How to set up Shopify Buy 2 get 1 free automatic discount? 2 simple way
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As a Shopify merchant, what do you have in mind for your upcoming promotional campaign?
Activating Shopify buy 2 get 1 free can effectively increase sales and encourage buyers to purchase more. It is one of the common approaches from the buy X get Y Shopify model.
Such discounts give people the impression that they will receive more value for a lower price.
If you want to know more about crafting and managing these deals, this article is for you. It also suggests an advanced app for setting up complex discounts in addition to using Shopify’s internal functionalities.
Let’s dive in!
1. Types of Shopify Buy 2 Get 1 Free
There are 2 common types of Shopify options for this promotion:
Buy 2 the same products and get 1 free gift
This offer entices customers to buy multiples of the same product to earn a free gift. It is ideal for promoting specific items or clearing out inventory.
Implementation steps
Product setup: Make sure the products you want to include in the deal are listed in your store.
Create a discount rule: Set an automatic rule that allows buyers to receive a free gift when they add 2 of the same products to the cart.
Example: Buy 2 T-shirts with the same SKU (stock-keeping unit) and get a free hat.
Buy 2 different products and get 1 free gift
This option encourages buyers to purchase various products to receive a free gift. You can use this deal to boost the average order value and promote new products.
Implementation steps
Product setup: List the items for which you want to be eligible for the promotion.
Create a discount rule: Set an automatic rule that allows buyers to receive a free gift when they add 2 different products to the cart.
Example: Buy any 2 different beauty goods and get a free lip balm.
Read more: How Do You Create an Auto-add Shopify Free Gift With a Purchase?
2. How to Create A Shopify Buy 2 Get 1 Free Promotion Using Shopify Built-in Features?
Merchants can use Shopify’s internal features to create a Shopify buy 2 get 1 free deal. However, note that its default functionality will be somewhat limited when creating complex promotions.
Here is the detailed process:
Step 1: Log into your Shopify Admin > Click Discounts on the left-side menu.
Step 2: Click Create discount > Select Buy X get Y.
Set up the buy X get Y discount:
- Discount code: Enter a unique code that customers use at checkout.
- Customer buys: Set the quantity to 2. Choose specific products that customers must buy for the promotion to apply.
- Customer gets: Set the quantity to 1. Select the item(s) that will be given for free. This can be a different or the same product. Decide on whether it applies to a different specific product or the same item as bought.
Step 3: Select additional options
- Maximum uses per order > Set this to 1 if you want this deal to apply once per order.
- Customer eligibility: All customers, specific customer segments, or specific customers.
- Usage limits: It is optional to limit the number of times your discount can be used per customer or in total.
Step 4: Save the discount
- Active dates: Set the start and end dates for your offer if it is time-limited.
Review all settings to ensure they are correct. Click Save.
As mentioned above, Shopify does not have rules for differentiating the 2 types of promotions (for the same or different products). This may fail to fulfill your purpose of setting up 2 separate deals. That is why you should use a Shopify app to create this buy two get one offer.
3. Creating Shopify Buy 2 Get 1 Free Promotion Using Shopify Apps
BOGOS Free Gift app is a widely trusted Bogo Shopify app that creates discount deals and free gifts.
It is designed to help merchants set up enticing promotions that increase their store revenue and enhance customer experience.
If you are not yet satisfied with Shopify’s native features, BOGOS is the ideal choice to generate and manage a buy 2 get 1 free offer. The platform allows you to customize complex gift conditions for more powerful campaigns.
BOGOS has some highlight features that can do merchants a great favor:
- Create and run multiple offers simultaneously: buy one, get one, tiered value offers, gift with purchase, and free or discounted gifts.
- Reward unique gifts for specific customer segments to gain better retention and satisfaction.
- Built-in integrations for cart drawers, translate apps, themes, subscriptions, and more.
Shopify rating: 4.9/5
Customer support: Documentation, FAQs, live chat, email, video call
Pricing: $23.99 – $79.99 per month
7 Days free trial
The following instructions will guide you to set up this promotion from scratch using BOGOS Free Gift app:
Step 1: Log into your “BOGOS dashboard” > Click “Create promotion”
Step 2: Set “promotion details”
- Type: Choose Buy X get Y.
- Name: Use a descriptive name, such as “Buy 2 get 1 free gift”.
- Duration: Set a specific “start and end time”.
Step 3: Define the “discount conditions”
Click Add Main Conditions.
If you want to create a Buy 2 same-products and get 1 free gift deal, Select a “Specific product selection.” The number of products required should be 2.
If you want to create a Buy 2 different products and get 1 free gift deal > Select “Pack of products condition.” Click “Select Products”, then choose the items your buyer must purchase to receive a gift.
Step 4: Select gifts
Choose the “Gift discount type” as a 100% discount, with 1 gift for the customer. Finally, select one product as a gift.
4. Why Should You Use A Discount App Instead Of Shopify Account?
We all agree that Shopify’s native features are helpful, but business owners should use a Shopify discount app like BOGOS Free Gift to configure a Shopify buy 2 get 1 free deal.
Here is how the app can maximize your efforts:
Ease of use
- User-friendly interface:
BOGOS and other Shopify apps are designed to help merchants build promotional campaigns. It features a more user-friendly interface for creating and monitoring discounts.
- Quick and simple implementation:
If you want to streamline the setup process, an app can save time and reduce possible errors.
Advanced features with flexibility
- Create complex promotions:
This is obviously the most noticeable advantage of a discount app over Shopify’s internal tools. Shopify can only provide basic discount options that may not match your needs.
For example, an app allows you to choose between buying the 2 same or different products so that customers can receive a free gift.
- Stacking and combining discounts:
Shopify’s built-in functionality does not support stacking or combining discounts. So, you should use an app to set up more flexible and attractive promotions.
- Automated discounts:
You can choose automatic discounts with a Shopify app.
The platform automatically applies deals based on specific conditions, such as order value or customer behavior. No need to require your buyers to enter a discount code.
Increase sales and customer engagement.
- Customized promotions:
Most apps allow you to create personalized promotions based on customer segments or specific product combinations. This helps increase customer engagement and the conversion rate.
- A/B testing:
Some apps enable A/B testing of different offers. From there, you can experiment and decide which type of deals yield the best results.
Better management and reporting
- Comprehensive analytics:
Apps like BOGOS include detailed analytics and tracking tools, along with reports of your promotion performance. This gives you insights into what works best for your brand.
- Inventory management:
Regarding inventory management, a Shopify app often integrates with such systems to monitor your stock during promotions. Thus, it helps prevent overselling and stock shortage.
5. Tips To Choose A Suitable App For Your Store
If you know how to choose the right app for Shopify buy 2 get 1 free promotion, it will integrate seamlessly with your workflow.
Try these tips to find software that helps grow your store:
Define your requirements
Ensure the app allows you to create Shopify buy 2 get 1 deal with complex conditions. Remember that you aim to offer 2 different promotion types, including buying 2 of the same and various products to get 1 free gift.
Plus, check if the app lets you apply the discount to specific items, a collection, or the entire shop.
User-friendly interface
Look for a Shopify app with a user-friendly interface and a straightforward setup process. You shouldn’t have to spend too much time learning about the system.
Moreover, it should include easy-to-navigate customization options. From there, you can easily configure promotional details like conditions and rules.
Integration and compatibility
Needless to say, the app must integrate smoothly with your Shopify store and not conflict with existing features or other apps.
Another thing is theme compatibility. This app should work well with your shop’s theme and does not disrupt user experience or the design.
Advanced features
Some advanced functionalities you should look for in a discount app are automatic discount application, stacking and combining discounts, etc.
These options can enhance your customer experience and entice them to purchase more, leading to higher order values.
It is a bonus if the app integrates with inventory management systems.
Reporting and analytics
Of course, your app should enable comprehensive analytics and reporting to track how your deals perform. It should also offer insights into promotion effectiveness and customer behavior.
Customer support
Most Shopify apps come with dedicated customer support, but you must determine the level of support your shop requires.
Normally, you will have access to their documentation, tutorials, and FAQs. Premium software may offer video calls and live chat to resolve issues more quickly and effectively.
Trial period and pricing
Opt for apps with a free trial period if you are at the beginner level. Always test their compatibility with your store and crucial features before committing.
Make sure you review the pricing plans of different apps. Consider whether the app fits your budget and provides good value for the cost.
Review and ratings
Reading reviews from other store owners can help you understand their experiences with the software.
Look for apps with positive feedback and high ratings, too. The better these indicators are, the more reliable this option is.
6. Conclusion
With its built-in tools, creating a Shopify buy 2 get 1 free promotion is fairly simple. However, brand owners cannot apply complex discount rules, especially when separating between buying the same two or different products to get one gift.
A discount app like BOGOS Free Gift app can offer more flexibility with advanced features. Better user experience is your key to enhancing promotional strategies and gaining recognizable results.
If you want to set up diverse Shopify promotions, consider investing in a third-party app as suggested. You will be amazed by how it can scale your store growth with more sales and happy customers.