
<!-- option_index value=1 is associated with variable on1 -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_index" value="0">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select0" value="Standard, 6 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount0" value="9.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number0" value="S-6-BOX">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select1" value="Standard, 12 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount1" value="16.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number1" value="S-12-BOX">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select2" value="Deluxe, 6 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount2" value="12.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number2" value="D-6-BOX">
<!-- -->
<input type="hidden" name="option_select3" value="Deluxe, 12 each per Box">
<input type="hidden" name="option_amount3" value="22.95">
<input type="hidden" name="option_item_number3" value="D-12-BOX">
<!-- -->



<br><br>
Cupcake Flavors:&#160;&#160;
<input type="hidden" name="on1" value="Flavor">
<select name="os1">
<option value="Vanilla Dream" selected>Vanilla Dream</option>
<option value="Berry Burst">Berry Burst</option>
<option value="Chocolicious">Chocolicious</option>
<option value="Carrot Passion">Carrot Passion</option>
<option value="Banana Karma">Banana Karma</option>
<option value="Mocha-Chococcino">Mocha-Chococcino</option>
</select>

<br><br>
Optional Gift Message:&#160;&#160;
<input type="hidden" name="on2" value="Optional Gift Message">
<input type="text" name="os2" maxlength="60">

<br><br>
<!-- Start Coupon Validate -->	
Enter Promo Coupon - Get 10% Off:
&#160;&#160;&#160;
<input type="text" name="text1">
<input type="button" value="Check It" name="Submit" onclick=javascript&colon;validate(text1.value,"GOLD10") >
<!-- End Coupon Validate -->

<br><br><br>
<input type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" border="0" onclick=CalculateOrder(this.form) name="submit" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">
<input type="hidden" name="add" value="1">
<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_cart">
<!-- Replace "business" value with your PayPal Email Address or Account ID -->
<input type="hidden" name="business" value="your email address">
<input type="hidden" name="item_name" value="Widget Cupcakes">
<input type="hidden" name="no_shipping" value="2">
<input type="hidden" name="discount_rate">
<input type="hidden" name="discount_rate2">
<input type="hidden" name="on3">
<input type="hidden" name="os3">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to -->
<input type="hidden" name="shopping_url" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/Shop.html">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to after a successful transaction -->
<input type="hidden" name="return" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/ThankYou.html">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to after item cancellation -->
<input type="hidden" name="cancel_return" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/Cancel.html">
<input type="hidden" name="currency_code" value="USD">
<input type="hidden" name="lc" value="US">
<input type="hidden" name="button_subtype" value="products">
<input type="hidden" name="no_note" value="0">
<input type="hidden" name="cn" value="Add special instructions to the seller:">
<input type="hidden" name="bn" value="PP-ShopCartBF:btn_cart_LG.gif:NonHosted">
</form>
<!-- End Add to Cart Button Code -->	

<br>

<!--  Start of View Cart Button Code  -->
<form target="_self" action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post">
<!-- If using a Business or Company Logo Graphic, include the "cpp_header_image" variable in your View Cart code. -->
<input type="hidden" name="cpp_header_image" value="https://yourwebsite.com/logo.jpg"> 
<input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_cart">
<input type="hidden" name="display" value="1">
<!-- Replace "business" value with your PayPal Email Address or Account ID -->
<input type="hidden" name="business" value="your email address">
<!-- Replace value with the web page you want the customer to return to -->
<input type="hidden" name="shopping_url" value="http://www.yourwebsite.com/Shop.html">
<input type="image" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_viewcart_LG.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!">
<img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" height="1">
</form> 
<!--  End of View Cart Button Code  -->




<!-- END BUTTON EXAMPLES -->



<!-- END SAMPLE CODE SECTION -->

<br><br>


<br><br><br><br>
<hr align="left" width="50%" noshade>
<br><br>
NOTES:
<br>
In order to test the code, you must replace the &quot;business&quot; value variable with your PayPal Email Address or Account ID.


</body>
</html>

 

 

 

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InterVac
Contributor
Contributor
‎Oct-03-2013 01:34 PM

Thank you!  Can I give you double kudos?! Thank you very much, I'll work on this tomorrow when there is coffee again!

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snowshoe
Frequent Advisor
Frequent Advisor
‎Oct-03-2013 02:37 PM

Pizza and Coke works too!

 

Smiley Happy

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