How to Make Online Local Coupons

Consumers print online local coupons.

People search online for local coupons and business information, services and products. The Internet is a key source of information. Shoppers often research products and services online before buying locally. Providing local coupons and information to customers online is very cost effective advertising. Online coupons and deals can bring consumers to local businesses. An active website offers an online business presence to host local coupons and offer deals. Online local coupon delivery occurs through local websites, social networks, email and mobile phones. Online local coupons can be in the form of text, images and banners.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Create image coupons for local business websites with a Google account. Go to "Google Docs -- Create New -- Drawing." Choose an outline shape, border and fill color. Create a text box and add advertising text. Include the business name and location. Insert a company logo and images. Name and save the coupon image file. Change the file permissions to "Public on the Web." Use the "Share" menu to share the coupon link using Facebook, Gmail and Twitter. Use "Share -- Email as an Attachment" to email the coupon to customers. Choose "File -- Download" to save a copy to a computer. Choose "Share -- Publish on the Web" to get a document link and embed code to embed the coupon in a website.

2. Create text coupons with unique coupon codes to use on Twitter and Facebook. Create a post on Twitter and Facebook accounts. Write a post with a unique coupon code included -- such as "Save 10 percent on my product or service. Mention EXAMPLECODE at checkout before expiration date."

3. Use free online graphics editors to create local coupon images. There are a variety of editors that offer a large number of special effects, advance controls and fonts. Download the file to a computer and upload it to a website.

4. Use free online banner generators to create local coupon banners. Choose a size that works well with website size. Preview and save the file to a computer. Display the banner on a website.

5. Post business coupons to local coupon websites. Contact online local newspaper and business directory websites for online advertising opportunities. Local newspaper websites often receive a large amount of local web traffic and allow local businesses to post online coupons.

Tips & Warnings

• To convert an image file into a printable PDF file, upload the file to Google docs and download the file as a PDF.

References

• "Entrepreneur"; Use Coupons to Lure Last-Minute Buyers; Kim T. Gordon; Nov. 2009