Increase AOV with Product Bundles in Magento 2

Have you ever wondered how some stores seem to effortlessly increase their sales without having to launch massive ad campaigns or draw in new customers? The answer could be simpler than you think: product bundles. When done right, bundling can increase the average amount spent per transaction while offering your customers a curated shopping experience. Thanks to the robust features of Magento 2, creating these bundles is easier than ever.

Understanding Average Order Value (AOV)

Before we get into the specifics of product bundles, let us first understand what Average Order Value (AOV) is and why it matters. AOV is the average amount a customer spends per transaction on your online store. It is a key performance indicator (KPI) that reflects the effectiveness of your pricing and sales strategies.

Increasing AOV is important because it allows you to make more revenue without increasing your traffic. Instead of focusing solely on acquiring new customers, increasing the amount of money each customer spends during their visit can lead to significant growth.

What Are Product Bundles in Magento 2?

Product bundles in Magento 2 are a strategic way of grouping several related items together and offering them for sale as a single package. The idea is to entice customers with a special deal, where they receive a set of products at a lower price than they would pay if each item were bought individually. This approach increases the perceived value of the purchase while making the shopping experience more convenient.

For example, if you sell a fitness watch, you could create a bundle that includes the watch, a set of interchangeable straps, a charger, and a protective case, all offered at a discounted rate. This package not only attracts customers who are looking for a complete solution but also boosts sales by offering a compelling value proposition. By bundling related items together, you're increasing the likelihood of upselling and enhancing the average order value (AOV) as well.

Why Product Bundles Work to Increase AOV?

There are several reasons why product bundles can increase your AOV:

  • Perceived Value and Discounts: When customers see a bundle with products they would typically buy individually and notice a discount, it creates a sense of value. Offering a discount for purchasing multiple items encourages customers to spend more to save more. For example, offering a camera and an accessory bundle for $200 (where the products would normally cost $250 if bought separately) not only increases the perceived value but also gives customers an incentive to purchase more than they initially planned.
  • Cross-Selling and Upselling: Bundling allows you to cross-sell and upsell products naturally. For instance, bundling a smartphone with a case and charger encourages customers to purchase accessories they might not have considered initially. These bundles are tailored to meet specific customer needs, which makes them more likely to buy.
  • Enhanced Customer Experience: Bundling products offer convenience to customers who are looking for a one-stop solution. By curating products that go well together, you’re not just pushing sales; you’re also making it easier for customers to find related products they need, thus enhancing their shopping experience.
  • Increasing Average Cart Value: Bundles directly influence the AOV because they encourage customers to buy more than they originally intended. The higher the number of products in a bundle, the more customers are likely to spend in total.
  • Clearance and Inventory Management: Product bundles are an excellent way to clear out slow-moving inventory. By grouping these products with bestsellers or more popular items, you can ensure that they still get sold, which reduces overstock costs and keeps your inventory fresh.

How to Create Effective Product Bundles in Magento 2?

Step 1. Choose Products That Complement Each Other

Before setting up your bundle, it’s important to identify products that naturally pair together. Bundles work best when the items make sense as a set. Consider the following examples:

  • A home gym bundle with dumbbells, a resistance band, and a yoga mat.
  • A tech bundle that includes a smartphone, charger, and headphones.
  • A skincare bundle featuring a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer.

Step 2. Set Up Product Bundles in Magento 2

Once you have identified the right products for your bundle, it’s time to create the bundle in Magento 2. Follow these steps:

  1. Log into your Magento 2 Admin Panel, go to Catalog, and click Products.
  2. Click on Add Product and select Bundle Product from the available options. This option allows you to group products together.
  3. Enter the necessary details like product name, description, SKU, and other relevant fields. Make sure to highlight the value of the bundle in the description.
  4. Choose the individual items you want to include in the bundle. You can allow customers to customize their bundle by selecting variations of certain items or let them choose between different options.
  5. Magento 2 allows you to set a Fixed Price or Dynamic Pricing for bundles. With fixed pricing, you define the total price for the bundle, whereas dynamic pricing adjusts the price based on the selected items within the bundle.
  6. If you have specific stock levels for the bundle, make sure to update the inventory. Bundles can be either single-stock or tied to the inventory of the individual products inside the bundle.

Step 3. Create Discounts or Promotional Offers

Discounts play a crucial role in making bundles more attractive. Offering a slight discount when products are purchased together can significantly impact purchasing decisions. For example, if a bundle costs $200 when purchased individually, you can offer it for $180 in the bundle, enticing customers to buy more.

Magento 2 enables you to apply discounts to specific bundles, either by percentage or fixed amount, and you can combine bundles with other promotions, like free shipping or volume discounts.

How to Drive Sales by Marketing Product Bundles?

Creating a bundle is only half the battle; promoting it effectively is equally important. Here are some marketing strategies to help your product bundles stand out:

  • Feature Bundles on Your Homepage: Prominently display your bundles on the homepage or create dedicated landing pages for them. This way, customers can easily see the best offers and take advantage of them before browsing your catalog.
  • Email Marketing Campaigns: Send targeted emails to your existing customers, offering them bundles based on their previous purchases or browsing history. 
  • Upsell Bundles During the Checkout Process: Magento 2 provides the flexibility to display product bundles during checkout as upsells. When a customer is about to make a purchase, show them relevant bundles that complement their cart items. A simple “Complete your purchase with a bundle” message can increase your AOV significantly.
  • Run Limited-Time Promotions: Create urgency by running time-limited promotions or seasonal offers. This could include flash sales, holiday discounts, or "bundle of the week" offers that encourage customers to buy bundles before they expire.

Tracking Bundle Performance and Optimizing Sales

Once your bundles are live, monitoring their performance is essential to see how well they drive sales. Magento 2's built-in analytics and reporting tools allow you to track metrics such as:

  • Sales Performance: Which bundles are generating the most revenue?
  • Conversion Rate: How many people view the bundle pages and complete the purchase?
  • Customer Engagement: Are customers interacting with and purchasing your bundles?

By analyzing these insights, you can make data-driven adjustments to your bundles. If a bundle is underperforming, consider revising the items included, adjusting the price, or tweaking the promotional strategy.

Final Words

At the end of the day, product bundles are about more than just pushing more products in front of your customers; they’re about making their shopping experience smoother, easier, and more rewarding. Magento 2 gives you the tools to create bundles that cater to customer needs while increasing your revenue. The key is to get creative, test different approaches, and keep optimizing for what works best.