Building A Value Proposition That Increases Cart Value

I recently worked with a client who was struggling to increase their average order value. They had a wide range of products but were finding it difficult to encourage customers to purchase additional items. To address this issue, I implemented a cross-selling strategy using WooCommerce WordPress. I began by analyzing the client's product data to identify complementary products that could be effectively cross-sold. I then used WooCommerce's built-in cross-selling features to display related products on product pages and in the cart. Additionally, I experimented with different product recommendation algorithms to ensure the suggested products were relevant and appealing to customers. To further enhance the cross-selling experience, I customized the product display and messaging to highlight the benefits of purchasing additional items. I also offered incentives, such as discounts or free shipping, to encourage customers to add more products to their cart. The results were impressive. By implementing these cross-selling strategies, we were able to achieve a 22% increase in average order value and boost overall sales. Have you used cross-selling techniques to increase your sales?

After launching over 1,000 products and conducting tens of thousands of experiments at GiddyUp and Grommet, here are 12 proven strategies for increasing your Average Order Value without negatively impacting your conversion rate—in fact, these strategies often improve it. 1. Bundles: Group products together at a reduced price compared to buying each item separately. This encourages customers to spend more to get a "deal." A highly effective bundle strategy is Buy One Get One (BOGO). 2. Buy Now, Pay Later: Provide customers with the option to pay for their purchases over time, making it easier for them to justify larger purchases upfront. 3. One-Click Upsells: Offer additional products after a purchase that can be added to the order with a single click, eliminating the need for the shopper to re-enter payment and shipping details. 4. Try Before You Buy: This strategy lets customers experience products at home before any payment is taken, seamlessly weaving into our proven methods to boost confidence in their purchases and naturally elevate average order values by lowering the barrier to initial commitment. Check out TryNow to implement this easily and quickly into your Shopify store. 5. Personalized Recommendations: Use zero and first party data to ensure every shopper receives a uniquely tailored shopping experience that feels personal and thoughtful. 6. Buy More FAQ: Add an FAQ question that explains the benefits of purchasing multiple products, such as cost savings, a better product experience, and the value of complete sets, directly addressing objections and drive larger purchases by showcasing added value. 7. Free Gift: Offer a free gift once a certain spending threshold is reached, incentivizing customers to add more to their cart to qualify. 8. "Most Popular" and "Best Deal" Banners: Highlight best-selling products to encourage purchases based on social proof and popularity. 9. In-Line Upsells: Suggest additional, complementary, or upgraded products and accessories during the checkout process, increasing the order value without requiring the customer to leave the checkout page. 10 Cross-sells: Use tools like Carro - Collaborative Commerce to offer complimentary products from other brands that share your audience. 11. Put Shipping Cost into Price of Product: Incorporate shipping costs into the product price to make the overall cost appear more straightforward and appealing (with Free Shipping), while still covering shipping expenses. This works REALLY well when selling internationally. 12. Funnel Copy Promoting Multiple Use: Highlight the versatility and multiple uses of a product, encouraging customers to buy it for various needs—from upper funnel ads through your advertorial, landing page, and checkout. What other strategies have you found effective in increasing Day 1 Average Order Value for DTC brands? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

🔥 Still pouring ad spend into single-product sales? You're burning margin. And it's killing your scale. Strong statement? Yes. Backed by data? 100%. After analyzing 100+ eCom brands spending $50K+/month, the results are crystal clear: 🚫 Single-Product Economics > Higher CAC relative to AOV > Fixed shipping eats more margin > Lower purchase frequency > Higher return rates > Fewer creative angles = faster fatigue ✅ Bundle Economics > Higher AOV absorbs rising CACs > Shipping cost spread across SKUs > More value = fewer returns > Easier to position as a full solution > Way more ad angles to test Here’s the 5-step playbook that keeps winning: 1. Analyze Purchase Behavior > Find natural bundles from past orders • Split by first-time vs repeat buyers • Set your bundle value target (e.g. $90–120) 2. Build a BYOB (Build Your Own Bundle) Page > Tiered pricing (e.g. 3+ = 10% off) • Add logic: cross-sell by use case or category • Make it fun to build - not a chore 3. Optimize the Cart Experience > Add milestone progress (free gift at $X) • Trigger bundle suggestions when single items are added • Use scarcity-driven bundles (e.g. “Only 250 left”) 4. Align Your Ad Creative > Stop selling features - sell the bundle value • Lead with savings, convenience, and transformation • Position bundles as “the complete solution” 5. Create VIP-Only Bundles > Offer pre-applied discounts for high-value customers • Build email/SMS flows that trigger bundle offers post-purchase • Reward loyalty with early access and exclusives The bottom line: If your growth has plateaued and your AOV isn’t climbing, bundling isn’t just a nice-to-have... it’s your next best lever. It improves margins, strengthens retention, and gives your ad account a lot more room to breathe. ---- Spending $50K+/month? Want a second set of eyes on how your brand’s performing? Drop me a “AUDIT” and I’ll personally review: → Your ad creative and messaging → Media buying infrastructure → Landing pages and checkout flow