# How to Do BOGO (Buy One Get One) Offers in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
Want to boost sales with exciting Buy One Get One (BOGO) offers on your WooCommerce store? This guide provides a simple, step-by-step approach, even if you’re new to WooCommerce. We’ll explain the “why” and the “how,” with real-life examples and practical code snippets.
Why Offer BOGO Deals?
BOGO promotions are incredibly effective for several reasons:
- Increased Sales: Customers feel they’re getting a bargain, leading to larger order values. Imagine buying one coffee and getting another free – it’s hard to resist!
- Inventory Management: This is particularly useful if you have excess stock of a particular product. A BOGO offer can quickly move that inventory.
- Customer Acquisition: BOGO deals attract new customers drawn in by the perceived value.
- Improved Customer Loyalty: A positive experience with a BOGO offer can encourage repeat business.
- WooCommerce BOGO: A widely used plugin with a user-friendly interface. It allows you to easily set up different BOGO rules, targeting specific products or categories.
- Special Offers by YITH: A versatile plugin that handles various promotional offers, including BOGO, discounts, and more.
Methods for Implementing BOGO in WooCommerce
There are several ways to implement BOGO offers in WooCommerce, ranging from simple plugins to custom code. Let’s explore a couple of the most popular options:
1. Using WooCommerce Plugins
This is the easiest and most recommended method for beginners. Several plugins offer robust BOGO functionality without needing any coding knowledge. Popular choices include:
How to use a plugin (General Steps):
1. Install the plugin: Go to your WooCommerce dashboard > Plugins > Add New. Search for the chosen plugin and install it.
2. Activate the plugin: Once installed, activate the plugin.
3. Configure the BOGO offer: Follow the plugin’s instructions to set up your BOGO rules. This usually involves specifying the products involved, the quantity requirements, and any limitations.
Example: Let’s say you sell t-shirts. You could configure a plugin to offer “Buy 2 Get 1 Free” on all t-shirts. Customers adding three t-shirts to their cart would automatically get the cheapest one free at checkout.
2. Using Custom Code (Advanced Users)
If you’re comfortable with PHP coding, you can create a custom BOGO offer. This requires more technical skill but offers greater flexibility. However, using a plugin is strongly recommended for beginners.
This example demonstrates a simple BOGO offer using a WooCommerce action hook. Remember to always back up your website before implementing custom code.
add_action( 'woocommerce_before_calculate_totals', 'add_bogo_to_cart', 10, 1 );
function add_bogo_to_cart( $cart ) {
if ( is_admin() || ! $cart->is_empty() ) return;
foreach ( $cart->get_cart() as $cart_item_key => $cart_item ) {
$product_id = $cart_item[‘product_id’];
// Check if it’s the product you want in the BOGO offer (replace 123 with your product ID)
if ( $product_id == 123 ) {
$cart->add_to_cart( $product_id, 1 ); // Add one free item
break; //Only apply the BOGO to the first instance
}
}
}
This code adds one free item to the cart for every one of product ID 123 added. This is a very basic example and will require significant adjustments for complex BOGO scenarios.
Choosing the Right Method
For most users, utilizing a WooCommerce plugin is the best approach. It’s simple, efficient, and requires minimal technical expertise. Only venture into custom coding if you have a strong understanding of PHP and WooCommerce’s architecture. Remember to always test your BOGO offer thoroughly before launching it publicly.
By implementing a well-structured BOGO offer, you can significantly boost your sales and customer satisfaction. Choose the method that best suits your technical skills and enjoy the increased revenue!
