Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Psychology of the "Compare-at" Price
- Step-by-Step: How to Put a Single Item on Sale
- Bulk Editing: How to Put Multiple Items on Sale
- Creating Automated Sale Collections
- Discount Codes vs. Automatic Discounts
- The Strategic Upsell: Combining Physical Sales with Digital Products
- Best Practices for Running a Successful Sale
- Managing the Sale: Customer Experience and Support
- Analyzing the Results
- Growing Beyond Physical Sales
- Migration and Integration: Making the Switch
- The All-in-One Ecosystem
- Technical Considerations: Themes and Apps
- Conclusion
- FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Shopify Sales
Introduction
Did you know that nearly 93% of shoppers use a discount code at least once throughout the year? Even more compelling is the fact that "price" remains the primary driver for 70% of consumers when deciding where to shop online. In the competitive world of e-commerce, the difference between a stagnant inventory and a sold-out collection often boils down to how effectively you communicate value through strategic discounting. While many merchants view sales as a simple race to the bottom, the most successful Shopify entrepreneurs treat them as a sophisticated tool for customer acquisition, inventory management, and long-term brand loyalty.
In this comprehensive guide, we are going to explore exactly how to put an item on sale on Shopify, ranging from basic manual price adjustments to advanced automated collections. Beyond the technical "how-to," we will delve into the strategic "why" behind different discount models. We’ll also examine how you can diversify your revenue streams by integrating digital products—like courses and memberships—into your promotional calendar. At Tevello, our mission is to turn any Shopify store into a digital learning powerhouse, and understanding the mechanics of Shopify's native pricing tools is the first step toward that transformation.
By the end of this article, you will have a master-level understanding of Shopify’s pricing architecture. You’ll learn how to set "Compare-at" prices that convert, how to manage bulk discounts without losing your mind, and how to use these sales to increase your Customer Lifetime Value (LTV). Whether you are clearing out physical stock or launching a new digital masterclass, mastering these sale techniques is essential for any merchant looking to build a sustainable, high-growth business.
The Psychology of the "Compare-at" Price
Before we click a single button in the Shopify admin, we must understand why certain sales work and others fail. The most powerful tool in your Shopify pricing arsenal isn't actually the sale price itself—it is the "Compare-at" price. In behavioral economics, this is known as "anchoring."
When a customer sees a pair of boots priced at $80, they evaluate that price based on their internal perception of what boots should cost. However, if they see those same boots with a "Compare-at" price of $150 crossed out, and a current price of $80, the $150 becomes the "anchor." The $80 price is no longer just a cost; it is a $70 gain.
In Shopify, the "Price" field is what the customer actually pays, while the "Compare-at Price" is the original, higher price that appears with a strikethrough. If you want to know how to put an item on sale on Shopify effectively, you must master this visual duo. Without the anchor, your sale is invisible to the casual browser. We believe merchants should own their customer data and brand experience, and presenting these price points clearly on your own domain is a key part of that professional presentation.
Step-by-Step: How to Put a Single Item on Sale
For many merchants, sales are surgical. You might have a specific SKU that isn't moving, or perhaps you want to run a "Product of the Week" promotion. Here is the manual process for discounting an individual item.
1. Access the Product Details
Log in to your Shopify admin panel and navigate to the Products section. Find the specific product you wish to discount and click on its title to enter the editor.
2. Locate the Pricing Section
Scroll down until you find the Pricing block. You will see two primary fields: Price and Compare-at price.
3. Adjust the Values
To put the item on sale, you must move the current price into the Compare-at price field. Then, enter your new, lower sale price into the Price field.
- Price: $49.00 (The amount they pay now)
- Compare-at price: $75.00 (The original price)
4. Handling Product Variants
If your product has variants (e.g., different sizes or colors), you cannot set the sale price on the main product page. Instead, scroll down to the Variants section. You will need to click into each variant individually or use the bulk editor within the product page to update the Price and Compare-at price for each specific option.
5. Save and Verify
Click Save. Now, visit your live storefront. Depending on your Shopify theme, you should see a "Sale" badge on the product image and the original price crossed out next to the new sale price.
Bulk Editing: How to Put Multiple Items on Sale
If you are running a store-wide event, such as a Black Friday sale or a seasonal clearance, updating products one by one is inefficient. Shopify provides a powerful Bulk Editor that allows you to change hundreds of prices in minutes.
- From your Shopify admin, go to Products.
- Select the products you want to change by clicking the checkboxes. You can select all products by clicking the checkbox at the top of the list.
- Click Bulk edit.
- In the bulk editor, ensure that both the Price and Compare-at price columns are visible. If they aren't, click Columns and select them.
- Update the prices down the list. A helpful tip is to copy the value from the "Price" column into the "Compare-at price" column first, then go back and lower the values in the "Price" column.
- Click Save.
This method is ideal for merchants who want to keep a predictable pricing without hidden transaction fees while managing a large catalog. It ensures that your profit margins remain clear even when you are slashing prices across dozens of categories.
Creating Automated Sale Collections
One of the most effective ways to show customers what is on sale is by creating a dedicated "Sale" or "Clearance" collection. Instead of manually adding products to this group every time you change a price, you can use Shopify’s automated collection features.
To do this, navigate to Products > Collections and click Create collection. Set the collection type to Automated. Under the "Conditions" section, select Product price or Compare-at price. A popular trick is to set the condition as "Compare-at price is greater than 0."
Because Shopify only uses the Compare-at price field when an item is on sale, this condition automatically pulls every discounted item in your store into one central location. This creates a seamless browsing experience where customers can hunt for deals without clicking through every category. This level of automation is exactly why we built Tevello with a Native Shopify Integration, ensuring that whether you are selling a physical t-shirt or a digital masterclass, the logic of your Shopify store remains consistent and easy to manage.
Discount Codes vs. Automatic Discounts
While changing the "Compare-at" price is the most common way to put an item on sale, Shopify also offers two other distinct methods: Discount Codes and Automatic Discounts.
Discount Codes
These are strings of text (like "SAVE20") that customers enter at checkout. They are excellent for:
- Email marketing campaigns.
- Influencer partnerships.
- Recovering abandoned carts.
- Exclusive loyalty rewards.
Automatic Discounts
These apply to the cart automatically when certain conditions are met (e.g., "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" or "10% off orders over $100"). These are perfect for:
- Increasing Average Order Value (AOV).
- Reducing friction at checkout (the customer doesn't have to remember a code).
- Flash sales where you want every visitor to benefit immediately.
If unifying your stack is a priority, start by a simple, all-in-one price for unlimited courses. This allows you to see how your digital offerings can be bundled with physical products using these very same discount rules.
The Strategic Upsell: Combining Physical Sales with Digital Products
A common challenge for Shopify merchants is the "one-and-done" customer. You run a massive sale, a customer buys a discounted item, and they never return. One of the most effective ways to increase Customer Lifetime Value (LTV) and build brand loyalty is to bridge the gap between physical goods and digital education.
Consider a merchant selling high-end cameras. While they might put a specific lens on sale to attract buyers, the real profit and retention come from offering a "Photography Masterclass" alongside that purchase. Using Tevello, you can create a digital environment where digital products that live directly alongside physical stock become a core part of your business model.
When you put a physical item on sale, you can bundle it with a digital product. For example, "Buy these knitting needles at 20% off and get our 'Beginner's Guide to Cable Knits' course for free." This strategy does three things:
- Increases Perceived Value: The customer feels they are getting an incredible deal (the discount + the free knowledge).
- Reduces Returns: An educated customer who knows how to use your product is much less likely to return it.
- Builds Community: By bringing customers into a course environment, you are no longer just a vendor; you are an educator and a community leader.
We have seen how one brand sold $112K+ by bundling courses with their physical products, proving that the synergy between "stuff" and "skills" is a goldmine for Shopify store owners.
Best Practices for Running a Successful Sale
Knowing how to put an item on sale on Shopify is the technical hurdle, but running a successful sale is a marketing challenge. Here are the best practices we recommend to our Tevello merchants:
1. Set a Clear Objective
Are you trying to clear out old inventory? Are you trying to acquire new customers at a lower cost? Or are you trying to reward your most loyal fans? Your objective determines your discount depth. A clearance sale might require 40-50% off, whereas a loyalty sale might only need 15%.
2. Create a Sense of Urgency
A sale that lasts forever isn't a sale; it's just a price drop. Use countdown timers on your product pages or clearly state the end date in your marketing materials. Urgency triggers the "Fear Of Missing Out" (FOMO), which significantly boosts conversion rates.
3. Don't Over-Discount
Deep discounts can sometimes devalue your brand. If you are constantly at 70% off, customers will never want to pay full price again. Instead of deeper discounts, try adding value. This is where all the key features for courses and communities become essential. Offering a free community membership or a bonus mini-course can be more enticing than an extra 5% off the price tag.
4. Notify Your Audience
A sale is only effective if people know about it. Use a multi-channel approach:
- Email: Send an announcement, a "halfway there" reminder, and a "last chance" alert.
- Social Media: Use stories and posts to show the products in action.
- On-Site Banners: Use a header bar to ensure every visitor knows there is a promotion running.
5. Check Your Margins
Before launching, calculate your break-even point. Remember to factor in shipping costs, advertising spend, and Shopify's payment processing fees. One of the reasons we offer a flat-rate plan that supports unlimited members is so our merchants never have to worry about their software costs scaling along with their success. With 0% transaction fees from Tevello, your digital margins stay protected.
Managing the Sale: Customer Experience and Support
When you put items on sale, your traffic and order volume will likely spike. This is a "good problem," but it can quickly turn into a support nightmare if you aren't prepared.
One common issue is customer confusion regarding logins and access, especially if you are selling digital components alongside your physical goods. We’ve seen merchants successfully unifying a fragmented system into a single Shopify store to eliminate the "where is my stuff?" emails. By keeping customers at home on the brand website, you ensure that they use their existing Shopify account to access everything they've purchased—physical or digital.
During a sale, ensure your FAQ page is updated to reflect shipping times, return policies for sale items (many stores make clearance items "final sale"), and how to access digital bonuses. Clear communication reduces the strain on your support team and keeps customer satisfaction high.
Analyzing the Results
Once the sale ends, the work isn't over. You need to dive into your Shopify Analytics to see what actually happened.
- Total Sales vs. Gross Profit: Did the volume of sales make up for the lower margins?
- Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): How much did you spend on ads to get these sale shoppers?
- Top Products: Which items moved the fastest? This tells you what your market actually wants.
- Conversion Rate: Did the sale successfully move "window shoppers" into "buyers"?
For those looking to scale, strategies for selling over 4,000 digital courses natively often involve analyzing which physical sales led to the highest enrollment in digital programs. This data allows you to refine your future promotions, ensuring that each sale is more profitable than the last.
Growing Beyond Physical Sales
While learning how to put an item on sale on Shopify is vital for physical retail, the most stable e-commerce businesses are those that diversify. Physical inventory has carrying costs, shipping delays, and fragile margins. Digital products, however, have none of those downsides.
By using Tevello's Unlimited Plan for just $29.99 per month, you can host unlimited courses and students without any hidden fees. This means that as you run your physical sales, you can simultaneously build a library of digital content that generates recurring revenue or high-margin upsells.
Imagine a merchant who sells gardening tools. Every time they have a spring sale on shovels and rakes, they also promote a "Master the Home Garden" course. The shovel is a one-time purchase; the course is an entry point into a lifelong relationship with the brand. Because Tevello allows for securing a fixed cost structure for digital products, that merchant knows exactly what their overhead is, regardless of whether they have ten students or ten thousand.
Migration and Integration: Making the Switch
If you are currently using a third-party platform for your courses or memberships while running your physical store on Shopify, you are likely losing money and data. Fragmented systems mean your customers have two different logins, two different checkout experiences, and two different places to look for support.
Many of our most successful users have found relief by migrating over 14,000 members and reducing support tickets through our native integration. When everything lives under one roof, your sale strategies become much more cohesive. You can use Shopify's native discount tools to affect both your physical and digital goods simultaneously, providing a "Unified Commerce" experience that big-box retailers spend millions of dollars to achieve.
The All-in-One Ecosystem
At Tevello, we believe the future of e-commerce is hybrid. The line between a "product company" and a "content company" is blurring. By mastering how to put an item on sale on Shopify, you are learning the fundamental mechanics of retail. By adding Tevello to your store, you are adding the engine of a modern digital business.
Our ecosystem is designed to be a "digital learning powerhouse" where:
- Physical Products provide the tangible utility.
- Digital Courses provide the necessary knowledge.
- Community Engagement provides the emotional connection.
This "Holy Trinity" of e-commerce is what creates brand evangelists instead of just customers. When you run a sale, you aren't just lowering a price; you are inviting someone into your ecosystem. Make sure that ecosystem is robust, professional, and entirely on your own URL.
Technical Considerations: Themes and Apps
When you set a "Compare-at" price, Shopify sends that data to your theme. However, not all themes are created equal. Some will show a simple strikethrough, while others will calculate the percentage saved (e.g., "Save 20%").
If your theme doesn't display the sale price exactly how you want it, you may need to look at the liquid code or use a dedicated Shopify app for "sale badges." However, be cautious of app bloat. Every app you add to your Shopify store can slow down your site speed, which negatively impacts your SEO and conversion rate.
This is why we prioritize a "Native Shopify Integration." By working with Shopify's existing infrastructure, Tevello ensures that your site stays fast and your checkout remains the one your customers already trust. You don't need a separate checkout or a different URL. Your sales, your products, and your courses all benefit from the world-class security and speed of the Shopify platform.
Conclusion
Mastering how to put an item on sale on Shopify is an essential skill for any merchant. Whether you are using the manual product editor for a quick fix or the bulk editor for a massive seasonal event, the ability to manipulate the "Price" and "Compare-at price" fields is your gateway to higher conversions and better inventory management.
Remember that a sale is more than just a lower number; it’s a strategic move to build your brand and increase the lifetime value of every customer who visits your store. By diversifying into digital products, you can protect your margins and build a recurring revenue stream that physical goods alone cannot provide. With Tevello, you can launch unlimited courses, build thriving communities, and keep 100% of your earnings thanks to our 0% transaction fee policy.
We invite you to take the next step in your e-commerce journey. Build your curriculum, engage your fans, and turn your store into a powerhouse of both goods and knowledge. Start your 14-day free trial and build your first course now to see how easy it is to unify your business under one roof.
To build your community without leaving Shopify, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Shopify Sales
How do I put an item on sale for a specific period of time?
Shopify doesn't have a "scheduler" built directly into the individual product pricing fields for physical goods. To run a sale for a specific period, you can either manually change the prices back at the end of the event or use an Automatic Discount with a start and end date. This is often the safest way to ensure your sale ends exactly when you want it to without manual intervention.
Why is the "Sale" badge not showing on my product?
This usually happens if the Compare-at price is lower than or equal to the Price. Shopify only triggers the sale logic if the Price is strictly less than the Compare-at price. Additionally, ensure your theme is updated, as some older themes may not support automatic sale badges.
Can I offer different discounts for physical products and digital courses?
Absolutely. Since Tevello integrates natively with Shopify, your digital courses are treated as "products" within your Shopify admin. You can set individual sale prices for your courses or create a Discount Code that applies only to specific collections—allowing you to have one discount for your physical gear and another for your online learning content.
Do I pay transaction fees to Tevello when I run a big sale?
No. At Tevello, we believe you should keep the fruits of your labor. Whether you sell one course or ten thousand during a massive sale, Tevello charges 0% transaction fees. You only pay your flat-rate monthly subscription, allowing you to scale your promotions without worrying about increasing software costs. Install Tevello from the Shopify App Store today to start building your high-margin digital library.
