Forget the days of clipping coupons; this is the age of clicking them. Websites like Groupon and Living Social let online bargain hunters tap into big savings.

At Cornucopia Gourmet Popcorn, a deal of the day let customers bag $20 worth of gourmet popcorn for just $10.

"It was a flood of people, out the door," said Nadia Elhaj, owner of Cornucopia.

Deal hunters also got half off at Spicy Pickle restaurants. $15 worth of sandwiches cost $7.50. And at Texas Sphere Rides the discount was even deeper. With the online coupon you could tumble down a hill at the Texas Ski Ranch, for $21.

"It looked like a really good way to get the ball rolling, so to speak." said Steve Van Buren, owner of Texas Sphere Rides.

Several hundred people went head-over-heels for the Groupon, or group coupon. The New Braunfels-based Texas Sphere Rides also got 10,000 hits on its website the following weekend.

"We offered a really good discount. But the thing is, we're reaching so many more people. We would have spent a lot more on advertising than what we gave on the discount," said Van Buren.

Here's how it works. Sign up on Groupon or Living Social and each morning you're emailed a deal of the day for an Austin-area business. Like it, buy it. But remember, a minimum number of people have to buy the coupon for the deal to be on. Once that number is hit, your credit card is charged and you print your coupon.

Most businesses see sales pop.

"The advertising alone was so well worth it," said the owner of Cornucopia.

That's why business owners are willing to share up to half of the coupon purchase price with Groupon or Living Social.

"You can reach a lot of people very fast," said John McKay at Spicy Pickle. More than 900 half-price coupons were sold during a Deal of the Day on Living Social.

Galaxy Cafe saw its business surge after being featured by Groupon.

"We all thought it might sell 1,000 or 1,500 Groupons. And they exploded with a final number of 3,300 sold," said Rebecca Glenn Gindale with Groupon.

Customers also win with savings of at least 50-percent, sometimes more.

"There are a lot of restaurants I've tried because of Groupon," said Elizabeth Wedberg. She was shopping at Cornucopia Gourmet Popcorn on Guadalupe Street with a Groupon.

If you decide to buy-in there are a few things to keep in mind. Most of the coupons have fairly short expiration dates of three to six months. So while you can't wait too long to use them, you also might not want to rush right in. Many businesses are packed the first weekend after the coupon comes out, so give it a week and you'll save time as well as money.

Online discount sites are exploding in popularity. While Groupon is the biggest, with more than 130,000 local subscribers, there are a number of others you might want to check out.

Online Coupon Websites 

Austin Rewards

Groupon

Living Social

Localiter

ADealio

Lunch Deal

Deal On

Morgan's Deals

Ever Save