How to Increase Average Order Value (AOV) | Proven Tactics

Increase Average Order Value—this phrase is often used in the eCommerce world, but what does it really mean for online stores?
Simply put, it’s about getting customers to spend more money per order instead of just bringing in more visitors, and this is average order value meaning.
Getting more visitors is great, but if they only buy one low-cost item and leave, it won’t help your revenue much.
The goal is to make sure each order brings in more value.

Through our thousands of store owners’ clients, we at WPFactory – as a developer of WooCommerce plugins – have observed how businesses successfully increase their average order value using the right strategies and tools.

➡ In this article:
We’ll break down the biggest mistakes store owners make, and the best ways to increase it without hurting profits.

➡ Plus:
We’ll highlight some tools that can help make these strategies work seamlessly.

➡ By the end:
You’ll have practical steps to encourage customers to spend more, without making them feel pressured.
Let’s get started!

Average Order Value Meaning in eCommerce

Average Order Value (AOV) is exactly what it sounds like, it’s the average amount of money a customer spends per order in your store.
Instead of just focusing on how many orders you get, knowing how to increase Average Order Value helps you understand how much customers are actually spending.

How Does AOV Work?

Let’s say you run an online store selling coffee mugs. If:

• Customer A buys one mug for $10
• Customer B buys two mugs for $20
• Customer C buys three mugs for $30

Your total sales = $60
Your total orders = 3

AOV = Total Sales ÷ Total Orders
$60 ÷ 3 orders = $20 AOV

👉 This means, on average, every customer spends $20 per order in your store.

Why Is AOV Important?

Many store owners focus only on getting more customers, but if every order is small, revenue stays low.
Instead of working harder to attract new visitors, increasing AOV helps you earn more from the customers you already have, without extra marketing costs.

Later in this article, we’ll explore the most common mistakes that keep AOV low and how to fix them.

WPFactory’s Insights on AOV Growth

First of all, what caught our attention most at “WPFactory” is how small changes can make a big difference in how much customers spend per order and thus a noticeable boost in AOV.

What WPFactory Have Observed Exactly from Thousands of Stores?

We have identified clear patterns:

• Clear Pricing

When product prices and deals are easy to understand, customers tend to spend more.

• Visual Cues

Simple messages or progress bars that show how much more to spend for a benefit can make a difference.

• Smart Product Bundling

Offering bundles or packages of products helps customers see the value in buying more at once.

These insights, show that focusing on how you present pricing and offers can lead to higher customer spending, which is key to growing your business.

We’ll discuss all of this in more detail, read on.

You may be interested in:
WooCommerce Custom Price Based on User Input

Common Mistakes That Keep AOV Low

Many WooCommerce store owners struggle to increase Average Order Value without realizing they’re making simple mistakes that push customers to spend less.

Based on insights from WPFactory, here are the most common reasons why AOV stays low, and how to fix them.

1. No Incentive to Buy More

If customers only need one item and there’s no reason to add more, they won’t.
Stores that don’t offer bundles, bulk discounts, or free shipping thresholds often see smaller orders.

Fix: Encourage customers to spend more by offering:

• “Buy 2, Get 10% Off” deals
• Product bundles (e.g., a phone case + charger)
• Free shipping for orders over a certain amount

2. Checkout Feels Too Expensive

Ever been excited to buy something online, only to see extra fees at checkout?
High shipping costs or unexpected fees often cause customers to remove items or abandon their carts altogether.

Fix:

• Show total costs early so customers aren’t surprised.
• Offer free shipping at a set amount to increase cart size.

3. No Upselling or Cross-Selling

If your store isn’t recommending related products, you’re missing a chance to increase AOV.
Many customers would happily add small extra items, if they knew about them!

Fix:

• Show “Frequently Bought Together” items on product pages.
• Offer an upgrade option (e.g., “Get the premium version for just $5 more!“).

Effective Strategies to Increase Average Order Value

1. Upselling & Cross-Selling the Right Way

Many WooCommerce store owners leave money on the table simply because they don’t use upselling and cross-selling correctly!
These strategies aren’t just about selling more, they’re about helping customers find what they actually need while increasing your store’s Average Order Value (AOV).

• What Is the Difference Between Upselling and Cross-Selling?

Imagine you’re at a coffee shop:

• • Upselling → The cashier asks if you want to upgrade your small coffee to a large for $1 more.
  • Cross-selling → They suggest adding a pastry to go with your coffee.

Both techniques encourage customers to spend more, but in different ways.

• Why These Strategies Work?

Customers are already in buying mode when they’re shopping.
The right suggestion at the right time can increase their order size without feeling pushy.

• WPFactory’s Insights:

We at WPFactory, have found that stores using targeted upsells and cross-sells see higher AOV than those that don’t.
👉 The key?
Relevance.

• How to Use Upselling & Cross-Selling the Right Way?

Here’s what actually works:

• • Show relevant upsells on product pages
    → Example: If someone adds a smartphone to their cart, suggest upgrading to a higher storage version.
  • Cross-sell complementary products
    → Example: If they buy a laptop, recommend a protective case or a wireless mouse.
  • Use pop-ups at checkout → Offer a last-minute add-on that makes sense (e.g., “Want a 2-year warranty for just $10?”).

Remember one critical point:

Upselling and cross-selling should feel helpful, not annoying, the goal is to improve the shopping experience while increasing revenue.

2. Bundling Products for More Sales

Have you ever gone to buy a single item, but then saw a bundle deal that gave you more for a better price?
That’s exactly how product bundling works, it encourages customers to buy more than one item at a time, increasing Average Order Value (AOV) while making shopping easier.

• Why Bundles Work?

Imagine you’re buying a new phone case online.
You see two options:

• • Buy just the case for $15
  • Get a bundle with a case, screen protector, and charging cable for $30 (instead of $40 separately)

Most people choose the bundle because it feels like a better deal.
They save money, and the store sells more products in one order, a win for both sides.

• How to Use Product Bundles?

Here’s what actually works:

• • Create themed bundles
    → Example: A “Beginner’s Skincare Kit” with a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
  • Offer a small discount on bundled items → Customers love saving money when buying in sets.
  • Suggest bundles on product pages → Show bundles as an alternative to buying a single item.

Customers love convenience, and bundling products makes their shopping easier while increasing your store’s revenue.

3. Using Bulk Discounts to Encourage Larger Orders

Have you ever seen a deal like “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” or “Save 20% when you buy 3 or more”? That’s a bulk discount!
A simple but powerful way to encourage customers to buy more in one order instead of purchasing just a single item.

• Why Bulk Discounts Work?

Imagine you’re shopping for t-shirts online.
The price is $15 per shirt, but then you see this deal:

• • 1 shirt = $15
  • 2 shirts = $28 (save $2)
  • 3 shirts = $40 (save $5)

Since you were already planning to buy one, you might think, “Why not get an extra and save a little?”
This simple pricing strategy increases Average Order Value (AOV) while giving customers a reason to buy more.

• WPFactory’s Insights:

Stores offering bulk pricing see an increase in AOV and customer retention.
Instead of waiting for customers to come back and buy again later, bulk discounts encourage bigger purchases upfront.

• How to Use Bulk Discounts in WooCommerce?

Here’s what actually works:

• • Offer tiered discounts
    → Example: “Buy 2, Get 10% Off – Buy 3, Get 15% Off”
  • Apply discounts based on cart value
    → Example: “Spend $100 and get 10% off”
  • Show bulk pricing on product pages → Customers need to see the deal before adding to cart

Bulk discounts increase sales, encourage larger orders, and improve customer satisfaction, all without needing to attract more visitors.

You may be interested in:
WooCommerce Open Price: Boost Sales with Custom Pricing

4. Setting a Free Shipping Threshold to Boost Cart Value

Everyone loves free shipping, but did you know that it can also help you increase Average Order Value (AOV)?
👉 But:
Instead of offering free shipping on every order, setting a minimum spend requirement encourages customers to add more to their cart, just to qualify for free shipping.

• Why do Free Shipping Thresholds Work?

Imagine you’re shopping online, and your cart total is $45.
At checkout, you see this message:

“You’re just $5 away from FREE shipping!”

What would you do?
Most people add another item instead of paying for shipping.
It feels better to spend a little more on something useful rather than on delivery fees.
This simple trick increases cart value without forcing discounts.

• WPFactory’s Insights:

Stores using a free shipping threshold see a steady increase in Average Order Value, as customers tend to add more items to qualify for the deal.
Instead of lowering prices, they encourage customers to spend more per order by making free shipping feel like a reward.

• How to Use Free Shipping Thresholds?

Here’s what actually works:

• • Set a clear minimum spend
    → Example: “Free shipping on orders over $50!”
  • Show a live progress message → Let customers see how much more they need to spend.
  • Suggest small add-ons to reach the threshold
    → Example: “Add $10 more for free shipping, check out our bestsellers!”

5. Offering Exclusive Deals & Tiered Pricing for Loyal Customers

Getting a new customer is great, but keeping them coming back is even better.
One of the best ways to increase Average Order Value (AOV) and build long-term relationships is by offering exclusive deals and tiered pricing for loyal customers.

• Why Exclusive Deals & Tiered Pricing Work?

Imagine you shop at an online clothing store often.
One day, you get an email that says:

“Because you’re a loyal customer, enjoy 15% off your next purchase!”

Feels good, right?
People love feeling valued.
When they know they can unlock special discounts just for being repeat buyers, they’re more likely to spend more per order and keep shopping with you instead of looking elsewhere.

• How to Offer Exclusive Deals & Tiered Pricing in WooCommerce?

Here’s what actually works:

• • Create loyalty-based discounts
    → Example: “Spend $200+ and get 10% off every future order!”
  • Offer VIP perks → Give top customers access to early sales, bigger discounts, or free gifts.
  • Use tiered pricing
    → Example: Wholesale buyers or premium members get lower prices on bulk orders.

How to Implement These Strategies in WooCommerce?

• WPFactory’s Data on Stores That Use Dynamic Pricing

Not all discounts are created equal.
While random price cuts can hurt profits, strategic dynamic pricing can increase Average Order Value (AOV) without devaluing your products.
Based on case studies from WPFactory’s clients, stores that use automated pricing adjustments see:

• • ✅ Higher AOV when offering bulk discounts on high-demand items.
  • ✅ Increased repeat purchases when using tiered pricing for loyal customers.
  • ✅ Better cart values when free shipping thresholds are displayed at checkout.

• The key takeaway?

Smart pricing changes encourage customers to spend more without making them feel pressured.

• Plugin Spotlight: Dynamic Pricing & Bulk Discounts (For Smart Discounts & Bundles)

If you want to increase order value with flexible pricing, the Dynamic Pricing & Bulk Discounts plugin is a powerful tool.
It allows store owners to:

• • Set up bulk discounts → Example: “Buy 2, Get 10% Off” or “Buy 3, Get 15% Off.”
  • Create tiered pricing → Reward VIP customers with special discounted rates.
  • Bundle products together → Offer a discounted set price when customers buy related products.
  • Apply automatic pricing rules → No need to manually adjust prices—it runs on autopilot.

• Plugin Spotlight: Amount Left for Free Shipping (To Increase Cart Value)

As mentioned above, one of the easiest ways to increase Average Order Value (AOV) is by setting a free shipping threshold, but customers won’t take advantage of it if they don’t know about it.
That’s where the Amount Left for Free Shipping plugin comes in.
It helps by:

• • Showing a live message
    → Example: “Add $10 more to unlock free shipping!”
  • Encouraging customers to buy more → Instead of paying for shipping, they’ll add extra items.
  • Automatically updating the message as customers add or remove products from their cart.

Stores using this plugin have seen higher cart values and fewer abandoned checkouts, making it an effective way to increase sales without heavy discounts.

Conclusion

• Key Takeaways & Actionable Steps

Finding ways to increase Average Order Value isn’t about tricking customers, it’s about making their shopping experience better while encouraging them to spend more per order.

Based on our insights at WPFactory, here are the key takeaways from this guide:

• • Upselling & cross-selling work best when relevant → Recommend useful add-ons, not random products.
  • Product bundling simplifies buying decisions → Customers love deals when items naturally go together.
  • Bulk discounts encourage larger orders → Giving small price breaks for multiple purchases increases AOV.
  • Free shipping thresholds push customers to buy more → Instead of paying for shipping, they’ll add extra products.
  • Exclusive deals and tiered pricing boost loyalty → Rewarding repeat customers keeps them coming back.

• Actionable Steps for Store Owners:

Start with one or two strategies, don’t try to do everything at once.

• • Track your AOV to see what’s working.
  • Use WooCommerce plugins to automate pricing, discounts, and free shipping incentives.

• How WPFactory’s Plugins Can Help Optimize AOV?

If you’re looking for simple ways to boost AOV without constantly adjusting prices manually, WPFactory offers powerful WooCommerce plugins designed to increase sales effortlessly:

1. Dynamic Pricing & Bulk Discounts Plugin

✔️ Automates bulk discounts & tiered pricing
✔️ Helps bundle products for bigger orders
✔️ Encourages customers to buy more per order

2. Amount Left for Free Shipping Plugin

✔️ Displays a live message nudging customers to increase cart value
✔️ Automatically updates as items are added/removed
✔️ Reduces cart abandonment & increases order size

These tools allow stores to turn small orders into bigger sales without relying on excessive discounts or ads.

• Final Thought

Instead of just chasing more traffic, increasing AOV helps maximize revenue from every customer, all while creating a better shopping experience.

Start optimizing today and watch your store grow!