Raising a Shopify AOV is one of the smartest methods to grow revenue without an additional budget for ads. But, while trying to hustle traffic, engage conversions, and enhance CX, raising every single order’s value feels so much like an uphill task.
Given the correct kind of checkout upsell strategies, anything instantaneously would work to increase an average order value without so much as a little bit of complex code.
| What you’ll learn in this guide: ● What Average Order Value (AOV) ● Why boosting AOV matters for profitability and ROAS ● Proven strategies to increase AOV ● How to use Blockify Checkout Rules ● Benchmarks for a “good” AOV in the U.S. and global eCommerce markets |
Average Order Value (AOV) is the average amount that a customer would spend while placing an order. It tells you what your transaction-wise income is on average.
AOV is more than a number; it helps you learn something about the customers’ buying behavior. Tracking this metric helps you identify various spending behaviors and test multiple upsell techniques, while tailoring marketing communications to encourage customers to increase their expenditure, rather than simply generating more traffic.
The formula for calculating Average Order Value is simple:
AOV = Total Revenue ÷ Number of Orders
For example, if your Shopify store generated $5,000 in total revenue from 200 orders, your AOV would be:
AOV = 5,000 ÷ 200 = 25
From a simple viewpoint, an average consumer spends $25 in a transaction. In real business terms, that number helps you measure how much value each order actually brings in and serves as a reference point from which to set upsell targets, run promotions, or establish minimum order values.
An increased AOV isn’t just a number you like to glance at and admire without any actions; it has effects on your store’s profitability, marketing activities, and customer experience. Mark it as a priority growth metric for any business.
Increasing your Average Order Value helps you earn more revenue from the same number of customers. You don’t need to spend extra money to drive more traffic.
So, without putting extra cost or burden on marketing, there is much scope to increase value per order by driving customers to add more items or upgrade to something higher.
A higher AOV will result in higher ROAS, or Return on Ad Spend, as each order returns a higher value for the same ad spend.
This means your cost per acquisition also goes down because you are making more money from every customer you bring in.
Relevant upsell and cross-sell offers feel helpful to customers. They help shoppers discover products they might have missed.
In turn, a better shopping experience increases customer satisfaction, encourages higher spending, and drives repeat purchases.
It’s impossible to say a perfect Average Order Value exists, given that your AOV will depend on your industry, product positioning, and pricing. However, benchmarks show the variation and help establish the general position of your store.
For Shopify merchants, the essential part is to place their own AOV side by side with others operating within their category. If you are creating more revenue per order compared to the average within the niche, you need not worry. But, if you are below that, upsell offers, bundles, or minimum orders might need to be tested to get to that level.
After running multiple Shopify stores and helping clients in niches from fashion to home goods, I’ve learned that increasing AOV isn’t about tricking customers; it’s about giving them smarter, more relevant options. The strategies below are ones I’ve tested, refined, and seen work consistently in real stores.
I’ve tried upselling placements a holler and then some, and none of them seem to really compare with that of the checkout page. Customers at this point are already buying, so resistance is very low. This is your golden window to suggest something genuinely useful, and not just some random add-on.
With Blockify Checkout Rules, you can also condition these upsell offers on things like cart value, product type, or even location. Trust me-whether the offer feels tailor-made or not, when it’s relevant, it performs like magic.
For example, one Shopify store selling phone accessories added a screen protector upsell on the checkout page for anyone buying a phone case, and saw a 22% increase in average order value within two weeks.
Bundling works because it taps into our love for getting “more for less.” In fashion, for example, pairing a jacket with matching trousers can make customers feel like they’re getting a full outfit at a deal.
I’ve seen beauty brands thrive by offering skincare trios, and home goods stores sell more through curated “starter kits.” The key is making the bundle feel thoughtfully put together, not just a clearance bin mashup.
I’ve found minimum order values to be one of the simplest levers for boosting AOV without changing much else. It subtly tells customers, “Just add one more thing and you’ll get the perk.”
Combine this with free shipping or a bonus item, and you’ll be surprised how often shoppers stretch their cart to meet the goal. The trick? Set it just a little above your current AOV so it feels within reach.
Free shipping is more than a perk; it’s a decision driver. People would rather spend $10 more on products than $5 on delivery. I’ve watched analytics where carts jump from $42 to $50 purely to hit that magic number.
Set your threshold slightly above your current AOV, and make it visible throughout the shopping journey. A small progress bar in the cart can work wonders for motivating the last push.
In one clothing store I managed, simply raising the free shipping threshold from $49 to $69 increased the average cart value from $54 to $64 over ten days, without hurting conversion rates.
Cross-selling isn’t about pushing more products; it’s about helping customers get the most from their purchase. A “Frequently Bought Together” section works because it feels like friendly advice from someone who’s been there.
Keep suggestions relevant through AI or manual rules. From what I have personally seen, the more a cross-sell feels like a natural fit between the products, the higher the acceptance rate.
Last chance in the checkout to increase order value and avoid expensive mistakes. Blockify Checkout Rules App offers you complete control over validation, payment, shipping, and upsell opportunities, without a single line of code.
AOV-Boosting Features:
1. What is a good average order value for Shopify?
There’s no universal number, but as of 2024, the U.S. eCommerce average AOV is around $151. Your ideal AOV will depend on your niche and pricing strategy.
2. Can I set a minimum order value without coding?
Yes. Apps like Blockify Checkout Rules let you set minimum cart thresholds directly in Shopify without writing a single line of code.
3. How quickly will upselling increase my AOV?
You can see results within days of implementing targeted upsells, especially at checkout or post-purchase.
4. Will checkout upsells hurt customer experience?
Not if they’re relevant and timely. Well-placed, helpful offers can actually improve the shopping journey by showing products customers might have missed.
5. Do Blockify Checkout Rules work with all Shopify plans?
Yes. It’s compatible with all Shopify plans that support checkout customization, including Shopify Plus for advanced features.
Conclusion
Increasing Shopify AOVs can boost profitability fast; without spending on traffic generation, a higher AOV means higher revenues per order, higher Return On Ad Spend (ROAS), and ultimately a profitable business.
Among all the strategies available, checkout upsells stand out as the quickest win. They reach customers at the final buying stage, when purchase intent is highest, making it easier to nudge them toward adding more value to their cart.
If you want to apply these tactics with minimal coding and maximum flexibility, test Blockify Checkout Rules. Its conditional upsells, minimum cart incentives, and post-purchase offers can help you increase order value instantly while maintaining a smooth checkout experience.
