Why Most Online Shops Struggle to Make a Real Profit
If you’re running an online store in Brisbane, or anywhere in Australia for that matter, you know the drill. You spend money on ads to get people to your site. You pay for shipping. You pay for packaging. By the time you’ve sold a single $30 item, you’re lucky to have enough left over for a meat pie and a schooner.
The problem isn’t your product. The problem is your Average Order Value.
I’ve sat down with dozens of business owners from Fortitude Valley to the Gold Coast who are pulling their hair out because they’re busy, but they aren’t making enough money. They think they need more traffic. They think they need a 'better algorithm.'
They’re wrong. They need to sell more to the people who are already at the checkout. The fastest way to do that is through product bundling.
The Big Myth: Bundling is Just a 'Discount Strategy'
Let’s bust the first myth right now: Bundling is NOT just about giving stuff away for cheap.
If you think bundling means taking three things and slashing the price by 30%, you’re doing it wrong. That’s just a race to the bottom. Real bundling is about convenience. It’s about solving a problem for your customer so they don't have to think.
When a customer buys a BBQ from a shop in Moorooka, they don’t just want the grill. They want the gas bottle, the cover, and the cleaning brush. If you make them hunt for those items, they’ll probably forget. If you put them together as a 'Ultimate Weekend Cookout Kit,' you’ve just turned a single sale into a massive one, and the customer is actually happier because you saved them a trip back to the shops.
Myth #2: You Need Fancy Software to Start
I see business owners get paralyzed because they think they need to spend thousands on complex 'recommendation engines.'
Rubbish.
You can start bundling tomorrow with nothing more than a new product listing on your website. Call it a 'Starter Pack' or a 'Gift Bundle.' You don't need a PhD in computer science; you just need to know what your customers actually use together.
Whether you are trying to make more money from Shopify or another platform, the logic is the same: make it easy for people to give you more money.
Three Bundling Strategies That Actually Work
1. The 'Complete Solution' Bundle
This is the bread and butter of successful local businesses. Think about what a customer needs to actually use your product.Selling house plants? Bundle the plant, the pot, the specific soil mix, and a watering can. Selling skincare? Don't just sell a cleanser. Sell the 'Morning Glow Set' with the cleanser, toner, and moisturiser.
Why it works: It removes the 'fear of forgetting something.' Customers hate getting a package in the mail only to realise they can't use it yet because they're missing a part.
2. The 'Buy More, Save More' (Volume Bundling)
This is perfect for items people use up and need to replace—think coffee beans, soap, or socks.Instead of selling one bag of coffee for $20, sell a 3-pack for $52. You save on shipping costs (because sending one box is cheaper than sending three separate ones over three months), and you lock the customer into your brand. This is a great way to make more from every customer without having to find a new one every week.
3. The 'Gift and Forget' Bundle
People are lazy—especially when buying gifts. If you can provide a 'Birthday Bundle' that includes gift wrapping and a card, you can charge a premium for the time you've saved them.The Math That Matters: Why Bundling Makes You Richer
Let’s look at the numbers, because at the end of the day, that’s all that counts.
Scenario A (No Bundling): Customer buys one item: $40 Cost of goods: $15 Shipping & Packaging: $12 Marketing cost to get that customer: $10 Your Profit: $3 (Ouch.)
Scenario B (The Bundle): Customer buys a 3-item bundle: $100 (a slight discount from $120) Cost of goods: $40 Shipping & Packaging: $14 (only slightly more than a single item) Marketing cost to get that customer: $10 (the cost to get them to the site is the same!) Your Profit: $36
By bundling, you didn't just triple your sales—you multiplied your profit by 12. This is how small Brisbane businesses go from 'just getting by' to 'buying a new ute.'
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't Bundle Irrelevant Crap
I’ve seen shops try to bundle a slow-moving item (like a weird-coloured hat) with their best-selling item just to get rid of stock. Customers aren't stupid. They see right through this. If the bundle doesn't make sense to the user, they won't buy it, and it might even stop them from buying the original item because the offer looks 'dodgy.'Don't Hide the Value
If you are offering a bundle, tell the customer why. Show them the 'Individual Price' vs. the 'Bundle Price.' People love feeling like they’ve won a deal. If you don't show the saving, they won't appreciate it.Don't Overcomplicate the Choice
Give them 2 or 3 bundle options max. If you give someone 15 different 'kit' options, they’ll get 'analysis paralysis' and leave your site without buying anything. Keep it simple: Basic, Standard, and Professional.How to Start Today (Without Spending a Cent)
1. Look at your data: What do people usually buy together? Check your past orders. If people often buy a hammer and nails, there's your first bundle. 2. Ask your customers: Send a quick email or ask them in-store. "What's one thing you wish you'd bought at the same time as [Product X]?" 3. Create the listing: Don't change your whole website. Just create one new product that is a 'Kit' or 'Bundle.' 4. Promote it at checkout: When someone adds the main item to their cart, have a simple pop-up or text that says, "Most people also need [Item Y]. Get both now and save $10."
Is Bundling Right for Your Business?
Look, I'll be blunt. If you're selling high-ticket items like engagement rings or custom-built sheds, 'buy two get one free' isn't going to work. But for 90% of ecommerce businesses in Australia, bundling is the lowest-hanging fruit there is.
It works for tradies selling maintenance kits, it works for boutiques selling outfits, and it works for supplement stores selling 'stacks.'
If you’re tired of seeing your revenue go up while your bank account stays the same, you need to stop focusing on getting 'new' customers and start focusing on the ones you already have.
Summary: Stop Leaving Money on the Table
Bundling isn't a 'marketing trick.' It's a better way to serve your customers. You make their life easier, and they reward you by spending more money.
Most business owners I talk to in places like Chermside or Indooroopilly are working way too hard for every dollar. They’re constantly chasing new leads when they’re sitting on a goldmine of existing interest. Start small, test one bundle, and watch your average order value climb.
Ready to grow your Brisbane business without the headache?
At Local Marketing Group, we don't care about 'likes' or 'engagement.' We care about your bottom line. If you want a website that actually rings the till and a strategy that puts more profit in your pocket, let’s talk.
Contact Local Marketing Group today and let's get your business moving.