Unlock Your Shopify AOV with These Often Forgotten Tactics
Average order value is a part of the growth equation that businesses tend to overlook when looking for ways to grow. Increasing the average order of your Shopify store requires creativity - it might not be as simple as increasing the price of your products. If you’re looking for ways to for ways for customers to purchase more on every order, consider bundled deals, upselling complementary products, or even introducing a loyalty program.
PPC and Paid Media campaigns
Most low-AOV Shopify stores will have a difficult time excelling in paid media advertising considering all the factors that are driving pay-per-click expenses. Paid media advertising relies on an auction-based model and success is dependent on algorithmic optimization, targeting, and campaign monitoring.
While paid media costs are based on clicks or impressions, campaign profitability should be the primary focus. Given that continuous investment is necessary to maintain website traffic and visibility, businesses with higher AOVs or strong customer lifetime value tend to see more profitability in their paid media advertising efforts.
Organic channels and SEO
Increasing AOV is not only beholden to paid channels, as organic channels can also provide a top-of-funnel boost to overall AOV when products or offers are positioned enticingly. For instance, by optimizing content on social media, blogs, and email campaigns, you can drive more qualified traffic to your site, leading to higher-value purchases.
Strategic SEO practices and engaging product descriptions can also attract organic visitors who are more likely to explore multiple products, thereby increasing the average order value. Leveraging user-generated content, influencer partnerships, and targeted organic campaigns can further enhance customer trust and encourage larger purchases without relying solely on paid media.
Strategic levers to boost your Shopify AOV
In-platform levers
Lookalike audiences based off of high-volume customer lists (e.g. customers with high AOV orders, 3+ purchases, high LTV, etc.)
Lean into hero products and best-sellers
ACQ: Push top-performing SKUs to maximize CVR on new Customers
RMK & RTN: Push high-AOV SKUs, bundles, and subscriptions to your warmer audiences. Focus on new arrivals, restock alerts, and cross-selling opportunities
Consider testing and separating high-AOV versus low-AOV products
Organic levers
Product guides, gift guides, and tutorials—especially during high-volume holiday periods
Optimize product descriptions to make them easier to find in search engines—consider adding popular keywords to your product descriptions
Personalized emails with recommendations and exclusive offers
Utilize Instagram and Pinterest to create shoppable posts that feature bundles
Develop influencer partnerships focused on getting them to endorse higher-value products
On-site levers
BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) financing with Klarna, Affirm, or Afterpay
Offer bundles using Shopify’s Product Bundle feature
Create landing pages that feature best-sellers and high-AOV products
Incentivize: leverage gift-with-purchase of minimum order value
Offer pre- and post-purchase upsells
BNPL and financing options
You can also consider implementing advanced on-site tactics such as offering installment payment options through services like Klarna, Affirm, or Afterpay, which can encourage customers to make larger purchases by breaking down the payment into more manageable installments. Bundling products is another powerful strategy; by grouping complementary items together, you can increase the perceived value while boosting the overall order size.
Landing pages with best-sellers and featured products
Dedicated landing pages for bestsellers can also streamline the shopping experience, directing customers toward products with a proven track record of high AOV. Incentivizing purchases through gifts with a minimum order value can further motivate customers to reach that threshold, turning what might have been a small purchase into a more substantial one.
Offer upsells, bundles, and free gifts
Lastly, pre- and post-purchase upsells are crucial levers to pull. Pre-purchase upsells suggest additional products during the checkout process, while post-purchase upsells offer add-ons or complementary items after the initial purchase is complete, providing opportunities to increase the order value even after the customer has committed to buying.
By combining these on-site tactics with strategic paid and organic marketing efforts, you can create a holistic approach to increasing your store's AOV, ultimately driving more profitability and growth for your Shopify business. If you're unsure where to start or need expert guidance, contact us today! BlueSwitch’s experienced marketers and developers can help you tailor these strategies to your specific needs and goals, ensuring that your AOV efforts align with your broader business objectives.
