Shopify free gift with purchase promotions offer an effective strategy that enhances customer experience while protecting your profit margins. By utilizing gift with purchase offers, you can boost average order value (AOV) and foster customer loyalty.
This step-by-step guide explains how to add a free gift with purchase on Shopify. It covers both the built-in tools and special apps, which can deliver outstanding results for online businesses.
Key Takeaways
- Start with Shopify’s built-in features if you are a first-time merchant or want to try basic gift-with-purchase campaigns.
- Upgrade to specialized apps like AOV Free Gift and BXGY for better promotional rules and user experience.
- Always make your Shopify free gift with purchase promotions clear, and create urgency to increase sales.
- Plan your inventory and profit margins carefully when giving away free products.
- Test different free gift with purchase strategies to see what works best for your audience.
Why is Shopify Free Gift With Purchase Offer Effective?
Free gift with purchase promotions are effective because they provide extra value without just lowering prices. Customers enjoy getting something additional.
This strategy works well in beauty, skincare, clothing, and packaged goods, where consumers frequently purchase multiple items. A complimentary gift can enhance the main purchase and help customers discover products they may want to purchase again.
Now that you understand the potential impact of these promotions, let’s explore two practical ways to implement gift with purchase campaigns on your Shopify store.
How to Add Free Gift With Purchase on Shopify: 2 Effective Methods
Setting up free gift offers with purchases is easy. Whether you’re new to this or have been running a store for a while, Shopify offers several setup options tailored to your needs and skills.
Option 1 – Using Shopify’s Native Discount Tool
For merchants who prefer a straightforward approach without additional apps, Shopify’s built-in discount functionality offers a solid starting point for your gift with purchase strategy.
Step 1: Log into your Shopify Admin dashboard > Click Discounts in the left-side navigation menu.
Step 2: Click on the Create discount button in the top right corner > Select Buy X Get Y promotion from the dropdown menu.
Step 3: Set up your free gift with purchase on Shopify with these parameters:
- Choose Automatic discount for a seamless customer experience (No code needed).
- Fill in a descriptive Discount title.
Finalize your automatic discount settings and name the promotion to apply it across your store.
In the Customer buys section:
- Set minimum quantity to 1 item (or higher depending on your promotion).
- Choose specific products or collections to include in your offer.
Set the purchase condition by requiring a minimum quantity of specific items in the Shopify discount settings.
In the Customer gets section:
- Set the quantity to 1 for any specific items or collections you want to offer as free gifts.
Choose the free gift product customers will receive after meeting the purchase requirement.
Step 4: Configure Advanced conditions:
- Set a discounted value of “free” or 100% for the percentage.
- Set usage limit to 1 per customer to prevent promotion abuse.
- Enable POS integration to synchronize in-store promotions (if applicable).
- Consider combining your gift with purchase with product discounts or shipping offers to test different promotional combinations.
To offer a gift product at no cost, simply select “Free” in the discount value section for a 100% discount.
Step 5: Activate your promotion
- Schedule your campaign start and end dates > Click Save discount to implement.
While Shopify’s native solution works well for basic needs, growing stores often require more advanced features for optimal results.
Option 2 – Set Up Shopify Gift With Purchase with Third-Party Apps
AOV Free Gift Buy X Get Y BOGO is one of the best free gift with purchase Shopify apps available, offering various promotional types including Buy X Get Y (BXGY), Buy One Get One (BOGO), and Gift with Cart Value (GWCA).
This specialized app helps e-commerce managers configure gift with purchase campaigns effortlessly with AI-driven tools. Its powerful A/B testing feature allows you to compare different campaign structures to identify which converts best, creating a seamless customer experience throughout the shopping journey.
AOV Free Gift Buy X Get Y BOGO boosts conversions with AI-powered free gift strategies like order goals, gift-with-purchase, and cart value discounts.
General app information
- Rating: 4.9/5 (459 reviews)
- Developer: AOV.ai (by Avada)
- Pricing: Free plan available, $19.99–$49.99/month
- Free plan: Yes
Best for:
- Stores with large product catalogs wanting to run multiple promotion types.
- Non-English-speaking merchants or small teams requiring intuitive setup processes.
- Professional merchants seeking advanced campaign features and analytics.
Here’s how to implement free gift with purchase promotions using this specialized app:
Step 1: Create your campaign
- Navigate to the AOV Free Gift & BXGY dashboard.
- Click Create campaign.
- Select Buy X Get Y campaign type, then click Create.
Step 2: Set up your Shopify Free Gift With Purchase offer
- Name your campaign clearly (e.g., “Buy Two Get One Free Summer Collection”).
Name and organize your free gift campaign using the AOV Free Gift Buy X Get Y BOGO app’s intuitive Buy X Get Y setup interface in Shopify.
In the Customer buys section, set the purchase condition (X):
- Choose the minimum quantity (typically 1 or 2) to trigger the offer.
- Select the specific product(s) or collections that qualify.
Choose trigger products and set the minimum quantity customers must purchase to receive a free gift automatically.
In the Customer gets section, define the reward (Y):
- Specify which product(s) or collections will be offered as free gifts.
Pro tip: Enable A/B Testing to evaluate different offer structures under varying conditions. You can also activate the “Buy X Get X” option if you want to offer the same product type as what the customer purchases.
Configure which products customers receive for free, or enable Buy X Get X logic to automatically match the items purchased.
Step 3: Configure Additional Rules
- Add combinations of product, order, and shipping discount rules as needed.
- Schedule start and end dates for your promotion.
- Limit total redemptions to 1 per customer to maintain profitability.
- Apply to all customers or specify customer segments to receive your offer.
Select the discount type, enable combinations with other promotions, and control usage limits for better campaign performance.
Step 4: Save and Activate
- Click Save at the top of the screen.
- Your free gift with purchase offer is now live on your store.
Step 5: Test the Customer Experience
- Add qualifying items to your cart.
- Verify that your GWP offer applies correctly at checkout.
- Test across both desktop and mobile devices to ensure consistent functionality.
For Shopify beginners exploring how to add free gift Shopify implementations, you can try various apps’ free plans and trials to determine the best solution for your specific store needs.
With your technical setup complete, let’s explore the different types of promotions you can offer to maximize engagement and conversion rates.
7 Shopify Free Gift With Purchase Strategies for Your Store
Each of these approaches targets different customer behaviors and can be customized to fit your unique product catalog and business goals.
1. Buy X get Y (BXGY)
Buy X Get Y promotions (including popular Buy One Get One and how to add buy 2 get 1 free Shopify campaigns) offer a free product when customers purchase a specified number of items. This product-specific strategy effectively increases average order value (AOV) while providing a strong perceived value to shoppers.
This promotion structure rewards customers for buying multiple items, offering a clear value that effectively drives larger orders.
Example: When customers purchase any bed, they receive a complementary chair as a free gift.
2. Gift with cart value (GWCA)
For merchants who want to drive higher overall order values regardless of item quantity, cart value thresholds provide a powerful incentive structure that’s easy to implement and track.
This approach rewards customers with free gifts when they reach specific cart value thresholds. Based on total spending rather than item quantity, this strategy motivates buyers to add additional products to qualify for exclusive offers.
Example: As a home decor merchant, you might offer a free table when customers spend $250 or more on any products in your store.
3. Milestone rewards
By gamifying the shopping experience, milestone rewards create multiple opportunities to increase purchase amounts while giving customers a sense of achievement as they unlock each new level.
This gamification-style promotion encourages customers to spend more by unlocking increasingly valuable rewards at different spending tiers. Progress bars create visual motivation to reach the next level.
Example: Spend $25 for 10% off, $75 for free shipping, $100 for a free gift with purchase.
4. Shipping goal
Shipping costs remain one of the top reasons for cart abandonment, making free shipping offers a particularly effective conversion tool for e-commerce stores of all sizes.
Free or discounted shipping offers tied to minimum purchase thresholds remain one of the most effective conversion tools in e-commerce. These promotions focus specifically on reducing shipping costs as the primary incentive.
Example: Spend $75 for free express shipping on your entire order.
5. Gift with quantity purchase
For stores with lower-priced items, quantity-based promotions can be more effective than value-based thresholds, encouraging customers to stock up on multiple products.
This strategy rewards customers based on the total number of items purchased rather than spending amount. It’s particularly effective for encouraging multi-item purchases of lower-priced products.
Example: Buy any 3 items store-wide, get 10% off your entire order.
6. Order goal
Creating a tiered discount structure based on order value provides clear incentives for customers to increase their spending while giving them multiple entry points based on their budget.
Similar to milestone rewards but focused exclusively on discount percentages, this approach offers progressively better discounts at higher spending tiers. It’s effective for increasing average order value across your entire catalog.
Example: Spend $50 for 10% off, $100 for 15% off your entire purchase.
7. Gift with collection value
When you need to promote specific product categories or clear inventory from particular collections, this targeted approach allows for precise promotional control.
This targeted approach offers gifts or discounts when customers purchase from specific product collections. It’s ideal for promoting new lines or clearing inventory from specific categories.
Example: Spend $75 on lamps, get a free accent table valued at $25.
With these promotion types in mind, let’s explore how to optimize their effectiveness with proven implementation strategies.
5 Tips to Set Up Effective Shopify Free Gift With Purchase Promotions
Even the best promotion plan can fail without good execution. Here are five strategies to enhance your gift with purchase campaigns and achieve better results for your business.
Explore a list of effective Shopify Free Gift With Purchase strategies for both beginners and experts.
1. Create clear, value-focused messaging
The way you communicate your offer can make or break its success. Clear, benefit-focused language helps customers immediately understand the value they’ll receive.
Instead of generic “Free item” messaging, be specific about the exact savings and benefits. Clear value communication helps customers understand precisely what they’re getting and how much they’re saving with your offer.
Effective examples:
- “Buy 2 Moisturizers, Get 1 FREE (Save $45!)”.
- “Add 2 to Cart, Get Your 3rd Item on Us”.
- “Reach A $100 Cart Value, Get A Free Hat”.
2. Offer related and personalized gifts
The selection of your free gift can significantly impact conversion rates. Random or low-value items may actually diminish your brand perception rather than enhance it.
The right free gift creates genuine value for your customers—not just any random item. Carefully select relevant, complementary products that enhance the primary purchase while maintaining healthy profit margins.
Example: If a customer buys two floral maxi dresses, a free rattan hat provides more contextual value than an unrelated notebook. The gift should feel like a natural extension of their original purchase intent.
3. Create urgency through limited-time offers
Limited-time promotions create urgency that drives faster purchasing decisions. This type of offer taps into the fear of missing out (FOMO) that motivates immediate action. By adding urgency to your promotions, you can significantly increase conversion rates and push purchase decisions.
Effective examples:
- “48-Hour Flash Sale: Buy 2 Get 1 Free”.
- “While Supplies Last: BOGO Free on All Summer Items”.
- “Weekend Only: Triple Your Skincare Routine for the Price of 2”.
4. Implement strategic customer segmentation
Not all customers respond to the same offers. By segmenting your audience and tailoring promotions to specific customer groups, you can increase relevance and conversion rates.
Tailor your gift with purchase offers to specific customer segments based on purchase history, loyalty status, or other behavioral factors. This targeted approach increases relevance and conversion rates compared to generic store-wide promotions.
Example approaches:
- First-time customer exclusive: Special Shopify free gift card with purchase for new shoppers.
- VIP customer rewards: Premium gifts for repeat buyers.
- Customer retention campaigns: Generous gifts for customers who haven’t purchased recently.
5. Prevent promotion abuse with clear terms
To protect your profit margins and make sure your promotions are sustainable, it’s important to set clear boundaries with your offers.
Clearly define the terms and conditions for your gift with purchase deals to prevent misuse while keeping a positive experience for your customers. Set reasonable limits and make the redemption process simple and easy to understand.
Key implementations:
- Limit one free gift per order/customer.
- Set minimum purchase requirements.
- Establish clear expiration dates.
- Specify eligible products/collections.
Using these practical tips with your technical setup will help you create promotions that attract customers and achieve your goals faster.
Conclusion
Shopify free gift with purchase promotions represent one of the most effective ways to boost your e-commerce store’s sales, and create a premium shopping experience that keeps customers coming back.
By following the step-by-step implementation guides and strategic tips outlined in this article, you now have everything needed to launch successful free gift with purchase campaigns.
FAQs: Shopify Free Gift With Purchase
A free gift with purchase (GWP) is a strategy that attracts customers by offering them a free product when they purchase from your Shopify store. Instead of lowering the price of your items, GWP offers extra value by adding another product at no charge.
For example, a beauty brand might offer a free travel-size moisturizer when customers purchase any two full-size skincare products. These promotions work well during holidays and special events, serving as a great alternative to direct discounts.
Yes, Shopify does offer built-in gift card functionality for online stores. The Shopify free gift card with purchase feature allows merchants to create, sell, and manage digital gift cards that customers can purchase and redeem in your store.
Key features of Shopify gift cards include:
- Digital delivery options.
- Custom denominations.
- Expiration date settings.
- Detailed tracking and reporting.
- Integration with your existing checkout process.
To enable gift cards, navigate to your Shopify admin panel > Settings > Gift cards. This feature is available on all paid Shopify plans and can be an excellent addition to your promotional toolkit alongside free gift with purchase campaigns.
Gift With Purchase (GWP):
- Customers receive a free item when they make a qualifying purchase.
- The gift is complimentary and doesn’t require additional payment.
- Example: “Free makeup bag with any $50 cosmetics purchase”.
- Positioned as a bonus or reward for shopping.
Purchase With Purchase (PWP):
- Customers gain access to buy a special item at a discounted price when they make a qualifying purchase.
- The promotional item still requires additional payment (though at a reduced price).
- Example: “Buy any dress and get a matching necklace for just $10 (Regularly $30)”.
- Positioned as an exclusive shopping opportunity.
Both strategies can be effective for different goals: GWP tends to drive higher initial conversion rates since the gift is free, while PWP can generate additional revenue while still providing value.
