Free Gift with Purchase: How to Do It Right on Shopify

Everyone loves getting something for free. When executed properly, offering a free gift with purchase is a powerful marketing tool that can increase sales, boost customer loyalty, and clear out old inventory. But a poorly planned free gift can feel like a cheap gimmick and fail to deliver any real value. In this article, we'll show you how to strategically use a free gift with purchase on Shopify to drive a higher average order value (AOV) and create a positive customer experience, a tactic that can be integrated with other AOV-boosting funnels like those offered by EcomStar.

Why Offer a Free Gift with Purchase?

A free gift is more than just a bonus; it’s a strategic incentive. Here are some of the key benefits:

Increases Average Order Value (AOV)

The most common and effective way to use a free gift is to attach it to a minimum purchase threshold. This encourages customers to add more items to their cart to qualify, directly leading to a higher AOV.

Boosts Customer Loyalty

Receiving a high-quality, unexpected gift can delight customers and make them feel valued. This positive experience helps build trust and increases the likelihood of repeat business.

Clears Old Inventory

A free gift is a great way to move slow-selling or seasonal products that are taking up space. It gives you a way to get value out of these items without resorting to heavy discounts that can hurt your brand's perceived value.

3 Key Strategies to Make Your Free Gift Effective

Strategy 1: Set a Minimum Purchase Threshold

To ensure your free gift campaign is profitable, always link the gift to a minimum spend. The threshold should be slightly above your current AOV to encourage customers to spend a little more. For example, if your average order is $60, consider setting the free gift threshold at $75.

Strategy 2: Offer Relevant & Valuable Gifts

The gift itself should be desirable. A great free gift is either a complementary product to the customer's purchase (e.g., a free pair of socks with new running shoes) or a popular product that serves as a high-quality sample. Avoid using a gift that feels like cheap junk, as it can devalue your brand.

Strategy 3: Promote It Clearly Across Your Store

Don't make customers hunt for the offer. Use a prominent banner on your homepage, product pages, and cart page to highlight the promotion. A clear and visible progress bar that shows how close a customer is to reaching the threshold can be a very effective motivator.

How to Set Up Free Gifts on Shopify

Shopify's native discount functions can handle basic "buy X, get Y free" offers, but for more advanced campaigns—like setting minimum thresholds and displaying progress bars—you often need a third-party app. While a basic discount code is a start, a dedicated solution can provide a more seamless and powerful customer experience by automatically adding the gift to the cart and creating on-page visuals.

How EcomStar Can Enhance Your Free Gift Strategy

EcomStar is designed to take your free gift strategy to the next level. Beyond just creating the discount, our app can help you build compelling upsell funnels that seamlessly integrate with your free gift promotion. For example, you can create a funnel that automatically adds a free gift to the cart once a customer hits a certain threshold. You can also use our features to create visual pop-ups and notifications that celebrate the customer's eligibility for the gift, making the entire experience feel more rewarding.

Final Thoughts

A free gift with purchase is a powerful tool, but its success lies in its strategic execution. By setting a smart threshold, offering a relevant gift, and promoting it effectively, you can increase your AOV and build stronger customer loyalty. It's a win-win: your customers get a valuable bonus, and your store sees a direct boost in revenue.

Ready to start increasing your AOV with smart incentives? Check out our guide on increasing AOV for more ideas.