Understanding How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store is one of the most effective ways to maximize your revenue without constantly relying on new customer acquisition. Increasing AOV allows your business to grow sustainably, keep advertising costs manageable, and improve profitability across every transaction. Whether you run a dropshipping business, an affiliate marketing store, or a full-scale brand, boosting AOV is essential for building long-term passive income.
This comprehensive guide explains proven strategies, examples, and tools to help you raise your AOV while offering a better experience for your customers.
What Is Average Order Value (AOV)?
Your Average Order Value is the average amount a customer spends per transaction. Learning How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store helps you measure the impact of your strategies and marketing efforts.
You can calculate it with a simple formula:
AOV = Total Revenue ÷ Number of Orders
When you increase AOV, you earn more from every customer, improving profitability and scaling your online business more effectively.
Why Increasing AOV Matters
AOV is a core metric for growth. If you want to reduce ad costs, improve profit margins, and boost customer lifetime value, then understanding How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store is crucial.
Benefits of Higher AOV
- Higher profit per customer
- Reduced reliance on paid traffic
- More efficient marketing campaigns
- Lower cost per acquisition
- Improved cash flow
- Bigger margins for scaling ads
Top e-commerce platforms like Shopify optimization guides and analytics tools such as SEMrush insights offer data-driven strategies that help you improve customer spending behavior.
1. Offer Strategic Product Bundles
Creating bundles is one of the fastest ways to increase order value. Customers perceive bundles as a deal, and you increase revenue per checkout. When learning How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store, bundling should be one of your first strategies.
Types of Bundles That Work Well
- Complementary product bundles
- Buy-more-save-more bundles
- Holiday or seasonal bundles
- Beginner kits and starter packages
Bundling is especially powerful for affiliate vs dropshipping stores because it allows you to package products in a way that adds more value while maximizing margins.
2. Add Upsells and Cross-Sells
Upsells and cross-sells are proven techniques for increasing AOV. When applied correctly, they can dramatically change your revenue numbers.
Examples of Upsells and Cross-Sells
- “Upgrade to premium for $10 more”
- “Add this complementary product and save 20%”
- “Buy two, get the third at 50% off”
Studies from the Baymard Institute (UX research) show that customers respond best to upsells when they are relevant—not random add-ons.
3. Use Volume Discounts for Larger Purchases
Volume pricing encourages customers to buy more to save more. When learning How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store, this strategy is simple yet highly effective.
Effective Volume Discount Examples
- Buy 2, get 10% off
- Buy 3, get 20% off
- Spend $100, save $15
This is popular in health, fitness, beauty, and home goods stores.
4. Offer Free Shipping Thresholds
Customers are significantly more likely to add extra items to unlock free shipping. This strategy alone can dramatically improve AOV.
Instead of offering free shipping on every order, set a threshold that encourages customers to spend more.
Examples of Effective Thresholds
- Free shipping on orders over $50
- Free shipping on bundles only
- Free express shipping above $100
Platforms like Klaviyo help you send automated reminders like: “You’re only $12 away from free shipping!”
5. Add Limited-Time Offers and Scarcity
Scarcity drives urgency. When used ethically, it encourages customers to increase their order value before items sell out.
Types of Scarcity Promotions
- Limited-time bundles
- Low-stock alerts
- Exclusive discounts for 24 hours
- Seasonal flash sales
Tools like Privy popups can automate countdown timers and urgency banners that boost AOV.
6. Offer Loyalty Rewards and Points
Loyalty programs encourage customers to spend more to earn more. If you want to master How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store, reward programs should be part of your long-term strategy.
Reward Ideas That Increase AOV
- Double points for higher cart values
- Bonus rewards for buying bundles
- Tiered rewards systems
- Points for product reviews
This not only increases AOV but also boosts customer retention.
7. Improve Your Product Page Experience
Customers spend more when your product page inspires confidence. The better the customer experience, the higher your AOV tends to be.
Ways to Improve Product Pages
- High-quality product photos and videos
- Clear descriptions and sizing guides
- Customer reviews and user-generated content
- Easy-to-read pricing and discounts
- Visible shipping thresholds
Your product page is one of the strongest tools for boosting AOV in any online business.
8. Add Post-Purchase Upsells
Post-purchase upsells allow customers to add additional products after they have already placed their order. This strategy is powerful because the customer has already committed to buying.
Examples of Post-Purchase Upsells
- Add a second item at a discount
- Upgrade to a bundle for a small fee
- Extra accessories for the product they bought
Platforms like Zipify OneClickUpsell offer top-rated solutions for post-purchase AOV optimization.
9. Recommend Products Using AI Tools
Artificial intelligence can greatly improve personalization. When learning How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store, AI-powered recommendations are a must.
AI tools suggest relevant add-ons based on customer behavior, leading to higher cart values.
Examples of AI Recommendations
- Frequently bought together
- You may also like
- Customers who bought this also purchased
AI tools like Nosto personalization software boost both conversions and AOV with real-time customer behavior analysis.
10. Encourage Subscriptions With Discounts
Subscription models improve both revenue and customer loyalty. You can use recurring subscriptions to increase cart values while stabilizing revenue.
Subscription Examples
- Monthly replenishment discounts
- Auto-renewal savings
- Exclusive subscription bundles
This strategy is especially effective for consumable products like supplements and skincare.
11. Use Email Marketing to Promote Higher-Value Purchases
Email marketing remains one of the most powerful tools for boosting AOV. Once customers join your list, you can nurture them with targeted campaigns.
Email Campaigns That Increase AOV
- Bundle recommendations
- VIP customer offers
- Upsell emails after purchases
- Abandoned cart upsell emails
Email platforms like Mailchimp and Klaviyo offer automation tools to optimize revenue.
12. Offer Payment Plans for Higher-Priced Products
Higher-priced items can scare new customers, but payment plans make them more accessible. By offering installment payments, you make larger purchases more appealing.
Examples of Payment Plans
- Buy now, pay later (BNPL)
- 4-installment payments
- 0% interest financing
Integrations like Afterpay and Klarna help you convert more customers while raising AOV.
Final Thoughts
Knowing How to Increase Average Order Value in Your Online Store is essential if you want to scale your revenue without relying entirely on new customers. By using the strategies above—bundling, upsells, free shipping thresholds, loyalty programs, AI recommendations, and improved product pages—you can significantly boost your AOV and grow your brand sustainably.
Whether you’re running a brand or growing a dropshipping business, increasing your AOV maximizes every visitor, strengthens your margins, and puts you on the path to long-term passive income success.
