How to Increase Average Order Value: 7 Proven Strategies That Boost AOV Fast

If you are still focused on getting more traffic to grow revenue, you are fighting an uphill battle. 

Paid acquisition gets more expensive every quarter, CPMs increase, and competition intensifies. 

Meanwhile, brands that understand how to increase average order value are outpacing everyone else.

AOV is the multiplier behind profitable growth. 

Lift it by 20% and you often get a 20% boost in monthly revenue without touching your ad budget. Better margins, better cash flow, better sanity.

This guide breaks down the most effective ways to increase AOV on Shopify, with clear examples, real data, and step-by-step tactics you can implement right away.

Ready to make every order more valuable? Keep reading.

What is Average Order Value?

Average order value, or AOV, is the average amount a customer spends in a single transaction. 

AOV tells you how much revenue each order generates and gives you a clear picture of how efficient your store is at turning traffic into profit.

When AOV rises, your revenue rises without increasing acquisition costs. This is why brands that focus on boosting AOV often scale faster and more profitably than competitors.

How to Calculate Average Order Value

Calculating average order value is simple.

Average Order Value = Total Revenue/Number of Orders

If your store makes 50,000 dollars from 1,000 orders, your AOV is 50 dollars. 

This quick calculation shows how much revenue each customer brings in per purchase and highlights how much room you have to grow.

The Benefits of a Higher AOV

A higher average order value gives you more revenue without needing more traffic. This is the fastest way to improve profit because every extra dollar comes with almost zero added cost.

When AOV increases, several growth levers move at the same time.

• Higher revenue per visitor
• Better profit margins
• Stronger ROAS across your ad channels
• Lower pressure on acquisition costs
• More predictable monthly revenue

This is why brands that raise AOV by even 10 to 20 percent often see bigger financial gains than those that double their traffic.

AOV is the metric that makes scaling sustainable, especially when paid traffic gets more expensive.

How to Increase Average Order Value: 7 Proven Tactics

There are many ways to increase average order value, but only a handful consistently move the needle across every Shopify industry. 

The strategies below are simple to implement, customer-friendly, and proven to lift AOV fast without hurting conversion. 

Each one includes real examples you can model in your own store.

1. Offer Smart Product Page Upsells and Cross-sells

Your product page is where shoppers show the strongest purchase intent. This makes it the perfect place to increase average order value with simple, relevant product recommendations that feel like helpful upgrades rather than sales pushes.

Kitchenware brand, Made In, is a great example of how to do this well. When a shopper views a saucepan, they offer a wooden spoon as a quick add to cart extra. 

It is inexpensive, useful, and perfectly aligned with the main product. This kind of seamless cross sell helps customers complete their purchase while quietly increasing basket size.

Why product page upsells work:

• Customers are already ready to buy
• Relevant add-ons make the purchase feel complete
• Small upgrades feel like improvements, not extra spending

Rules for your store:

• Keep recommendations tightly connected to the main item
• Use simple one click add buttons
• Limit offers to one or two to avoid decision overwhelm

Tools like Upsell.com make it easy to add these product page upsells without slowing down your theme or introducing friction. The more relevant the offer, the stronger the lift in AOV.

2. Use Cart Upsells and Add-ons

Cart upsells are one of the easiest ways to increase average order value because customers have already committed to buying. 

At this point, adding a small, relevant cross-sell feels natural, not intrusive.

Made In is a great example of how to do this well. When a shopper adds a saucepan to their cart, the drawer instantly displays two types of upsell opportunities. 

First, add a simple wooden spoon button right under the item. Second, complete your cart carousel with related tools that match the shopper’s intent.

Why this works:

• The shopper’s purchase momentum is peaking
• Add-ons feel helpful because they complete the main product
• Low-price add-ons convert at surprisingly high rates

Key takeaways:

• Keep cart upsells under 20%of the cart total
• Make the offer appear automatically in the drawer or slide out
• Use clean one-click add buttons for minimal friction

With Upsell.com, you can replicate this exact cart drawer experience with targeted add ons that match the products your customers are already buying.

3. Add Checkout Offers and Cross-sells

Checkout is a high-trust moment, which makes it a perfect place to increase average order value with simple, relevant extras. 

Shoppers are seconds away from confirming their order, so small add-ons feel natural and low effort.

Made In uses this brilliantly.

They offer quick checkout upsells like a free gift note or a low-cost recycling kit, followed by a clean you might also like carousel featuring a stainless steel cleaner that pairs perfectly with the saucepan already in the cart. 

Subtle, useful, and highly convertible.

4. Add Post-Purchase One-Click Upsells

Post-purchase is the highest momentum moment in the entire buying journey. The order is complete, trust is high, and customers are far more open to a quick add-on.

Imagine Made In offering a cleaning kit for 30 percent off immediately after someone buys a piece of cookware. No forms, no checkout, no re-entering payment details. Just one click to add it to the existing order.

Why this works:

• Zero risk of losing the original sale
• One click acceptance removes friction
• Exclusive discounts feel irresistible

Rules for your store:

• Keep the upsell tightly related
• Use one clear offer
• Make the value obvious

Upsell.com lets you launch true one click post purchase offers that slot perfectly into the Shopify checkout flow.

5. Introduce Free Shipping Thresholds

Free shipping thresholds are one of the simplest and most reliable ways to increase average order value. Shoppers will almost always add another item rather than pay for shipping.

Made In uses this tactic well. 

When a shopper adds a frying pan lid to their basket, the cart drawer shows a clear message: they are ten pounds away from free shipping. This gentle nudge motivates customers to browse for one more item to unlock the reward.

Why this works:

• People hate paying for shipping more than they hate spending a bit more
• Progress bars trigger goal completion psychology
• Shoppers feel rewarded, not upsold

How to set the right threshold:

• Start with your current AOV
• Set your free shipping threshold 15 to 30 percent above that number
• Ensure the margin increase covers your shipping cost

Test small adjustments until your cart value consistently rises

Example: If your AOV is 60 dollars, a threshold of 75 to 80 dollars usually hits the sweet spot. It increases average order value without scaring off customers who are not ready to spend significantly more.

This is one of the easiest tactics to implement, and it works incredibly well when paired with product recommendations or low-priced add-ons.

5. Offer Bundles and Volume Discounts

Bundles are one of the fastest ways to increase average order value because they package convenience, value, and higher spend into a single decision.

Made In does this perfectly. Their cookware sets page showcases curated multi piece bundles with clear savings. Customers instantly see the value difference between buying individual items and choosing a set.

They reinforce this on product pages too. When viewing a stainless frying pan, shoppers see an Upgrade and Save box offering a 3-piece set, complete with the exact amount saved. This simple anchor makes the bundle feel like the smarter option.

Why bundles work:

• They simplify choices
  
  
• Savings appear more compelling at higher price points
  
  
• The purchase feels like an upgrade, not an upsell

Rules for your store:

• Use simple bundle names
  
  
• Highlight savings clearly
  
  
• Make the set the obvious value pick

Upsell.com makes it easy to offer dynamic bundles that adapt to what shoppers browse or add to cart, helping drive consistent AOV lift.

6. Add Email Upsell Flows That Drive Quick Second Purchases

Email is a simple way to increase average order value after the sale. Customers who just bought are still engaged, so a well-timed upsell email can turn a one-item order into a bigger basket fast.Made In shows how effective this can be. Their sale countdown email includes a ‘Picked Just For You’ section with curated cookware recommendations that match the shopper’s interests. It feels helpful, not salesy.

Why it works:

• Customers already trust you
  
  
• Personalized picks convert higher
  
  
• Urgency boosts action

Rules for your store:

• Send upsell emails within 24 to 48 hours
  
  
• Recommend items related to the original purchase
  
  
• Keep the message simple and benefit-focused

7. Promote Subscriptions and Replenishment Programs

Subscriptions are one of the strongest ways to increase average order value because they turn a single purchase into recurring revenue. 

Even better, subscription upsells convert extremely well when offered right after checkout.

Made In does not currently offer subscriptions, but they have products that are perfect for it. For example, their Limited Edition Founder’s Roast Coffee is a replenishable item customers enjoy regularly. 

Adding a Subscribe and Save option with a small discount would instantly lift both AOV and LTV.

Now imagine this as a one click post purchase upsell. After a customer buys coffee or a coffee plus mug set, they see a simple offer: get your next bag delivered monthly at a discounted rate. 

No forms. No re entering payment details. Just one tap to start the subscription.

Why subscription upsells work:

• They lock in repeat revenue
  
  
• Customers love convenience
  
  
• Discounts feel valuable on replenishable items
  
  
• One-click acceptance boosts sign up rates

Rules for your store:

• Target subscription offers to consumables or frequently used items
  
  
• Offer a small incentive, like 10 to 15 percent off
  
  
• Keep the frequency options simple
  
  
• Add it as a post-purchase upsell for maximum conversions

Upsell.com makes it easy to place subscription offers directly after checkout so more customers join without any friction.

Final Takeaways: How to Grow AOV

Increasing average order value is one of the highest leverage moves a Shopify brand can make. You do not need more traffic, bigger budgets or complicated funnels. You just need to help shoppers buy the products that genuinely improve their experience.

From product page upsells to post purchase one click offers, the strategies you saw in this guide are simple, customer friendly and proven across every industry. Brands like Made In already use many of these tactics to drive bigger baskets without hurting conversion.

If you apply even two or three of these methods, you will see quick wins. Apply all of them, and you create a durable revenue engine that compounds over time.

Remeber the key takeaways:

• Smaller, well timed offers outperform big generic promotions
• Relevancy is the most important ingredient in any upsell
• The highest converting upsells happen after checkout
• Bundles and thresholds work because they simplify the decision
• Email and post purchase flows are underrated AOV drivers
• Subscriptions turn one time buyers into recurring revenue

If you want to implement these tactics without coding headaches, Upsell.com gives you the full toolkit to launch personalized upsells across the entire buying journey, including one click post purchase offers that convert at the highest rates.