Running an online store is all about balance. You want customers to spend more, but you also don’t want to push them away with aggressive upsells or unnecessary add-ons. So, what’s the sweet spot? Increasing your average order value (AOV) without making customers feel like they’re being milked for every penny. The good news? There are plenty of ways to make that happen without coming off as salesy or pushy. Let’s break it down.
Why Bother With AOV?
Before diving into strategies, let’s talk about why AOV matters. Unlike acquiring new customers, which costs money, getting existing shoppers to spend a little more per transaction is a lot more profitable. Here’s why:
- More sales, no extra traffic. You’re already getting visitors, so why not make each one count?
- Higher revenue per customer. More items in the cart mean bigger profits without raising your marketing budget.
- Faster return on investment. The more customers spend per transaction, the quicker you recoup your costs.
- Better customer lifetime value. A customer who spends more now is more likely to return and keep spending later.
Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s get into the best ways to nudge that AOV upward.
1. Free Shipping Thresholds
Customers hate shipping fees. That’s just a fact. But if you set a minimum order amount to qualify for free shipping, many will gladly add an extra item or two to avoid paying for it. For example:
- “Get free shipping on orders over $50.”
- “Spend $10 more and avail free shipping!”
This little trick encourages customers to spend more while making them feel like they’re getting a deal. Just make sure your threshold makes sense with your product pricing.
2. Volume Discounts and Bulk Deals
People love some good deals, specifically when they are buying stuff in bulk. If you tend to sell items that people often repurchase such as skincare products, coffee, or pet food, you have to offer discounts for a larger purchase. For instance:
- “Buy two packs and get 10% off.”
- “Spend $100 and save an additional $15”
This way, you get a higher order value while customers walk away feeling like they scored a bargain.
3. WooCommerce Mix and Match
Another super effective way to increase the AOV is through allowing your customers to create their own product box bundles. Through this, they can build their own set rather than buying one or two basic products. This might range from snacks to beauty products and clothing items. The sky is the limit!
It can all be done simply with a custom product box plugin such as the WooCommerce mix and match plugin. This gives people the freedom to buy more while feeling like they’re in control of their purchase. And guess what? More items in the cart mean a higher AOV for you.
4. Upselling and Cross-Selling
No need to feel sleazy when upselling and cross-selling. If done right, they actually help customers find products they’ll love. Below are the differences:
- Upselling: Encouraging customers to go for a better version of their purchase. Example: “Get the premium version for just $10 more!”
- Cross-selling: Suggesting related products that go well together. Example: “Pair this phone case with a screen protector.”
The key is making sure the recommendations are actually relevant. No one wants to see a laptop bag suggestion when they’re buying headphones.
5. Limited-Time Offers
Adding a bit of urgency can get customers to spend more than they planned. Flash sales, bundle deals, and “offer expires in 24 hours” messages create a fear of missing out (FOMO), which nudges people toward a bigger checkout. For example:
- “Buy one and get the second one at half the price!”
- “Get 20% off when you buy two or more and hurry, offer ends at midnight!”
6. Personalized Recommendations
Ever notice how big stores like Amazon suggest items based on what you’ve browsed before? That’s personalization at work. Using past purchase data to recommend products is a powerful way to increase AOV. For instance:
- “You might like this conditioner if you bought this xyz shampoo”
- “Other shoppers who bought this also loved these items.”
The more relevant the recommendations, the more likely customers are to add extra products to their cart.
7. Product Bundles
Bundling items that naturally just go together is an easy win. It makes shopping more convenient for the customers and also greatly increases the AOV because everything can be bought in one go. For instance:
- A Starter Gaming Kit that includes a graphic card, gaming mouse and keyboard.
- A Complete Coffee Setup that includes beans, a grinder, and a French press to make the perfect coffee.
Note that these bundles should be cheaper than the total amount of each item sold separately, as that is the key to making the deal irresistible.
8. Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are best to promote repeated purchases and higher spendings too. All you have to do is offer points to your customers on every dollar they spend shopping. Customers can then redeem those points for discounts, free products, and even exclusive perks.
9. Gift Cards and Coupons for Future Purchases
Offering customers a small incentive to come back is another great way to encourage higher spending. Example:
- “Spend $75 today and get a $10 gift card for your next order.”
- “Get a 20% off coupon when you spend $100 or more.”
People love getting something extra, and if they have a gift card or discount waiting, they’re more likely to return and spend even more.
10. Easy and Flexible Returns
A good return policy leads to greater customer trust. Once you guarantee your customers that they can easily return something, you are basically encouraging them to spend more. It is also best to mention that customers can avail free returns without hassle within 30 days of purchase. No refunds and no questions asked!
11. Subscription and Refill Options
If you sell consumable products—think coffee, vitamins, or pet food—offering a subscription option is a great way to increase AOV. Customers get a discount for subscribing, and you secure long-term revenue. Win-win.
Final Thoughts
First of all, you need to get rid of the misconception that you are tricking customers into spending more than they should. You are simply making it easier for them to purchase what they want at a better rate while getting additional benefits. You can opt for free shipping thresholds to mix and match product bundles as well as personalized recommendations for customers.
There are just a ton of other ways to make sure that your customer leaves your store with more in their cart! And here’s the best part about it, you are not just increasing your revenue, you are also making shopping an actually good experience for your customers.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
