Cart Threshold Promotion
4 min read
Cart threshold promotions (spend and save) reward customers who spend above a certain amount, encouraging larger orders and increasing average order value. This guide covers setting up spend-based discount campaigns. Spend threshold discounts require Smart Cycle Discounts Pro.
What is a Cart Threshold Promotion? #
Concept #
Discount applied when cart total reaches a minimum amount:
- Spend $100, Get 10% Off
- Spend $200, Get 15% Off
- Spend $500, Get $50 Off
Benefits #
- Increases AOV: Customers add items to reach threshold
- Simple to understand: Clear spending goal
- Flexible: Works with any product mix
- Upsell opportunity: “Add $25 more to save 10%!”
Example: Tiered Spend & Save #
Scenario #
Goal: Increase average order value from $85 to $125+ Structure: - Spend $100: Get 10% off entire order - Spend $200: Get 15% off entire order - Spend $300: Get 20% off entire order Products: Store-wide (with exclusions)
Step-by-Step Setup #
Step 1: Basic Information #
- Go to SC Discounts → Add New Campaign
- Configure:
- Campaign Name: “Spend More Save More”
- Priority: 3 (Medium)
- Click Next
Step 2: Product Selection #
- Choose “All Products”
- Add exclusion conditions if needed:
- Category does not equal “Gift Cards”
- Tag does not equal “no-discount”
- Click Next
Step 3: Discount Configuration #
- Select “Spend Threshold”
- Configure tiers:
- Tier 1: Spend $100+, Get 10% off
- Tier 2: Spend $200+, Get 15% off
- Tier 3: Spend $300+, Get 20% off
- Click Next
Step 4: Schedule #
- Start Date: Your preferred date
- End Date: Set end date or leave indefinite
- Click Next
Step 5: Review and Publish #
- Review threshold tiers
- Verify discount calculations
- Click “Publish”
Threshold Options #
Discount Types #
| Type | Example | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage | Spend $100, Get 10% Off | General promotions |
| Fixed Amount | Spend $100, Get $15 Off | Simple messaging |
| Free Shipping | Spend $75, Get Free Shipping | Shipping incentive |
Single vs. Multiple Tiers #
Single Threshold #
Spend $100 or more → Get 10% off Simple, clear message Easy for customers to understand
Multiple Tiers #
Spend $100 → 10% off Spend $200 → 15% off Spend $300 → 20% off Encourages higher spending Creates "game" to reach next tier
How Cart Threshold Works #
Calculation Example #
Threshold: Spend $100, Get 10% off Cart Total: $120 Qualifies: Yes ($120 > $100) Discount: $120 × 10% = $12 Final Total: $108
Multi-Tier Example #
Tiers: $100 → 10%, $200 → 15%, $300 → 20% Cart Total: $250 Qualifies for: $200 tier (15%) Discount: $250 × 15% = $37.50 Final Total: $212.50 Note: $50 more would unlock 20% ($50 savings)
What Counts Toward Threshold #
- Product subtotal (before tax/shipping)
- Only qualifying products count
- Excluded products don’t count toward threshold
- Coupons may reduce qualifying total (depending on settings)
Configuration Summary #
| Setting | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Discount Type | Spend Threshold | Enables cart-total-based pricing |
| Priority | 3 (Medium) | Can be overridden by special promotions |
| Products | All with exclusions | Store-wide applicability |
| Threshold | Above current AOV | Encourages increased spending |
Setting Effective Thresholds #
Step 1: Know Your AOV #
Check your current average order value:
- Go to WooCommerce → Reports
- Find average order value
- Example: Current AOV = $85
Step 2: Set First Threshold #
Set first threshold 15-25% above current AOV:
Current AOV: $85 First Threshold: $100 (18% higher) Customers need to add ~$15 to qualify
Step 3: Set Higher Tiers #
Each tier should be meaningfully higher:
Tier 1: $100 (just above AOV) Tier 2: $200 (2x AOV, premium customers) Tier 3: $300 (3x AOV, bulk buyers)
Cart Threshold Best Practices #
Threshold Placement #
- Too low: Everyone qualifies, no behavior change
- Too high: Feels unattainable, ignored
- Just right: Slightly above typical order, feels achievable
Discount Value #
Make the discount worth the extra spending:
Bad: Spend $100, Save $5 (5%) - Extra $20 spent to save $5 = poor value Good: Spend $100, Save $15 (15%) - Extra $20 spent to save $15 = good value
Progress Messaging #
Show customers how close they are:
- “You’re $25 away from 10% off your entire order!”
- “Add $50 more to unlock 15% savings”
- “Just $10 more for FREE shipping”
Common Configurations #
Free Shipping Threshold #
Campaign: Free Shipping on Orders $75+ Threshold: $75 Discount: Free shipping (or shipping deducted)
Single Tier Percentage #
Campaign: Spend $100, Get 10% Off Threshold: $100 Discount: 10% Simple, clear messaging
Single Tier Fixed Amount #
Campaign: Spend $150, Get $20 Off Threshold: $150 Discount: $20 Clear dollar savings message
Multi-Tier Progressive #
$100 → 10% off $150 → 15% off $200 → 20% off Encouraging progressively larger orders
Displaying Threshold Promotions #
Banner/Header Display #
🎉 SPEND $100, GET 10% OFF YOUR ORDER!
Cart Progress Bar #
Current: $75 ────────●─────── $100
Add $25 to unlock 10% off!
Product Page #
Add this item to your cart and you'll be only $22 away from 10% off everything!
Measuring Success #
Key Metrics #
| Metric | What to Track |
|---|---|
| AOV Change | Before vs. after campaign |
| Threshold Reach Rate | % of orders qualifying |
| Items per Order | Products added to reach threshold |
| Revenue per Order | Net after discount |
Success Calculation #
Before Campaign: - Average Order: $85 - Orders: 100 - Revenue: $8,500 After Campaign (Spend $100 = 10% off): - Average Order: $115 - Orders: 100 - Gross: $11,500 - Discount: ~$1,150 (10%) - Net Revenue: $10,350 - Increase: 22%
Combining with Other Promotions #
With Product Discounts #
Spend thresholds can layer with product-level campaigns:
- Product on sale: 20% off sweater
- Cart threshold: Spend $100, extra 10% off order
- Result: Deep savings that drive conversion
With Free Shipping #
Tier 1: Spend $75 → Free Shipping Tier 2: Spend $100 → Free Shipping + 10% Off Tier 3: Spend $150 → Free Shipping + 15% Off
Troubleshooting #
Threshold Not Applying #
- Verify cart total includes qualifying products
- Check if excluded products are in cart
- Confirm threshold calculation (pre-tax)
Customers Not Reaching Threshold #
- Threshold may be too high
- Add progress messaging
- Suggest products to reach threshold
Too Many Qualifying Orders #
- Threshold may be too low
- Consider raising to drive behavior change
- Or reduce discount percentage
Updated on February 14, 2026
