AOL Shortcuts makes coupons cool

Research has found that Americans love coupons but nearly half, 45 percent, say they don’t have time for clipping them.

AOL’s soon-to-be launched online coupons programme, called “AOL Shortcuts”, will negate the need for consumers to print out or otherwise clip or collect paper coupons. Registered users will be able to enter in their existing store cards and receive offers directly on to it.

For instance, a registered user can enter their grocery store card details online. From then on, any coupons or offers that the user interacts with, whether it be via a banner ad, website or email, will automatically be stored on the relevant card. The offer, whether it is two-for-one or money-off and so on, is redeemed as and when the user makes the necessary transaction with the store card, either off- or online.

Advertisers have shied away from online coupons in the past due to fraud and security concerns as well as the barriers to consumer use such as the drawn out and inconvenient process of printing out and remembering to use the coupons. But, with AOL Shortcuts fraud is less likely, advertisers have more control, there is less paper wastage, less distribution costs and it is easier and simpler for consumers to use.

Tags: AOL Shortcuts, online coupons