Why Your Current Bundling Strategy is Probably Costing You Money
Most business owners in Brisbane think they know how to bundle. They think it’s as simple as slapping two items together, knocking 10% off the price, and waiting for the orders to roll in.
I’ve seen this time and time again with local e-commerce shops from North Lakes down to Logan. They see the big guys like Amazon or Kogan doing it, so they copy the "frequently bought together" look. But here’s the reality: if you do it wrong, you aren’t actually making more money. You’re just training your customers to never pay full price again.
Bundling isn't about giving stuff away. It’s about increasing the amount of money every single customer spends with you in one transaction. If a customer was going to spend $50 and you talk them into spending $85 because of a smart bundle, you’ve just won. If they were going to spend $100 anyway and you gave them a bundle discount for no reason, you just handed over your profit for nothing.
Let’s bust some myths and look at what actually works to put more cash in your bank account.
Myth #1: You Have to Offer a Massive Discount
This is the biggest mistake I see. Business owners think a bundle only works if it’s a "bargain."
Look, I get it. You want to give people a reason to buy. But if you’re a small business, your margins are your lifeblood. If you cut your prices too deep, you’re working for free.
The Reality: People buy bundles for convenience, not just price.
Imagine a bloke in Chermside looking for a gift for his wife’s birthday. He doesn't want to spend three hours browsing your site for matching earrings, a necklace, and a gift box. He wants to click one button and know it’s sorted. He will happily pay full price (or very close to it) just to save the time and the headache.
When you bundle products effectively, you are selling a solution, not a discount. Stop thinking like a bargain basement and start thinking like a problem solver.
Myth #2: More Choice is Always Better
I’ve walked into home decor shops in Fortitude Valley where the owner tries to offer "Build Your Own Bundle" with fifty different options. They think they’re being helpful.
They aren't. They’re confusing people.
When you give a customer too many choices, their brain shorts out. They get worried they’ll pick the wrong combination, so what do they do? They click away. They go to a competitor who makes the decision easy for them.
The Reality: The best bundles are the ones where you’ve already done the thinking.
Instead of 20 options, give them three clear choices: 1. The Starter Kit: Everything a beginner needs. 2. The Pro Pack: What the serious users buy. 3. The Ultimate Collection: Everything you’ve got.
This is how you make more sales on autopilot without having to answer fifty "which one should I get?" emails every day.
Myth #3: Bundling is Only for Clearing Old Stock
Don’t get me wrong, bundling is a great way to move those dust-covered boxes at the back of your warehouse. But if that’s the only time you do it, you’re missing the biggest opportunity in your business.
The Reality: Use your bestsellers to pull your mid-range products up.
If you have a product that everyone loves, pair it with a high-margin accessory that people often forget they need. Selling a BBQ? Bundle it with the specific cleaning kit and a heavy-duty cover. Selling skincare? Bundle the popular cleanser with the toner and moisturiser that people usually skip.
By doing this, you aren't just "getting rid of stuff." You are increasing your "Average Order Value." That’s a fancy way of saying you’re making more money from the same number of visitors.
How to Start Bundling Today (Without Breaking the Bank)
You don’t need a $10,000 website upgrade to start doing this. Most basic online stores have a way to group products together.
Here is exactly what I tell my mates when they ask how to fix their sales:
1. Look at your data (The "Common Sense" Check)
Go into your sales history. What are people already buying together? If you see that 40% of people who buy Product A also buy Product B, then Product A + B is your first bundle. It’s a no-brainer. You already know people want them both.2. Focus on the "Outcome"
Don’t name your bundle "Product A and B Bundle." That’s boring and tells the customer nothing. Name it after the result they want. "The Weekend Warrior Kit" "The 5-Minute Morning Routine" "The Stress-Free Birthday Gift"3. Change Your Photos
This is where most Brisbane businesses fail. They use a boring white-background photo of the two items side-by-side. It looks cheap. If you want people to pay good money for a bundle, show them the items being used together in a real-life setting.If you're worried about your site looking professional, remember that bad product photos will kill your sales faster than a high price tag ever will. Take a photo that makes the bundle look like a premium set, not a clearance pile.
The Real Cost of Bundling
Let’s talk numbers. This isn't free, but it's one of the cheapest ways to grow.
Time: It’ll take you or a staff member a few hours to look at your sales and pick the combinations. Tech: Most Shopify or WooCommerce apps for bundling cost between $20 and $50 a month. If that app helps you sell just two extra bundles, it’s usually paid for itself. Packaging: If you’re sending these out in a special box or with a nice ribbon, factor that in. It might cost you $2 extra per order, but it allows you to charge $10 more for the "experience."How Long Until You See Results?
This isn't like SEO where you have to wait six months to see a change. You can set up a bundle on Tuesday and see a sale by Wednesday.
In my experience working with local e-commerce brands, a well-placed bundle on your checkout page or your most popular product page can increase your total revenue by 10% to 15% almost overnight.
What’s a Waste of Money?
Don't waste money on: Complex "Build Your Own" Apps: They are expensive and, as I said, they usually just confuse your customers. Deep Discounts on Bestsellers: If something is already flying off the shelf, don't discount it in a bundle. Use it to sell the other stuff at full price.
- Advertising Bundles to New People First: It’s much harder to sell a $150 bundle to someone who has never heard of you than it is to sell a $50 single item. Use the bundle as an "upsell" once they’ve already decided they like you.
The Bottom Line
Bundling is the fastest way to get more money out of the traffic you already have. You’ve already paid for the customer to find your website—whether through Google, Facebook ads, or word of mouth. Why let them leave with a $30 order when they could have left with a $60 order?
Stop overcomplicating it. Pick two things that go together, give the bundle a name that solves a problem, and put it in front of your customers today.
Need help making your online store actually work for you? At Local Marketing Group, we help Brisbane businesses stop guessing and start growing. If you want a website that turns visitors into customers while you’re busy running the rest of your business, let’s chat.