How To Offer Free Products With BOGO Coupons in WooCommerce?

Running an online store comes with the constant challenge of finding innovative ways to attract and retain customers. One of the most effective marketing strategies in the eCommerce world is the “Buy One, Get One” (BOGO) offer.

BOGO promotions not only incentivize purchases but also enhance customer satisfaction by providing additional value. With WooCommerce, one of the most popular eCommerce platforms for WordPress, setting up BOGO coupons is straightforward and can significantly boost your sales.

In this guide, we’ll explore the step-by-step process of offering free products using WooCommerce BOGO coupons.

Whether you’re aiming to clear out old inventory, introduce new products, or simply reward your loyal customers, WooCommerce’s robust coupon system makes it easy to create compelling offers that drive engagement and conversions.

By the end of this tutorial, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to implement effective BOGO deals that can help you achieve your business goals and keep your customers coming back for more.

Why Are BOGO More Popular Than ‘Half-Off’ Discounts?

BOGO (Buy One, Get One) offers are a popular marketing strategy for retailers, and they often outperform traditional “half-off” discounts. The appeal of BOGO deals can be attributed to several psychological and practical factors that resonate with consumers. Let’s delve into why BOGO-free products tend to be more popular than “half-off” discounts, supported by some examples.

Perceived Value

BOGO offers create a sense of greater value. Consumers often perceive getting an additional product for free as a better deal than receiving a discount, even if the monetary savings are identical. This perception is rooted in the idea of getting more tangible benefits for their money.

Example: A customer buys a $50 sweater. With a “half-off” discount, they pay $25. With a BOGO offer, they pay $50 but receive two sweaters. Despite the total monetary value being the same, the latter feels like a better deal because they receive an additional item.

Encouraging Higher Spend

BOGO deals encourage customers to purchase more, increasing the average transaction value. When customers are incentivized to buy more to receive the free product, they are likely to spend more than they initially intended.

Example: A bookstore offers a BOGO deal on novels. A customer who planned to buy one book for $15 might end up purchasing two to take advantage of the offer, spending $30 instead of just $15.

Inventory Management

Retailers often use BOGO offers to manage inventory effectively. By pairing slow-moving items with popular products, stores can clear out old stock while maintaining customer satisfaction.

Example: A shoe store has excess stock of last season’s sneakers. By offering a BOGO deal, customers buy a pair of new arrivals and get the older pair for free, helping the store reduce surplus inventory.

Immediate Gratification

BOGO deals provide immediate gratification, a powerful motivator in consumer behavior. Receiving an additional item instantly feels more rewarding than a discount, which might be perceived as less substantial.

Example: A beauty store offers a BOGO deal on skincare products. Customers receive an additional moisturizer immediately, which feels more satisfying than saving an equivalent amount on a single item.

Creating Urgency

BOGO promotions often create a sense of urgency, prompting quicker purchasing decisions. The fear of missing out on a deal can drive consumers to act faster than they would for a simple discount.

Example: An electronics store runs a limited-time BOGO offer on headphones. Customers rush to take advantage of the deal, worried they might miss out if they wait too long.

Why Should You Offer Free Products With BOGO Deals?

Running a successful eCommerce business involves more than just listing products and waiting for sales. Effective marketing strategies are crucial for driving traffic, increasing conversions, and fostering customer loyalty. One powerful strategy you can implement in your WooCommerce store is offering BOGO (Buy One, Get One) deals. Here’s why you should consider offering free products with WooCommerce BOGO deals:

• Increase Sales and Average Order Value: BOGO deals encourage customers to purchase more than they initially planned. When shoppers see an opportunity to get a free product, they are more likely to add additional items to their cart, thus increasing your average order value (AOV).
• Clear Out Old Inventory: BOGO deals are an excellent way to clear out old or excess inventory. By pairing slow-moving products with popular ones, you can efficiently manage your stock and make room for new arrivals.
• Attract New Customers: BOGO offers are attractive and can draw new customers to your store. Shoppers love getting extra value for their money, and a well-promoted BOGO deal can be a powerful incentive for first-time buyers.
• Enhance Customer Loyalty: Offering free products through BOGO deals can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty. When customers feel they are getting more for their money, they are more likely to return to your store for future purchases.
• Create a Sense of Urgency: BOGO deals often create a sense of urgency, motivating customers to act quickly to take advantage of the offer. This can lead to a significant boost in sales within a short period.
• Stand Out from Competitors: In a crowded eCommerce market, BOGO deals can help your store stand out. Unique and attractive promotions set you apart from competitors and make your store more memorable to potential customers.
• Drive Traffic and Boost Marketing Efforts: BOGO deals are highly shareable and can drive traffic to your site. Satisfied customers are likely to share their positive experiences on social media, amplifying your marketing efforts and attracting even more potential buyers.

How to Set Up BOGO Coupons

Using the Smart Coupons for WooCommerce plugin, you can easily configure WooCommerce BOGO (Buy One Get One) coupons. Let’s walk through the steps to set up these coupons and associate free products with them.

Creating a BOGO Coupon

• Install the Plugin: In your WordPress admin console, install and activate the Hexcoupon plugin.
• Navigate to Coupons: Go to Hexcoupon > Coupon.

• Add a New Coupon: Click on “Add coupon”.

• Fill in Coupon Details: Enter the necessary fields including the coupon code and description.
• Set Discount Type: In the General tab of the Coupon data widget, select the Discount type as BOGO (Buy X Get X/Y) offer.

• Configure Settings: Adjust other settings as needed.
• Publish the Coupon: Save your configurations and make the coupon public by clicking “Publish”.

Configuring the ‘Buy’ Part of BOGO

• Buy Two/Three/More: Specify the minimum quantity under Usage restrictions > Minimum quantity of matching products.
• Minimum Spend: Set the required minimum spend amount under Usage restrictions > Minimum spend.

• Specific Item Purchase: Select the qualifying product under the Products field in Usage restrictions.

Setting Up Free Products For BOGO Deals

• Specific Product: Offer a specific product as a free item. This is useful for giving out samples or clearing old stock. When applied, the cart will show the selected item at a 100% discount.
• Product from a Specific Category: Allow customers to choose any product from a specified category as a free item. Enable the option to convert the cheapest item in the cart into a free giveaway. For example, customers can add any product from the Clothing category to their cart at no cost.
• Any Product in the Store: Let customers choose any product in the store as a free gift for purchasing another item. To avoid misuse (e.g., a $10 purchase qualifying for a $100 free item), set a minimum purchase amount. Enable the option to convert the cheapest product in the cart as the giveaway.
• Same Product in the Cart: Configure the coupon to add the same product currently in the cart as the free item. This is similar to a “Get 2 for the price of 1” deal but with the added appeal of a BOGO offer. Alternatively, you can set the cheapest product in the cart as the giveaway to manage your promotions budget more effectively.

Conclusion

Giving away free products is a surefire way to win over customers. Free gifts significantly enhance the relationship between your store and its patrons. Setting up WooCommerce BOGO free products is straightforward and doesn’t require any technical know-how.

Moreover, creating and offering such coupons is beneficial. So, don’t hesitate any longer. It’s time to purchase the plugin and get started.

You can also use the free version of the WooCommerce Smart Coupons plugin to offer free products with WooCommerce BOGO coupons. However, the free version includes only basic features. Thus, you may not access all the features discussed here. Nevertheless, you will still benefit from limited features and functionalities.

We hope you found this article helpful. Please share your thoughts in the comments.