Want to grow your e-commerce revenue without spending more on ads? Increasing your Average Order Value (AOV) is one of the smartest ways to do it. Encouraging each customer to spend more per transaction maximizes revenue from your existing traffic without constantly chasing new customers. Whether you sell skincare, supplements, or tech products, a higher AOV directly increases profit and strengthens your store’s financial performance. Here are seven actionable strategies, with examples and recommended Shopify apps, to help you boost AOV starting today.

 

1. Upsell & Cross-Sell Like a Pro

Upselling encourages customers to purchase a higher-end version of a product, while cross-selling recommends complementary items. Done strategically, these techniques can significantly increase order value.

Examples:

• Upsell: Upgrade from a basic pillow to a premium memory foam pillow
• Cross-sell: Suggest a phone case when a customer adds a new phone to their cart
• Cross-sell: Offer matching skincare products with a purchased serum

Recommended App: UFE Upsell & Cross-Sell

• AI-powered recommendations for smarter offers
• Customizable funnels and product combos
• One-click add-ons directly in the cart

Pro Tip: Base upsell offers on cart behavior. For instance, if a customer adds coffee beans, offer a grinder at a discounted price.

 

2. Create Irresistible Product Bundles

Product bundles provide value by grouping related items at a discounted price, encouraging larger orders while helping move slow inventory.

Examples:

• Skincare trio: Cleanser + toner + moisturizer
• Buy 2 t-shirts, get the 3rd free
• Seasonal gift sets combining multiple products

Recommended App: Bundler – Product Bundles

• Mix & match bundle creation
• Volume discount options
• Scheduled limited-time offers

Pro Tip: Add urgency with phrases like “Bundle deal ends in 24 hours” or “Only 50 bundles left” to encourage faster purchases.

 

3. Set a Smart Free Shipping Threshold

Free shipping is a strong motivator. Setting the threshold slightly above your current AOV encourages larger carts without sacrificing margin.

Example: Current AOV: $45 → set free shipping at $60

Recommended App: Free Shipping Bar by Hextom

• Real-time progress bar showing how close customers are to free shipping
• Geo-targeted offers for different regions
• Mobile-optimized for smooth experiences

Pro Tip: Test different thresholds over time to find the level that maximizes both conversion and revenue.

 

4. Use Personalized Product Recommendations

Personalized recommendations increase engagement and cart size by showing customers what they’re most likely to want.

Recommended App: ReConvert Upsell & Cross-Sell

• Post-purchase upsells and cross-sells
• Smart pop-ups tailored to browsing and purchase behavior
• Custom product suggestions based on previous orders

Pro Tip: Identify frequently bought-together items and suggest them as post-purchase offers to drive repeat revenue.

 

5. Add Subscription Options for Repeat Buys

Subscriptions secure repeat revenue and gradually increase AOV, ideal for replenishable products like coffee, vitamins, pet food, or skincare essentials.

Recommended App: Bold Subscriptions

• Flexible subscription frequency options
• Discounted tiers for subscribers
• Customer self-management portal

Pro Tip: Offer 10–15% off subscriptions and highlight cumulative savings to encourage opt-ins.

6. Use Scarcity & Urgency to Drive Action

Urgency and scarcity trigger fear of missing out (FOMO), motivating shoppers to buy more and act quickly.

Recommended App: Fera Social Proof

• Low stock alerts
• Countdown timers for limited-time offers
• Real-time notifications of recent purchases

Pro Tip: Apply urgency to high-margin products to maximize profit per order while maintaining credibility.

 

7. Launch Targeted Discount Campaigns

Targeted discounts encourage larger purchases without unnecessarily eroding margins.

Examples:

• Spend $100, get $15 off
• Buy 2, get 10% off
• Loyalty perks for returning shoppers

Recommended App: Discounted Upsell

• Cart-based rules for automated offers
• Tiered rewards to encourage bigger orders
• Personalized promotions based on customer segments

Pro Tip: Tailor offers to customer behavior—new customers get one promotion, returning loyal buyers get another—to increase repeat purchases.

 

Final Thoughts

Increasing your Average Order Value is more than a revenue booster—it multiplies profit while strengthening long-term customer relationships. Pick 1–2 strategies above, implement the recommended Shopify apps, and begin testing results. Focus on upselling, bundling, personalization, subscriptions, urgency, and targeted discounts to grow AOV, improve margins, and foster loyal, high-value customers in 2025.