Smart Bundling: How to Increase AOV Without Killing UX

What if you could increase your Shopify store’s average order value (AOV) without adding a single extra visitor? Sounds ideal, right? According to Shopify, merchants who use product bundles see up to a 20% boost in AOV. But there’s a catch: if not done right, bundling can clutter your store, confuse users, and tank your conversion rate.

I’ve seen too many brands chase AOV while sacrificing the one thing that matters most – user experience. The good news? You don’t have to choose one over the other. Smart product bundling on Shopify lets you lift AOV and keep the UX clean, fast, and frictionless. Let’s break down how.

The Problem With Most Bundling Strategies

Product bundles often look like this: a static box slapped under the product description with a list of “You might also like” items. No context, no strategy, and no logic tied to user intent. The result? Confusion. Friction. Drop-offs.

Even worse, many bundles force users to navigate away from their main purchase intent, creating unnecessary steps and slowing down the checkout process. That’s where most bundling strategies fail.

Bundling shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be intentional, personalized, and aligned with how your customers actually shop.

What is Smart Bundling?

Smart bundling isn’t just about grouping products. It’s about:

• Contextual recommendations based on what the customer is viewing
• Dynamic pricing (like discounted bundles or BOGO)
• Pre-selected add-ons that don’t overwhelm the shopper
• Bundles that live natively on the product or cart page without disrupting the UX

It’s also about understanding behavioral patterns. Are customers buying product A and B together frequently? Great – make that a default combo. Are there seasonal or trend-based pairings? Surface those dynamically.

Where to Place Bundles for Maximum Impact

Placement is everything. Here’s where bundling actually works on Shopify:

1. Product Page Add-ons: Let customers add complementary items (like cables, accessories, or extended warranties) without leaving the product page. Keep it lightweight and optional.
2. Cart-Level Upsells: Trigger a bundle suggestion once the cart hits a threshold (e.g., “Add X for 20% off the full bundle”). This is a great place to increase AOV without hurting the pre-checkout flow.
3. Post-Purchase Offers: After checkout, use one-click upsells to suggest smart bundles based on what they just bought. This avoids interrupting the main journey but still boosts total revenue.
4. Email & Retargeting Bundles: Use past purchase data to suggest bundles via Klaviyo flows or dynamic Facebook ads. This keeps bundling personal and relevant.

Real-World Example: DTC Skincare Brand

One Shopify Plus brand we worked with sold skincare kits. Before bundling, the average customer bought 1–2 items. We analyzed the most common product combos and turned them into ready-made bundles, “Morning Essentials,” “Night Repair Kit,” etc. – with a 10% discount baked in.

The key? We embedded these as modular sections on the PDP, styled cleanly to match the brand’s visual identity. No popups, no distractions.

Result: AOV jumped by 22% in three weeks, and bounce rate decreased on key pages.

Real-World Example: Home Gym Equipment Store

Another merchant sold home workout gear. Instead of pushing bundles across the board, we set up a bundling logic:

If a shopper adds a kettlebell, suggest a workout mat and training program at checkout.

If they view a barbell set, highlight the discounted “Starter Pack.”

We kept the UX clean with collapsible bundle sections and inline visuals.

Result: Checkout abandonment dropped by 18%, and bundle conversion rate hit 35%.

How to Create Smart Bundles on Shopify

There are multiple ways to implement smart bundling without sacrificing your store’s performance:

• Native Shopify Bundles App: Great for quick setups. Limited in dynamic logic, but clean and simple.
• Custom Scripts (Shopify Plus): Create personalized logic for bundles based on cart content or browsing behavior.
• Apps like Bundle Builder, PickyStory, or Rebuy: These allow for advanced rules, AI-driven suggestions, and customizable placements.

Whichever route you go, make sure your bundles:

• Load quickly (no heavy popups)
• Are mobile-first
• Don’t interrupt the main conversion path

Targeting the Right Shoppers, Without More Traffic

This is where bundling gets exciting. Instead of acquiring more visitors, use existing ones better.

Segment customers by:

• Purchase behavior: Bundle based on frequent combinations
• Device type: Mobile users might prefer simpler bundles
• Location: Localized bundles or seasonal relevance
• Cart value: Offer bundle incentives only to high-intent shoppers

With tools like Shopify Flow or Klaviyo, you can automate these triggers based on behavior without lifting your ad budget.

Bundling Without Breaking UX: Key Principles

Let’s be clear – bad bundling kills conversion. Here’s how to avoid that:

• Don’t overstack: Two to three items max. Any more feels overwhelming.
• Visual hierarchy matters: Make bundles feel like a natural part of the product or cart page.
• Let users customize: Preselect options but allow edits. Give control.
• Use clean labels: “Complete Your Set” feels better than “Bundle Discount.”
• Track performance: Always A/B test placement, copy, and bundle types.

Smart bundling should feel like a service, not a sales trick.

Final Takeaway

Smart product bundling on Shopify isn’t about packing as many SKUs as possible into one offer. It’s about strategically enhancing value without creating friction. By using the right apps, optimizing placement, and keeping your UX clean, you can increase AOV and keep conversion rates high – without needing more traffic.

Want to unlock higher AOV without compromising user experience? Frontlevels, can help you design, implement, and optimize product bundles that drive real results. Let’s get started!