Who doesn’t like free money? The good news is that with just a bit of planning there are lots of ways to make something out of nothing in the digital world. It’s not at all difficult but you will need to be organised and be prepared to follow up.
Whether you’re a savvy shopper, a thrifty enthusiast, or someone looking to capitalize on promotional opportunities, there are numerous ways to turn discounts and offers into tangible profits. Here’s a comprehensive guide to making the most out of online deals.
1. Cashback Websites and Apps
Cashback websites and apps are a popular way to earn money back on purchases you make online. This approach is suited to saving money on purchases that you are already planning to make. Don’t be tempted to buy things you don’t need due to cashback advertising. The Golden Rule is: a bargain is not a bargain unless you need it. Sites like TopCashback and Quidco offer a percentage of your spending back as cash when you shop through their links. These platforms partner with thousands of retailers, allowing you to earn cashback on everything from groceries to electronics.
How It Works:
- Sign up for a cashback website or app.
- Search for your preferred retailer on the cashback site.
- Click through to the retailer’s website and make your purchase.
- Earn a percentage of your purchase amount back as cash, credited to your cashback account.
Pro Tip: Use cashback sites in conjunction with sales and discount codes to maximize your savings and earnings on items that you are already planning to purchase.
2. Voucher Codes and Coupons
Voucher codes and digital coupons are a direct way to save money on purchases. Again this is for savings on planned purchases, but it can work well for both large purchases and cumulative or bulk buys of essentials. Websites like VoucherCodes.co.uk and Honey provide up-to-date discount codes for a vast array of online retailers.
How It Works:
- Visit a voucher code website or use a browser extension that automatically finds coupons.
- Search for codes related to the retailer or product you’re interested in.
- Apply the code at the checkout when you are making your purchase to receive a discount.
Pro Tip: Combine voucher codes with cashback offers for a double saving. For example, buy an item using a discount code and get additional cashback on the reduced price.
3. Loyalty Programs
Many retailers offer loyalty programs that reward customers with points or discounts for their purchases. These points can often be redeemed for money off future purchases or even converted into cash.
How It Works:
- Sign up for loyalty programs with your favourite retailers.
- Collect points on your purchases.
- Redeem points for discounts or cashback.
Pro Tip: Focus on programs that align with your regular spending habits to maximize your earnings. For instance, if you frequently shop for groceries, a supermarket loyalty card can be particularly beneficial.
4. Casino Welcome Bonuses
Online casinos often offer welcome bonuses as a way to get new players to give it a try. These bonuses often include free spins or matched deposits, and even no deposit bonus offers like the Rocketplay no deposit bonus, which can be leveraged to make money if approached strategically.
How It Works:
- Sign up for an online casino that offers a welcome bonus.
- Make a qualifying deposit and claim your bonus.
- Use the bonus to play games with a low house edge, such as blackjack or roulette.
Pro Tip: Carefully read the terms and conditions of the bonus, particularly the wagering requirements, which stipulate how many times you must bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings.
5. Flash Sales and Deal Websites
Flash sales and deal websites offer significant discounts on products for a limited time. Websites like Groupon and Wowcher provide daily deals on a wide range of products and services, from dining out to adventure activities.
How It Works:
- Sign up for notifications from flash sale sites.
- Browse and purchase deals during the sale period.
- Enjoy substantial discounts on the items or experiences you buy.
Pro Tip: Check the terms and conditions of deals carefully, especially for travel and activity-related offers, as there may be restrictions on dates and times.
6. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is when you promote products or services online with a referral link where you earn commission for sales that are ultimately made by people who have first clicked through from your link. This can be an effective way to make money if you have a blog, social media following, or a website with significant traffic.
How It Works:
- Sign up for an affiliate program, such as Amazon Associates or Commission Junction. You can also check out websites for products you use to see if they have an affiliate programme. A genuine connection will be more compelling to your followers.
- Promote products by sharing affiliate links on your website, blog, or social media.
- Earn a commission on sales that occur as a result of clicking through from your links.
Pro Tip: Choose affiliate products that are relevant to your audience to increase the likelihood of sales and commissions.
7. Reselling Discounted Items
Another way to profit from online discounts is by buying items on sale and reselling them at a higher price. This can be done on platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Vinted or even at local car boot sales.
How It Works:
- Purchase items at a discounted rate from online retailers.
- List these items for sale at a markup on a reselling platform.
- Pocket the difference between your purchase price and the resale price.
- You can also sell unwanted secondhand items through those outlets. If you make sure that they are cleaned and professionally presented you can make significantly more. It’s also possible to develop a scalable operation by flipping poorly presented items that you have purchased in this way.
Pro Tip: Research trending products and market demand to identify the most profitable items to resell.
Conclusion
Making money from online discounts and offers requires a blend of savvy shopping, strategic use of promotions, and sometimes a bit of entrepreneurial spirit. Whether you’re leveraging cashback sites, capitalizing on flash sales, or taking advantage of casino welcome bonuses, the key is to stay informed and always look for opportunities to maximize your earnings. With a bit of effort and planning, you can turn the online world of discounts and offers into a profitable venture.
