Promotions for new customers

Acquiring new customers is one of the biggest challenges for any business. Whether you run a restaurant, a café, or a local store, getting new people to walk through your door (and come back) requires smart, well-executed strategies. That’s where digital promotions come in — a tool not only to attract attention, but to convert that first visit into a lasting relationship.

In this post, we’ll explore how to create promotions for new customers that are truly effective. We’ll cover ideas, common mistakes to avoid, and how to use tools like Promotty and a free customer loyalty app to make your campaigns more profitable.

Why are welcome promotions so powerful?

People love trying new things — especially when there’s a reward. A good welcome promotion can break the hesitation barrier that often keeps someone from trying a new business. That first experience, if positive, opens the door to future visits and long-term loyalty.

But beware: if not done well, a welcome promotion can attract only bargain-hunters and damage your margins. The goal is not just to attract, but to retain.

Best types of promotions for new customers

Let’s look at different types of new customer promotions that really work:

1. Exclusive welcome discount

This is a classic for a reason. A 10% or 15% discount for new customers gives them a small nudge to buy — and if it’s digital, it also allows you to track usage and avoid fraud.

Example with Promotty: Create a welcome coupon that activates automatically the first time a customer interacts with your business profile. You can even limit it to certain days or hours.

2. Gift with first purchase

Instead of a discount, you can offer a free item or small extra. This feels like added value, not a loss in pricing.

Example: “First coffee comes with a free pastry.” Or in a beauty salon: “Get a free hand massage with your first visit.”

3. Spin-to-win game

Gamification creates engagement. A digital wheel that offers a chance to win a discount, gift, or exclusive benefit makes the first contact fun.

With Promotty, you can launch a spin-to-win game just for new users, making it even more memorable.

4. Referral-based welcome offer

Reward both the new customer and the one who referred them. This not only brings new users, but multiplies visibility through word-of-mouth.

Promotty allows you to generate referral codes that are easy to track and reward.

Mistakes to avoid when doing promotions

Many businesses fall into one of these traps:

• Offering a discount without tracking how many people use it.
• Giving away too much value, cutting into their profits.
• Not limiting the promo to only new customers.
• Not collecting customer data for follow-up.

Using an app to build customer loyalty solves all of these — giving you control, data, and automation.

How to launch a new customer campaign in Promotty

Here’s how easy it is to set up:

1. Go to your Promotty dashboard.
2. Select the “Welcome Campaign” template.
3. Choose the type: coupon, reward, spin game, etc.
4. Set limits and scheduling.
5. Promote it through your channels: QR, stories, email, or influencers.

💡 Tip: Link this welcome promo with your digital points program so that the customer starts collecting rewards right away.

How to promote your promotions

Yes, even promotions need promotion. Use these channels:

• Instagram stories with the promo’s benefits.
• QR codes on your windows or menus.
• Email your database with the offer.
• Collaborate with micro-influencers to share the promotion.

The key is to make it visible, simple and valuable.

Turning new customers into loyal customers

Getting a new customer is just the start. The real success is turning them into regulars. That’s where your customer loyalty app and digital rewards system come in.

Right after the welcome benefit, encourage the next step:

• “Collect 5 purchases and get a free item.”
• “Activate your birthday reward.”
• “Get exclusive benefits through the app.”

The transition from new customer to loyal fan is smoother when there's a clear path to follow.

Real use case: Local café boosts new visits by 42%

A small café in Valencia used Promotty to launch a spin-to-win game for new customers. After scanning a QR in the window, new visitors could win coffee discounts, pastries, or a free tote bag.

In the first month, they tracked:

• +42% increase in new customer visits
• 68% of those used their reward
• 39% returned for a second visit within 10 days

And most importantly: all that data was visible in their dashboard, with zero manual effort.

Promotions for new customers are essential but only if they're smart, trackable and part of a bigger plan. With the right strategy and tools like Promotty, any business can attract new clients and start building loyalty from day one.

If you’re looking to launch your own campaign, you can try Promotty’s free loyalty platform for clients and start today without any technical setup.