Store owners think carefully about discounts and profit margins. Shoppers, on the other hand, are usually driven by impulses — excitement or fear of missing out. No wonder 65% of consumers prefer getting something free instead of a discount. BOGOs can boost your revenue and draw in new customers. What are the steps to create a BOGO sale for your Shopify store?
How To Create a BOGO Sale on Shopify From Your Dashboard
Shopify stores offer a lot more functionality these days, including tools for BOGOs and discounts.
1. Create a New Discount
The first step is to open your store admin and select the “Discounts” category on the left-hand side. Then, click on the “Create Discount” button. This opens a “Select discount type” popup.
2. Start a Buy X Get Y Discount
Shopify supports percentage-based discounts, flat rate store promotions, and free shipping offers. For BOGO discounts on Shopify, you want to select the “Buy X get Y” category. This option also works for buy-three-get-one deals and similar variations.
3. Choose Between Automatic Discounts and Codes
You can decide whether to mail BOGO codes to customers or have Shopify apply discounts automatically at checkout. Discount codes are popular for customer loyalty programs, but automatic discounts are easier for shoppers to use — keeping that purchasing excitement going.
4. Select the Details of Your BOGO Discount Offer
Work your way down the page, customizing your BOGO by filling out the various details:
- How many items customers need to purchase for the promotion to kick in
- How many products the buyer gets in return
- Whether the deal is storewide or limited to specific items
Shopify also works with BOGOs that use “buy one and get the second item 50% off” language. In this case, choose the option that says “Percentage” instead of “Free.”
5. Choose Your Products
If you select “Specific products” or “Specific collections” for your BOGO sale, you can set up BOGOs on Shopify for just those items. This helps maximize your profits on less popular products. Click “browse” and select what you want to include in the promotion.
6. Double Check the Sale Limits
Make sure the usage limits are appropriate for your store. Shopify usually prevents combining coupons and automatic discounts by default to avoid exploits. You decide how many times each shopper can take advantage of your BOGO offer.
7. Set the Start and End Date
Shopify supports BOGO flash deals, Black Friday offers, and other discounts that run anywhere from 30 minutes to a month. Shorter sales help you take advantage of FOMO purchases. Shoppers are less likely to leave items in their cart if they know the BOGO is ending in a few hours or days.
Why Do Store Owners Use BOGO Apps on Shopify?
Shopify’s built-in BOGO feature is like a free sample at the grocery store—it’s nice, but wouldn’t you rather have the whole meal? That’s where third-party apps come in. Classic built-in Shopify BOGOs have several downsides:
- Shopify BOGOs are checkout-only: Customers don’t actually see how much they’re saving until they reach the checkout page, making the promotion less exciting.
- Shopify discounts offer limited customization: Shopify lets you set up the details of your BOGO sale, but you can’t add any popups, promotional images, or attention-grabbing colors.
- You can’t have simultaneous offers on Shopify: For example, you cannot combine a BOGO sale with free shipping promotions in Shopify.
The bottom line is that many store owners want more functionality and fewer headaches. If that’s your case, BOGO apps on Shopify are the answer.
How Do I Add a Free Gift on Shopify?
Shopify apps for BOGO sales and bundles are the faster, smoother way to offer free gifts on Shopify, like cruising in a Porsche 911 Turbo instead of a used Ford Focus. App plugins put tons of customization at your fingertips, including multi-reward deals, “choose-your-own” BOGO bundles, countdown timers, and other amazing features.
How To Set Up a BOGO With Shopify Apps
Shopify apps are a breeze to add to your store. Just click “Install.” Once your Shopify admin asks if you want to authorize the new app, click “Install” again and you’re ready to go.
Under the “Apps” heading, look for the new integration, create a fresh BOGO, and customize the products, prices, and deals you offer. The best apps on Shopify for BOGO deal options are user-friendly, with easy-to-understand buttons and tooltips that explain exactly what to do.
What Is the Best App on Shopify for BOGO Deal Options?
The best BOGO app for Shopify stores depends on the type of rewards your customers care about the most. Here are three top favorites.
Bundle Builder
Bundle Builder offers a variety of BOGO tools, but where it really shines is its bundle customization options:
- Build curated bundles that pair trending items with products that offer higher profit margins.
- Design BOGOs for individual products that let shoppers choose multiple variations.
- Create build-your-own-bundle BOGOs that get customers engaged and excited before checkout.
- Offer gift personalization for special occasions, such as BOGOs on jewelry, apparel, mugs, and other popular gifts.
This app is perfect for increasing your average order value and offering BOGOs without breaking the bank.
Automic Discounts & Upsells
If your BOGOs are more about increasing customer loyalty and making shoppers feel like they’re “winning” every time they visit, use Automic Discounts & Upsells. This easy-to-use Shopify app lets you create BOGOs that show up front and center. Shoppers see their current savings and how much they need to spend to hit the next tier for free items.
With this app, you can also offer a choice of rewards, such as:
- 25% discount on your order (or)
- Buy one, get one 50% off (or)
- Buy three, get one free (or)
- Free shipping
By offering a choice of different BOGO options, you can attract shoppers who are comfortable buying more to save more, and also appeal to people who prefer purchasing one or two items.
Still Not Sure How To Create a BOGO Sale on Your Shopify Store?
If you have a unique niche or a lot of products, you may need extra help setting up BOGOs and bundles. Store owners love our team’s friendly customer service and expert support. We can walk you through the process of creating a BOGO sale on your Shopify store, plus offer professional tips to streamline deal customization. Discover the perfect BOGO app today!