How to automatically add free gift with purchase on Shopify (Real store examples + best practices)

90% of customers are more likely to shop again after receiving a free gift with purchase.

The psychology behind this is simple: people feel appreciated and valued when they receive something for free. 

This positive feeling can lead to increased loyalty and repeat purchases.

Any business type, be it big or small, offering free gifts with purchases on Shopify is an evergreen strategy to increase sales.

In this blog, you’ll learn why you should offer free gifts, how to do add with shopify free gifts app, best practices and mistakes to avoid.

6 Real store examples of Shopify free gift with purchase

Before we dive in, here are a few real Shopify store examples of free gift with purchase offers.

If you’re wondering: Does free gift with purchase work? Here’s how popular brands like Kyle Cosmetics and Huel offer free gifts in their stores.

1. Kyle Cosmetics

2. Huel

3. Goulet Pens

4. Chubbies

5. Ridge

6. Puravida

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5 reasons why you should offer free gift with purchase on Shopify

1. Boost Average Order Value (AOV)

Offering free gifts with a purchase can motivate customers to spend more to qualify for the promotion. 

For instance, if a store provides a free gift for orders over $100, shoppers might add additional items to reach that limit, increasing your AOV 

2. Effective Cost Management

Unlike traditional discounts that reduce profits, offering free gifts can be a more budget-friendly option if done right. 

You can offer low-cost items as gifts without lowering your product prices. This way, you still add value for customers while protecting your profit margins, making it a better alternative to broad discounts.

3. Enhanced Customer Perception

Free gifts improve the perceived value of a purchase. Customers who receive something extra at no additional cost are more likely to finalize their purchases and return for future transactions. 

This sense of appreciation boosts customer loyalty, leading to repeat business.

4. Inventory Management Benefits

Offering free gifts is a smart way to clear out slow-moving or excess inventory. 

You can choose these slow-moving products as promotional gifts without losing your profit margin.

5.  Drive repeat purchases

Offering free gifts can encourage customers to try new products and potentially purchase full-sized versions later. 

This is an effective way to retain customers and introduce them to new products.

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How to automatically add free gift with a purchase on Shopify?

To add this feature, I’ve installed the Volume Discounts - Dealeasy app from the Shopify store. The app is super easy to set up and just takes a few minutes to create your first offer.

It also has a free plan for stores that get less than 50 orders per. Beyond that, the pricing starts at just $6.99/month.

You can try the app to create offers on a 30-day free trial period.

Step 1: Let’s start by creating the offer. Select ‘free gift with purchase’ feature.

Note: Make sure the gift product is added to your Shopify catalog before creating the free gift offer. 

Step 3: Now, add a cart value goal. For example, let’s enter the cart value as $50 and select a gift. 

I’m selecting this ‘Bag’ as free gift.

So, for the purchase of clothing worth $50, customers will get this bag as a free gift.

You can set up 5 such goals with different free gifts unlocking for every goal.

When customers add this to cart, a progress bar will display the additional amount to be spent to unlock the free gift.

See how the free gift has been unlocked with cool progress bar.

What if customers wish to remove the free gift?

With this option, Remove free gift when cart value is below the tier. You can allow customers to remove and reclaim the free gift if needed. 

Watch it as a video here -

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7 best practices to offer free gift with purchase on Shopify

1. Set Clear Objectives

Define the goals of your Gift with Purchase (GWP) campaign. 

Objectives could include:

• boosting average order value (AOV), 
• attracting new customers, 
• promoting specific products, 
• and clearing excess inventory. 

Clear objectives will shape your strategy and help measure success.

2. Choose the Right Gift

You might have wondered: ‘which product should I offer as a free gift?’. So here are things you should consider while choosing a free gift:

• Complementary

The gift should complement the main purchase, like offering a free accessory with a clothing item.

• Valuable

Ensure the gift appeals to customers and adds perceived value to their purchase.

• Cost-Effective

Balance the gift’s appeal with its cost to maintain profitability.

3. Establish Clear Terms and Conditions

Inform clearly about how customers can unlock free gifts such as:

• Minimum purchase amounts
• Qualifying products
• Time limits (e.g.,offer valid till black friday)

4. Create Urgency

Encourage quick action by making the offer time-sensitive or limited in quantity. Use phrases like "limited time offer" or "only while supplies last" to prompt faster decisions.

5. Communicate effectively

Ensure promotional details are easy to understand. Use clear language and eye-catching visuals to highlight:

• What the gift is.
• How to qualify.
• Any restrictions on the offer.

6. Use the seasonal opportunities

Offer free gift during holidays seasons like black friday and christmas to maximize sale impact. Since every store offer discounts during holiday seasons, customers are ready to buy more products in holiday seasons.

7. Consider multi-tier free gifts

Offer different free gifts for different spenders. For example, offer a small gift for purchases over $50 and a larger one for orders over $100, incentivizing higher AOV.

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Mistakes to avoid when offering free gift with a purchase

• Simplify terms to avoid confusing customers.
• Ensure sufficient inventory to prevent customer disappointment.
• Allow customers to opt out of gifts to avoid frustration.
• Listen to customer feedback to improve future promotions.
• Avoid overly restrictive offers unless strategically planned; broader offers typically attract more customers.

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FAQs

1. What if customers wish to buy the free gift product separately?

With Dealeasy app, you can allow customers to purchase the free gifts separately even when they remove the main product.

2. What kind of products can I give as free gift on Shopify?

You can offer a variety of free gifts on Shopify, such as samples, complementary products, branded merchandise, digital products, or seasonal items. By selecting products that appeal to your target audience, you can add more  promotions.

3. Can customer remove or reclaim free gifts on purchase

Yes. With the Dealeasy app, you can allow customers to either remove or reclaim the free gifts from the cart page.

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Wrapping up

Offering free gifts with purchases is a proven strategy to increase sales and enhance customer loyalty on Shopify.

 By understanding the psychology behind free gifts and following best practices, you can effectively implement this tactic in your business.

Remember -  The key to success lies in choosing the right gifts, setting clear objectives, and effectively communicating your offer. 

You will also like this blog - 10 best Shopify free gift apps