How to Add Free Gift with Purchase on Shopify: 3 Proven Methods [2025 Guide]

Adding a free gift with purchase is one of the smartest ways to boost your sales and win over new customers on Shopify. Store owners who use this strategy can increase average order values, build loyalty, and give shoppers an extra reason to buy. The best part? You don’t need to be a developer or spend a fortune to get started.

If you’ve ever wondered how to add free gift with purchase on Shopify, you’ll find three effective options in this guide, no guesswork, just clear steps. Whether you want an app-powered approach, prefer built-in Shopify tools, or need a flexible code-based method, you’ll see how each solution fits different needs. You’ll also discover convenient resources like the Shopify Gift with Purchase Section if you want to streamline the process without adding another app.

By the end of this post, you’ll have everything you need to launch your own free gift campaign, and start seeing results fast. For a detailed step-by-step tutorial watch the video below.

Why You Should Add a Free Gift with Purchase on Shopify

Offering a free gift with purchase isn’t just a “nice to have”, it’s a move that can immediately influence shopping behavior. For Shopify store owners looking for ways to boost sales, build brand loyalty and chance of repeat sales with customers, this approach stands out. Before you pick a method for how to add free gift with purchase on Shopify, it’s smart to understand why this simple tweak works so well.

Increases Average Order Value

When shoppers know they can unlock something extra by spending just a bit more, they’ll often add one more item to their cart. This drives up your average order size without any added pressure. It’s the classic “Spend $50, get a bonus” offer. Over time, even small bumps in average order value can have a big impact on revenue.

Boosts Customer Loyalty and Repeat Purchases

Free gifts can make buyers feel valued. Instead of a one-time transaction, you’re building a relationship, they’ll remember the surprise bonus. Shoppers who have a positive experience are much more likely to come back, turning first-time buyers into loyal customers. In a crowded space like Shopify, this can set your store apart.

Reduces Cart Abandonment

A well-timed free gift offer can tip the scales when a shopper’s on the fence. That extra reason to go through with checkout can mean fewer abandoned carts. Combined with clear messaging about how close a shopper is to earning their gift, the path from browsing to buying feels smooth and rewarding.

Clears Out Old or Slow-Moving Inventory

Got products taking up shelf space? Free gifts are a smart way to move them. Instead of endless discounts, use your overstock as a thank you for bigger purchases. It’s a win-win: customers love the added value, and you reclaim space for new inventory.

Delivers a Memorable Unboxing Experience

Surprise gifts add delight to the delivery. When a customer opens their order and finds something extra, it leaves a positive, lasting impression. That spark of joy can turn into a great review or even some word-of-mouth referrals.

If you prefer not to install extra apps, adding a Shopify Gift with Purchase Section can help you offer these benefits without slowing down your site or complicating your store’s setup.

Adding a free gift with purchase does more than just boost your numbers, it creates a friendly buying experience that shoppers remember. This is why it’s become such a popular strategy for Shopify store owners ready to grow.

Method 1: Using the Monk App for Free Gift Automation

If you're looking for a hands-off way to run free gift with purchase promotions on Shopify, the Monk app is one of the most straightforward tools available. Monk lets you set up automated gift rules, so the process runs in the background while you focus on running your store. No complicated code or manual reward tracking, just a direct path to boosting order values and delighting shoppers.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Monk App for Gift with Purchase

Getting Monk up and running is quick, even if you’re new to using Shopify apps. Here’s how to add free gift with purchase on Shopify with Monk:

Install the Monk App: Head to the Shopify App Store and search for "Monk Free Gift" Add it to your store with just a couple of clicks.

1. Access Monk in Your Shopify Dashboard Once installed, find Monk in your Apps list and open it.

2. Create a New Gift Funnel Inside Monk, go to Funnels and start a new one.

   • Give your funnel a name (such as “Free Gift”).

   • Choose Gift with Purchase as the promotion type.

3. Set Up Trigger Conditions Monk allows flexibility in setup:

   

   • Trigger by cart value (e.g., spend $50 to qualify).

   • Trigger on specific products, collections, or tags.

   • Apply the offer to all products for a storewide impact, or narrow it down as needed.

4. Choose the Gift Product and Rules

   

   • Select the product you want to give away.

   • Set if customers get one or multiple gifts.

   • Configure additional settings, like if the gift should be removed if the customer no longer qualifies, or if they can opt out.

5. Customize Messaging and Appearance Edit the text customers see—make sure your announcement reflects your brand’s style. Pick widget placement and style to fit your theme.

   

6. Preview and Activate Test how the offer works by previewing the funnel. Once you’re happy, save and activate to go live.

   

7. Monitor and Adjust Check your promotions from inside the app whenever you want to view, tweak, or pause them.

Setting up Monk only takes a few minutes, but it gives you full control and a much smoother process than manual setups.

Key Features and Benefits of Monk App

Monk isn’t just about automating gifts, it’s about making the gift experience clear and rewarding for shoppers from start to finish. Here’s what stands out most about Monk:

• Automatic Gift Detection:
  Shoppers don’t have to click extra buttons. As soon as they qualify, Monk adds the gift directly to their cart, no confusion, no manual adding.

• Progress Bars and Real-Time Updates:
  Add a dynamic progress bar across your store. This motivates shoppers to hit the spend threshold and transparently shows how close they are to a reward.

• Smooth Checkout Process:
  The free gift appears in the cart and stays there through checkout. No surprise charges or complicated codes for customers.

• Flexible Rules:
  Set your offer to apply storewide or only on certain products or collections. Change limits, time frames, and qualifying triggers whenever you want.

• Theme Compatibility:
  Works with most Shopify themes. If you have a custom setup or run into theme-specific quirks, Monk’s support can help adjust settings for you.

• Easy Campaign Editing:
  Change widget placement, edit reward messaging, or tweak which products qualify in just a few clicks.

• No Coding Required:
  Enjoy true automation without touching your theme files. Great for store owners who want simplicity.

For insights from real store owners, take some time to review the Customer Reviews section on the Monk App’s Shopify listing. Feedback on usability, results, and support will help you decide if Monk fits your store’s unique needs.

Choosing Monk is a direct way to see how to add free gift with purchase on Shopify without extra complexity or compromise. Give your customers more reasons to buy—while letting automation do the work.

Method 2: Using Shopify's Native Automatic Discounts

If you prefer not to use a third-party app, you can implement free gifts using Shopify's built-in automatic discount functionality:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

1. Create the Automatic Discount:

   • Go to your Shopify admin dashboard

   • Navigate to "Discounts" > "Create discount" > "Automatic discount"

     

   • Enter a discount name (e.g., "Free Gift over $50")

   • Select discount type: "Buy X get Y"

   • Configure the "Customer buys" section:

     • For "Buy product X get free gift": Select "Minimum quantity of items"

     • For "Spend $X store-wide or in specific collection": Select "Minimum purchase amount"

       

   • Configure the "Customer gets" section:

     • Select your free gift product

     • Set "At a discount value" to "Free"

       

   • Set usage limits if desired

   • Click "Save discount"

2. Add Notification Elements to Your Store:

   • Update your announcement bar to inform customers about the free gift offer

     

   • Add a notification on product pages to remind customers

   • Consider adding information on your cart page

Customizing Your Theme for Better User Experience:

Add this code snippet to your product page template to create a "Add Free Gift" button:

{% assign free_gift_variant_id = 43914424746165 %}
<div style="border: 1px solid #eee; padding: 10px;border-radius: 8px;">
 <p style='margin:0;'><small>Spend over $50 and get a free gift! :gift:</small></p>
 <form method="post" action="/cart/add">
  <input type="hidden" name="id" value="{{ free_gift_variant_id }}">
  <input type="hidden" name="quantity" value="1">
  <button type="submit" style="background-color: #121212; color: #fff; padding: 10px 20px; border: none; cursor: pointer; border-radius: 4px; transition: all 0.3s cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.8, 0.25, 1); opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0);"
   onmouseover="this.style.transform='translateY(-2px)'"
   onmouseout="this.style.transform='translateY(0)'"
   >
   Add Free Gift to Cart
  </button>
 </form>
</div>

Pros:

• No additional app costs

• Uses native Shopify functionality

• No impact on store performance

Cons:

• Limited to one automatic discount at a time

• Requires customer to add the gift to cart manually

• Less automated user experience

• No gift selection options

• Requires theme customization for optimal experience

Method 3: Add a smart free gift widget to your store

This method combines Shopify's native automatic discounts with custom code to create a more sophisticated solution:

Step 1: Create the Automatic Discount

Follow the same steps as Method 2 to create your automatic discount.

Step 2: Create a Custom GWP (Gift With Purchase) Section

1. Go to your theme code editor

2. Create a new section file named "gwp.liquid"

   

3. Copy and paste the code from the guide (you can get the guide from here)

   

Step 3: Configure Your GWP Section

1. Go to your theme customizer

2. Find the "GWP Popup" section in your settings

3. Configure all settings according to your needs:

   • Set the cart value threshold

   • Enter your gift variant ID

   • Customize popup text and appearance

   • Upload a gift image

   • Configure button text and colors

     

Pros:

• More automated than Method 2

• No monthly subscription fees

• Customizable popup appearance

• Works with all major Shopify themes

• Compatible with discount codes

• Session-based display options

Cons:

• Requires theme code customization

• Still relies on automatic discount for pricing

• Limited to one automatic discount at a time

• No multiple gift tiers without additional code

  For a complete, step-by-step guide on how to set up a free gift with purchase campaign using this method, watch the video here:

  
  

  Best Practices for Free Gift Campaigns

To maximize the effectiveness of your free gift offers:

1. Choose the Right Gift

The ideal free gift should:

• Have a high perceived value but manageable cost

• Be complementary to your product line

• Appeal to your target audience

• Ideally be exclusive or not easily purchased separately

• Have dimensions and weight that won't significantly impact shipping costs

2. Set Strategic Thresholds

• Analyze your average order value and set the threshold 10-15% above it

• Consider seasonal adjustments for high-traffic periods

• Test different thresholds to find the sweet spot

• For high-value products, consider multiple gift tiers

3. Create Effective Messaging

• Make your free gift offer highly visible (announcement bar, product pages, cart)

• Use countdown timers for limited-time offers

• Show the monetary value of the gift

• Use compelling images of the gift

• Consider adding gift selection options for greater appeal

4. Optimize for Mobile

• Ensure all gift notifications and popups are mobile-responsive

• Test the entire gifting flow on multiple devices

• Keep mobile messaging concise and clear

5. Measure and Iterate

Track these metrics to evaluate your gift campaign:

• Conversion rate before and during the campaign

• Average order value changes

• Cart abandonment rate

• Gift redemption rate

• Return rate for orders with gifts

• Customer acquisition cost vs. lifetime value

Conclusion

Implementing free gifts with purchase on your Shopify store is a powerful strategy to boost conversions and average order value. Each method has its own advantages and trade-offs:

• App-Based Solution: Easiest to implement with the best customer experience, but has ongoing costs

• Native Automatic Discounts: Free but requires customer action and offers limited functionality

• Enhanced Code Solution: One-time setup with good functionality but requires technical knowledge

• Shopify Flow: Fully automated but limited to Shopify Plus merchants

For most merchants, a dedicated gifting app like Gift Box provides the best balance of functionality and ease of use. However, if you're comfortable with code or working within a tight budget, the enhanced native solution can be an excellent alternative.

Whichever method you choose, remember that the real power of free gifts comes from selecting the right products, setting strategic thresholds, and creating compelling messaging around your offer.

FAQ

How does a free gift with purchase work on Shopify?
A free gift with purchase means customers get a complimentary item when they meet certain conditions, like spending a minimum amount or buying a specific number of products.

How can I add a gift with purchase on Shopify without using apps?
Right now, Shopify doesn’t have a built-in way to automatically add a free gift to the cart. Unless you know how to code, using a third-party app is your best bet.

How do I set up a free gift with purchase on Shopify?
You can either use Shopify’s built-in discount features (great for basic setups), or go with a third-party app for more advanced options, like auto-adding the gift to the cart, showing analytics, tiered rewards, and more. We recommend Monk Free Gift for its reliability and range of features.

Can I offer free gifts only on certain products?
Yes! You can limit free gifts to specific products or collections using either Shopify’s native discount tools or most third-party apps.

Is it possible to offer multiple gifts based on cart value?
Absolutely. Apps like Monk let you set up tiered offers, so customers can unlock different free gifts depending on how much they spend or how many items they buy.

Last updated: April 2025