If you want to grow your Shopify store’s revenue without constantly chasing new customers, your best move is simple: increase your average order value (AOV).

AOV measures how much shoppers spend per transaction, and improving it means earning more from your existing traffic. That’s especially powerful for small and mid-sized teams working with fixed marketing budgets.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical, data-driven ways to increase AOV, supported by real brands doing it right.

What Is Average Order Value (AOV)?

Average Order Value (AOV) is the average amount spent by customers each time they make a purchase.

The formula is: AOV = Total Revenue ÷ Number of Orders

Increasing this number means more revenue per purchase, which helps with profitability, growth, and scaling marketing efforts without spending more on traffic. For example, if your store earns $10,000 from 200 orders, your AOV is $50. Raising that to $60 with the same traffic instantly adds $2,000 in extra monthly revenue. 

Proven Strategies to Increase AOV on Your Shopify Store

Let’s break down practical and tested tactics you can use to boost your AOV. 

1. Upsell Higher-Value Alternatives

Upselling is the art of helping customers upgrade to a better or premium version of the product they’re already considering. It’s subtle but powerful.

Why it works: People often want the best value, not the cheapest option. Offering an upgraded model or bundle helps them feel like they’re getting more.

Example:

Fashion label Koh implemented upsell prompts during checkout to encourage customers to move from standard to premium collections. This small shift helped them raise their AOV by 20% as they expanded internationally.

Tips to replicate:

• Add “You might also love…” sections below product descriptions.
• Use language that emphasizes benefits (“Upgrade to long-lasting leather”).
• Offer comparison charts for different product tiers.

2. Cross-Sell Complementary Products

Cross-selling suggests items that pair perfectly with what the customer’s already buying. It’s what turns single-item carts into multi-item orders.

Example:

Black Rifle Coffee Company uses cart-based recommendations to suggest mugs, accessories, and apparel alongside coffee beans. These logical, value-driven pairings raise AOV without feeling pushy.

How to apply it:

• Add complementary recommendations (“Complete your look with…”) on product and cart pages.
• Use dynamic cart drawers that update suggestions in real time.
• Automate this using Shopify apps like Selleasy or ReConvert.

3. Bundle Products Together

Bundles work because they create value through convenience and perceived savings. They’re especially effective for skincare, home goods, or apparel.

Example:

Skincare brands like The Ordinary regularly use bundles such as “The Face & Body Set” that include complementary products at a slight discount. This not only increases AOV but also simplifies decision-making.

How to implement:

• Combine products that solve one problem (e.g., cleanser + toner + moisturizer).
• Offer bundle-only perks (like bonus samples or exclusive packaging).
• Test discounts. Sometimes, 5–10% is enough to influence behavior.

4. Introduce Free Shipping Thresholds

Free shipping remains one of the most effective AOV boosters in ecommerce. Setting a threshold encourages shoppers to add more items just to “unlock” it.

Example:

Allbirds, a sustainable footwear brand, offers free shipping above a certain spend threshold, motivating customers to add a second item to reach it.

Tips to implement:

• Set your threshold slightly above your current AOV (e.g., if it’s $48, set the threshold at $60).
• Display progress bars in the cart: “You’re only $12 away from free shipping!”
• Use urgency messaging: “Free shipping ends today.”

5. Use Post-Purchase Upsells

The post-purchase stage is a hidden goldmine. Customers have already entered payment info, so offering one-click add-ons at this stage converts exceptionally well.

How to apply this:

• Suggest complementary add-ons immediately after checkout.
• Keep offers under 25% of the main purchase price to avoid friction.
• Use “thank-you page” offers for low-effort cross-sells.

6. Offer Tiered Pricing or Volume Discounts

Customers love to save, and they’ll often buy more to do it. Tiered discounts (“Buy 2, Save 10%”) increase both perceived value and cart size.

Example:

Blume, a skincare brand, uses “Build Your Bundle” and volume-based discounts to encourage repeat buyers to stock up. This simple structure turns single-item purchases into multi-item orders.

How to use it effectively:

• Offer quantity-based tiers (Buy 2 → Save 10%, Buy 3 → Save 15%).
• Display savings clearly: customers respond better when they see what they’re saving.
• Combine with subscription options for recurring AOV growth.

7. Build a Loyalty Program

Loyalty programs don’t just retain customers; they also motivate bigger purchases. When customers earn points or perks per dollar spent, they’re incentivized to buy more at once.

Example:

Dr. Squatch, a brand known for its loyalty-driven growth, uses a points-based system where customers earn rewards per purchase. Members spend more per order on average than non-members. 

Tips to make it work:

• Use tools like Smile.io or LoyaltyLion.
• Offer VIP tiers with early access or bonus points for higher spend.
• Promote loyalty benefits on the cart and checkout pages.

Each of these strategies contributes to one goal: making it easy for customers to add more value to their carts. When implemented together, these methods reinforce one another, creating a smoother, higher-value buying experience that drives sustainable revenue growth for your Shopify store.

Conclusion

Raising your AOV is about delivering more value, not just selling more. Upsells, bundles, and free shipping thresholds all work because they enhance the shopping experience.

Revvy makes it easy to find where your biggest AOV opportunities lie. With automated insights and actionable recommendations, it helps Shopify merchants identify high-value moments in the customer journey, and turn them into consistent growth.

Use Revvy today to increase your Shopify store’s average order value and grow revenue without extra ad spend.