How to Give First Time Customers a Discount on Shopify
Introduction
Offering a first time customers a discount on Shopify one of the best ways to increase conversions and win loyal buyers. But Shopify doesn’t offer a built-in way to automatically detect new customers and apply discounts.
In this guide, you will learn:
- How Shopify handles shopify first time customer discount by default
- What the limitations are
- How to use the Savify Discounts app to fix them
- A full step-by-step setup
Let’s get started!
How Does Shopify Track First Time Customers a Discount on Shopify?
Shopify considers a customer “first-time” if:
- They’ve never placed an order using the same email
- Their order history = 0 in your store
- They aren’t tagged as a previous buyer
But Shopify’s discount rules don’t support automatic first time customers a discount on Shopify targeting by default — you’ll need to use workarounds or apps.
Table of Contents
How Shopify Handles Discounts by Default
Shopify does NOT support First time customers a discount on Shopify in its default settings.
Here’s why:
What Shopify CANNOT do (by default):
- Shopify does not track customer order count as a condition when creating discounts.
- There is no option to apply a discount only to First time customers a discount on Shopify built-in “Discounts” section.
- You cannot add “Customer order count = 0” as a condition.
What Shopify CAN do (by default):
- Create discount codes or automatic discounts.
- Limit to one use per customer (but this is based on email — not fully secure).
- Apply discounts to:
- Products / Collections
- Specific customers (manually selected — not based on order count)
Why You Should Offer First time customers a discount on Shopify
Here are some great reasons to offer discounts to first-time customers:
- Increase conversion rate (more people will buy)
- Build customer trust and loyalty
- Encourage newsletter signups or account creation
- Create word-of-mouth marketing (people talk about good deals)
But to do shopify discount for new customers , you need to target the right customers automatically.
3 Ways to Offer First-Time Customer Discounts in Shopify
Option 1: Manual Discount Code for New Customers
Create a single-use discount code and email it to new subscribers or popup form users.
- Use Shopify → Discounts → Create Discount Code
- Limit usage to 1 per customer
- Promote via welcome email
Option 2: Use Shopify Customer Tags (Semi-Automated)
- Tag customers as “first_time” upon account creation or first purchase
- Create automatic discounts visible only to logged-in, tagged users
Requires third-party apps like Customer Tagger, Shopify Flow (Plus)
Option 3: Use Savify (KlinKode App)
Best for: No-code, accurate control
With Savify, you can:
- Detect first-time customer based on real-time checkout behavior
- Automatically show/hide discounts based on tags or order count
- Block abuse by fake accounts using the same coupon
Bonus: Combine first-time discount + free shipping or bundle offer.
Advanced Setup Shopify First Time Customer Discount Using Savify Discounts App
To give real shopify discount for new customers , you need a more advanced tool. This is where the Savify Discounts app by KlinKode comes in.
With Savify, you can:
- Detect first-time customers using customer order count = 0
- Automatically apply a discount (no code needed)
- Combine discounts with free shipping or product offers
- Show error messages to non-first-time buyers
Let’s walk through the steps.
Real Examples of First-Time Discounts
- 10% off for first-time shoppers who sign up for email
- Free gift with first order using BOGO-style app like BOGOS
- Free shipping + 15% discount for new customers from Meta Ads
- Personalized welcome discount shown via popup or landing page
How to Give First Time Customers a Discount on Shopify with Savify (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Install Savify Discounts App
Go to the Shopify App Store, search “Savify Discounts,” and install the app developed by KlinKode.
Step 2: Open the App and Click “Create Discount”
This is how you create a new automatic discount.
Step 3: Set the Discount Type
Select
- Order Discount
- Product Discount
- Shipping Discount
Step 4: Add Condition – “Customer Order Count”
Now comes the magic:
- Click Add Condition
- Select Customer Order Count
- Choose “Is Less Than” and set the value to 1
This means only customers who are placing their first-ever order will get this deal.
Step 5: Customize The Discount Name
“Discount For the New Customers”
Step 6: Discount Method
Select either Discount Code or Automatic Discount.
- If you choose Discount Code, you can create a custom code or generate one randomly.
- If you choose Automatic Discount, you need to set a discount message in the provided text box.
Step 7: Discount Value
Select Discount Value
Choose one of the following:
- Percentage (e.g., 20% off)
- Fixed amount (e.g., $20 off)
Step 8: Activate the Rule
Click Save and turn the rule ON. That’s it!
Savify will now apply this discount automatically to new customers who qualify.
Watch video to Know more about Savify:
Bonus: Combine with Free Shipping
You can also combine this shopify first time customer discount with free shipping using Savify.
Just add an additional discount type for free shipping, or use Savify’s built-in combined discount logic. This makes the offer even more attractive:
“Get 15% off + Free Shipping on Your First Order!”
Promote Your First-Time Discount Like a Pro
Giving the discount is just one part. You need to tell your visitors about it! Here’s how:
1. Add It to Your Homepage Banner
Show a message like:
“New Here? Get 15% Off Your First Order – No Code Needed!”
2. Highlight It on Product Pages
Use your theme editor or banner app to display the discount info above product descriptions.
3. Use a Pop-Up or Slide-In Message
Grab attention with a timed pop-up:
“Welcome Offer: 10% Off + Free Shipping For First-Time Shoppers!”
4. Mention It in Your Emails
Send a welcome email that promotes the deal. Include a clear call to action: “Start Shopping.”
Tips to Make Your Offer Work Better
Here are a few things you can do to make your first-time discount more successful:
Keep it simple: Don’t ask for too many steps or info.
Time it right: Add urgency like “Offer ends this week!”
Use trust signals: Add badges like “Safe checkout” or “Free returns.”
Track performance: Use Shopify analytics or Savify reports to see what’s working.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Giving the same discount to everyone — this eats into your profit.
Not checking customer history — you might reward repeat buyers again.
Making customers enter codes — many will forget or bounce.
Not promoting the offer — if people don’t see it, they won’t use it.
FAQs: First time customers a discount on Shopify
1. Can I give a discount only to new customers in Shopify?
Yes, but Shopify alone can’t track first-time customers reliably. You’ll need an app like Savify to use “customer order count” = 0 condition.
2. Can I automate the first-time discount without a code?
Yes. The Savify Discounts app allows automatic discounts based on first-time status — no code needed.
3. What happens if a returning customer tries to use the discount?
Savify will block the discount and show a custom message like “Sorry, this offer is for new customers only.”
4. Can I combine first-time discounts with free shipping?
Absolutely. You can combine product discounts and shipping deals in one rule using Savify.
5. Is Shopify Plus required to do this?
No! Savify works on regular Shopify plans. No need for Shopify Plus to offer smart, rule-based discounts.
Final Thoughts: Start Smart with First Time Customers a Discount on Shopify
Giving First time customers a discount on Shopify is a simple but powerful way to boost your Shopify sales. While Shopify’s default tools are limited, you can fix that easily with the Savify Discounts app.
You can:
- Detect true first-time customers
- Apply automatic discounts
- Combine offers like free shipping
- Block repeat buyers from abusing the deal
And it all works without needing Shopify Plus!
Offering a discount to first-time customers can dramatically increase conversions — but you need the right setup to manage it smartly.
Use Savify to auto-detect new customers, apply discounts, and stop coupon abuse — no coding required.
Set up first-time discounts with Savify »
