Are you running a WooCommerce store with different customer groups—like wholesalers, subscribers, or regular customers- and wondering how to create WooCommerce coupons for specific users or user roles?
By default, WooCommerce lets you create coupons for individual users by entering their email addresses. But this method can be time-consuming and doesn’t allow you to offer coupons only to specific user roles (like “Wholesale Dealers” or “VIP Customers”).
That’s where a smart plugin like Discount Rules for WooCommerce – Pro comes in handy. It helps you easily create and manage WooCommerce coupons by user role or specific users, all in just a few clicks.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn:
- What do user roles mean in WooCommerce
- How to create WooCommerce coupons for specific users
- How to target user roles like Customers, Subscribers, or Wholesalers
- How to synchronize your default WooCommerce coupons with the plugin
Let’s get started!
Create WooCommerce Coupons for Specific User Roles Using the Discount Rules Pro Plugin and Increase Your Sales Easily.
What is WooCommerce User Role?
The WooCommerce user role is a way to assign a set of permissions or capabilities to the registered customers in a WooCommerce store.
WordPress generally has default user roles like Admin, Editor, Author, and Contributor to manage the website and its content.
WooCommerce extends these user roles as follows:
- Shop Manager
This role manages the WooCommerce store’s products, discounts, and orders, but does not access WooCommerce admin settings.
- Customer
This user role is a group of regular and individual customers who purchase products for personal use. Customer roles can create and edit their profiles on WooCommerce stores and can subscribe to newsletters to receive email notifications.
By default, WooCommerce saves all purchases under the ‘Customer’ user role.
- Subscriber
This user role is specific to customers who don’t purchase but create and edit their profile, subscribe to newsletters, and are involved in other activities, such as commenting.
- Guest
This user role is specific to those who purchase products without registering their profile on the WooCommerce website.
Depending on your sales, you can segment your customers into different user roles, such as customers, subscribers, Wholesale dealers, VIP customers, guests, or others.
Here is the guide to creating user-specific roles in WordPress. You can also use plugins like the user role editor to create custom user roles.
When you segment your customers based on different user roles, you can easily offer discounts or coupons to specific customers without needing to provide them to all customers.
Why Create WooCommerce Coupons for Specific Users or Roles?
Creating role-based or user-specific coupons can dramatically improve engagement, loyalty, and conversions. Here’s why:
- Targeted Rewards: Offer discounts only to repeat customers, subscribers, or wholesale clients.
- Better Profit Control: Prevent discounts from being applied store-wide or by ineligible users.
- Loyalty Boost: Customers who receive personalized deals are more likely to return and purchase again.
- Simplified Management: Easily manage offers for each group (e.g., one coupon for “Subscribers,” another for “Wholesalers”).
- Increased Conversion: Personalized coupons drive higher click-through and redemption rates.
In short, user-role coupons ensure your promotions are strategic, not random.
How to Create a WooCommerce Coupon for Specific User Roles?
Since the default WooCommerce coupon does not have an option to create a WooCommerce coupon for specific users, you can install and activate the Discount Rules plugin to create one.
“Discount rules for WooCommerce -Pro” is a powerful plugin that extends WooCommerce coupons’ core functionality. You can create coupons based on:
- Specific products, categories, user roles, attributes, tags, cart items
- Offer bulk discounts, tiered pricing discounts, bundle discounts, and more
- One coupon code for multiple offers and promotions.
Check this “how to set up discount rules” document to explore various plugin features to provide different discounts.
This blog tutorial will discuss three example scenarios for creating a WooCommerce Coupon for specific user roles and users with the Discount Rules plugin.
Scenario 1: Creating a WooCommerce Coupon for the ‘Customer’ User Role
Let’s look at applying discount coupons for the specific user role – Customer, who can get 10% exclusive discounts on products from the music category.
To create a WooCommerce percentage discount coupon for a specific user role:
- Go to “WordPress Dashboard -> WooCommerce -> Discount Rules.”
- Click “Add New Rule” to create a new coupon for your customers and provide a “title/ name” to your new offer for your reference.
- Select your Discount Type as “Product Adjustment” from the drop-down list.
- In the Filter section, filter the “Music” category to provide discounts for that category.
- Now, select “Discount Type” as “Percentage Discount” and “Discount Value” as “10” to provide 10% discounts to products in the music category.
- Note: You can add another filter by clicking the “Add filter” button and also select that checkbox to display the discount value in the cart as a coupon instead of changing the product price.
- In the Rules section, choose “Condition Type” as “User Role” and “User Role” as “Customer.”
- Next, “Add Condition” to set a new coupon for your customers.
- Select the second “Condition Typ” as “Coupon” and choose “Create Your Own Coupon” and “Enter Coupon Name.” Here, I entered the Coupon name as ‘CUSTOMER10’.
- You can enter your own coupon name. Click ‘SAVE’ on the top right corner to save your new coupon offer to the WooCommerce website.
When customers from this group purchase products from the Music category, they can get a 10% coupon discount.
Note: You can decide the maximum usage limit for this coupon and fix the expiry date from the Rule Limit section.
Scenario 2: Creating a WooCommerce Coupon for the ‘Subscriber’ User Role
Now, let’s look at providing a WooCommerce coupon for a specific user role – Subscriber, who can get $10 fixed discounts on all products in the store.
To create a WooCommerce fixed coupon discount for a specific user role:
- Go to “WordPress Dashboard -> WooCommerce -> Discount Rules.”
- Click the “Add New Rule” button and enter “Rule Title.”
- Choose “Discount Type” as “Product Adjustment” and filter “All Products.”
- Select “Discount Type” in the Discount section as “Fixed Discount” and enter “10” as “Discount Value.”
- Select your “User Role” as “Subscriber” and “Create your own coupon.”
- Finally, save and activate it.
When a customer from the ‘Subscriber’ group purchases products in the store, they can get a fixed discount of $10.
Offer Customer-Specific WooCommerce Coupons and Boost Your Revenue Effortlessly with the Discount Rules Plugin.
Scenario 3: Creating a WooCommerce Coupon for the ‘Wholesale Dealer’ User Role
Now, let’s create a WooCommerce coupon for a specific user – a Wholesale dealer, who can get bulk discounts when he purchases a specific ‘T-shirt’ product.
For bulk discounts, you can set the quantity limit using a filter.
To create a WooCommerce bulk discount coupon for a specific user role:
- Go to “WordPress Dashboard -> WooCommerce -> Discount Rules.”
- Click the “Add New Rule” button and enter “Rule Title.”
- Set “Discount Type” as “Bulk Discount” and filter the particular “T-shirt” product in the filter section.
- Select “Count Quantities” as “Filters set above” and set your discount limit. Here, I provide a 2% discount when the customer purchases five to ten T-shirts, a 5% discount for 11-20 T-shirts, and a 10% discount for more than 20 T-shirts.
- As usual, select “User Role” as “Wholesale Dealer” and “Create Coupon Name.”
- Hit “Save.”
We have successfully created a WooCommerce coupon by user role for the ‘Wholesale Dealer’, where the customers in this group can get bulk discounts when they purchase a T-shirt product in larger quantities.
Note:
Instead of selecting the “User Role” condition, choose “Users” and enter specific customers’ email addresses to offer discounts to those specific users, rather than providing discounts to all customers or specific user roles.
For detailed steps, check this blog: How to Set Up Customer-Specific Discounts in WooCommerce?
The Default WooCommerce Coupon
Are you already using the default WooCommerce Coupon for creating your coupon codes? You can delete the original coupons or simply choose user roles for the same coupon using Discount Rules.
If you ignore the default WooCommerce active coupons, customers can get two discount coupons for the same products, resulting in a loss of revenue.
Follow this step if you are using the default WooCommerce coupon:
- Go to “WooCommerce Dashboard -> Marketing -> Coupons.”
- Add “New Coupon” and enter “Coupon Name” or edit the existing coupons.
- Set “Coupon amount” to zero.
- Now, navigate to the “Discount Rule” plugin and create the new coupon for a specific user role. If you have it already, simply edit it.
- Under the “Rules” section, instead of “Create Own Coupon,” choose “Apply if anyone/ all coupons are applied (from WooCommerce).”
- Now, choose the name of your default WooCommerce coupon. Here, I choose “0% Coupon” to apply my default WooCommerce coupon code for a specific user role.
Now, the default WooCommerce coupon can be applied to a particular customer group.
You have another option to decide the Discount Rules functions.
Navigate to “Discount Rules -> Settings.”
You can choose “how discount rules should work” from three choices: “both coupons and discount rules run” or “disable coupons or discount rules.”
How to Troubleshoot if Your WooCommerce Coupon isn’t Working?
Sometimes, even when everything looks right, your WooCommerce coupon might not apply correctly, and that can be frustrating for both you and your customers.
Don’t worry! Here’s a step-by-step checklist to help you quickly identify and fix the issue.
1. Double-check the coupon code
Make sure you or your customer is entering the coupon code exactly as it appears — WooCommerce coupon codes are case-sensitive. Even an extra space or a small typo can cause the coupon to fail.
2. Review coupon restrictions and conditions
Check if your coupon has any usage restrictions, such as:
- Minimum or maximum cart value limits
- Product or category exclusions
- Specific user or user-role targeting
- Expired date or usage limit reached
If any of these rules apply, the coupon may not activate for some customers.
3. Verify coupon status
Go to “WooCommerce → Marketing → Coupons” and confirm that the coupon is “published and enabled.” Sometimes, after editing or migrating your store, coupons can accidentally be set to “draft” or disabled.
4. Update your WooCommerce and related plugins
Outdated plugins or WooCommerce versions may cause coupon issues. Update WooCommerce and the coupon plugin to the latest versions.
5. Clear browser and site cache
Cached versions of your website or cart page can sometimes prevent new coupon data from being recognized. Try clearing your browser cache, or if you’re using a caching plugin (like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache), clear your site cache as well.
6. Test in incognito or staging mode
Apply the coupon in incognito or on a staging site to spot browser, theme, or code issues.
7. Reach out for support
If it still fails, contact plugin support for help with conflicts or setup errors.
Tips for Creating WooCommerce Coupons for Specific Users or User Roles
Role-based or user-specific coupons personalize customer experiences. To maximize their impact, follow these best practices:
1. Identify the right user roles before creating coupons
Analyze your audience to see which roles: Customers, Subscribers, Wholesale Dealers, or VIP Members, drive the most revenue, then tailor offers to reward or re-engage them.
2. Keep coupon goals clear and measurable
Set clear goals: repeat purchases, loyalty rewards, or bulk sales, to choose the right coupon type and conditions.
3. Personalize Coupon Messages
Customize messages for each user to boost engagement. Example: “Hey Emma, enjoy your exclusive 10% off!”
4. Use Clear Coupon Names
Name coupons by purpose, e.g., WHOLESALE10 for dealers, SUBSCRIBER5 for subscribers.
5. Add Role + Other Conditions
Refine rules with product, spend, or quantity limits. Example: 10% off for Wholesale Dealers on T-shirt orders over $200.
6. Set coupon validity and usage limits
Always define a start and end date to create urgency. Also, limit coupon usage per user to prevent abuse or multiple redemptions of the same offer.
7. Promote exclusive coupons smartly
Use email marketing and automation tools like Retainful to send targeted coupon campaigns only to specific users. Exclusive emails with a “secret code” boost engagement and conversions.
8. Monitor performance by user role
Review Discount Rules Pro reports to see which roles redeem coupons most and refine offers, maybe Subscribers outperform Wholesale Dealers.
9. Create surprise or milestone-based coupons
Reward loyal customers for milestones (e.g., 1-year membership, 10 purchases) to build loyalty.
10. Don’t overuse personalized coupons
Avoid overuse; keep them exclusive for holidays, anniversaries, or VIPs to preserve value.
Create WooCommerce Coupons by User Roles and Increase Your Average Order Value Easily Using the Discount Rules Pro Plugin.
Conclusion
Grouping your customers into roles lets you offer targeted deals and drive more meaningful engagement.
Instead of offering discounts to everyone, you can now reward loyal customers, nurture subscribers, and motivate wholesale clients with personalized coupons.
With Discount Rules for WooCommerce – Pro, creating a WooCommerce coupon by user role or for specific users is quick, flexible, and scalable.
So why wait? Set up your first role-based coupon today, and watch your customer loyalty, conversions, and average order value (AOV) grow effortlessly!
Related Reads:
How to Auto-Apply WooCommerce Coupons via URLs? (4 Ways)
How to Create a WooCommerce Free Shipping Coupon? (2 Ways)
12+ Best WooCommerce Coupon Plugins to Create Advanced Coupons
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the User Roles Editor plugin to create additional user roles in WordPress, which can then be used in WooCommerce.
Check this step-by-step guide to create user roles in WordPress.
Yes, it is possible to send a fixed coupon for a specific customer with the default WooCommerce coupon, which is not claimed by others even if it is shared.
Here is how:
– Go to “WordPress Dashboard-> WooCommerce-> Marketing->Coupon.”
– “Add a new coupon” and create a new coupon code.
– In the “general” section, select your discount type as a fixed or percentage discount and add your coupon amount.
– Under the “Usage restriction -> Allowed emails” section, enter the customer’s email address to provide a discount coupon.
Let’s assume that if a customer purchases products for $300 or more, he can get a free product. Here are the steps to do this:
– Go to the “WordPress dashboard-> WooCommerce-> Discount Rules.”
– “Add New Rule” and select discount type as “Buy X Get Y” And filter “all products.”
– Now choose “Buy X Get Y” as a discount and set the “filters set above” and “auto add” options to add the free product automatically to the order.
– Choose the free product and its quantity.
– Now, you can set two conditions:
— Condition 1: Choose “SubTotal” and set the value to “greater than or equal to $300.”
— Condition 2: Choose “Coupon” and create your coupon code.
– Save the process to enable the coupon in your store.
