Offering a free gift in your Shopify store not only boosts conversions but also improves the customer experience and strengthens loyalty. However, it’s not just about adding something “free” to the cart; the key is to choose a strategic product that feels valuable but won’t compromise your margins.
If you’re not sure how to set up this type of promotion, we recommend reading our article How to Automatically Create a Free Gift in Shopify, where we explain step by step how to do it with Planet. Once you master the technical side, this article will help you choose what product to offer based on your niche, goals, and available inventory.
What Makes a Free Gift Appealing?
Not all gifts are created equal. A good free gift isn’t just something you have sitting around in storage, it’s something that adds value and connects with your customer. To be effective, it should meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Have a high perceived value, even if the cost is low.
- Be aligned with the customer’s interests or the product purchased.
- Encourage the customer to come back and shop again.
- Help clear out slow-moving inventory.
- Promote the discovery of a new product or collection.
Additionally, a well-chosen gift strengthens your brand identity and leaves a positive impression after purchase.
What Type of Product to Offer According to Your Industry
Here are practical, sector-specific ideas you can use as free gifts without compromising your profit margins:
Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Minis or samples of new products.
- Reusable accessories (like sponges, facial brushes, or cloth pouches).
- Travel packs with mini-sized items.
- Printed or downloadable guides with personalized routines.
Tip: Use the gift to introduce upcoming launches or highlight lesser-known product lines.
Fashion & Accessories
- Small accessories (socks, scrunchies, tote bags).
- Low-cost jewelry (simple bracelets, necklaces, adjustable rings).
- Stickers, embroidered patches, or pins for customizing clothes.
- Seasonal gifts (beanies, scarves, keychains).
Tip: Offer gifts that encourage cross-sells, like a scrunchie with the purchase of a blouse or dress.
Home & Decor
- Small candles, air fresheners, or diffusers.
- Fragrance samples.
- Functional accessories: coasters, mini planters, decorative magnets.
- Illustrated postcards or printable art.
Tip: Include items from past collections that still match your store’s aesthetic.
Food & Gourmet
- Mini snacks, artisanal chocolates, single-serve coffees or teas.
- Samples of new flavors or upcoming products.
- Printable or downloadable recipe books.
- Small utensils: coffee spoons, openers, measuring tools.
Tip: Use the free gift to showcase your ingredients’ quality or gourmet offerings.
Electronics & Gadgets
- Basic cases, cables, or stands.
- Screen cleaners or microfiber cloths.
- Themed stickers or branded accessories.
Tip: Make sure the gift is universal or compatible with most devices.
Universal Gifts (Work Across Many Niches)
- Discount cards for future purchases.
- Branded merchandise: keychains, pens, notebooks.
- Stickers, downloadable eBooks, and exclusive content.
- Samples of digital products, like templates or temporary access to courses.
Tip: Create limited editions with exclusive branding to boost appeal.
Tips for Choosing the Ideal Free Gift
A well-thought-out free gift can improve conversions and build loyalty. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
- Catalog alignment: The gift should make sense in the overall shopping experience. Accessories or add-ons to the main product tend to work best.
- Impact on margin: Make sure the cost of the gift is offset by a higher average order value or perceived value.
- Clear conditions: Define a strategic action (e.g., gift with orders over €50, or gift with purchase of two items from the same collection).
- Store visibility: Use banners, pop-ups, or custom widgets to promote the offer and increase effectiveness. With Planet, you can customize these elements and display them exactly where the customer needs them.
Use Planet to Set Up Your Free Gift in Shopify
With Planet, you can offer automatic free gifts without requiring the customer to enter a code. You just need to define the conditions (minimum spend, items in cart, etc.).
Plus:
- You can customize widgets to showcase the promotion attractively on the product page.
- You can combine this strategy with other types of discounts, like bundles or quantity breaks, and create a more dynamic and profitable shopping experience.
A free gift isn’t just an extra: it’s a powerful tool to stand out from the competition, increase average order value, and create a memorable experience. Choosing the right product aligned with your goals and margins is key to making this strategy work.
Start surprising your customers with automatic gifts today. Launch your first promotion in minutes with Planet and make every purchase unforgettable.