Comparing Loop with?
TL;DR
Increasing AOV is one of the highest-leverage ways to grow ecommerce and subscription revenue without increasing acquisition costs. The seven strategies below — from checkout upsells to customer-portal add-ons — help Shopify brands boost loyalty, prevent churn triggers, and drive more profitable orders.
Average Order Value (AOV) = Total revenue ÷ total orders
AOV affects overall profitability more quickly than most growth levers because:
This is especially critical for subscription brands where most profit occurs after order 2–3.
Most Shopify merchants face the same challenge:
Increasing AOV fixes unit economics at their root — without new traffic.
1. Smart Upsells at Checkout
Checkout is where purchase intent is highest. A well-timed one-click upgrade can increase cart size without adding friction.
Examples:
Relevant and low-effort offers often see double-digit acceptance rates.
2. Post-Purchase Upsell Offers
After checkout, customers are in “yes mode.” Post-purchase offers convert well because the payment step is already complete.
Effective use cases:
This builds AOV without impacting initial checkout conversion.
3. Subscription Plan Upgrades
For subscribers, upgrades feel like progress — not a push to spend more.
Common upgrade levers:
This improves recurring AOV and reduces stockout-driven churn.
4. Cross-Sells and Bundles (Preset + Build-Your-Own)
Bundles make the buying decision easier and more valuable by grouping products that work together.
Two common formats:
These increase product adoption and turn single-SKU customers into multi-product loyalists.
5. Multi-Pack Pricing and Best-Value Tiers
Create pricing ladders that make the optimal option obvious.
Example structure:
Customers naturally trade up when the value is clear and the math is easy.
6. Threshold Perks (Free Shipping, Gifts, Rewards)
AOV lifts when customers get something extra for crossing a spend line.
Popular formats:
These perks feel like bonuses rather than forced purchases.
7. Customer-Portal Add-Ons (Recurring AOV Lift)
For subscription brands, the customer portal is the most underused revenue channel.
High-impact portal offers include:
Many Shopify merchants now see the customer portal as their strongest revenue channel after checkout. Loop Subscriptions enables personalized add-ons and swap-based retention options directly inside the portal to increase recurring AOV and reduce churn at the same time.
The best AOV strategies combine timing, relevance, and product fit. While execution varies by vertical, the goal stays the same: increase order value while strengthening retention, not forcing spend.
Below are proven tactics across key Shopify subscription categories:
What works: Preset and Build-Your-Own bundles
Why it works: Customers see better results when using products together → stronger loyalty.
Real example: Lilac St.
Best practice: Start with smaller bundle options for first-time customers, then recommend full routine upgrades after 1–2 successful purchases.
What works: Multi-packs and subscription plan upgrades
Why it works: Prevents inconsistent usage — one of the top churn triggers in supplements.
Real example: Good Protein
Best practice: Use portal-based upgrade prompts close to the next billing date — especially when usage data suggests the customer is ready for a higher tier.
What works: Low-friction add-ons during subscription management
Why it works: Consumables naturally lend themselves to routine repeat buying + surprise treat items.
Real example: NutriPaw
Best practice: During subscription management, encourage add-ons (treats, extras) and pair them with loyalty/seasonal perks to drive engagement and repeat orders.
AOV is not just a revenue metric — it’s a growth strategy.
Q. How do I increase AOV on Shopify quickly?
Implement checkout upsells, threshold offers, and product bundles. These require minimal changes and create immediate value lift.
Q. Do upsells improve subscription revenue?
Yes. Subscription upgrades prevent churn tied to running out too soon or incomplete product experiences — increasing both AOV and LTV.
Q. Should I use discounts to boost AOV?
Discounts may increase order size but can hurt margins and train price sensitivity. Value-based incentives are healthier long-term.
Q. Is there a benchmark AOV for Shopify stores?
Benchmarks vary by category. Focus on progressive improvement against your acquisition cost and margin requirements.
