Stacked product bundles tied together, symbolizing upselling and bundling tactics for ecommerce growth.

🧴 How to Bundle Products to Increase Average Order Value

May 6, 2025

Estimated Read Time: 12–14 minutes

If you run a handmade business, you know the pressure of trying to grow without constantly chasing new customers. That’s where product bundling comes in.

Whether you’re selling soaps, candles, body butters, lip balms, fragrance oils, or even digital downloads, bundling is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to increase your average order value (AOV).

Done right, it also makes life easier for your customers—and gives your brand a polished, professional feel.

In this guide, we’ll show you:

Why bundling works
Bundle types that perform well for handmade sellers
How to price them for profit
Real examples from real makers
Seasonal and gift-driven strategies
Mistakes to avoid
Tools to help you track what’s working
And how to make your bundles feel special

💡 Why Bundles Work So Well (Especially for Handmade Sellers)

According to Shopify, product bundles can increase AOV by 10–30%, especially when paired with free shipping thresholds or limited-time offers. That’s a big deal—because it means more revenue without spending extra on ads or outreach.

Here’s why customers love bundles:

They feel like a deal—even if the savings are small
They make gift-giving easier
They reduce decision fatigue (which boosts conversions)
They let people try more of what you offer
They tell a story (self-care night, morning ritual, etc.)

And for you? Bundles can help you:

Increase your profit per order
Move slow inventory alongside your bestsellers
Showcase product variety without complexity
Make seasonal launches more exciting

🛍 5 Types of Handmade Product Bundles That Work

1. Themed Sets

Group products that fit a mood, time of day, or event.

Cozy Night In Kit – candle, bath soak, herbal tea sample
Morning Refresh Set – scrub, linen spray, citrus wax melt
Date Night Bundle – massage oil, floral candle, lip balm

2. Mini or Try-Me Kits

Great for new customers who want to sample your scents or textures before committing to full sizes.

Mini lotion trio (1 oz sizes)
Soap bar sampler (3 guest-size bars)
2 oz fragrance oil discovery set

3. Buy More, Save More Bundles

Encourage customers to purchase multiples of the same item.

Buy 3 candles, save $5
Mix & match 4 soaps for $30
Buy 2 body butters, get a third at 50% off

4. Cross-Category Bundles

Pair items that go together but come from different categories.

Candle + wick trimmer
Scrub + exfoliating bag
Room spray + pillow mist + wax melts

5. Build-Your-Own Bundles

Give customers choice with structured flexibility.

Choose 3 scrubs from a set list
Pick any 2 of 5 seasonal fragrances
Select your scent trio for a custom mini kit

💸 How to Price Bundles Without Sacrificing Profit

The goal is to offer a perceived deal—not a massive discount. You’re increasing your order value, so you don’t need to slash prices to make the bundle attractive.

Pricing tips:

Offer a discount of 5–15% over buying items individually
Use pricing psychology (e.g., $28 instead of $30)
Use round-number savings: “Save $6” is easier to understand than “Save 13%”
Strategically price bundles just above your free shipping threshold

Example:
3 soap bars at $8 = $24
Bundle for $21 and suggest a $25 spend for free shipping—customers may add more to reach the threshold.

🧮 Use the free business calculator from Sun Kissed Fragrances to make sure your bundle pricing is profitable.

🧴 Real-World Bundle Examples (From Makers Like You)

Candle Business

Bundle: 2 candles + wick trimmer
Price: $45 (vs. $52 value)
Promo: Offered during the fall launch
Result: Boosted AOV by $9 and sold out faster than individual candles

Body Care Brand

Bundle: Sugar scrub + whipped body butter
Value: $42
Bundle Price: $38
Strategy: “Hydration duo” for dry winter skin
Result: Became top-selling combo for 3 months

📅 Add Seasonal or Limited-Time Bundles

Time-limited bundles give customers a reason to buy now—not later.

Ideas by season:

Spring: refresh kits, citrus-focused sets, “clean house” bundles
Summer: beach day sets, travel minis, sun-safe skin kits
Fall: cozy bundles, pumpkin collections, warm scent kits
Winter: gift sets, holiday-exclusive bundles, “wrap-up & relax” kits
Year-round: birthday boxes, build-your-own kits, scent samplers

🎯 Make Your Bundles Feel Intentional

Tips to elevate your bundle presentation:

Name your bundles – like “Glow Kit” or “Mood Booster Set”
Use styled product photos – show all bundle items together
Include an insert or card – reinforces the theme or occasion
Be clear in your listing – list included items, value, and savings

❌ Common Bundle Mistakes to Avoid

Unrelated products: Confuses the customer and lowers trust
Too many bundles: Overwhelms decision-making
No bundle photos: Shoppers need to see what’s included
Generic names: “Gift Set 1” won’t stand out
Deep discounts: Train customers to wait for a sale

📣 How to Promote Your Bundles

Where to promote:

Homepage banner or featured section
Email campaigns (welcome, thank-you, holiday)
Instagram Reels, Lives, or product carousels
Announcement bar: “New bundle drop!”
Pop-up offers for cart-building

Marketing messages to try:

“Everything you need for a relaxing evening.”
“Save $6 when you bundle and ship free.”
“Only available through the end of the season.”
“Build your own self-care kit—just choose 3 scents!”

📊 Track Your Bundle Performance

What to track:

Conversion rate on bundle product pages
Average order value with vs. without bundles
Top-performing bundle products
Customer reviews mentioning bundles

Use Shopify Analytics or a simple Google Sheet to review performance monthly.

✅ Final Thoughts

Bundling is one of the simplest ways to boost revenue, serve your customers better, and highlight what makes your brand special.

Start small. Choose 2–3 bundles that align with your bestsellers or the current season. Promote them intentionally. Track what works—and repeat what sells.