Using discount codes to control orders - resolved

[debbie]

I have written a book which is due to be published soon. It's a text book so I want to provide readers with some free resources they can download. I want to stop people who are not readers accessing these.
I thought I could set up an ejunkie product and give them a discount code in the back of the book which would make the download free. They just go to the book's website, feed in the discount code and get a link telling them where to download the resources.
Is there a way I can make it so anyone who doesn't have the discount code can't "buy" the product? Or would I have to put a price on it for those without the code?

[E-junkie_Monster]

Hmm, putting a regular price on the book would be a good first step. However if your main concern is to just be able to sell the book but restrict the bonus resources to people who've actually purchased and read the book then the easiest way I can think for that is to put the link/address for the resources inside the book itself.

It'd also be possible to put that address in an email message we send out or link to it from your post-sale thank you page, but if it is only in the book then only people who've actually opened the book to read it should know that address.

[debbie]

Yes, the book will have a regular price and be sold in paperback and kindle via Amazon (it's not a self-published one) so I won't be able to add a post-purchase email. This is just about accessing additional resources. In my first book, I had some simple questions about the book at the back, they emailed me the answers and I emailed them the resources link back. I really want to automate that process this time.
I'm wary of publishing the link directly because if the site has to be moved or overhauled it might change.
I'm guessing from your reply there isn't a way to prevent an order being placed without the right discount code. I thought not but it was worth asking.

[E-junkie_Guru]

There isn't any way to prevent ordering without a discount code, but you might consider making the regular item price so exorbitant that nobody without the code would want to order it at full price.

You could even provide an Add to Cart link for ordering that includes the discount code, so authorized readers could use that link to order the bonus material instantly through our Free Checkout:

How to make a button that automatically applies a discount code

Free Checkout

[debbie]

That is a really good idea, thank you. It should do the trick.