Shopify Buy X Get Y: The Ultimate Guide to BOGO Discounts

Want to add $90,000 to your annual revenue without finding a single new customer? One store did exactly that by tweaking their Shopify Buy X Get Y strategy. They increased their average order value from $50 to $57.50—just a 15% bump—but for a store processing 1,000 orders monthly, that small change meant huge profits. The secret wasn’t offering bigger discounts or flashier promotions. It solved the #1 problem that made most of the BOGO deals fail. Ready to discover what they did differently? This guide reveals their exact playbook.

What Are Buy X Get Y Promotions?

Ever seen those “Buy One, Get One Free” deals that make you want to grab extra items? That’s exactly what Buy X Get Y promotions are all about. These deals work simply – customers buy a certain number of items (X) and get another item (Y) either free or at a discount.

Think of it like this: you’re essentially giving customers a bonus for spending more. They feel like they’re getting a great deal, and you’re increasing your sales. It’s a win-win that smart merchants use to boost their revenue.

Why do these promotions work so well? Because everyone loves getting something for “free”. Even though customers are spending more money, they feel like they’re saving because of that extra item. Plus, it gets them to buy more than they originally planned.

How Shopify Handles Buy X Get Y Discounts

Shopify makes it pretty easy to set up these promotions. You’ve got two main options:

Discount Codes: Customers enter a code like “BUY1GET1” at checkout to get the deal.

Automatic Discounts: The discount applies automatically when customers meet the requirements – no code needed.

Here’s how it works behind the scenes. You set up a “purchase requirement” (what customers need to buy) and a “reward” (what they get). For example, you might say “Buy 2 shirts, get 1 shirt free” or “Spend $100, get a free gift.”

But here’s something important that trips up many store owners: Shopify won’t automatically add the free item to someone’s cart. Customers need to add both the items they’re buying AND the free item themselves. Then Shopify applies the discount at checkout.

This can confuse customers who expect the free item to just appear in their cart. That’s why clear communication is key when running these promotions.

Setting Up Your First Buy X Get Y Discount

Let’s walk through creating a Shopify Buy X Get Y deal step by step. We’ll show you both methods so you can pick what works best for your store.

You’ve got 2 options here: create manual discount codes or automatic discount codes that customers type at checkout (free but easy to forget), or go with third-party apps like Pareto Volume Discount & Bundles that handle everything automatically and can run multiple deals at once (costs money but usually pays for itself). 

Think of it like choosing between a basic calculator, a slightly better calculator, or a smartphone – they all do math, but one makes life a lot easier. The main thing? If customers can’t easily see or understand your deals, they won’t use them. And if they don’t use them, you’re leaving money on the table.

💡Here’s the comparison table for clarity:

Method	What You Get	The Good Stuff	The Not-So-Good Stuff
Discount Codes/Automatic Discounts	• Basic discount setup  • Customer enters code manually  • Simple targeting options  • Works with Shopify’s built-in tools	• Totally free  • Easy to set up • No monthly fees  • Works right out of the box	• Customers forget codes often  • No visual cues on product pages  • Basic features  • Missed sales
	• Discount applies automatically  • No codes needed  • Built into Shopify  • Basic scheduling	• Customers don’t need to remember codes  • Easier than manual codes	• Only one active discount at a time  • Free items must be added manually  • No visual prompts
Apps (e.g., Pareto Volume Discount)	• Multiple deals can run together  • Auto-adds free items  • Highlights deals on product pages  • Smart cart displays • Holiday templates	• Run many promotions simultaneously  • Shoppers clearly see deals  • Free gifts are auto-added  • Higher conversion • Helpful support	• Monthly cost  • Requires some learning  • Depends on a third-party  • More parts to manage

Method 1: Using Shopify’s Default Built-in Tools

1. Go to your Shopify admin and click on “Discounts” in the left menu

2. Click “Create discount” and choose “Buy X get Y” from the options.

3. Choose “Discount code” and create a code like “BOGO50” or “BUY2GET1”. Make it something customers can easily remember and type.

4. Set your “Customer buys” conditions:

• Choose if you want a minimum number of items or a minimum dollar amount
• Pick which products or collections count toward the deal
• For example: “Buy at least 2 items from the T-shirts collection”

5. Set your “Customer gets” reward:

• Decide how many items they get discounted
• Choose which products can be the free/discounted items
• Set the discount amount (free, percentage off, or dollar amount off)

6. Optional settings:
   
   • Limit how many times the discount can apply per order
   • Set who can use it (everyone or specific customers)
   • Choose if it can combine with other discounts

7. Set your dates and click “Save discount.”

One more thing, instead of choosing “Discount code,” you can select the “Automatic discount” option. This means customers don’t need to enter any code – the discount just happens when they qualify.

Important note: Shopify only allows one automatic discount at a time across your entire store. So if you already have an automatic discount running, you’ll need to pause it first.

Method 2: Use a Third-party app: Pareto Volume Discount & Bundles

Shopify’s built-in Buy X Get Y discounts work, but they’re pretty limited. You can only run one automatic discount at a time, customers have to manually add the free item (which many forget to do), and there’s no product-page widget to guide shoppers, which often results in missed sales and confused customers.

But the Pareto Volume Discount solves these problems by offering:

• Multiple simultaneous promotions—BOGO, free gifts, quantity breaks, tiered pricing, and bundles—all without any coding.
• Automatic discount application with cart and cart-drawer displays that show pricing rules clearly.
• Auto-add free gifts to the cart when conditions are met—helping reduce confusion and support requests from shoppers expecting gifts to appear automatically.
• Customizable widgets (pop-ups, banners, table layouts) that highlight offers on product pages, carts, and checkout.
• Templates and scheduling tools for holiday campaigns, VIP offers, and targeted promotions.
• 24/7 live support and seamless integration with Shopify POS and Online Store 2.0 themes.

Here’s how to set up your first Buy X Get Y discount using Pareto’s app:

Step 1: Install and Open the App

Head to your Shopify admin, go to Apps, then visit the Shopify App Store. Search for “Pareto Volume Discount & Bundles” by Pareto and click Add app. Or just click here!

Once it’s installed, launch it from your Apps page—you’ll land on the Offers dashboard.

Step 2: Create Your New Offer

From the dashboard, click Offers in the sidebar, then Add an Offer. Set your Offer Type to Buy X Get Y and give it a clear name like “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” so you can find it later.

Step 3: Set Up the “Buy X” Requirements

In the “X” section, decide what customers need to do to qualify. You can require either a minimum quantity (like “buy at least 2 items”) or a minimum spend (like “spend $50”).

Enter your number, then choose which products or collections count toward this requirement. You can also add restrictions like customer tags if you want to limit it to certain groups.

Step 4: Configure the “Get Y” Reward

Now for the fun part—what do customers get? In the “Y” section, enter how many items they’ll receive (usually 1 for Shopify Buy X Get Y deals).

Choose which products can be the “free” items, then pick your discount type:

• Free (classic BOGO)
• Percentage off (like 50% off the second item)
• Fixed amount off (like $10 off)

You can also set a maximum use per order to control how many times the deal applies in one purchase.

Pro tip: You can also customize to apply to the target markets or customers with Pareto!

Step 5: Schedule and Target Your Promotion

Set your start and end dates under Schedule. Use Targeting to control where the offer appears—you can limit it to your online store, POS, specific customer groups, or run it everywhere.

Step 6: Make It Look Good

Choose where customers will see the offer (product page, cart, or popup) and customize the visuals to match your store’s look. Add clear messaging like:

• “Buy 2, Get 1 Free—automatically added to cart!”
• “Add one more item to get your free product!”

Good messaging prevents confusion and boosts conversions.

Step 7: Go Live

Review everything one more time, then click Save or Activate. The app uses Shopify Functions to automatically apply your promotion—no discount codes needed.

Step 8: Test, Monitor, and Improve It Out

Before you announce anything, test the promotion yourself. Visit your store, add the required items, and make sure the discount applies correctly. Check it on both desktop and mobile—you want it working perfectly everywhere.

Once it’s live, keep an eye on the dashboard to track redemptions, revenue lift, and conversion improvements. Use this data to fine-tune your offer—maybe adjust quantities, change product selections, or update your messaging. Here are some tips for better results:

• Add a countdown timer or progress bar to create urgency
• Offer multiple free item options to handle inventory issues
• Promote your offer everywhere—banners, product pages, emails, social media
• Watch your stock levels on free items and have backup plans
• Keep an eye on profit margins—aim for offers that genuinely increase spending

Common Issues With Shopify Buy X Get Y Not Working

“My Buy X Get Y discount isn’t working!” This is probably the most common complaint from store owners. Let’s fix the most common issues:

Problem 1: The Free Item Isn’t Adding Automatically

This isn’t actually a problem – it’s how Shopify works. The platform doesn’t auto-add free items because customers need to choose which specific item they want (size, color, etc.).

Solution: Make it crystal clear to customers that they need to add the free item themselves. Use banners like “Add a second item to your cart and use code BOGO to get it free!”

Problem 2: Customers Say the Code Doesn’t Work

Usually, this happens because:

• They didn’t add enough items to qualify
• They forgot to add the free item to their cart
• They mistyped the code
• The products they chose aren’t eligible for the promotion

Solution: Double-check your settings and create clear instructions for customers. Maybe even include a screenshot showing how the cart should look.

Problem 3: Discounts Are Conflicting

Shopify won’t apply two discounts to the same item. If someone tries to use another discount code on top of your BOGO deal, Shopify will typically apply whichever gives the better discount.

Solution: Avoid running multiple promotions at the same time. If you must, clearly state “Not valid with other offers” in your promotion terms.

Problem 4: Your Automatic Shopify Buy X Get Y Discount Isn’t Showing Up

Check these things:

• Is another automatic discount already running?
• Did you set the start date correctly?
• Are you testing with the right products?
• If it’s for specific customers, are you logged in to test it?

Real Examples of Successful Shopify Buy X Get Y Campaigns

Let’s look at how real stores use these promotions:

Sephora: The Smart Sample Game

Sephora figured out something clever. Instead of just doing regular BOGO deals, they give you free samples when you spend over $35. It’s genius, really.

Here’s why it works so well: You get to try new stuff without paying extra, and Sephora doesn’t have to slash prices on their main products. Those little samples often turn into full-size purchases later—I bet you’ve done this yourself.

What you can steal from this: You don’t always need to discount your main products. Think about what small extras you could throw in that cost you very little but feel valuable to customers.

Maqui Beauty: The 40% Sweet Spot

These guys do Buy One Get One 40% Off, and they’re smart about it—the discount goes on the cheaper item every time.

Why does this work? Well, 40% off feels like a real deal, but they’re not giving away products for free. Plus, by discounting the cheaper item, they keep making good money on the expensive stuff.

The lesson here: You don’t need to go crazy with 100% off. Even 40-50% off feels generous to customers while keeping your business profitable.

Supplement Xpress: Perfect for Repeat Buyers

This supplement company does Buy One Get One 50% Off, and it makes total sense for their business.

Think about it—if you’re taking supplements, you probably need more than one type. Maybe you want protein powder AND vitamins. The 50% off gives you a reason to try something new or stock up on what you already love.

What works for you: This strategy is gold if you sell things people use regularly. Supplements, skincare, food items—anything where customers need to reorder anyway.

PharmEasy: BOGO Beyond Products

Here’s where it gets interesting. PharmEasy offers Buy One Get One Free on diagnostic tests for new customers. Yeah, medical tests—not physical products.

It’s brilliant because once you have the lab set up, running two tests doesn’t cost much more than running one. But customers see huge value in getting a second health check for free.

The big idea: BOGO isn’t just for physical stuff. If you offer services, courses, consultations, or digital products, think about how this could work for you.

Bewakoof: The Seasonal Clear-Out Masters

This Indian fashion brand runs Buy One Get One 50% Off deals throughout the year, but they’re strategic about it.

They time these deals perfectly—right when they need to move seasonal inventory before new styles come in. Customers love the regular deals, and Bewakoof loves clearing out last season’s stock.

The smart move: Use BOGO to solve inventory problems. Got too many winter coats in March? BOGO time. Need to make room for new arrivals? Perfect BOGO opportunity.

Wrapping Up

Shopify Buy X Get Y deals work when you keep them simple and test them properly. Start with a basic “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” discount, see how customers respond, then expand from there. Don’t overthink it—just pick products that make sense together and launch. Your customers want good deals, and you want bigger orders. These promotions deliver both. Ready to try it? Open your Shopify admin and create your first Buy X Get Y deal today.