Increasing Average Order Value (AOV) is a key objective for many eCommerce merchants, particularly those using WooCommerce. While acquiring new customers is important, extracting more value from existing traffic can be even more effective for long-term revenue growth. This is where strategies like bundles, product kits, and upsells play a critical role. WooCommerce, being one of the most customizable eCommerce platforms, gives store owners the flexibility they need to implement these techniques successfully.
Understanding Average Order Value (AOV)
Average Order Value (AOV) is the average amount of money a customer spends per order. It’s calculated simply by dividing total revenue by the number of orders. A higher AOV means a customer is purchasing more or spending more with every transaction, which can contribute significantly to a store’s bottom line.
Instead of focusing all their energy on customer acquisition, savvy WooCommerce store owners optimize existing customer journeys to maximize opportunities. Implementing bundles, kits, and upsell techniques is one of the smartest ways to achieve this.
Bundles: Selling More by Combining Products
Product bundles involve packaging several items together to create a new product offering at a slightly reduced price compared to purchasing items individually. This is a tried-and-true method of increasing AOV while also introducing customers to more of what your store has to offer.
- Examples: A grooming bundle that includes shampoo, conditioner, and a beard oil.
- Customer Benefit: Perceived discount and convenience.
- Store Benefit: Moves more inventory and increases cart size.
In WooCommerce, plugins like Product Bundles by WooCommerce or YITH WooCommerce Product Bundles make it easy to set up product combinations and adjust pricing.
Types of Bundles
- Fixed Bundles: Pre-packaged sets with a static price.
- Custom Bundles: Allow customers to pick items within a selection to create their own kits.
Both formats create a larger basket value and may even reduce decision fatigue, streamlining the purchase journey for your customers.
Product Kits: Curated Shopping Experiences
Product kits go a step beyond simple bundles. These are curated sets of items intended to provide a full solution or themed experience. Think of kits as storytelling tools that guide the customer toward a fuller, more enriched product use.
For example, if you sell cooking supplies, a “Pasta Night Kit” might include a pasta maker, two types of flour, and a spaghetti server. The customer not only buys more but also gets a full experience.
- Upside: Customers feel guided, reducing selection anxiety.
- Commercial Advantage: Offers a reason to promote higher-value products in the kit.
WooCommerce store owners can create kits using plugins or by simply designing new products that include grouped SKUs behind the scenes. The important part is how you describe and position the kit—it should feel like a convenience or an expert-approved selection.
Upselling: Boosting Orders at Checkout
Upselling refers to the process of encouraging customers to purchase a more expensive item, upgrade, or add complimentary items to their cart. Unlike cross-selling—which offers related items—upselling increases the value of the original product selection.
When to Use Upselling
- During product browsing: Suggest better or enhanced versions of the product being viewed.
- At checkout: Offer last-minute additions such as warranties, gift wrapping, or premium shipping.
- Post-purchase: Send personalized follow-up offers to increase lifetime value.
WooCommerce allows business owners to set upsells in the product editing screen under ‘Linked Products’ or with specialized plugins like Cart Upsell or Boost Sales for WooCommerce.
Psychology of Upselling
Buyers are often already in the decision-making mindset. Adding comparative value—like “Spend $5 more to upgrade to premium!”—gives just enough nudge to increase the total order value. It’s not just about selling more; it’s about offering more value.
Best Practices for Increasing AOV
To get the most from your efforts, pay attention to the presentation and timing of your bundle, kit, and upsell offers. Here are some best practices:
- Use urgency: Add limited-time offers for bundles.
- Offer clear savings: Show how much the customer saves with a bundle or kit.
- Mobile optimization: Ensure these offers are easy to explore and accept on mobile devices.
- Highlight benefits: Focus on the value or improved effect the customer gets.
Use WooCommerce-compatible tools and plugins that integrate seamlessly with your theme to maintain a frictionless user experience.
Plugins To Consider
WooCommerce’s open ecosystem means there’s no shortage of tools to help execute your AOV strategy. Some valuable options include:
- Product Bundles: For creating flexible and fixed bundles.
- Composite Products: Great for building customizable kits.
- WooCommerce One Click Upsell Funnel: Offers post-purchase upsells as part of the funnel.
- Cart Add-ons: Displays targeted offers during checkout.
Choosing the right combination depends on your industry, inventory system, and customer behavior analytics. You may want to A/B test different types to see what resonates with your audience.
Conclusion
Increasing AOV on your WooCommerce store doesn’t have to involve guesswork. By implementing bundles, kits, and upsell strategies, you can create more compelling shopping experiences that naturally lead to higher-value orders. The key is to provide authentic value through smart packaging, relevant recommendations, and well-timed offers. With the right setup and tools, boosting your average order value becomes not just realistic—but sustainable.
FAQs
- Q: What is the simplest way to create product bundles in WooCommerce?
A: You can use a plugin like “Product Bundles” by WooCommerce or manually add grouped products with discounts as a new product listing. - Q: How do upsells differ from cross-sells in WooCommerce?
A: Upsells suggest better or more premium versions of a product, while cross-sells offer complementary products. - Q: Can I offer customized bundles or kits?
A: Yes. Plugins such as “Composite Products” let customers choose from multiple options to build their own bundles. - Q: Do bundles and kits require special inventory management?
A: It depends. If built using existing SKUs, inventory updates automatically. For custom products, additional tracking may be needed. - Q: Do upsells annoy customers?
A: When done respectfully and with real added value, upsells enhance the shopping experience rather than detract from it.