How to Increase AOV on Shopify: 5 Game-Changing Tactics

Shopify average order value (AOV) is a big part of increasing revenue for your store. A higher AOV translates to more money per transaction. 

In this guide, we’ll explain what Shopify AOV means and how to calculate it. Then, we’ll show you 5 practical ways to boost it – from upsells and cross-sells to clever shipping tactics, loyalty programs, and more.

What is the average order value?

AOV is a key metric measuring the average money a customer spends to place an order over a certain time. Entrepreneurs can easily calculate their AOV by using the simple formula below:

For instance, if your store generates $10,000 from 125 orders, your AOV is $80. This means customers typically spend around $80 each time they purchase.

But AOV alone doesn’t always give the full picture. A few high-value orders can pull the average up and make customer spending seem higher than it really is. That’s why it helps to look at three key numbers:

• Mean (AOV): the average order value
  → Example: ($15 + $15 + $15 + $20 + $22 + $80 + $120) ÷ 7 = $41
• Median: the middle order value
  → Sorted orders = $15, $15, $15, $20, $22, $80, $120 → Median = $20
• Mode: the most frequent order value
  → Most common = $15 (appears 3 times)

In this example, even though the average is $41, most customers actually spent $15. That’s why relying only on AOV can be misleading.

❗Note: Look at the mode to spot your most common order value.

Where can you view Shopify AOV?

You can view your Shopify AOV by going to Analytics > Dashboard and scrolling to the Average Order Value section. For deeper insights, use the Reports tab to customize the timeframe.

5 Key Strategies to Increase Shopify Average Order Value

If you want to increase your Shopify average order value, smarter tactics are key. Now, I will show you 5 proven strategies with real-life examples and data to encourage higher spending per order without hurting the shopping experience.

Upsell and Cross-Sell

Upselling is when you encourage customers to pick a more premium version of the product they’re considering. For example, upgrading from a basic model to one with extra features. Cross-selling, on the other hand, involves suggesting related items that pair nicely with their original purchase – like offering socks with a new pair of shoes.

If you’re looking for proof, take McDonald’s. Their famous question, “Would you like fries with that?” isn’t just casual conversation – it’s a billion-dollar strategy. In fact, McDonald’s own stats show that a massive 33% of customers say “yes” to upsells at checkout. Why? Because once people decide to buy something, they’re already primed to spend a bit more.

So, how do you apply these proven tactics in your Shopify store? Here are four key methods:

1. Product Page Upselling & Cross-Selling

Your product page is prime real estate. Here’s how to make the most of it:

Upsell ideas:

• Display premium versions alongside standard ones
• Use a short comparison chart to highlight added value
• Bundle products together at a slightly better price

Cross-sell ideas:

• Add a “Pairs well with” or “Complete the look” section
• Recommend useful accessories

2. Cart Upselling & Cross-Selling

Once a product is in the cart, your customer is ready to buy — this is your chance to increase the order value.

Upsell examples:

• “Add just $10 for faster shipping.”
• “Upgrade to deluxe for only $15 more.”
• “Spend $20 more to unlock a free gift.”

Cross-sell examples:

• “People also bought…”
• “Don’t forget a case/warranty/refill!”
• “You might love these too.”

3. Checkout Upsells (Shopify Plus only)

Best practices:

• One-click add-ons
• Low-cost, high-margin extras
• Create urgency with “limited time” labels
• Offer products that apply to most carts (e.g. gift wrap)

4. Post-Purchase Upsells

Right after checkout, customers are still in buying mode – a perfect moment for one more offer. Ideas that work:

• Add-ons that complement what they just bought
• Exclusive bundles at a discount
• Subscription offers
• Priority or upgraded shipping

Another powerful advantage of upselling and cross-selling on Shopify is its AI-driven personalization. Shopify apps use artificial intelligence to recommend highly targeted products based on past shopping behavior. Customers see items they’re genuinely interested in, boosting both satisfaction and Shopify AOV.

If you’re curious to learn more, here’s a detailed guide on how to upsell effectively on Shopify that’ll walk you through even more practical ways to lift your AOV.

Set a Smart Free Shipping Threshold

While upselling and cross-selling increase order value by enhancing the product mix, another powerful tactic is encouraging customers to spend just a little more to unlock something they already want – free shipping. Why does it work?

Because people hate paying for shipping. In fact, 39% of abandoned carts happen because of extra costs like shipping (source: Baymard Institute). It feels like a loss, and customers would rather add another item than pay a shipping fee.

How to set the right threshold?

Don’t guess. Use your store’s modal order value – the most frequent order amount – as your starting point. This is often more actionable than the average (mean), which a few large orders can skew.

Suggested formula: Set your free shipping threshold 15–30% higher than your modal order value.

Example: If your most common order value is $35, try a threshold of $45–$50. This keeps the goal realistic and encourages small add-ons to reach it.

If free shipping doesn’t fit your margins, try:

• Offer $10 off when customers spend over a certain amount.
• Add a free gift with purchase.
• Give express shipping upgrades once the threshold is met.

💡 Tip: Promote your offer clearly using dynamic banners or in-cart progress bars so customers know exactly how close they are to unlocking free shipping.

Use Product Bundles 

Free shipping is great, but bundling takes it one step further by increasing perceived value and simplifying decision-making.

A product bundle is a group of two or more items sold together, often at a slight discount. They’re popular because they help customers feel like they’re getting more for their money – while you get a higher AOV.

Here are 4 types of bundles that work well on Shopify:

• Discounted Bundles – Offer multiple items at a lower combined price (e.g., 3 skincare products for $75 instead of $90). Ideal for consumables, skincare, and fashion basics.

• Mix-and-Match Bundles – Let customers choose a set number of items from a curated selection (e.g., “Any 3 tees for $60”). Great for fashion, food, and lifestyle products.

• Bundle Builder – A customizable experience where customers build their own sets (like skincare kits), unlocking bigger discounts as they add more.

• Gift Sets – Perfect for holidays or special occasions, these pre-packaged themed bundles simplify gifting and help move inventory.

To explore these in more depth, check out this hands-on guide to Shopify product bundles – it breaks down each bundle type with use cases and app suggestions.

Setup Loyalty and Rewards Programs

Loyalty programs aren’t just about rewarding customers – they’re about encouraging them to keep coming back and spend more each time. In fact, members of loyalty programs generate 12–18% more revenue annually than non-members, showing a clear link between loyalty and higher Shopify AOV (source: BusinessDasher).

There are several types of reward structures to choose from:

• Points-based systems – earn points for every purchase.
• Tiered memberships – unlock perks as customers level up.
• Cash-back or store credit – reward customers in ways that bring them back.
• Exclusive early access – let members shop limited releases first.

To increase Shopify average order value effectively, use smart strategies like:

• Giving more points for higher-value purchases.
• Creating VIP tiers that offer better perks.
• Offering birthday or milestone rewards.
• Adding gamified elements that make earning feel fun.

Case Study: How LIVELY Boosted AOV with a Tiered Loyalty Program

LIVELY increased their AOV by launching a tiered rewards program that reflected its community-first brand. Members started at “Bestie Status” and could climb to “Total Boss” or “Powerhouse,” earning more points per dollar as they moved up. The brand also added double-point campaigns and referral rewards to keep engagement high. 

The brand rewarded every touchpoint by personalizing perks and integrating loyalty data into their emails and support systems. As a result, average order value increased by 21%, and customer lifetime value grew by 39% – proving that exemplary loyalty can fuel long-term revenue.

Offer Volume Discounts

Volume discounts reward customers for buying more. The idea is simple: the more they add to cart, the less they pay per unit – creating a win-win where customers feel like they’re getting better value, and you increase your average order size.

There are a few common ways to structure volume discounts on Shopify:

1. Tiered Pricing

Customers receive a different price per unit depending on how many they purchase. For example, buy 10 at $5 each, but buy 50 at $4 each. The discount increases as they hit specific quantity tiers.

2. Bulk Pricing

Instead of offering a lower unit price, you offer a flat price for a set quantity. For example, “Buy 3 for $25” rather than pricing each one at $10 individually.

3. Buy More, Save More

This structure is typically promoted with messaging like “Spend $50, save 10%” or “Buy 2, get 1 at 50% off.” It encourages customers to stretch just a bit further to unlock savings.

A great example of this in action is Artisaire. Adelaide Wax Seals’ product pages show a clear volume pricing table that breaks down unit cost by quantity. Customers can buy 15 wax seals for $18 ($1.20 each), but if they buy 100, the unit price drops to just $0.85. This transparent structure encourages shoppers – especially event planners or small business owners – to buy in bulk and save more per item. It’s simple, smart, and highly effective.

Tips to Accelerate Volume Discount Strategy:

• Display pricing tables clearly on product pages to show how customers save at each level
• Use urgency triggers, like “Best value at 50+ units” or “Almost at next discount tier”
• Combine with free shipping thresholds to push cart values even higher
• Highlight savings in-cart so customers can see their per-unit discount in real time
• Promote tiers with pop-ups or progress bars, showing how close shoppers are to the next discount. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, average order value (AOV) is a key metric for growing revenue and understanding customer behavior. A “good” AOV isn’t fixed – it depends on your product pricing, purchase frequency, and device usage. ​​That’s why finding the right strategy – and executing it consistently – is essential to seeing real results.

Among the six strategies we covered, offering volume discounts stands out as a powerful and scalable method. And if you want to make things easier by automating setup, tailoring offers to different customer groups, or throwing in free gifts, there are some great tools to help with that. 

One worth checking out is the BOGOS app, which makes it easy to launch dynamic free gift promotions, tiered offers, and smart upsells – all without needing complex configurations.