How to Add Free Gifts in WooCommerce (7 Proven Campaigns That Drive Sales)

Want to offer free gifts in WooCommerce?

Whether you’re looking to automatically add a free product to the cart, run Buy X Get Y promotions, reward first-time customers, or increase average order value, free gift campaigns can be highly effective.

WooCommerce has a workaround with basic coupon features for offering free gifts. But if you want more advanced campaigns based on cart value, product quantity, customer location, or purchase history, you’ll need a plugin like Smart Coupons.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to offer free gifts in WooCommerce both with and without a plugin, along with proven campaign ideas you can use to increase sales.

Do you need a plugin to offer free gifts in WooCommerce?

Want to offer free gifts on your WooCommerce store but not sure if you need an external tool? Here is a quick breakdown of what you can do without plugin versus when you need to upgrade to advanced coupon plugin like Smart Coupons to automate the process.

How to add a free gift in WooCommerce without any plugin?

Yes, you can offer free gifts in WooCommerce without a plugin by using the built-in coupon system. This works best for simple free gift promotions where customers apply a coupon code at checkout.

For example, you can offer a free coffee mug when a customer spends more than $500.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to your WordPress dashboard > Marketing > Coupons. Click Add Coupon.
2. Add a coupon code (like FREEGIFT2025) and a short description.
3. Set Discount type to Percentage discount and coupon amount as 100.
4. Now go to the Usage restriction tab.
5. Under Products, select the product (Coffee mug) you want to give as a free gift.
6. You can also set Minimum spend (like “Buy above $500 to get this gift”).
7. Click Publish.

Customers can then apply the coupon code at checkout and receive the free gift.

You can also share the coupon code with customers via email or banners.

Note: For this default method to work, the customer must manually add the free gift item and the coupon code to their cart at checkout for the 100% discount to apply.

How to offer free gifts in WooCommerce with Smart Coupons?

Smart Coupons lets you create advanced WooCommerce free gift campaigns that aren’t possible with the default coupon system.

Let’s look at some popular WooCommerce free gift campaigns you can create with Smart Coupons.

How do you offer a free gift based on cart value in WooCommerce?

Want to encourage customers to spend more? Offer a free gift when their cart reaches a certain amount.

For example, give away a free travel pouch when customers spend $100 or more.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to Marketing > Coupons and create a new coupon.
2. Set the coupon type to Fixed cart discount and the amount to 0.
3. Enable Auto-apply?.
4. Open the Usage restriction tab.
5. Set Minimum spend to $100.
6. Open the Actions tab.
7. Under Add products to cart, select Travel Pouch.
8. Set the each with quantity to 1.
9. Set the with discount of to 100%.
10. Publish the coupon.

Now whenever a customer’s cart reaches $100, the travel pouch will be added automatically for free.

How do you create Buy Product A, Get Product B Free offers in WooCommerce?

This is one of the most popular WooCommerce free gift campaigns.

For example, when a customer buys wireless headphones, they automatically receive a protective case for free.

Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to Marketing > Coupons and create a new coupon.
2. Set the coupon type to Fixed cart discount and the amount to 0.
3. Enable Auto-apply?.
4. Open the Usage restriction tab.
5. Under Products, select Wireless Headphones.
6. Open the Actions tab.
7. Under Add products to cart, select Protective Case.
8. Set the each with quantity to 1.
9. Set the with discount of to 100%.
10. Publish the coupon.

Now whenever a customer adds the headphones to their cart, the protective case is automatically added as a free gift.

Check out the live demo

How do you offer a free gift when customers buy a specific quantity?

Let’s say you sell car accessories. Now, you want people to buy more items in one go. How about giving a free air freshener on the purchase of any 5 car accessories, get a free air freshener.

Here’s how you can set this up:

• Navigate to Marketing > Coupons > Add New.
• Set the coupon code (e.g. FRESHAUTO) and a description.
• Now set the coupon type as fixed cart discount and amount as 0.
• Tick the Auto-apply? option.



• Go to the Usage Restrictions tab and scroll down to locate Product quantity based restrictions.
• Here set the Minimum quantity as 5.
• Now go to the Action tab > Add products to cart.
• Here search and select Air freshener and each with quantity as 1.
• And under with a discount of, set 100 and %.
• Add a gift message or custom message (optional) for the free products.
• Publish the coupon.

Bonus tip: You can also limit this gift to once per customer — just in case someone tries to loop back with the same offer. Just go to the coupon settings and set Usage limit per user to 1.

How do you offer free gifts to first-time customers in WooCommerce?

Let’s say you run a WooCommerce beauty store and you’re currently offering 20% off sitewide. Naturally, you’re getting lots of new shoppers — love that for you.

But here’s the golden question:

How do you make them stick around after the sale ends?

Well, how about giving a gift item to a first time customer? For example, say free mini face serum when they spend at least $100 from the Skincare category.

Here’s how you can set this up with Smart Coupons:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons > Add New.
2. Create a coupon code like GLOWGIFT.
3. Set the Discount type to fixed cart discount and coupon amount as 0.
4. Click on the Auto-apply? option.
5. Also tick the For new customers? checkbox.
6. Go to the Usage Restrictions tab, and set the Minimum spend as $100.
7. Also set then scroll to Product categories, and search and select Skincare.
8. Now go to the Action tab > Add products to cart.
9. Here search and select Glow serum mini and each with quantity as 1.
10. And under with discount of, set 100 and %.
11. Publish the coupon.

And done.

Now as the first time user would add $100 worth of skincare to their cart…boom! The mini face serum is added as a free gift.

How do you give the cheapest product for free in WooCommerce?

Running a WooCommerce bookstore? Let shoppers grab 3 books and get the lowest-priced one free — no coupon needed.

Here’s how to set this up:

1. Go to WordPress Admin > Marketing > Coupons
2. Click Add coupon and give it a name like BOOKLOVERBONUS.
3. Set the Discount type to percentage discount and coupon amount as 100.
4. Click on the Auto-apply? option.
5. Scroll and locate Apply discount on option. Here choose Cheapest qualifying product.
6. Now go to Usage Restrictions tab. Select books under product categories.
7. Under Smart Coupons Restrictions, select Validate quantity of and click Add.
8. Set:
   • Validate quantity of = Cart
   • Minimum quantity = 3
9. Publish the coupon.

And done. Your “Buy 2, get 1 free” offer is live and your bookstore just became more irresistible.

How do customers choose their own free gift in WooCommerce?

Own a WooCommerce clothing store? Let buyers pick one freebie — cap or sunglasses — when their cart hits $150.

Here’s how to set this up:

1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard > Marketing > Coupons > Add New.
2. Create a coupon code like FREESTYLE150.
3. Set the Discount type to fixed cart discount and coupon amount as 0.
4. Go to the Usage Restrictions tab, and set the Minimum spend as $150.
5. Now go to the Usage limits tab and set Usage limit per user as 1.



6. In the Actions (tab), add the products (cap or sunglasses) in the Add products to cart.
7. Enable the users can choose only one option.
8. Publish the coupon.

Done. Now your customers will get to pick their favorite freebie once their cart crosses $150.

Refer this doc for more details.

How do you offer location-based free gifts in WooCommerce?

Let’s say you run a WooCommerce store selling premium coffee gear — grinders, French presses, beans roasted to perfection.

You ship across Europe, but Germany? That’s where most of your orders come from.

Now you want to run a free gift offer for your German customers. Say Get a FREE Espresso cup on orders above €50.

Here’s what you do:

1. Go to WordPress Admin > Marketing > Coupons.
2. Click Add coupon and name it GERMANGIFT50
3. Set the Discount type to fixed cart discount and coupon amount as 0.
4. Click on the Auto-apply? option.
5. Also tick the For new customers? checkbox.
6. Go to the Usage Restrictions tab, and set the Minimum spend as €50.
7. Under Smart Coupons Restrictions, select Allowed locations and click Add.
8. Set Allowed location as Germany.
9. Now go to the Action tab > Add products to cart.
10. Here search and select Espresso cup and each with quantity as 1.
11. And under with discount of, set 100 and %.
12. Publish the coupon.

Now only your German customers with a cart value of €50+ will get this free espresso cup.

What are the best WooCommerce free gift ideas to increase sales?

Not every free gift campaign serves the same purpose.

Some help increase average order value, others encourage repeat purchases, clear inventory, reward loyal customers, or promote specific products.

Here are eight proven WooCommerce free gift ideas you can adapt for your store.

Birthday gift coupons

Send customers a birthday coupon for a free scented candle, sample kit, or small accessory. A personalized gift feels more thoughtful than a standard discount and often brings customers back to your store.

Flash sale free gifts

Running a weekend sale? Offer a free sample, mini product, or branded merchandise item with every order placed during the promotion period. This creates urgency without relying entirely on discounts.

Giveaways on high-value purchases

Customers spending hundreds of dollars often expect something extra.

For example, you could offer a free laptop sleeve with a laptop purchase or a premium phone case with a smartphone order.

Free gifts for specific customers or email subscribers

Reward loyal customers or newsletter subscribers with exclusive gifts that aren’t available to everyone else. For example, subscribers spending over $75 could receive a free product sample or limited-edition item.

Buy Product X and get multiple free gifts

Instead of offering a single free product, create a bundle-style promotion. For example, buy a hoodie and receive a cap and sunglasses for free. These campaigns work particularly well during seasonal sales and product launches.

Similarly, you can offer a product bundle or multiple bundles using coupons as a gift.

Upsell and cross-sell related products at a discount

Not every incentive needs to be completely free. For example, customers buying a lunchbox could unlock a matching water bottle at 20% off, encouraging larger orders while protecting your margins.

Want to learn more tricks? Check out this guide on WooCommerce related products.

Clear excess inventory

Have products sitting in your warehouse longer than expected? Offer them as free gifts with your best-selling products. Customers receive extra value, and you move inventory that may otherwise remain unsold.

Promote slow-moving products

If certain products rarely get attention, include them as free gifts with related purchases. For example, a summer-themed tote bag purchase could include a free pineapple keychain, helping more customers discover the product.

Should you offer a free gift or a discount in WooCommerce?

Both free gifts and discounts can increase sales, but they work differently.

A discount reduces the purchase price immediately. Free gifts increase the perceived value of the order without lowering the product price.

For example, offering a $10 discount reduces revenue by $10. Offering a product that costs you $3 to source but is valued at $10 by the customer can create a similar incentive while protecting your margins.

Free gifts are often a better choice when you want to:

• Increase average order value
• Promote complementary products
• Clear excess inventory
• Reward loyal customers
• Create a more memorable shopping experience

Discounts are usually more effective when you want to:

• Compete on price
• Move inventory quickly
• Run seasonal sales
• Recover abandoned carts

Many WooCommerce stores use both strategies together. For example, a customer who spends over $100 could receive a free gift, while first-time shoppers receive a welcome discount.

The right approach depends on your goals, profit margins, and the type of products you sell.

Turn every order into a wow moment

Free gifts are one of the easiest ways to make your WooCommerce store more memorable.

Whether you’re using a simple coupon-based giveaway or running advanced campaigns based on cart value, product purchases, customer type, or location, the goal remains the same: give shoppers an extra reason to buy and come back again.

The best free gift campaigns don’t just increase conversions. They help increase average order value, improve customer satisfaction, and encourage repeat purchases without relying entirely on discounts.

Start with a simple offer, measure the results, and then experiment with more targeted campaigns as your store grows. Even a small free gift can have a surprisingly big impact on how customers perceive your brand.

FAQ

Do free gifts increase sales in WooCommerce?

Yes. Free gifts can increase average order value, improve conversion rates, and encourage customers to add more items to their cart to qualify for the reward. Many stores use free gifts as an alternative to discounts because they often preserve profit margins better.

Is a free gift better than offering a discount?

It depends on your goal. Discounts reduce the purchase price, while free gifts increase perceived value. In many cases, customers respond more positively to a free product than an equivalent discount amount.

What types of products work best as WooCommerce free gifts?

Low-cost, high-perceived-value products usually perform best. Popular examples include samples, accessories, branded merchandise, complementary products, digital downloads, and slow-moving inventory that you want to clear.

Can I offer different free gifts based on cart value?

Yes. You can create tiered free gift campaigns, such as offering Gift A for orders above $50, Gift B for orders above $100, and Gift C for orders above $200.

How do I prevent customers from abusing free gift offers?

You can limit free gift campaigns by setting minimum spend requirements, restricting eligibility to specific products or categories, limiting usage per customer, targeting new customers only, or restricting offers by location.

What is the best WooCommerce plugin for advanced free gift campaigns?

If you need features such as automatic free gifts, Buy X Get Y offers, first-order gifts, location-based promotions, customer-specific rewards, and choose-your-own-gift campaigns, Smart Coupons provides all of these from a single plugin.