Increase Average Order Value for eCommerce Success

The Most Overlooked Money Maker: Average Order Value

How to Earn More Without Spending More

In a brick-and-mortar store, a good salesperson can read the customer like a book:

🧤 “Oh, you’re buying winter gloves? You’ll probably want thick socks too.”

👕 “Looking for a base layer? You’ll thank me for grabbing this thermal vest.”

📱 “Buying the iPhone 15? If you’re into photography, you should check the 15 Pro.”

Online, we don’t have that salesperson. But we do have strategy.

What Is AOV, and Why Should You Care?

Average Order Value (AOV) is the average amount a customer spends when they place an order on your site.

💥 If you’re spending all your time and ad budget getting people TO the store—but not helping them buy more while they’re there—you’re leaving money on the table.

The kicker? You don’t spend a cent extra to increase AOV. The customer is already there. Already buying.

Even if 1 out of every 10 customers adds something small to their cart, your profit goes up—without increasing your ad spend.

Let’s make it make math:

10,000 people x 1% conversion x R1000 AOV = R100,000 revenue

Now let’s increase AOV to R1100: 10,000 people x 1% x R1100 = R110,000

📈 That’s 10% more revenue. Same traffic. Same conversion. No extra spend.

Now that is cowboy math.

Tried-and-Tested AOV Boosting Strategies (With Some Grit)

🔥 Cross-Sells – Show complementary products on product pages or in-cart. Think:

• Buying a fishing rod? Suggest tackle, line, or a waterproof bag.

• Buying heels? Add gel insoles or shoe care kits.

🔥 Upsells – Offer a higher-end or premium version. You’d be surprised how many people want the “best”—they just need to see it.

• Entry-level product? Show the pro version right there with it.

🔥 Volume Discounts –

• “Buy 2, Get 1 Free”

• “Spend R500, get 10% off” Retailers like Makro, Woolworths, and Takealot live off this. And it works.

🔥 Bundles – Create smart combinations:

• Grooming kits, outfit bundles, survival gear packs. Whatever works for your category.

🔥 Threshold-Based Perks –

• Free shipping over R750? People will stretch to hit it.

• Add a gift on orders over a certain value. Customers feel like they’re “winning.”

🔥 Smart Popups (NOT Annoying) –

• “Other customers bought this with that”

• Exit intent: “Add this for 20% off before you go.”

🔥 Post-Purchase Upsells –

• Don’t stop at checkout. Show a “You might also love” page right after.

🔥 Mystery Add-ons –

• “Add R50 and we’ll throw in a surprise item worth R100.” Cheap for you, exciting for them.

🔥 Progress Bars –

• “You’re R83 away from free shipping!” Works like a charm. People love progress.

The Cowboy’s Take

Increasing AOV isn’t about manipulating people—it’s about understanding them.

Help them make smarter choices. Give them options they actually want. Make the experience smooth, intuitive, and satisfying.

🛒 They came to buy one thing. You showed them what else they needed.

That’s good commerce. That’s good branding. That’s Smart Marketing.

💡 Want to dive deeper? Explore these strategy pages:

• 🔗 Volume Discounts That Actually Work

• 🔗 How to Cross-Sell Without Being Sleazy

• 🔗 Upsells That Convert

🚀 Keep it cowboy.