How to Set Up BOGO Offers in Shopify?

Running a successful e-Commerce store means constantly finding new ways to boost sales and keep customers coming back. One of the most effective promotion strategies that never goes out of style is the classic Buy One Get One offer. These deals are customer favorites because they provide clear, tangible value – who doesn't love getting something extra?

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about setting up these powerful promotions on your Shopify store.

What Are BOGO Offers?

BOGO offers (short for Buy One Get One) are promotional deals where customers purchase one item and receive another item either free or at a discounted price. These promotions create a sense of urgency and value that's hard to resist.

If we put simply, the psychology behind BOGO is that customers think they're getting something for nothing, even though the cost is typically built into the pricing strategy.

These offers work particularly well for clearing inventory, introducing new products, or simply boosting your overall Average Order Value (AOV).

Types of BOGO Offers You Can Run on Shopify

Not all BOGO offers are created equal. Understanding the different types will help you choose the right promotion for your specific business goals:

1. Classic Buy One Get One Free: The traditional offer where customers buy one product and get an identical one at no additional cost. This works best for products with high margins or items you need to move quickly. This strategy works particularly well for consumable products where repeat purchases are common.

2. Buy One Get One at a Discount: A variation where the second item comes at 50%, 25%, or another percentage off. This provides flexibility while still offering value.

3. Buy X Get Y Free: Purchase one product and receive a different complementary product for free. This is perfect for introducing customers to new product lines or complementary items. For example, a skincare brand might offer a free cleanser with the purchase of their premium moisturizer.

4. Buy X Get Y at a Discount: Similar to above, but the complementary product comes at a reduced price instead of free. This approach maintains perceived value while protecting your margins.

How to Create Buy 1 Get 1 Free Bundles on Shopify?

There are two ways to set up a Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotion on Shopify:

Method 1: Using Shopify's Built-in Discount Features

Shopify's native discount system can handle basic BOGO offers, though with some limitations:

1. Go to your Shopify admin panel and select "Discounts"

2. Click "Create discount" and select "Buy X get Y"

3. Set your customer requirements (e.g., buy 1 item from a specific collection)

4. Configure your customer entitlement (e.g., get 1 item free from the same collection)

5. Set your discount value (100% for free items)

6. Add a discount code if desired and set usage limits

7. Set your active dates and save

The native approach works in a pinch, but it lacks flexibility for more sophisticated promotions. For instance, you can't easily set up product bundles like tiered BOGOs or mix-and-match across collections without complex workarounds.

Method 2: Using a Dedicated App Like MBC Bundles

For more flexibility and powerful BOGO capabilities, a specialized app like MBC Bundles offers significant advantages:

1. Install MBC Bundles from the Shopify App Store

2. Navigate to the "Promotions" section within the app

3. Select "Create New Promotion" and choose "BOGO" from the template options

4. Configure your trigger products (what customers need to buy)

5. Set up your offer products (what customers will get free or discounted)

6. Customize the display of your offer on product pages, cart, and checkout

7. Set your promotion schedule and activation rules

8. Save and publish your offer

👉 Read our help center article: step-by-step guide on how to create BOGO bundle widgets on your Shopify store.

BOGO Strategies to Boost Sales

Once you've mastered the basics, consider these advanced BOGO strategies that we've seen drive exceptional results:

Tiered BOGO Offers: "Buy 1 Get 1 50% off, Buy 2 Get 2 Free" - This encourages larger purchases while providing escalating value.

Limited-Time Flash BOGOs: Create urgency by running short-duration BOGO offers (24-48 hours). Promote these through email and social media to drive immediate traffic.

Category-Specific BOGOs: Rather than applying BOGO to your entire catalog, focus on specific categories. This allows you to move inventory strategically while maintaining margins on your bestsellers.

Post-Purchase BOGOs: Implement thank you page offers that present a BOGO deal immediately after checkout. This capitalizes on the purchasing momentum and can increase repeat purchase rates.

Loyalty-Tied BOGOs: Offer exclusive BOGO deals to your loyalty program members or email subscribers. This rewards your best customers while encouraging program sign-ups.

How to Run BOGO Bundles Successfully?

Creating the technical setup is only half the battle. To run a truly successful BOGO sale, you need to consider several strategic elements.

Group products for BOGO strategically

Before grouping items, use product affinity analysis to group items customers already buy together. Start with order history and “frequently bought together” reports. Test your pairs on product pages to confirm lift and avoid hurting full-price sales.

Time BOGO promotions strategically

Schedule your BOGO promotions during peak shopping periods or during traditionally slower seasons to boost sales. Running BOGO promotions during the first two weeks of a typically slow month can help maintain consistent revenue throughout the year.

Communicate the offer clearly

Make sure your offer is crystal clear to customers. Use banner images, pop-ups, and product page notifications to highlight the promotion. Ambiguous offers lead to confusion and abandoned carts.

Set proper expectations

Clearly communicate any restrictions or limitations. If certain products are excluded or if there's a minimum purchase requirement, make that information easily accessible.

Track BOGO performance

Use product bundle metrics to monitor how your BOGO offer is performing. Look at metrics like conversion rate, AOV, and total revenue to gauge success. One client discovered through tracking that their BOGO promotion was most effective when featured on product pages rather than just at checkout.

Calculate profitability before launch

Before launching any BOGO promotion, carefully calculate the impact on your profit margins. Not all products are suitable for BOGO offers – focus on items with healthy margins or slow-moving inventory you need to clear.

👉 Further reading: Product Bundle Pricing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximize Profit Margins

This article was created with assistance from vevy.ai and proofread, fact-checked, and validated by its author.