How to Increase Your Average Order Value Without Spending More on Ads

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

The discussion focuses on strategies to increase Average Order Value (AOV) in Shopify stores as an alternative to spending more on advertising.

Core strategies mentioned:

  • Product bundles at slight discounts to increase cart size
  • Post-purchase upsells immediately after checkout when engagement is highest
  • Free shipping thresholds set slightly above current AOV to encourage additional spending
  • Volume/tiered discounts (e.g., “Buy 2, get 10% off”)
  • Cart page cross-sells for relevant add-ons before checkout
  • Subscription options combined with one-time purchases
  • Limited-time bundle promotions using urgency
  • Loyalty rewards tied to spending thresholds

Key insight: Participants emphasize that combining multiple tactics works better than relying on a single approach. For example, pairing tiered pricing with bundles, or adding loyalty perks to free shipping thresholds creates a complementary system that drives consistent AOV growth.

The conversation remains open for further sharing of tested strategies and results.

Summarized with AI on October 24. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hey everyone,

Rising ad costs make it harder to stay profitable, so one of the best ways to scale is by increasing your Average Order Value (AOV). Here are a few proven tactics you can try directly in Shopify.

1. Product Bundles & Kits
Create bundles of complementary products at a slight discount — it feels like a deal while boosting cart size.

2. Post-Purchase Upsells
Offer an add-on immediately after checkout. Customers are most engaged right after buying.

3. Free Shipping Thresholds
Set your free shipping minimum just above your current AOV (e.g., if AOV is $45, make free shipping $60). This nudges customers to spend more.

What strategies have worked best for you to increase AOV in your store?

2

Hi @merakicommerce,

You’re absolutely right — boosting AOV is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve margins, especially with rising ad spend.
Here are a few strategies I’ve seen consistently move the needle in Shopify stores beyond the ones you’ve listed:

  1. Volume Discounts / Tiered Pricing
    Encourage customers to buy multiples of the same product (e.g., “Buy 2, get 10% off — Buy 3, get 15% off”).
    Apps like Bundler or WideBundle make this easy to set up.

  2. Smart Cross-Sells on the Cart Page
    Instead of waiting until checkout, suggest relevant add-ons right in the cart — think batteries for electronics, or a matching accessory for apparel.

  3. Subscription + One-Time Combo Offers
    Let customers buy once or subscribe at a slight discount. Subscription options increase AOV and LTV together.

  4. Limited-Time Bundle Promotions
    Using urgency (e.g., “Bundle & save for the next 24 hours”) often gives a quick lift without needing deep discounts.

  5. Loyalty Rewards for Hitting Spend Thresholds
    Example: “Spend $75 and earn double points.” Customers tend to push to that threshold.

Would love to hear which of these tactics you’ve tried so far and which ones you’re planning to test next!

3

Really solid list — thanks for sharing!

From my side, I’ve noticed the best results usually come when you combine a few of these strategies instead of relying on just one. For example, tiered pricing paired with bundles can nudge people to add more without feeling pushy, and cart-page cross-sells often convert better than waiting until checkout.

Free shipping thresholds work great on their own, but adding a loyalty perk (like double points at $75+) makes the incentive even stronger. Subscriptions are powerful too, but I’ve found they work best when offered as a friendly option, not something forced.

It’s really about building a system where each tactic complements the others — that’s when AOV starts to climb consistently.

5

Hey @merakicommerce — solid tactics!

If you’re looking to push AOV even further, especially without relying on discounts, Zotasell is worth a look. It uses AI to recommend the most relevant products at key moments — like in-cart, post-purchase, or even on product pages — helping stores boost AOV through smarter upsells and cross-sells.

Great for brands with diverse SKUs and visual appeal. Happy to share more if you’re exploring conversion-focused strategies!

6

Hey @merakicommerce,

Another simple tactic that works really well for many merchants is adding a shipping protection option at cart or checkout stage. It’s a small add-on that customers can tick to protect their order against loss or damage, and it often increases AOV without feeling salesy.

For example, Captain Shipping Protection lets you embed a small widget on the cart or checkout page (like in the screenshots below). When customers opt in, the protection fee is automatically added to their order. Unlike traditional third-party insurance, all collected fees go directly to the store, giving merchants full control over claims and allowing them to handle replacements or refunds quickly.

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c7eb7aada6466fb700edf3c0bcca66c82844×1540 172 KB

cart page widget
cart page widget496×858 34.5 KB

And since most orders don’t end up needing a claim, those small fees usually turn into extra margin while improving customer trust.

It’s quick to set up, and combined with tactics like free shipping thresholds, this can be a effective way to lift AOV. The app is offering 40% OFF if you want to give it a try.

Hope this helps!

Delia

7

Implement product bundles using manual collections and quantity rules in Admin → Discounts. Set free shipping thresholds in Admin → Shipping and delivery with a progress bar.

For app assists:

  • Use Hoppy Bundles for automated tiered pricing and volume discounts. Full disclosure: I’m on the team behind Hoppy Bundles.

  • Consider Hoppy Free Shipping Bar & Upsell to display threshold progress. Full disclosure: I’m on the team behind Hoppy Free Shipping Bar & Upsell.

Test these native features first, then explore apps for more automation.