Promocodes or promotional codes are type of discount coupons given by merchants to attract customers into purchasing their product or services. It is a marketing tool that arises from coupons. Coupons dates back to the late eighteen hundreds when one of the soft drink producers gave out tickets for a free glass of their product. It was successful in promoting the product that it became one of the most recognized and patronized soda products today. Since then, coupons, which evolved into paper coupons, electronic coupons, promocodes and similar discount documents are now used by many merchants and manufacturers across the globe. Coupons are one of the most successful marketing tools because of its flexibility in targeting specific demographics or market. For example, coupons can be given only to specific group of people if the company wishes to introduce or strengthen their brand to that group. Similarly, companies can specify specific region or location where the promocodes can be used if they want to improve sales for that location. Coupons can also be time specific. In fact many companies use promocodes to improve sales during off peak seasons.

Whereas these coupons were previously printed on paper during the last decade or so since it was first used, today these coupons are electronic and are in the form of promocodes. Promocodes are available online on many sites and can be used in the same way as the coupons. Usually, they have codes, hence the name promocode, which the user can redeem by indicating the code on his purchase. The specified discount will then be applied to his purchase. At the same time, many online promocodes are also redeemable during actual store purchase. They can be printed directly and be used in the same way as the printed coupons. And the same with the traditional coupons, they are usually time, place and target market specific. As many consumers have used grocery coupons in the last decade or so, today grocery coupons are also available in the many online sites. Usually, the websites of the manufacturers themselves provide printable discount codes which the consumers can use directly on stores and groceries. Consumers can save from twenty to fifty percent discounts on their purchases by using them. However, in order to get as much as eighty to ninety percent savings, it is best to wait for the products to be on sale before using the coupon since it will increase the total percentage of discount.