Discounts and promotions are powerful tools in eCommerce, but most store owners use them the wrong way. Instead of slashing prices and eroding profits, you can use WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts to increase average order value, reduce cart abandonment, and turn first-time buyers into loyal customers.
Studies show that:
- 72% of consumers are more likely to purchase if they receive a free gift(Benamic).
- Free gifts can increase average order value by 25%+(eDesk ).
- Limited-time gift offers create urgency and reduce cart abandonment Retainful notes that urgency tactics (e.g., “Free gift if you order in 24 hours”) recover 45% of abandoned carts via email campaigns.
Whether you want to clear old inventory, upsell premium products, or simply create a memorable shopping experience, this guide will show you exactly how to implement WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts that convert.
Types of discount campaigns
Discount campaigns are one of the most effective ways to increase conversions, clear inventory, and attract new customers. But not all discounts are created equal—the key is using the right type of promotion for your goals.
Here are the 7 most effective discount campaign types, along with when and how to use them:
1. Percentage Discount (e.g., “20% Off”)
Percentage discounts are a classic way to attract customers and boost sales in WooCommerce stores. These promotions work well for seasonal sales, email marketing, and general store-wide offers. While they increase conversions, overusing them can hurt profit margins. To maximize impact, try tiered discounts (e.g., “10% off $50, 15% off $100”) or pair them with urgency triggers like “24 Hours Only!” to drive faster decisions.
2. Free Shipping Discount
High shipping costs are a top reason for cart abandonment, making free shipping a powerful tool in WooCommerce discount campaigns. Offering free shipping on orders above a threshold (e.g., “$50+”) encourages customers to spend more, increasing AOV. Test different strategies, such as “Free Shipping vs. 10% Off,” to see what works best for your audience.
3. Buy X, Get Y Free (BOGO / Bundles)
BOGO deals and bundles are excellent for WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts, helping clear slow-moving inventory while increasing order value. Examples like “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” or pairing complementary products (e.g., a phone with a free case) enhance perceived value and encourage larger purchases.
4. Flash Sales (Limited-Time Discounts)
Flash sales create urgency and are perfect for WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts. Running them for 24–72 hours with SMS/email blasts and countdown timers boosts FOMO (fear of missing out). They’re great for testing new products or liquidating excess stock quickly.
5. Loyalty & Membership WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts
Rewarding repeat customers with exclusive discounts strengthens retention in WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts. Offer VIP perks like early access to sales or points-based rewards (e.g., “Free Cheapest item in cart after 5 orders”) to foster long-term loyalty.
6. First-Time Buyer Discounts
First-time buyer discounts (e.g., “Buy 1 Get 1 free for Your First Order”) effectively convert new visitors in WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts. Use exit-intent popups or welcome emails to deliver these offers, increasing sign-ups and initial purchases.
7. Free Gift with Purchase
Adding a free gift (e.g., a tote bag or sample) to orders over a set amount enhances WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts.
Which Discount Strategy Should You Use?
This table breaks down the best discount types for different objectives, helping you maximize ROI while creating a compelling shopping experience. Let’s explore which promotions work best for your goals!
| Goal | Best Discount Type |
|---|---|
| Boost conversions | Percentage discount, First-time buyer offer |
| Increase AOV | Free shipping threshold, BOGO deals |
| Clear inventory | Flash sales, Bundles |
| Build loyalty | Membership discounts, Free gifts |
Why include free gifts in discount strategies?
WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts are a powerful eCommerce tactic, based on consumer psychology and data:
1. Higher Perceived Value Than Discounts
Free gifts create more perceived value than their actual cost to sellers, making customers feel they’re getting an exclusive deal without devaluing your brand (unlike steep discounts)
2. Boosts Average Order Value (AOV)
Customers spend more to qualify for free gifts. For example, you can encourage customers to “Spend +$75, and get a free product” resulted in increasing AOV.
This strategy Works better than cash discounts for emotional purchases
3. Reduces Cart Abandonment
WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts can create urgency, and work as a psychological tool to push hesitant buyers to checkout.
4. Enhances Customer Loyalty & Retention
Consumers are more likely to repurchase after receiving a free gift. Moreover, Free samples introduce customers to new products, driving future full-size purchases.
5. Clears Slow-Moving Inventory
You can use WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts to turn dead stock into customer delight (e.g., “Free socks with shoes”).
When to Use Free Gifts Over Discounts
This comparison reveals key scenarios where free gifts outperform discounts. Let’s discover how to leverage gifts as a smarter alternative to traditional promotions!
| Scenario | Free Gift Strategy | Discount Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury brands | ✅ Maintains prestige | ❌ Risks cheapening brand |
| New product launches | ✅ Samples drive trials | ❌ Discounts may signal low quality |
| High-margin products | ✅ Bundles boost AOV | ❌ Cuts into profits |
Setting campaign goals for WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts
Discount campaigns can drive sales, but without clear objectives, you risk eroding profits or training customers to only buy on sale. Here’s how to set smart, measurable goals for every promotion:
1. Define Your Primary Campaign Objective
Choose one core goal per campaign to focus your strategy:
| Goal | Best Discount Type | KPIs to Track |
|---|---|---|
| Increase Conversions | First-time buyer discount, Flash sale | Conversion rate, New customer acquisition |
| Boost Average Order Value (AOV) | Free gift with purchase, Tiered discounts | AOV, Upsell rate |
| Clear Excess Inventory | BOGO, “Spend $X, Get Y Free” | Sell-through rate, Margin % |
| Reduce Cart Abandonment | Free shipping threshold, Limited-time gift | Abandonment rate, Recovery revenue |
| Build Loyalty | VIP/membership discounts, Points rewards | Repeat purchase rate, CLV |
2. Set Quantifiable Targets
To make goals actionable, replace vague objectives with measurable ones. For example, instead of aiming to “increase sales,” specify “boost AOV (Average Order Value) by 15% in 30 days.” Clear targets improve focus and make success easier to track.
3. Run WooCommerce Discount Campaigns with a gift regarding Customer Psychology
Tailor promotions to different buyer types, offer first-time discounts to new customers, exclusive gifts for repeat buyers, and time-sensitive deals (like 1-hour free shipping) for abandoned carts. This approach maximizes conversions by addressing specific motivations.
4. Protect Profit Margins
While discounts drive sales, safeguard margins by limiting redemptions (e.g., “first 100 customers”), using low-cost gifts (samples/digital products), and testing campaigns on a small scale before full rollout. This ensures profitability isn’t compromised.
5. Measure & Optimize the results of WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts
ROI (revenue vs. discount costs), customer segments (bargain hunters vs. high-value buyers), and long-term effects (AOV/repeat purchases). Use insights to refine future strategies for better results.
Plugin setup and configuration to run WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts
The Free Gifts for WooCommerce plugin makes it easy to automate gift promotions without coding, whether you want to offer BOGO deals, free samples, or threshold-based rewards.
In the following, we’ll walk you through step-by-step plugin setup and configuration so you can launch high-converting WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts in minutes.
Step 1: Install & Activate the Plugin
- Download plugin ZIP file.
- Go to WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Add New.
- Click “Upload Plugin” and select the downloaded zip file.
- Click “Install Now“.
- Return to WordPress dashboard and find the newly added item in the menu (IThemeland).
- Click on the License option and “Activate Plugin” by inserting the license key.
The plugin is now ready for configuration.
Step 2: Open the Plugin Dashboard & Create a New Rule
- Navigate to iThemeland > Free Gifts.
- Click “Add Rule” to set up your WooCommerce discount campaign with gifts.
Step 3: Configure Your Gift Rule (Step-by-Step Form Setup)
In the Rule form, fill out these key sections:
1. Select Discount Type in the Method section
In the Method section of the rule form, you can choose from over 11 different discount methods to apply promotional campaigns with gifts. Each method offers a unique way to calculate discounts and offer gifts, allowing you to customize your sales strategy effectively.
Some Common Discount Methods:
- Buy X Get Y Free” (BOGO) – for example: Buy 2, Get 1 Free.
- Free Gift with Minimum Spend – for example: Spend $50, Get a Free Product.
- Cheapest item in the cart – for example: Order a Laptop with Mouse, Get the Mouse for free.
2. Set Quantities & Settings Requirements
- Quantity/Spend Threshold: Set minimums like “Must buy 2 products” or “Spend $75+” in the Buy field.
- Quantity of gift: Set the gift quantity in the Get field.
- Auto-Add to Cart: Enable if the gift should automatically add to the customer cart when conditions are met.
3. Set Order requirements in the Product Buy section
Press the Add Product button, then you can choose specific items that will trigger the free gift when add to the customer’s cart.
These selections determine which products qualify customers to receive promotional gifts, including:
- Specific Products: Individual items that, when purchased, unlock a free gift.
- Product Variations: Specific variants (e.g., size, color) that make customers eligible for a gift.
- Categories: Entire product groups—buying any item from a selected category grants a gift.
- And more
4. Select the Free Gifts in the Product Get section
Choose one or multiple products/categories from your product list to offer as gift in the following fields:
- Include Products/Categories: Select specific products or categories as gift items.
- Exclude Products/Categories: Exclude some items from the gift offer.
5. Specify Advanced Conditions (Optional)
In the Conditions sections, add as many conditions as you need to restrict the rule, such as:
- Time Limits: Run the campaign for 24 hours, 1 week, etc.
- Customer Restrictions: Limited to first-time buyers, VIP members, etc.
- And more
6. Save & Activate the Rule
Click “Save Changes to activate the rule.
Example 1: Run %50 OFF WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts
To run %50 discounts with gift, you need to apply the Buy 1 Get 1 rule (BOGO deal) on the targeted products. For example, let’s suppose that you want to offer %50 off on V-neck T-shirt this weekend. To run this campaign with the free gifts for WooCommerce plugin, follow the steps below:
- Choose Buy x Get x from the Method list.
- In the Quantities and Settings: Set both Get and Buy fields to 1 and mark Auto add gift to cart.
- In the Product-Buy, add V-neck T-shirt.
- In the Conditions, add date and set “Date from” and “Date to” based on your campaign goal.
So, when customers order one V-neck T-shirt on the specified date, they will receive another one for free (%50 OFF)
Free Gift For WooCommerce Plugin
The easy way to create discount campaigns in WooCommerce
Best practices and tips for WooCommerce Discount Campaigns with Gifts
- Choose High-Perceived-Value Gifts: Offer low-cost but desirable items (e.g., samples, accessories, digital products).
- Set Minimum Spend Thresholds: Encourage higher AOV (e.g., “Free gift on orders over $50”).
- Use Urgency & Scarcity: Add time limits (“48-hour offer”) or stock limits (“Only 20 left!”).
- Automate Gift Addition: Enable auto-add to cart to streamline checkout.
- Segment Your Audience: Target first-time buyers, VIPs, or high-spenders with exclusive offers.
- Track Performance: Monitor AOV, conversion rates, and redemption to optimize future campaigns.
- Test Different Gift Types: Try BOGO, free samples, or bundled deals to see what converts best.
Mistakes to avoid for running WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts
without proper planning, WooCommerce promotions can backfire, leading to lost revenue, frustrated customers, or logistical nightmares. To ensure your campaign runs smoothly, here are the key mistakes to avoid and how to fix them.
1. Unclear Terms & Conditions
A lack of transparency in your promotion’s rules can lead to customer confusion and disputes. Clearly state eligibility criteria, redemption steps, and any limitations (such as product exclusions or expiration dates) to prevent misunderstandings.
2. Overcomplicating the Offer
If customers have to jump through too many hoops to claim their gift, they’ll abandon the offer. Simplify the process by automatically applying discounts or adding free gifts to qualifying orders without extra steps.
3. Poor Gift Selection
A low-value or irrelevant gift won’t excite customers. Choose gifts that complement your products and provide real value—whether it’s a useful accessory, an exclusive sample, or a high-demand item.
4. Ignoring Inventory Management
Running out of gifts mid-campaign or overspending on excess stock can hurt profitability. Use inventory management plugins to track gift availability and set limits to avoid fulfillment issues.
5. Not Promoting the Campaign Enough
Even the best promotion will fail if customers don’t know about it. Leverage email marketing, social media, and on-site banners to ensure maximum visibility for your campaign.
6. Hidden Costs for Customers
Unexpected fees (like shipping charges for free gifts) can turn excitement into frustration. Always clarify whether shipping is included or if additional costs apply.
7. No Urgency or Scarcity
Without a deadline or limited stock, customers may delay purchasing. Create urgency with countdown timers or “limited quantity” alerts to encourage faster conversions.
8. Technical Glitches
Broken discount codes or gift rules can ruin the customer experience. Test your campaign thoroughly before launch and use reliable WooCommerce plugins to automate the process.
9. Failing to Track Results
If you don’t measure performance, you won’t know what worked. Use analytics tools to track sales impact, customer engagement, and ROI for future improvements.
10. Ignoring Post-Campaign Follow-Up
A successful campaign shouldn’t end at checkout. Follow up with customers who redeemed gifts—ask for reviews, offer loyalty rewards, or retarget them with related promotions.
Conclusion
Running irresistible promotions is key to increasing conversions, average order value (AOV), and customer loyalty. WooCommerce discount campaigns with gifts—like percentage discounts, BOGO deals, and free shipping—are proven to drive more sales. But to maximize results, automation is essential!Using Free Gifts for WooCommerce plugin automates promotions like BOGO deals, free shipping thresholds, and limited-time offers—saving you time while increasing conversions and average order value.
