Best Shopify Free Gift Strategies, Apps & Tips

Written by: Hannah

Topics: eCommerce Tips

Published: May 22, 2024

13 minutes read

Best Shopify Free Gift Strategies

Did you know a simple "Buy One, Get One at 50% Off" (BOGO) promotion can increase your Shopify store's average order value by a whopping 12%? (University of the Punjab)


That's right! 


Shopify free gift, this powerful marketing tactic goes beyond just attracting customers – it incentivizes them to spend more, ultimately boosting your bottom line.


In this article, we'll explore creative strategies like Gifts with purchases and free samples, introduce you to top-rated apps, and share expert tips to maximize your results. Get ready to unleash the sales magic of Shopify free gift!

1. The benefits of offering free gifts in Shopify 

In the competitive world of eCommerce, every store owner is looking for ways to stand out and entice customers. One strategy that packs a punch is offering free gifts. It's a simple yet effective tactic that can bring a host of benefits to your Shopify store.


Let's delve deeper into how free gifts can leverage your Shopify store!

1.1. Boost Sales with Shopify Free Gift Offers

Free gifts are more than just a nice surprise for customers. They're a strategic marketing tool that can significantly impact your bottom line.
free gift in ecommerce

Boost sales by offering free gifts

Shopify free gifts incentivize customers to spend more to qualify for the gift. 


Imagine a customer considering a purchase of $20. If they learn they can get a free gift with a $25 order, they might be more likely to add another item to their cart to reach the minimum spend threshold. This increases the average amount a customer spends on each purchase.

Or, in another case, sometimes, customers hesitate to complete a purchase. They might be unsure about the product or simply comparing prices. 

This is where the magic of a free gift can work wonders. The promise of receiving something extra can be the tipping point that convinces them to finalize the purchase.

Overall, by strategically using Shopify free item with purchase campaigns, you can turn a customer's "maybe" into a resounding "yes", ultimately leading to increased sales and a happier customer base.
  • Learn More: 

    In addition to free gifts, you can leverage various marketing campaigns to take your sales to new heights. Let’s check how to increase Shopify sales with our insightful eCommerce tips!

1.2. Build customer loyalty

Free gifts aren't just about boosting immediate sales – they're a powerful tool for building long-term customer loyalty. By nurturing relationships at both ends of the customer journey, you create a win-win situation.  


First, let's talk about welcoming new customers with a gift.  

First impressions are crucial! Greet new customers with a warm welcome and a free gift with their first purchase. This sweetens the deal and creates a positive association with your brand right from the start. 

Imagine trying a new restaurant and getting a free appetizer – it makes you more likely to return, right? The same principle applies here.

Next, let's look at how you can show appreciation to your loyal customers. They are the backbone of any business, so it's important to keep them happy.  
free gifts as complimentary birthday treat

Offer free gifts as the complimentary birthday treat

One way to achieve this is by offering them exclusive free gifts. This could be a high-quality item related to your product line, a surprise bonus with their order, or even early access to new products. 


This gesture fosters a sense of appreciation and reminds them why they love your brand. They'll feel valued and more likely to keep coming back for more.

1.3. Clear Excess Inventory with Strategic Free Gift Promotions

By strategically using free gifts, you can transform slow-moving inventory from a burden into an opportunity.


You can pair a less popular item with a hot-selling product as a free gift with purchase. This incentivizes customers to buy the popular item and gives the slow-mover a chance to shine. For example, offer a free pair of socks with a new pair of shoes.


A successful free gift promotion can help you clear out unwanted items, free up space, and potentially boost your bottom line – all while creating a more positive customer experience.

1.4. Introduce New Products with Shopify Free Samples

Imagine a customer browsing your selection of skincare products. They might be hesitant to try a new, unfamiliar line.


But then, they see an offer: "Buy any product and get a free sample of our new anti-aging serum!". Suddenly, the risk of trying something new disappears.


This is the magic of free gifts for new product launches. They allow customers to try before they buy.

free samples as free gift

Giving free product samples as the free gifts

Free samples or trial-sized versions remove the barrier of entry for customers hesitant to commit to a full-sized, unfamiliar product. By experiencing the benefits firsthand, they're more likely to become loyal customers of the new product line.


Besides, free gifts generate curiosity and excitement for new products. Customers are more likely to be drawn to a product with a free sample offer, leading to increased brand awareness and potential sales.


Overall, Shopify free gifts are a strategic marketing tool that can take the guesswork out of launching new products.

1.5. Enhance Customer Experiences

Shopify free gifts add a touch of surprise and delight to the shopping journey.  


Imagine a customer browsing your store and finding an unexpected free gift with their purchase. It creates a positive emotional connection, fostering goodwill and brand loyalty.


Also, free gifts can be a fantastic way to personalize the customer experience.  


When you offer different free gifts based on purchase amount or customer preferences, it shows you care about individual needs and creates a more memorable interaction.


By strategically incorporating free gifts into your Shopify store, you're not just giving something away – you're investing in creating a positive and memorable customer experience.


Overall, free gifts are a strategic marketing tool that can significantly improve your Shopify store's performance. 


It plays an essential role in building customer loyalty and enhancing the shopping experience by incentivizing purchases, rewarding customers, and fostering positive connections.

2. Profitable Use Cases of Free Gifts Including Examples

We can see that Shopify free gifts are a powerful marketing tool that can help you achieve a variety of goals. From attracting new customers to rewarding loyal ones, offering something for free can significantly impact your bottom line. 


Now, in this part, we will continue to explore five popular strategies for using Shopify free gift to boost your business, along with real-world examples.

2.1. Gift with purchase (GWP)

This Shopify free product with purchase strategy entices customers to spend a certain amount or try a new product by offering a free gift. It's a win-win situation: customers get a little something extra, while businesses can increase sales, clear out inventory, or promote new offerings.

Shopify gift with purchase

Free product with purchase example from Estee Lauder

For example, a clothing store might offer a free tote bag as the free gift with any purchase over $50, or a campaign like Shopify buy 3 get 1 free tote bag to encourage customers to spend more to reach the threshold.

2.2. Free samples

Free samples are a type of free gift to introduce new products, generate excitement, and allow customers to try before they buy. This can be particularly effective for consumable goods like food or cosmetics.


Let’s imagine that you have an online store that specializes in handmade, natural soaps. To introduce your new line of aromatherapy bath bombs, you can offer a free sample with every purchase. 


When your customers browse the selection of handmade soaps, they can choose a free sample bath bomb scent from a selection of three popular options. It's a free gift that lets them experience the quality, fragrance, and fizz of your bath bombs before committing to a full-size purchase.

2.3. Grow Email List with Shopify Free Gift Signup Offers

Use free gifts to encourage new sign up

Offering free gifts to encourage new sign up

This tactic helps you build your email list or social media following and gathers valuable customer data. By offering a free incentive like an ebook download or exclusive content, you can encourage people to sign up and connect with your brand.


For instance, a Shopify online store might offer a free downloadable recipe book when customers sign up for their email newsletter, building an audience for future promotions.

2.4. Giveaways Free Gifts

Giveaways are a fantastic way to boost brand awareness and create a positive first impression, even for visitors who haven't purchased anything yet. By offering exciting free gifts, you can attract new people to your brand and generate buzz.


Here's an example: Imagine an activewear store running a giveaway for a free pair of leggings. No purchase necessary! 


Visitors can enter simply by following the store's social media page and liking the giveaway post. This encourages people to check out your brand and products, increasing brand awareness.


By applying free giveaways, you can significantly increase brand reach and capture the attention of potential customers who haven't interacted with your brand before.

2.5. Reward Loyal Customers with Free Gift Loyalty Programs

Loyalty programs are a great way to show appreciation for your repeat customers and encourage them to keep coming back. By offering free gifts as rewards, you can incentivize them to make more purchases.

free birthday gift for customers

Reward loyal customers with free gifts

Let’s take a beauty store offering a tiered loyalty program as an example. Customers earn points with every purchase, unlocking rewards like free samples, discounts, and even birthday gifts.


It's a win-win! 


Customers get rewarded for their loyalty and the store benefits from increased customer retention, valuable data on purchase history (allowing for personalized marketing), and a stronger sense of brand loyalty that translates to recommendations and repeat business.

3. Best Free Gift App Shopify: Recommendations

Shopify merchants can set up the free gift with purchase strategy in two ways: manually for basic demand, or by using user-friendly apps from Shopify partners for a simpler approach but more advanced options.


If you want to add a basic free gift to carts that meet a specific requirement, like reaching a minimum purchase amount, you can set up this offer in the Shopify admin panel manually by following these steps:

  • Go to your Shopify admin panel and navigate to the "Discounts" section.
  • Click on "Create discount" and choose the option for an automatic discount.
  • Give your discount a name that reflects the offer (e.g., "Free Gift over $50").
  • Select the "Buy X get Y" type for the discount.
  • In the "Customer buys" section, set your gifting rules with two options “Minimum quantity of items” and “Cart value”
  • In the "Discount applies to" section, pick "Free shipping" or "Free product" depending on your offer.
  • Select the free gift product from your inventory.
  • Click "Save" to activate the discount.

This manual method can be a great idea for straightforward free gift offers based on purchase amount or product selection. However, when applying it, customers need to add the gift manually to their cart for it to be applied.  


Therefore, if you’re looking to get more advanced settings and auto functions with your free gift campaigns, then third-party Shopify apps can be your best friend. Now, let’s dive deeper into some powerful Shopify free gift apps and find your perfect fit!

Qikify Discount Free Gift

Qikify Discount & Free Gift

This feature-rich app lets you create strategic free gift offers alongside a variety of other discount promotions, all designed to increase your average order value (AOV) and conversions.


Qikify is a trusted choice by Shopify merchants with hundreds of positive reviews. It offers a vast array of free gift options to suit your needs, including:

  • Unlimited free gifts: Create as many free gift offers as you need to cater to different customer segments and product categories.
  • Volume discounts: Reward customers who buy in bulk with tiered pricing breaks.
  • Limited-time offers: Create a sense of urgency with time-bound discounts and promotions.
  • Targeted campaigns: Tailor your offers to specific customer segments for maximum impact.
  • Real-time analytics: Gain valuable insights into your discount campaigns' performance to optimize future strategies.

With a stellar rating of 4.9 stars and over 1,700 reviews, BOGOS.io has garnered the trust of numerous Shopify merchants. This Shopify free gift-with-purchase app offers a treasure trove of tools to design strategic giveaways that skyrocket your sales.

Bogos Free Gift Buy X Get Y

Bogo.io Free Gift Buy X Get Y

BOGOS.io offers tiered pricing plans to suit the needs of your Shopify store, ranging from Basic Shopify shops to Shopify Plus. All plans come with a 7-day free trial, allowing you to test drive the app before committing.


You can check out its key features with:

  • Multiple offer types: Create BOGOs (Buy One Get One), free gifts with purchase, quantity-based discounts (Buy X Get Y), tiered spending rewards (Spend More Get More), and product bundles - all within one app.
  • Flexible implementation: Choose between automatic cart addition of gifts or a user-friendly gift slider for a more interactive experience.
  • Advanced targeting: Set up custom rules based on factors like URL parameters, location, order history, and customer tags.
  • Data-driven optimization: Track the performance of your offers in real time with comprehensive analytics.

Looking for a way to incentivize purchases and increase your average order value (AOV)? EG Auto Add to Cart Free Gift might be the perfect solution for your Shopify store.

EG Auto Add to Cart Free Gift

EG Auto Add to Cart Free Gift

This user-friendly app automates the process of adding free gifts or product add-ons to customer carts, triggering strategic promotions that drive sales.


With a stellar rating of 4.9 stars and over 461 reviews, EasyGift won the hearts of Shopify merchants. Here's why they love it:

  • Automatic free gift Shopify: Effortlessly add free gift to cart Shopify when specific criteria are met.
  • Targeted promotions: Craft targeted rules to give free gifts or product add-ons to specific customer segments.
  • Scheduling power: Schedule your offers to run during specific periods, maximizing their impact for seasonal sales or marketing campaigns.
  • Flexibility and customization: Choose how and when to trigger your offers based on factors like cart value, product selection, and more.

In the world of eCommerce, every strategy to increase sales and customer satisfaction is crucial. Monk Free Gift & Cart Upsell offers a powerful solution for Shopify stores by combining free gifts with strategic upsells.

Monk Free Gift Cart Upsell

Monk Free Gift Cart Upsell

Monk Free Gift & Cart Upsell offers a free plan that's perfect for development stores and allows you to test the app's features. Paid plans with additional advanced features are available for stores with varying order volumes.


As one of the best free gift apps Shopify, Monk Free Gift & Cart Upsell goes beyond simple giveaways and free gifts. Here's what sets it apart:

  • Free gift magic: Incentivize purchases by offering free gifts based on specific criteria like product selection, cart value, or purchase quantity.
  • Upsell strategies: Encourage customers to spend more with targeted upsells and cross-sell recommendations throughout the buying journey – from product pages to checkout.
  • Tiered progress: Motivate customers to reach specific spending goals with a visually appealing cart progress bar.
  • Actionable insights: Track the performance of your offers and gain valuable insights to optimize your sales strategy.

4. Expert Tips for Successful Shopify Free Gift Campaigns

4.1. Set clear goals

Determine what you want to achieve with your free gift offer. Is it to increase average order value (AOV), attract new customers, or clear out slow-moving inventory? Having a clear goal will help you design an effective campaign.

Free Gift To Increase Conversion Rate

Set clear goals for your Shopify free gifts strategy 

For example, if you want to boost sales, you can focus on free gifts that encourage customers to spend more to qualify. This could be a free travel mug for orders over $50 or a free accessory set for orders over $100.

4.2. Target our offers

Don't give away free gifts to everyone. 


You should tailor your offers to specific customer segments based on purchase history, demographics, or behavior. This personalizes the experience and makes the free gift more enticing.


Let’s take a simple example here, you can reward loyal customers with exclusive free gifts based on their past purchases, like offering a free pair of workout socks to a customer who frequently buys athletic wear.

4.3. Make your free gifts relevant

It is highly recommended to choose free gifts that complement the products customers are purchasing. This strengthens the perceived value of both items. For example, offer free batteries with a camera purchase or a free travel pouch with a swimsuit.


In addition, you can find free gifts that tie in with current seasons or holidays. For example, provide free sunscreen with beach towels during summer or free gift wrapping during the holidays.

free gift wrapping paper

Make the free gift offer relevant

On the other hand, if your product solves a common problem, offer a free gift that complements the solution. For example, offer free screen protectors with phone cases or free cleaning solutions with jewelry purchases.

4.4. Balance Shopify free gifts with profit margins

Free gifts should not erode your profit margins. 


You should carefully consider the cost of the free gift in relation to your profit margin. Don't offer a free gift that significantly reduces your earnings.


You can offer a range of free gifts with varying values based on purchase amount. This allows you to cater to different budgets while maintaining profitability.


Besides, if you're planning a large-scale free gift campaign, it is a good idea to negotiate bulk purchase discounts with your supplier to minimize costs.

4.5. Promote Shopify free gift campaigns effectively

Your website is prime real estate for promoting your free gift campaign. Don't be shy! 


You can announce it prominently on your homepage with a clear banner or image that includes details like the minimum purchase amount and the free gift itself.


Take the message to product and category pages as well. On product pages, especially those you're hoping to promote, it is a great idea to use badges or pop-ups to grab attention.  


And don't forget category pages! You can display a message about the free gift campaign to capture customers browsing a wider selection.

5. Conclusion

In this comprehensive guide, we've explored the immense potential of Shopify free gifts – a powerful marketing strategy that can significantly boost your sales, build customer loyalty, clear inventory, and introduce new products with ease.


Key Takeaways:

  • Offering free gifts is a win-win proposition, incentivizing customers to spend more while creating a positive brand experience.
  • There are numerous creative strategies to leverage free gifts, from traditional GWPs and free samples to innovative loyalty programs and giveaways.
  • Choosing the right free gift app is crucial for seamless implementation and tracking performance.
  • Setting clear goals, targeting offers, and maintaining profitability are essential for maximizing the impact of your free gift campaigns.

By implementing the expert tips and leveraging the top-rated apps discussed in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to unlock the full potential of Shopify free gifts and take your eCommerce success to new heights.


Next Steps:

  1. Evaluate your business goals and determine the most suitable free gift strategies aligned with your objectives.
  2. Explore the recommended apps and choose the one that best fits your requirements and budget.
  3. Implement your first free gift campaign, starting with a pilot to test and optimize your approach.
  4. Continuously monitor your campaign's performance, gather customer feedback, and refine your strategies for maximum impact.
  5. Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices to keep your free gift offerings fresh and engaging.

Remember, the key to success lies in consistently providing value to your customers while driving profitable growth for your Shopify store. Embrace the power of free gifts, and watch your sales soar!

6. Frequently Asked Questions about Shopify Free Gifts

1. How do I set up a free gift on Shopify?

If you have coding knowledge, you can write a free gift with purchase Shopify script on your own. 


However, unless you're comfortable with coding, using a free gift app is the more user-friendly option. Here is a quick guide:

  • Step 1: Browse the Shopify App Store for free gift apps 
  • Step 2: Install the app and connect it to your Shopify store.
  • Step 3: Within the app, define your offer: choose the free gift, set trigger conditions (cart value, specific products), and customize how it appears.

2. Can you have free items on Shopify?

Yes, you can definitely have free items on Shopify! 


The Shopify App Store offers a variety of apps specifically designed for free gift promotions. These apps provide user-friendly interfaces and a range of features, allowing you to create targeted and effective free gift offers.


You can check the top-recommended apps we listed in this article to have a more comprehensive comparison and choose a perfect fit for your Shopify store!

3. Is there a gift option on Shopify?

Shopify itself doesn't have a built-in "gift option" where you can directly mark an item as a free gift. However, you can achieve gift-giving functionality on your Shopify store through the Shopify free gifts app as we discussed above. 


These apps provide user-friendly interfaces and features like:

  • Setting trigger conditions (e.g., minimum cart value, specific product purchases)
  • Targeting specific customer segments
  • Customizing the appearance of the free gift offer

4. How do I automatically add a free product to my cart on Shopify?

To automatically add a free product to a customer's cart on Shopify, you can use a free gift app. Many apps have features to automatically add free gift to cart Shopify.


Within the app's interface, you can define the rules for automatically adding the free gift. This typically involves:

  • Choosing the free gift product
  • Setting trigger conditions: Specify when the free gift gets added (e.g., reaching a minimum cart value, or purchasing specific products).
  • Targeting options (Optional): Some apps allow you to target specific customer segments.

5. How does Shopify gift cards work?

Shopify free gift card is a digital voucher customers can buy and use towards future purchases in your store. Normally, Shopify gift card examples will work for your customers within some steps like this:

  • Step 1: Purchase Shopify e-gift cards of specific amounts.
  • Step 2: Receive a digital gift card with a unique code via email.
  • Step 3: Redeem the code at checkout to reduce the order total.

Gain Insightful Knowledge to Grow Your Business Stronger

By clicking "Subscribe," you agree to allow Qikify to send newsletter emails to your address. For more information, please read our Privacy Policy.

About The Author

  • Hannah

    With over 5 years of experience under her belt, Hannah is an eCommerce writer who crafts content specifically for a website that deals with online sales. She simplifies technical details to assist entrepreneurs in utilizing the platform and launching their online ventures.

Copyright © 2018 - 2023 qikify. All Rights Reserved.