Conversion Optimization
How To Improve Average Order Value On Shopify: 22 Brilliant Ideas
June 18, 2024
Think of average order value as your Shopify store's MVP.
It's not just about attracting new customers, but also about getting your existing customers to spend a little extra with each purchase.
And those extra dollars can add up fast!
In this post, we're skipping the fluff and diving straight into practical tips you can implement right away.
Jump to:
How to improve average order value on Shopify product pages
How to improve average order value on Shopify cart pages
How to improve average order value on other Shopify pages
How to improve average order value on Shopify product pages
1. Show ‘Quick add’ cross-sell to increase Shopify average order value
3. Cross-sell with frequently bought together
4. Feature virtual try-on experiences
6. Optimize size and fit information
7. Personalize suggestions through customer service
1. Show ‘Quick add’ cross-sell to increase Shopify average order value
A study found product recommendations account for an average of 31% of eCommerce site revenues.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Analyze purchase data to identify commonly bought-together items and suggest these as quick add-ons.
✅ Suggest seasonal products or trending items that are likely to appeal to the customer.
✅ Avoid taking customers away from their current page. Use pop-ups or sidebars for ‘Quick Add’ suggestions.
Shopify average order value example - Outdoor Voices
2. Create ‘tiered’ discounts
One of the most significant advantages of tiered pricing in eCommerce is the increase in revenue potential.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Decide on the discounts, free gifts, or other incentives offered at each tier (e.g., 10% off at $50, 20% off at $100, free shipping at $150).
✅ Mention limited stock availability for certain products to motivate customers to shop before items run out.
✅ Use countdown timers on your website to visually emphasize the remaining time for customers to qualify for the tiered offers.
Shopify average order value example - Pela
Pela also offers an extra service with a reassuring message for customers:
3. Cross-sell with frequently bought together
18.7% of Shopify stores with Frequently Bought Together installed sell 250 - 999 different products.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Place the "Frequently Bought Together" section just below the main product description or near the "Add to Cart" button.
✅ Show low stock alerts for complementary items to encourage immediate purchase.
✅ Clearly indicate why the products are recommended together, such as "Works perfectly with" or "Designed to complement."
Shopify average order value example - Houseplant
4. Feature virtual try-on experiences
A report shows virtual try-ons are popular among 12% of U.S. online shoppers.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Choose an AR solution that allows customers to try on products virtually using their camera. Apps like ModiFace, YouCam Makeup, or Shopify AR can be integrated with your store by expert Shopify developers.
✅ Suggest complementary products during the virtual try-on experience (e.g., if a customer tries on a pair of sunglasses, suggest matching hats or scarves).
5. Enable ‘subscribe & save’
Subscriptions not only increase AOV but also provide recurring revenue.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Offer increasing discounts for longer subscription durations (e.g., 10% off for monthly, 15% off for quarterly, 20% off for annual subscriptions).
✅ Make it simple for customers to modify their subscription frequency, skip deliveries, or change product quantities as needed.
Shopify average order value example - Dr. Squatch
6. Optimize size and fit information
A report shows that 83% of apparel stores don’t provide sufficient sizing information.
This frustrates shoppers and impedes eventual purchase.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Provide visual size charts displaying measurements in inches or centimeters for easy reference.
✅ Suggest complementary items like belts, jewelry, or scarves based on the clothing items selected.
✅ Encourage customers to leave reviews mentioning how the item fits and whether they recommend sizing up or down.
Shopify average order value example - Maguire
Once clicked on the size CTA, a sidebar opens up to show detailed stock information about the size:
7. Personalize suggestions through customer service
Data shows that businesses can grow their revenue by 4% to 8% above their market when they prioritize better customer service.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Use a pop-up or a fixed widget that’s easily accessible, allowing customers to get instant help with their queries.
✅ Offer an option to book a one-on-one consultation with a customer service representative for personalized shopping advice.
How to improve average order value on Shopify cart pages
8. Recommend products in the same price range
9. Show a cart value progress bar
10. Set an order minimum for “free shipping”
12. Offer satisfaction guarantees
8. Recommend products in the same price range
According to a report, personalized product recommendations can help boost average order value by 50%.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Identify products that are frequently purchased together or have a high affinity with the items in the cart, and display them as cross-sell recommendations.
✅ Analyze past purchases and browsing behavior to understand each customer's preferences and suggest products that align with their interests and budget.
✅ Offer discounted add-ons or upgrades to products already in the customer's cart.
Shopify average order value example - Etsy
9. Show a cart value progress bar
Implementing a cart value progress bar on your Shopify store can effectively encourage customers to increase their order value visually.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Use colors to indicate progress, such as green for reaching or exceeding the threshold and red for falling short.
✅ Suggest additional products or higher-priced items to help customers reach the next spending threshold.
10. Set an order minimum for “free shipping”
49.7% of people have stated that free shipping is the main reason they shop online.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Highlight the free shipping offer on the cart page, using attention-grabbing banners or messaging on the hello bar.
✅ Recommend low-cost add-on items below the cart summary, with messaging indicating how much more customers need to spend to qualify for free shipping or unlock a discount.
11. Highlight savings
Reports show that on average, discount campaigns help increase sales by almost 25%, with a 15% rise in customer acquisition.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Use strike-through text or a different color to cross out the original price, making the discounted price more prominent.
✅ Animate when savings are applied, such as a brief flash of the discounted price or a visual confirmation of the discount being added.
12. Offer satisfaction guarantees
When customers feel confident in their purchase, they are more likely to buy more.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Use clear and straightforward language to communicate the satisfaction guarantee, such as "100% Satisfaction Guaranteed" or "Love It or Your Money Back."
✅ Offer extended return periods or additional incentives for orders above a certain value threshold, such as "60-Day Returns for Orders Over $100."
How to improve average order value on your Shopify store
13. Enable DIY product bundles
15. Build personalized product quizzes
16. Offer first-purchase incentives
17. Show loyalty benefits to encourage repeat orders
20. Highlight USPs in the first half
21. Optimize your mobile shopping experience
22. Show a discounted upsell after order completion on the thank-you page
You'll love reading: How Do I Boost My Shopify Conversion Rate? (50 Effortless Strategies)
13. Enable DIY product bundles
Product bundles often combine the best products with compelling discounts.
And who doesn’t love a good deal?
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Let customers mix and match items from a predefined list to create their unique bundle.
✅ Offer higher discounts as customers add more items to their bundle. For example, "Buy 3 items, get 10% off; buy 5 items, get 15% off."
✅ Show a visual preview of the bundle, highlighting the individual components.
Shopify average order value example - Dr. Squatch
We love how Dr. Squatch has a dedicated landing page for their DIY product bundles to enhance discoverability.
They have tiers based on the total value of the bundle, providing incentives to spend more.
14. Use social proof
The average consumer reads around 10 online reviews before making a purchase decision.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Provide comparison tables that show your product alongside alternatives, highlighting why yours is better (based on customer reviews).
✅ Embed video testimonials or unboxing videos from influencers.
✅ Let customers upvote helpful reviews or questions, emphasizing the most valuable feedback.
Shopify average order value example - Adored Vintage
We love how the online store shows real-time updates to push recommendations.
15. Build personalized product quizzes
An effective quiz offers a personalized shopping experience and lets Shopify stores recommend products tailored to the shopper’s preference.
This encourages shoppers to add more to cart and checkout.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Feature the quiz prominently in the hero section of your homepage with a compelling CTA like “Find Your Perfect Product” or “Take the Quiz to Discover Your Ideal Match.”
✅ At the end of the quiz, provide personalized product recommendations based on the customer’s answers. Suggest complementary products and create bundles to increase the overall order value.
✅ Keep the recommended products visible as the customer browses, possibly using a sticky sidebar or pop-up.
16. Offer first-purchase incentives
In 2024, retail eCommerce sales are estimated to exceed 6.3 trillion USD worldwide, and this figure is expected to reach new heights in the coming years.
This means, more and more shoppers are discovering your store every day.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Use a pop-up that appears when a new visitor lands on your homepage, offering a discount or free gift on their first purchase.
✅ Add an announcement bar at the top of the homepage that highlights the first purchase incentive.
✅ Create a sense of urgency by making the first purchase incentive a limited-time offer. Use countdown timers to show the time remaining.
17. Show loyalty benefits to encourage repeat orders
The customer loyalty management market is valued at over 5.5 billion U.S. dollars and is expected to surpass $24 billion by the end of 2028.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Create a dedicated section on the first half of your homepage that prominently highlights the benefits of your loyalty program.
✅ Include testimonials from loyal customers who have benefited from the program. This adds social proof and shows the tangible benefits of the program.
✅ Show a visual progress tracker to demonstrate how close a customer is to their next reward.
18. Leverage gift cards
The global Digital Gift Cards market is expected to reach a value of 510 billion USD by 2025.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Use a portion of your hero section to highlight gift cards. This could be an image of the gift card, with a CTA such as “Buy Gift Cards Now” or “The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion.”
✅ Let customers personalize their gift cards with custom messages, images, or designs. This can be an interactive feature where they can preview the gift card before purchase.
19. Give something ‘free’
The word ‘free’ triggers positive and happy shopping experiences.
You can use this to improve your cart value.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Offer free shipping for orders above a certain amount. For example, “Free shipping on orders over $50.” This encourages customers to add more items to cart to qualify for free shipping.
✅ Provide free samples of your products or a free trial of your service to give customers a taste of what you offer.
Shopify average order value example - Tentree
20. Highlight USPs in the first half
It takes about 0.05 seconds for shoppers to form an opinion about your website that determines whether they’ll stay or leave.
So, make sure to highlight your discounts in the above-the-fold on your Shopify homepage.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Place a section showcasing your best-selling products prominently at the top of the homepage.
✅ Showcase a curated collection of seasonal or themed products. These collections should combine multiple products that customers can buy together.
Shopify average order value example - Leesa
You must also read: 33 "Underrated" Conversion Rate Optimization Ideas For eCommerce Stores
21. Optimize your mobile shopping experience
A smooth mobile experience can lead to higher conversions and larger order sizes.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Offer mobile-exclusive rewards points or discounts for purchases made on the Shopify mobile store, encouraging customers to return and spend more to earn rewards.
✅ Implement one-click upsells on mobile to offer additional products or upgrades after the customer has added items to their cart.
22. Show a discounted upsell after order completion on the thank-you page
Your shopper has just become your customer.
Now picture this: The Shopify thank you page pops up, and instead of just a "Thanks for your purchase," it’s like, "Hey, while you’re here, check out this sleek camera case, an extra memory card, and a sturdy tripod! And at 20% off!"
This helps to make shoppers return to your store.
How to improve average order value on Shopify
✅ Choose complementary or related products that you want to upsell to customers after they've completed their purchase. These products should offer additional value or enhance the original purchase, encouraging customers to add them to their cart.
✅ If the upsell offer requires a discount code, clearly display the code on the thank-you page and provide instructions on how customers can apply it during checkout.
✅ After customers complete their purchase, offer them the opportunity to provide feedback or recommendations based on their shopping experience. Personalized recommendations can lead to higher AOV as customers are more likely to buy products that align with their preferences and interests.
How to improve average order value on Shopify - FAQs
1. What is the average order value (AOV) on Shopify?
The average order value (AOV) on Shopify can vary significantly depending on various factors such as the industry, target audience, product pricing, and marketing strategies of individual stores.
However, Shopify has reported that the average order value across all Shopify stores is approximately $90 to $100 USD.
The AOV of a Shopify store is influenced by factors such as product assortment, pricing strategy, customer behavior, and the effectiveness of marketing and sales tactics.
Shopify store owners can analyze their own sales data and performance metrics to determine their specific AOV and identify opportunities for optimization and improvement.
2. How does Shopify calculate average order value?
Shopify calculates average order value (AOV) by dividing the total revenue generated from orders by the total number of orders within a specific time period. The formula for calculating AOV is:
AOV = Total Revenue / Total Number of Orders
3. Why is average order value important for Shopify stores?
Average order value (AOV) is important for Shopify stores for several reasons:
Profit Maximization: A higher AOV means each customer is spending more on average per transaction, leading to increased revenue and profitability for the store. By encouraging customers to spend more with each purchase, Shopify stores can maximize their revenue without necessarily needing to increase their customer base.
Enhanced Customer Lifetime Value (CLV): AOV is a key component of customer lifetime value (CLV), which represents the total revenue a customer is expected to generate over their entire relationship with the store. By increasing AOV, Shopify stores can improve CLV, as customers who spend more per transaction are likely to contribute more revenue over time through repeat purchases.
Upselling and Cross-Selling Opportunities: AOV analysis can uncover opportunities for upselling and cross-selling additional products or services to customers. By identifying products that are frequently purchased together or have higher margins, Shopify stores can tailor their sales tactics to encourage customers to add more items to their carts, thereby increasing AOV.
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