Promotional codes are online coupons that qualify the owner for discounts and special offers. The codes can be numeric or alphanumeric. Promotional codes are a marketing tool similar to paper coupons.

Promotional codes are also referred to as key codes, media codes, reference codes, free shipping codes, online coupon codes, etc.

Customers can save money while shopping online by availing these promotional codes that are offered by online merchants to improve repeat business and obtain new customers. Benefits include free shipping, gifts, offers such as buy one and get one free, and discounts.

By making use of promotional codes, online shoppers can save on a range of products and services such as garments, sports goods, stationery, cosmetics, electronics, food and beverage, health products, web hosting, or even travel. The best part of availing offers using promotional codes is that several of these are offered by big brands. Also, on occasions the promotional codes can be used along with other promotional offers, thereby enabling shoppers to enjoy attractive benefits on their purchases.

Along with individual shoppers, even corporates benefit from promotional codes offered by online merchants who give short-term incentives and discounts on bulk orders.

There are several coupon sites and deal aggregators that offer a range of promotional codes for a variety of products. These sites are a good source of information on the best available deals for a prospective shopper who can browse through the deals offered and choose the one that is most appropriate for him; for example, one promotional code may entitle the buyer to a dollar discount while another may offer free shipping, the user is free to choose the one that best fulfills his needs.

In order to make timely use of promotional codes that they are eligible for, online shoppers can do the following:

-Keep themselves updated on the latest promotional codes offered by subscribing to email newsletters that notify shoppers about the promotional codes available, often these codes are not available to the general public

-Direct mail and catalogs from online stores also carry promotional codes.

-Shoppers who check items from a list while visiting an online store get notifications when the items they are interested in are available with promotion/discount codes.

-Very often, the best deals with promotional codes may be available well before the onset of the holiday season; therefore, buyers who wish to make the best of discounted shopping opportunities should be prepared to shop early, if required.

-To save the maximum with promotional codes, buyers should compare products and deals on more than one website. This is because on occasions websites will compare only the products they advertise.

-In order to avoid hassles after a purchase, buyers should either print or save the order confirmation page and any communication related to the purchase. Also, some promotional codes may be valid only with a minimum purchase amount; a buyer should read the fine print and be aware of all the options.

-Online printable coupons can be combined with promotional codes to purchase from a retailer and its affiliate sponsors and avail increased savings.

-It is important that shoppers patronize those stores that are trustworthy and promise a secure transaction.

By following the guidelines mentioned above, online shoppers can realize substantial savings by judiciously using promotional codes.