Getting a new customer is expensive. Getting each customer to buy a little more is often much cheaper. Increasing your average order value (AOV), the average amount spent per order, raises revenue without needing more traffic. Here are proven methods for WooCommerce stores.
Measure your starting point
In WooCommerce Analytics, find your average order value over the last three months. Note it: every change you make will be compared to this number. Also look at which products are often bought together.
1. A free shipping threshold
The classic. Set free shipping about 20 to 30% above your current AOV and show a progress bar: “Add $12 more for free shipping”. Customers often prefer adding a product to paying shipping. Details in our guide to the WooCommerce free shipping bar.
2. Bundles
Group products that go together, at a slightly better price than buying them separately: a skincare routine, a starter kit, a complete outfit. Bundles also simplify choice for customers.
3. Cross-sells and upsells
WooCommerce has built-in fields for both. Upsells (shown on the product page) suggest a better version; cross-sells (shown in the cart) suggest complementary products. Keep suggestions relevant and inexpensive compared to the main product.
4. Tiered offers
“-10% from $60, -15% from $100”. Make the tiers visible on product pages and in the cart, otherwise customers do not notice them.
5. Gift with purchase
A small free product above a certain amount. Choose something with high perceived value and low cost.
6. Better product pages
Confident customers buy more. Clear photos, a size guide, reviews and visible delivery information reduce hesitation. A sticky add to cart makes adding items easy on mobile.
7. Quantity incentives
For consumables, offer packs: “Buy 3, save 15%”. Customers stock up, and you ship one parcel instead of three.
During Black Friday
Black Friday shoppers are in a buying mood and often purchase gifts. It is the best moment for bundles, free shipping thresholds and gift sets. See Black Friday discount ideas.
What not to do
- Aggressive popups pushing products at every step.
- Pre-checked add-ons customers did not choose.
- Thresholds so high that nobody reaches them.
Test one change at a time and compare your AOV after a few weeks. More ideas in our WooCommerce conversion tips. The free shipping bar and the other WooCommerce tools mentioned here are in the WooCommerce Plugin Bundle.
Choosing which tactic to start with
- Most orders contain one item? Start with cross-sells and a free shipping threshold.
- Customers buy complementary products separately? Create bundles.
- You sell consumables? Quantity packs.
- Your basket varies a lot? Tiered offers.
Track the right numbers
Average order value alone can be misleading: if it rises but the number of orders falls, you may be losing customers. Track AOV, conversion rate and revenue together, ideally per week. Compare periods with similar traffic, and keep notes of every change you make so you can link results to actions.
Keep the customer experience first
The best AOV tactics feel like help, not pressure: a relevant suggestion, a useful bundle, a clear threshold. If customers complain about popups or feel pushed, you will lose more in trust than you gain in basket size. During Black Friday and Christmas, these tactics are especially effective, see Black Friday discount ideas and gift guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good average order value?
It depends entirely on your products. Compare yourself with your own past results rather than with other stores.
Is a free shipping threshold always profitable?
Only if the margin on the extra items covers the shipping you absorb. Calculate it before launching.
Where should cross-sells appear?
In the cart, where customers review their order, and sometimes on the product page.