In the fast-moving world of eCommerce nowadays, mastering the right selling strategies can be the difference between downturn and breakthrough growth.
Among these strategies, Shopify Buy One Get One promotions stand out as a powerful tool, not only for catching attention but also for boosting AOV, clearing inventory, and building long-lasting customer loyalty. Especially in the context that many Shopify merchants still struggle with low AOV, unsold stock piling up, and one-size-fits-all discounts that fail to drive real results.
Our comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about running a high-converting Shopify Buy One Get One:
Understanding Shopify Buy One Get One and its variations
Knowing how to set up a Shopify BOGO in the native system, third-party apps, and custom code solutions
Learning advanced strategies and optimization techniques to run and manage an effective Shopify Buy One Get One promotion.
Are you ready to turn BOGO from a basic deal into a business growth engine? Let’s dive into the strategies that truly work.
1. What is Shopify Buy One Get One?
Buy One Get One (BOGO) is a popular promotional strategy where customers receive a free or discounted item when they purchase another item. This powerful tactic leverages behavioral economics and customer psychology, making it incredibly effective.
1.1 Why BOGO psychology drives purchases
Shopify Buy One Get One offers to tap into several psychological triggers:
Perceived value: Customers feel they are getting a great deal, increasing the perceived value of their purchase.
Urgency & scarcity: Time-limited Shopify BOGO deals can create a sense of urgency, encouraging immediate purchases.
Loss aversion: The fear of missing out on a "free" item can drive conversions.
1.2 Shopify Buy One Get One variation for different business needs
There are various Shopify Buy One Get One Free variations to suit different business needs, each with real-world applications:
Classic Shopify BOGO promotion: The most straightforward: Buy one, get one free. => Example: Buy a t-shirt, get another t-shirt free.
Shopify Buy X Get Y (Different products): Purchase one product and receive a different, often complementary product at a discount or for free. => Example: Buy a laptop, get a mouse free.
Shopify discount Buy One Get One (Buy X Get X% Off): Buy one item, get a percentage off a second, identical item. => Example: Buy one pair of jeans, get a second pair for 30% off.
Spend-threshold Shopify Buy One Get One: Spend a certain amount to unlock a BOGO offer. => Example: Spend $100, get a free accessory.
Time-limited Shopify BOGO discount: Offers are valid only for a specific duration, creating urgency. => Example: Weekend BOGO sale on all skincare products.
Shopify Buy One Get One is a strategic solution with numerous benefits.
1.3 Key benefits for Shopify merchants
Implementing a Shopify BOGO strategy can yield numerous benefits for your Shopify store:
Average Order Value (AOV) optimization: Encourages customers to buy more, increasing the average value of each transaction.
Inventory clearance: Efficiently moves slow-moving or excess inventory.
Sales conversion optimization: Compelling offers can significantly improve conversion rates.
Enhanced customer retention tactics: Rewarding loyal customers with a Shopify Buy One Get One offer can foster repeat business.
Customer lifetime value enhancement: By encouraging more purchases, Shopify Buy One Get One contributes to a higher CLV.
Effective upselling and cross-selling promotions: Shopify Buy One Get One free can be strategically used to introduce customers to new products or encourage upgrades.
2. Shopify native BOGO vs. Apps: Strategic comparison
Not all BOGO setups are created equal. Merchants have two main routes when launching a Shopify Buy One Get One campaign: using the native Shopify discount system or leveraging third-party apps. Each approach comes with its own set of advantages and limitations depending on your store size, technical expertise, and promotional complexity.
The table below offers a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which method best suits your BOGO goals:
Feature | Shopify Native Discounts | Shopify BOGO Apps (e.g., Qikify) |
|---|
Setup complexity | Relatively simple | Varies, some very user-friendly |
BOGO variations | Limited (basic "buy X get Y") | Extensive (e.g., spend threshold, specific product bundles, and more) |
Automation | Manual setup for each discount | Often fully automated, rule-based |
Customization | Basic | Highly customizable, advanced conditions |
Reporting | Basic sales reports | Detailed BOGO performance analytics |
Scalability | Suitable for basic needs | Excellent for growing stores with complex strategies |
Cost | Free (included with Shopify plan) | Monthly subscription fees |
To help you decide which options to implement for your Shopify Buy One Get One, let's explore the scenarios where each option shines!
You can consider using Shopify's native BOGO when:
You have very basic "buy X get Y" needs.
Your budget is limited, and you prefer a free solution.
You are a new merchant experimenting with simple promotions.
You have limited technical resources and prefer a straightforward setup.
On the other hand, you can choose a Buy One Get One Shopify app to implement your BOGO campaign when:
You require an advanced Shopify Buy One Get One variation (e.g., spend threshold, quantity tiers, different products).
You need robust discount automation for your Shopify Buy One Get One campaign.
You want detailed analytics and reporting for your promotional campaign management.
You need higher customization for your Shopify BOGO setup, including design and targeting.
You plan to scale your BOGO promotions and integrate them with other marketing efforts.
You are a Shopify Plus merchant or have significant sales volume, where the app's advanced features justify the cost.
3. Setting up your BOGO on Shopify: Complete methods
There are primarily three distinct methodologies for establishing a Shopify Buy One Get One offer within the Shopify ecosystem, each offering varying degrees of flexibility, control, and complexity.
3.1 Method 1: Shopify native discount system
Setting up Shopify Buy One Get One promotion using native features is straightforward, though it has some limitations we will discuss in the next section.
Step 1: From your Shopify admin, go to Discounts and click Create discount
Step 2: Select Buy X get Y from the discount type menu
Step 3: Choose your discount method:
For a Shopify Buy One Get One promotion, an Automatic discount might be more seamless for the customer experience. However, you can use a code for better tracking and controlling.
Step 4: Enter a name for your discount (e.g., "Buy 1 Get 1")
Step 5: Configure the Customer buys section:
Select Minimum quantity of items and set it to 1
Choose Specific products or Specific collections
Add the products/collections that qualify for the promotion
Bonus: For Specific products or Specific collections: You can choose to apply this condition to specific products or entire collections if your "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" offer is not store-wide. Use the "Add products" or "Add collections" buttons to select the relevant items.
Step 6: Configure the Customer gets section:
Set the quantity to 1 (for the free item)
Select Specific products or Specific collections: This is crucial. You need to select the specific product or collection that customers can receive for free.
Add the products that customers get for free
In At a discounted value, select Free
Step 7: Add start/end dates
Step 9: Click Save discount to activate your Shopify BOGO promotion.
Your Shopify BOGO discount will now appear in your Discounts section and can be promoted to customers through email, social media, or displayed on your storefront.
Notice on the limitation of the Shopify native BOGO:
Your Shopify BOGO discount will now appear in your Discounts section and can be promoted to customers through email, social media, or displayed on your storefront.
Although Shopify's native discount feature may be built to produce a basic Shopify Buy One Get One promotion, there are significant limitations:
Lack of complex "Buy X Get Y" Rules: The Shopify native system struggles with scenarios beyond simple such as buy one product, get another of the same product for free or at a discount. For example, it may not easily support offering a different product as the "get Y" item (e.g., "Buy a specific T-shirt, get a specific hat 50% off").
No tiered discounts: The native functionality does not support tiered pricing where the discount percentage or free item changes based on the quantity purchased. You can not set up rules like "Buy 2 items A, get 10% off of item B” using a single native discount. Each tier would require a separate, manually configured discount.
Manual campaign management: To compensate for the lack of complex rules, merchants often have to create multiple, separate manual discounts. This can become cumbersome and time-consuming, especially for stores with extensive promotional strategies, seasonal sales like Black Friday, or frequently changing offers. Managing numerous individual discounts increases the administrative burden.
Friction with BOGO discount codes Shopify: While not a direct limitation of the Buy One Get One free Shopify offer itself, a common workaround for more specific native BOGO scenarios involves relying on discount codes that customers must manually enter at checkout. This adds an extra step for the customer, potentially increasing friction and negatively influencing shopping cart optimization compared to Shopify automatic BOGO.
Best practices for Shopify native BOGO:
Name your discounts for easy identification: Use descriptive names for your discounts (e.g., "BOGO Tees - Summer Sale" or "Buy 1 Get 1 Free - Feb 2025") so you can quickly identify and manage them, especially as your number of promotions grows.
Test your discounts before launching: Before making your Shopify Buy One Get One offer live, always perform test purchases to ensure the discount applies correctly to the right products and quantities. This helps prevent errors and a negative customer experience.
Communicate and actively promote the offer: Ensure that your BOGO offer is prominently displayed and easily understood by your customers with clear language on product pages, banners, and seamless at checkout without any confusion about how the discount works or what they need to do to redeem it.
3.2 Method 2: Using apps and the top 8 Shopify BOGO ones you must know
Handling the limitations of Shopify’s native discount features mentioned above, third-party Shopify apps are ideal for merchants who need more advanced Shopify Buy One Get One functionality.
Here are some Buy One Get One Shopify app options and our quick comparison among them for you to consider.
App name | Unique features | Pricing (monthly) | Note |
|---|
Qikify Upsell BOGO & Free Gift | - Buy X get Y (BOGO), product bundles, free gift with purchase - Product page upsell, cart upsell, checkout upsell - Pre-purchase upsell popups - Fully customize embed and pop-up promotions - Real-time analytics | - Free - Basic: $9.99 - Grow: $24.99 - Advanced: $49.99 - Plus: $99.99 - A 7-day free trial is available | Built for Shopify 4.9/5 rating
|
BOGOS.io Free Gift BOGO Bundle | - Dynamic offer setups - Advanced targeting rules - Simple adding process: Visual gift slider, auto add cart, product page display. - Multi offer management - Fully customizable promotions. - Powerful analytics | - Basic: $29.99 - Professional: $49.99 - Unlimited: $69.99 - Plus: $99.99 | Built for Shopify 4.9/5 rating |
MBC Bundles App | Buy X Get Y | - Advanced product bundling techniques - Mix and match, frequently bought together. - Highlight offers; Custom property field to request from a client. - Upsell bundles with pop-up | - Free - Growth: $9.99 - Pro: $29.99 - Enterprise: $199.99 - A 7-day free trial is available | Built for Shopify 4.8/5 rating |
EG Auto Add to Cart Free Gift | - Schedule rules for BOGO, Buy X Get Y offers - Targeted rules to give free gifts, add on or free products to customers - Free gift with purchase triggered - Cart upsells for easy gift | - Standard: $14.99 - Unlimited: $29.99 | Built for Shopify 5/5 rating |
BOGO+ Free Gift & Buy X Get Y | - Buy 1 get 1, Buy X get Y (BXGY) with customized rules - Progress bar, reward bar, gift customization - Eye-catching widgets - Advanced settings: Translation, Performance tracking, Customer tags, URL | - Free - Basic: $17.99 - Shopify: $27.99 - Advanced: $47.99 | Not built for Shopify 4.8/5 rating |
ADU: Automatic Discounts | - Easily notify customers - Gift and upsell distinct setups - Keep your BOGO on-brand - Manage on the go - All deals in one place | - Test the waters: Free - Basic Essentials $9.99 - Startup $19.99 - Business: $49.99 | Not built for Shopify 4.4/5 rating |
Wide Bundles ‑ Quantity Breaks | - Bundles and quantity breaks - Customize the widget - Optimize conversion rate - Multiple types of bundles and discounts - Designed for mobile | - Basic Plan: $18 - Advanced Plan: $36 | Built for Shopify 4.8/5 rating |
Upsellio BOGO & Free Gifts | - Create Buy X Get Y type offers easily - Create volume-based offers for upsell campaigns - Track your upsell and cross-sell progress - Easily customize your look | - Free - Startup: $5.99 - Premium: $12.99 - Plus: $19.99 | Not built for Shopify 4.3/5 rating |
Bonus: To help you visualize better how to set up a Buy One Get One Shopify app, let’s use Qikify Upsell BOGO & Free Gift app as an example with a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Install the app
Step 2: Access the Manage promotion tab in the menu of the app, then select Buy X Get Y promotion:
Step 3: Set up your promotion:
- Show offer at: Choose to show your offers at Product page (when clicking on the "Add to cart" button) or the Checkout page (Shopify Plus only)
- Customer buys: Choose Specific products > Browse > Choose the product(s) you want to include in the "buy 1" part of your BOGO deal.
- Customer gets: Select the products or collections that will be discounted.
- Discount settings: Select 100% for Percentage or 1 for Fixed amount discount.
- Combinations: Choose the combination with other discounts (Product discounts, Order discounts, Shipping discounts)
- Advanced settings: Customize your Shopify Buy One Get One offers, such as: Limit the number of offered products a buyer can purchase; Allow editing the quantity of items in the offer; Enable display conditions
- Max discount uses: Set a limit on the total number of times the discount can be used.
Step 4: Set Schedule including a start date and an end date for your promotion.
For integration considerations: When using a BOGO app, verifying its seamless integration with other Shopify tools is so crucial:
Ensure it harmonizes with upsell/cross-sell apps to prevent conflicts and maintain a cohesive customer journey.
Confirm compatibility with pop-up and notification apps for clear offer communication.
Verify smooth operation with cart and checkout extensions for accurate discount application and a frictionless experience.
Check theme compatibility to ensure visual consistency and a professional brand image.
4. Advanced strategies for Shopify stores
Beyond basic setup, advanced Shopify Buy One Get One strategies leverage psychological effects, segmentation, and product insights for maximum impact.
4.1 Psychological triggers and customer behavior
Understanding some psychological triggers in your customer behavior can help you implement a great Shopify Buy One Get One promotion:
Scarcity and urgency psychology: Implement countdown timers, limited stock alerts, or "only X left" messaging with BOGO offers.
Price anchoring with BOGO offers: Showcase the original price and the "saved" amount clearly to highlight the value proposition.
Social proof integration: Display testimonials or "X customers bought this offer" messages to build trust.
Shopify Buy One Get One promotions tap into some psychological triggers.
4.2 Customer segmentation and targeting strategies
Analyzing carefully targeted customer groups allows you to deliver a highly relevant Shopify Bogo discount to the right customers for conversion rate improvement:
Customer lifecycle-based BOGO offers: Different offers for new customers, returning customers, or lapsed customers.
Geographic and demographic targeting: Tailoring offers based on location, age, or gender.
Purchase history-based personalization: Offering BOGO deals on products related to past purchases.
VIP customer exclusive offers: Rewarding your most loyal customers with special BOGO deals to enhance retention.
4.3 Product strategy and selection
As one of the revenue maximization tactics for your Shopify Buy One Get One free campaigns, strategically align your offers with your product inventory and market trends:
Complementary product pairing strategies: Offer Shopify Buy One Get One on products that naturally go together (e.g., phone and case).
Inventory clearance strategies: Strategically use Shopify Buy One Get One to clear out overstocked items without devaluing your brand.
Profit margin optimization: Carefully calculate the costs and potential profit of BOGO offers to ensure profitability.
Seasonal and trending product integration: Align Shopify Buy One Get One promotions with seasonal sales strategies or trending products for increased relevance.
Planning your Shopify Buy One Get One campaigns upon the strategic foundation is so crucial, but not enough. In the next section, we will guide you through the essential process of continuous optimization after launching your Shopify BOGO promotions.
5. Optimizing BOGO campaigns after launch
Once your BOGO campaigns are live, to maximize their effectiveness, continuous optimization is the key.
5.1 Performance analytics and key metrics
Beyond basic sales data, you should track these essential metrics:
Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) impact: Analyzing how Shopify Buy One Get One campaigns influence repeat purchases and long-term customer value involves looking beyond the immediate sale to the sustained relationship with the customer.
Inventory turnover improvements: Measure the speed at which BOGO helps clear specific inventory.
Profit margin analysis: Regularly assess the profitability of your Shopify Buy One Get One offers.
Customer acquisition cost (CAC) changes: Determine if your eCommerce discount strategies are effective for acquiring new customers.
Conversion rate improvement: Track the percentage of visitors who complete a purchase after encountering a Shopify Buy One Get One offer.
5.2 Mobile optimization best practices
Given the prevalence of mobile shopping, optimize your Shopify Buy One Get One offers for mobile users:
Mobile-specific BOGO presentation: Ensure BOGO details are visible and easy to understand on smaller screens.
Touch-friendly design principles: Make call-to-action buttons and offer selections easy to tap.
Due to the phone usage habits of customers, your Shopify Buy One Get One promotions should be mobile-friendly.
6. Enterprise and scaling considerations when implementing Shopify Buy One Get One
For larger Shopify stores, particularly Shopify Plus merchants, scaling BOGO campaigns requires some specific considerations.
Shopify Plus offers a suite of advanced functionalities that can profoundly enhance BOGO campaign flexibility and automation. Access to features like Shopify Flow allows for custom workflows and automated processes, while Shopify Scripts provides unparalleled control over checkout logic, etc.
Brands operating multiple Shopify storefronts or venturing into international markets face unique complexities when implementing Shopify BOGO promotions. Strategies are needed for consistently managing (or intentionally varying) BOGO offers across different stores that might cater to distinct regions, time zones, languages, or customer demographics.
Remember some specific considerations when scaling BOGO campaigns.
It's also crucial to ensure that Shopify Buy One Get One discounts are correctly applied and accurately reflected in diverse currencies, and that all local tax implications (VAT or sales tax) are precisely calculated on both the purchased and the discounted or free items.
Finally, promotional offers like Shopify Buy One Get One are frequently subject to specific legal and consumer protection regulations that differ significantly by country and region. For example, in the UK, ensure the original price has been offered for a certain period before the BOGO.
Larger enterprises must diligently ensure their BOGO campaigns strictly adhere to all applicable local laws, such as GDPR in Europe or CCPA in California, to mitigate legal risks, avoid penalties, and steadfastly uphold consumer trust.
7. Common BOGO mistakes and how to avoid them
Avoid these pitfalls to ensure your Shopify BOGO promotions are successful and sustainable.
Pitfalls | Description | Solutions |
|---|
Strategic misalignments | - Without a clear strategic goal beyond just increasing immediate sales - Don't align with overall business objectives or inventory needs. | Clearly define what you want to achieve: - Clear specific inventory - Increase AOV for certain product lines - Attract new customer segments. |
Profit margin erosion | Don’t understand the actual costs involved in BOGO campaigns, resulting in reduced or negative profit margins. | - Conduct thorough cost-benefit analyses before launching campaigns. - Set specific percentage improvements and concrete numbers in your projections for credibility. |
Brand perception issues | Devalue your brand in the eyes of customers by excessive or poorly timed discounting, making them perceive your products as less premium or only worth purchasing during sales. | Strategically position BOGO as a value-add, not a sign of desperation. |
Customer behavior negative impact | Train customers to only purchase when a BOGO or similar promotion is available. | Mix up your promotional strategies and offer Shopify BOGO deals as part of a broader marketing calendar. |
Technical implementation errors | Errors in setting up the BOGO offer within Shopify (either native, app-based, or custom code), leading to incorrect discounts, customer frustration, or financial losses due to misapplied promotions. | Ensure your BOGO setup is thoroughly tested to avoid errors. |
8. Conclusion: Your BOGO success action plan
More than just setting up Shopify Buy One Get One promotions, mastering these discounts involves strategic implementation and even upselling methodologies. Our guidelines exposed the core elements of this powerful promotional tool, leading to a critical decision framework for every merchant:
Understanding Shopify BOGO's power with profound psychological triggers in influencing customer behavior.
Recognizing diverse benefits of Shopify BOGOs (increasing AOV, facilitating inventory clearance, and enhancing sales conversion rates.)
The essential implementation choice based on your individual needs and resources: Shopify native discount system and powerful third-party apps
Your choice within this framework should be directly guided by your specific business goals, available budget, technical resources, and the desired level of complexity for your promotional campaigns. Do not fall into the trap of setting up a Shopify Buy One Get One discount without a clear vision. You can:
Assess your current needs and goals
Choose your method strategically
Plan your strategy in detail
Implement and A/B test
Monitor, analyze, and optimize continuously
By adopting a strategic approach to BOGO, you can unlock significant growth for your Shopify store. For continued learning and optimization, you can explore resources on Qikify's blog, Shopify's help docs, or Sidekick, a helpful assistant in the Shopify admin.
Tide Dang
Content Creator | Qikify
With over seven years of experience in strategic marketing and content creation, I specialize in helping eCommerce brands craft high-impact campaigns that drive sales and customer engagement. My expertise in content strategy, social media, and data-driven marketing allows me to translate industry trends into actionable insights for Shopify merchants—helping them optimize their marketing efforts, attract the right customers, and boost conversions. My passion lies in empowering online businesses with the strategies they need to stand out and scale successfully in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.
