Running Flash Deals
Flash deals are time-limited promotions that create urgency and excitement. With countdown timers and optional stock limits, they encourage customers to buy now before the deal ends.
To get started, go to Marketing → Flash Deals in your sidebar.
What Makes Flash Deals Different from Discounts?
While discount codes require customers to enter a code at checkout, flash deals are automatic — the discounted price shows directly on your storefront with a countdown timer. No code needed.
| Feature | Discount Codes | Flash Deals |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Customer enters a code | Automatic — visible on store |
| Time control | Optional end date | Strict start and end time |
| Display | No storefront indicator | Countdown timer + stock indicator |
| Stock limit | No | Optional purchase limit |
| Customer action | Must know and enter code | Just buy — discount is automatic |
Flash deals are perfect for creating buzz and driving quick sales.
Flash Deals Dashboard
Your Flash Deals page shows all your deals with stats at the top:
- Active Deals — Deals currently running
- Total Purchases — How many purchases have been made across all deals
- Upcoming Deals — Deals scheduled to start in the future
Each deal card shows:
- Title and discount value
- Status badge (Active, Upcoming, Ended, or Inactive)
- Time remaining or "Starts in" countdown
- Stock remaining (if a limit is set)
- Purchase count
Creating a Flash Deal
Click Create Flash Deal to set one up.
Title
Give your deal a name that customers will see. Make it catchy and clear.
Examples: "Weekend Flash Sale", "48-Hour Price Drop", "Friday Frenzy — 30% Off"
Description (Optional)
Add details about the deal. This is for your reference and may be shown to customers.
Discount Type and Value
Choose how the discount is applied:
| Type | How It Works | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage | Takes a percentage off | 25% off → GHS 200 becomes GHS 150 |
| Fixed Amount | Takes a specific amount off | GHS 30 off → GHS 200 becomes GHS 170 |
Enter the discount value after selecting the type.
Start Date and Time
Set exactly when the deal begins. Unlike discount codes, flash deals use specific times — not just dates.
Example: Start on Friday at 9:00 AM
You can schedule deals in advance. A deal with a future start time will show as Upcoming until it activates.
End Date and Time
Set exactly when the deal ends. The countdown timer counts down to this moment.
Example: End on Sunday at 11:59 PM
Tip: Short time windows (24–72 hours) create more urgency than week-long deals. The tighter the window, the more urgency customers feel.
Applies To
Choose which products are included in the deal:
| Option | What It Does |
|---|---|
| All Products | Every product in your store gets the deal |
| All Categories | Products in all categories are included |
| Specific Products | Only selected products get the deal |
| Specific Categories | Only products in selected categories get the deal |
When choosing specific products or categories, use the search box to find and select them.
Stock Limit (Optional)
Set a maximum number of purchases for this deal. Once the limit is reached, the deal ends even if time remains.
Example: "First 50 buyers get 40% off" — set stock limit to 50.
Leave blank for unlimited purchases (deal runs until time expires).
Display Settings
Control what customers see on your storefront:
Show Countdown Timer
When enabled, a live countdown timer appears on eligible products showing how much time is left. This creates urgency — "Only 2 hours left!"
Show Stock Left
When enabled (and you've set a stock limit), customers see how many deal slots remain. "Only 12 left!" drives faster purchasing decisions.
Active Toggle
Turn the deal on or off. Create it as inactive to prepare everything, then activate when you're ready.
Flash Deal Statuses
| Status | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Active | Deal is live — countdown is running, customers can buy |
| Upcoming | Deal is scheduled but hasn't started yet |
| Ended | Time has expired or stock limit was reached |
| Inactive | You've manually turned it off |
Time Display
- Active deals show time remaining: "5h 30m left" or "1d 2h left"
- Upcoming deals show: "Starts in 3h 15m"
- Format switches from "Xd Xh" (for more than 24 hours) to "Xh Xm" (for less than 24 hours)
How Flash Deals Appear on Your Store
When a flash deal is active, customers see the discounted prices directly on your storefront:
- Original price shown with a strikethrough
- Deal price highlighted
- Countdown timer ticking down (if enabled)
- Stock remaining indicator (if enabled and stock limit is set)
This visual treatment makes it obvious that a deal is happening and creates a sense of urgency.
Managing Flash Deals
Editing a Deal
- Find the deal on your Flash Deals page
- Click Edit
- Update any fields — timing, discount, products, stock limit, display settings
- Save your changes
You can edit deals at any stage — even active ones. Changes take effect immediately.
Activating / Deactivating
Toggle a deal on or off without deleting it. Deactivating an active deal stops it immediately — the countdown disappears from your store.
Deleting a Deal
Permanently remove a deal. Purchase history from the deal is preserved in your order records.
Plan Requirements
Flash deals are available on both Business and Business+ plans. The number you can run at once depends on your plan: Business lets you run up to 5 active flash deals at a time, while Business+ is unlimited. When you reach your limit, deactivate or wait for an existing deal to end before creating a new one.
Flash Deal Strategies
1. Weekend Flash Sales
Run a 48-hour deal from Friday evening to Sunday night. This is when most people browse on their phones.
Example: "Weekend Flash — 25% Off All T-Shirts" (Friday 6 PM → Sunday 11:59 PM)
2. Payday Promotions
Time your deals around common payday periods (end of month, mid-month) when customers have money to spend.
Example: "Payday Special — 30% Off Everything" (stock limit: 100)
3. Holiday Flash Deals
Create deals around holidays like Valentine's Day, Christmas, Easter, or Independence Day.
Example: "Valentine's Flash — 20% Off Accessories" (February 13–14)
4. New Product Launch
Use a flash deal to generate excitement for a new product. Offer a launch discount for the first buyers.
Example: "Launch Special — First 30 Buyers Get 40% Off" (stock limit: 30)
5. Clear Old Stock
Use flash deals to move products that aren't selling well. A steep discount for a short window can clear inventory fast.
Example: "Flash Clearance — 50% Off Last Season's Collection" (24 hours only)
Quick Tips
1. Keep Deals Short
The shorter the deal, the more urgency. 24–48 hours is the sweet spot. Week-long "flash" deals don't feel very flash.
2. Use Stock Limits
"First 50 buyers only" is more compelling than an open-ended discount. Limited availability drives faster action.
3. Enable Both Display Settings
Turn on both the countdown timer and stock remaining indicator. Together, they create maximum urgency.
4. Promote on Social Media
A flash deal only works if people know about it. Post on Instagram, WhatsApp Status, and Twitter when your deal goes live.
5. Schedule in Advance
Create your deal ahead of time with a future start date. This gives you time to prepare promotional content without rushing.
6. Don't Run Deals Too Often
If every week is a "flash sale," customers learn to wait for deals instead of buying at full price. Use them strategically — monthly or for special occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do customers need a code for flash deals?
No. Flash deals are automatic. The discounted price shows directly on your store — customers just buy as normal.
Can I run multiple flash deals at the same time?
Yes, as long as you haven't reached your plan's limit for active deals. You can have deals on different products running simultaneously.
What happens when the stock limit is reached?
The deal ends automatically, even if time remains. Products return to their regular price.
Can I extend a flash deal that's about to end?
Yes. Edit the deal and change the end date/time to extend it.
Do flash deals work on the mobile app?
Flash deals are managed from the web dashboard. The deals themselves are visible to customers on your storefront (both mobile and desktop views).
What happens if a flash deal and a discount code apply to the same product?
Both can potentially apply. The flash deal adjusts the displayed price on your store, and a discount code can provide an additional reduction at checkout.
Can I see which orders came from a flash deal?
Flash deal purchases are tracked separately. You can see the total purchase count on the Flash Deals page.
Need Help?
If you have questions about flash deals:
- Email us — support@strawlo.com
- Join our community — Connect with other sellers in our WhatsApp group
- Watch tutorials — Check out our YouTube channel for video guides