Should I put a promo code directly into Adwords copy?

[reallygoodstuff]

Haven't worked with discount codes in years. Researching the ad copy I found very few sites putting the promo code directly in the ad copy. I thought this was a standard practice for increasing response.

Do you know why companies with active promo codes don't use them in Adwords copy?

[mosaicpro]

It's about optimizing and getting higher CTR... You can put  10% off  and on your landing page you can put clearly with promo code: special you get % OFF.

to make an ad   Promo Code: SomeCode  will take the space and won't be so beneficial for you.

Just a thought.

[john4math]

I don't think it's necessarily bad.  I'm just not sure it's as compelling as stating the savings and an expiration date in your ad.  You could try running an ad with the code, and a similar one without it, and see which does better.

If the user doesn't write down the code and later forgets it, they may might not be able to find it again!  If you do use a promo code in your ad copy, make sure it's easy to find on the landing page, or automatically added the customers cart when coming from your ad.

One article I found reinforcing this: http://certifiedknowledge.org/blog/be-careful-of-using-discount-codes-in-your-ad-copy/

[EGOL]

Instead of talking about this and guessing.... just toss up an ad with the promo code and see what happens to your clickthrough rate  and conversion rate.

[reallygoodstuff]

Well, of course, but I am taken aback that i couldn't find anyone doing it even in industries where this tactic was widely used (web hosting, cheap retail, etc). If there is some negative effect of this that i don't know about, i dont want to do it and then, you know, have my account suspended, or get a lot of phone calls to customer service. It just seems weird how absent these are. They used to be very common in adwords ads. It's not like coupon codes are less popular than they used to be.

[EGOL]

Maybe you have an opportunity to walk away with all of the apples?

[reallygoodstuff]

well, we'll just have to try that