Offering a free gift with purchase is a proven strategy to increase average order value, delight customers, and drive conversions for Shopify stores. For UK-based merchants, this tactic can be particularly effective during seasonal promotions, for clearing inventory, or as a welcome incentive for new customers. However, Shopify’s core features do not natively support advanced bundling or automatic free gift functionality. To implement such offers, merchants must rely on third-party applications from the Shopify App Store. This article details the methods, applications, and best practices for setting up free gift campaigns, based exclusively on the provided source material.
Understanding Free Gift Offers on Shopify
A free gift with purchase on Shopify involves providing a complimentary product once a customer’s cart meets a specific condition. Common conditions include spending over a set amount, purchasing a specific item or bundle, or being a first-time buyer. According to the source material, this strategy is used for seasonal promotions, clearing overstock or old inventory, and welcoming new customers with a thoughtful surprise. The primary benefits cited are an increase in average order value (AOV), a nudge for hesitant shoppers towards checkout, and enhanced customer appreciation.
It is important to note that Shopify does not have a built-in, default option to automatically add a free gift to every order. As stated in one source, “Right now, there is no default option on Shopify to automatically add a free gift with every purchase.” Therefore, merchants must seek external solutions to automate and manage these promotions effectively.
Key Applications for Adding Free Gifts
The provided sources list several applications designed to facilitate free gift and Buy X Get Y (BOGO) promotions. The following apps are mentioned across the source materials, with features and pricing information derived directly from the text.
BOGOS: Free Gift & Buy X Get Y (by Secomapp)
This application is highlighted as best for medium to large stores seeking advanced promotion power. It supports a comprehensive range of offers, including Buy One Get One Free, Buy X Get Y, bundles, and tiered gifts. Key features include the ability for customers to choose their gift via sliders or have it auto-added to the cart. Campaigns can be segmented by cart value, product collections, location, or customer tags, and it offers real-time analytics. Pricing includes a 7-day free trial, with paid plans at $29.99/month (Basic), $49.99/month (Professional), and $69.99/month (Unlimited). One source notes that over 5,000 BOGO and free-gift campaigns are run with this app, generating over £17 million in sales for Shopify merchants.
Fast Bundle – Product Bundles
Fast Bundle is presented as a versatile option suitable for both small stores and large enterprises. It supports BOGO and “Buy X Get Y” deals, with easy setup for free gift combos and smart inventory handling. It is highly rated, with a score of 4.9 stars from over 1,358 reviews, and users praise its fast setup and bundle flexibility. Pricing includes a free plan, with paid tiers ranging from approximately £14.99 to £119.99+ per month. The app is described as making it “super simple to offer a purchase deal that auto-applies in-cart and feels seamless to your customer.”
Monk Free Gift+BOGO+CartUpsell
This app is specifically built for free gift and BOGO offers, featuring auto-add to cart functionality and fully customizable gift pop-ups. It holds a perfect 5.0-star rating from 448 reviews, with praise for its support and smart rules. Pricing includes a free plan for small stores and paid plans ranging from £30 to £290 per month.
BOGOS: Free Gift Bundle Upsell (Alternative Listing)
A separate entry refers to an app named “BOGOS: Free Gift Bundle Upsell” with advanced free gift campaigns, auto-add functionality, and great targeting and multilingual support. It has a 4.9-star rating from 2,263 reviews and is praised for depth and customization. A free tier is available for 30 orders, with paid plans starting around £29–£49+ per month.
Other Mentioned Applications
The sources also reference: * Bundler – Product Bundles: Allows creation of mix-and-match bundles, application of discounts, and inclusion of free products. * Bundlify or PickyStory: Offer drag-and-drop bundle creation and support free gift logic with smooth cart integration. * Chatix: If a store uses WhatsApp, this tool can set up cart-based automation to inform customers about free gifts via WhatsApp. * Dealeasy: Mentioned in an FAQ as an app to purchase for adding an automatic free gift to every order based on set criteria.
Step-by-Step Process for Setting Up a Free Gift Offer
The source material outlines a clear, non-technical process for implementing a free gift promotion using a Shopify bundle app.
1. Choose and Install a Suitable App Merchants should select an app that supports free gift logic, such as Bundler, Bundlify, PickyStory, or the dedicated free gift apps listed above. The choice should consider factors like affordable pricing, responsible customer support, compatibility with the store’s custom theme, smooth integration, a reasonable free trial period, and the ability to automatically remove free gifts if criteria are not met.
2. Configure the Bundle and Gift Logic Within the chosen app, set up the promotional rules. Common logic includes: * “Buy X and Y, get Z free.” * “Spend a certain amount (e.g., £50), get a free gift.” * BOGO offers on specific products. The app should handle the automatic addition of the free gift to the cart when conditions are met, ensuring a smooth checkout process where customers do not have to manually add the gift.
3. Clearly Communicate the Offer on the Storefront Once the offer is live, visibility is crucial. Best practices include: * Adding a "Free Gift Included!" tag on product images. * Mentioning the gift in product titles or descriptions. * Displaying a banner at the top of the homepage announcing the offer. * Highlighting the offer in the cart or checkout to reinforce value. For example, a clear message could be: “Get a FREE makeup pouch when you buy any skincare bundle – no coupon needed!”
4. Enhance Engagement with Automated Messaging For stores using tools like Chatix, automated messages can be sent via WhatsApp to: * Notify users who abandon their cart before receiving the free gift. * Engage customers who view the product bundle page but don’t add it to the cart. * Send a thank-you and cross-sell message after a purchase is completed.
Real-World Example and Strategic Considerations
A real-world example from the source material illustrates the impact of a simple free gift offer. A small handmade jewellery store on Shopify offered a free polishing cloth with every bundle of two or more items. The cloth, costing only £15, resulted in a 28% increase in average order size, reduced return rates, and fostered positive brand recall. This demonstrates how a low-cost item can serve as a powerful conversion booster.
When selecting a gift, the advice is to choose items that customers will value. The offer should be tested and improved based on results. The overarching strategy is not merely about generosity but is a smart method to drive sales, increase customer satisfaction, and manage inventory effectively.
Conclusion
For UK Shopify merchants, offering a free gift with purchase is a strategic lever to enhance sales performance and customer loyalty. Since this functionality is not native to the Shopify platform, reliance on third-party applications is necessary. Apps such as BOGOS, Fast Bundle, and Monk Free Gift+BOGO+CartUpsell provide the necessary tools to automate promotions, segment offers, and create a seamless customer experience. Success hinges on selecting the right app, designing a valuable and clear offer, and communicating it effectively across the storefront. By following the outlined steps and leveraging the capabilities of these applications, merchants can implement effective free gift campaigns that benefit both their business and their customers.