If you're looking for a simple and effective way to save even more money while shopping online, cashback websites are one of the best tools at your disposal. These sites allow you to earn a percentage of your purchase back as cash or rewards, which can be used to offset future purchases or be redeemed through various methods. The best part? You can combine cashback offers with other discounts, coupon codes, and sales to stack savings and maximize your savings potential. In this article, we’ll guide you through how cashback websites work, how to use them to your advantage, and how to combine them with other discount strategies for the best possible deal best deals and coupons on oxideals.com.
What Are Cashback Websites?
Cashback websites partner with online retailers and businesses to offer you a percentage of your purchase back when you shop through their links. In exchange, the website receives a commission from the retailer, and a portion of that commission is passed on to you. Some popular cashback websites include:
- Rakuten (formerly Ebates)
- TopCashback
- Swagbucks
- BeFrugal
The process is simple: you sign up for the cashback website, browse participating retailers, click through their links, and make your purchase. Once your purchase is confirmed, the cashback site credits your account with the reward. You can then redeem that cashback via PayPal, gift cards, or direct deposit once you reach the minimum payout threshold.
1. How Cashback Websites Work
While the concept of cashback websites is straightforward, it's important to understand the specific steps involved in using these platforms. Here’s a breakdown of how they work:
- Sign Up: First, create an account on your chosen cashback website. Most platforms offer free registration and may even provide a welcome bonus for new users.
- Browse Deals: After logging in, you can browse the list of online retailers and the cashback offers they have available. Some cashback sites have special categories for high cashback percentages or exclusive promotions.
- Click Through: Once you find the retailer you want to shop with, click on the link provided by the cashback website. This action ensures that your purchase will be tracked and you’ll earn cashback on your order.
- Make Your Purchase: After you click the link, you’ll be redirected to the retailer’s website. Shop as you normally would and complete your purchase.
- Earn Cashback: Once the transaction is confirmed (usually within a few days to a few weeks), the cashback website credits your account with the reward. You can check your cashback balance at any time through the website.
2. How to Stack Discounts Using Cashback Websites
The best part about cashback websites is that they can be used in conjunction with other discounts. By stacking cashback with coupon codes, sales, and seasonal promotions, you can maximize your savings and stretch your budget even further. Here’s how you can stack discounts for maximum savings:
Use Coupon Codes and Discounts First
- Find discount codes: Before clicking through a cashback link, check if there are any coupon codes available for the retailer you’re purchasing from. You can use sites like RetailMeNot or Honey to find valid discount codes.
- Apply the code at checkout: After adding your items to your cart, apply the coupon code to get an additional percentage off or a specific dollar amount off your total. The cashback offer will still be valid on the reduced price, meaning you’re saving twice.
- Look for site-wide sales: Many retailers run site-wide sales that are automatically applied at checkout. These sales are often eligible for cashback rewards, so be sure to apply them before moving forward with your purchase.
Combine Cashback with Store Promotions
- Time your purchase with a sale: Many cashback websites highlight sales events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and end-of-season clearances. If the retailer is offering discounts or promotions, combine those with cashback offers to increase your total savings.
- Stack with loyalty rewards: Some retailers offer loyalty programs that reward you with points, exclusive discounts, or additional perks for every purchase you make. If the retailer has a loyalty program, sign up to earn those rewards on top of the cashback you're already receiving.
Earn More with Bonus Cashback Opportunities
- Look for limited-time bonus offers: Cashback websites frequently run special promotions that offer extra cashback for certain retailers or product categories. These bonus offers can be added to your regular cashback rewards, giving you even more money back on your purchases.
- Activate special deals: Many cashback sites have “Activate Now” buttons that allow you to activate limited-time deals or promotions. These can often stack with regular cashback offers and may even provide an increased cashback rate for a short period.
Cashback on Gift Cards
- Buy discounted gift cards: Some cashback websites or third-party apps sell discounted gift cards for major retailers. You can buy the gift cards, earn cashback on the purchase, and then use the gift cards to make your online purchase. This can essentially give you double the discount—one from the gift card and another from the cashback site.
- Use your gift card on sale items: Combine the discounted gift card with a sale price on the retailer’s website to maximize your savings.
3. Choosing the Right Cashback Website
Different cashback websites offer varying reward rates, payment options, and features, so it's important to select the one that best suits your shopping habits.
- Compare cashback percentages: Some sites may offer higher cashback percentages for certain retailers or categories. Check the cashback rates before making a purchase, as they can vary from site to site.
- Check payout methods: Cashback sites offer different ways to redeem your rewards, such as PayPal payments, gift cards, or direct bank transfers. Choose a site that offers the payout method you prefer.
- Look for bonus offers: Some cashback sites offer sign-up bonuses or exclusive offers that give you a higher reward on your first purchase or specific items.
Popular cashback websites to consider:
- Rakuten: One of the most well-known platforms, offering cashback from thousands of online stores and a sign-up bonus for new users.
- TopCashback: Known for its high cashback rates and a variety of payment options.
- Swagbucks: Earn points for shopping that can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
- BeFrugal: Offers cashback and coupons, along with bonus opportunities for select retailers.
4. Maximizing Your Earnings with Cashback Apps
In addition to traditional websites, many cashback services offer apps for your phone, which can be used to earn cashback both online and in-store. You can easily access offers, track your earnings, and get notifications of new deals wherever you are.
Mobile Apps to Consider:
- Rakuten (formerly Ebates): Their app offers cashback on both online and in-store purchases, as well as alerting you to nearby deals.
- Ibotta: While Ibotta is known for in-store rebates, it also offers online cashback through linked retailers, making it another great option for stacking savings.
Final Thoughts
Cashback websites are a fantastic tool for maximizing savings on online purchases. By combining cashback rewards with other discounts, coupon codes, and sales, you can stretch your budget further and get more for your money. Whether you’re shopping for clothing, electronics, or home goods, cashback websites allow you to earn money back on almost any purchase, and with the right strategy, you can double or even triple your savings. So, the next time you’re about to make an online purchase, don’t forget to check your favorite cashback site first!
