Increasing your store’s average order value (AOV) is one of the smartest ways to maximize revenue without constantly chasing new customers. Instead of spending more on ads to acquire traffic, you can focus on encouraging existing visitors to buy more in a single transaction.
One highly effective method to achieve this is by using shoppable galleries. These interactive galleries let customers browse lifestyle images or lookbooks and purchase products directly from them. This creates a seamless shopping journey that both inspires and reduces friction.
In this article, we’ll explore how shoppable galleries work, why they boost AOV, practical strategies you can apply to your online store, and the best tools to help you implement them.
A shoppable gallery is a curated collection of lifestyle or product images that customers can interact with. Instead of just looking at photos, shoppers can click on tagged items within the image to view details and purchase instantly.
For example, imagine a fashion store showcasing a photo of a model wearing a full outfit. Instead of linking only to the jacket, a shoppable gallery lets customers click on the jacket, shoes, pants, and even accessories, all available to add to cart directly.
This approach transforms visual inspiration into instant purchasing, bridging the gap between browsing and buying.
Shoppable galleries do more than make your website look good. They directly impact buying behavior and cart value. Here’s why:
When customers see products grouped together, they are more likely to purchase them as a set rather than individually. A styled collection eliminates the guesswork of mixing and matching.
Bundling not only drives higher order values but also improves customer satisfaction by delivering a complete experience.
Customers often abandon carts because they feel overwhelmed by choices. Shoppable galleries act as a personal shopping assistant, showing curated combinations so the customer doesn’t need to think too much.
When people are guided, they make faster decisions and often buy more. For example, a tech store could show a “Work from Home Desk Setup” gallery that includes a laptop stand, wireless mouse, and ergonomic chair. Instead of browsing 20 product pages, the shopper sees the essentials in one place.
Shoppable galleries tap into aspirational buying. People don’t just buy products, but they buy the lifestyle associated with them. By showcasing products in real-life scenarios, you help customers imagine how items will fit into their own lives.
Traditional product recommendations often appear as “Related Products” at the bottom of a page. Shoppable galleries, however, present cross-sells in a more natural way.
For example, on a product page for a blazer, instead of recommending random shoes, a shoppable gallery shows a styled business outfit with trousers, belt, and loafers. The suggestion feels intentional rather than algorithmic, making customers more likely to add extras.
When items are shown together, customers perceive the collection as more valuable than the individual items. This can justify premium pricing or upsell bundles, further increasing AOV.
Implementing shoppable galleries successfully requires strategy. Here are proven methods to maximize results:
Customers love ready-to-buy looks. A “Shop the Look” feature makes it simple to purchase everything from an outfit to a room decor setup.
This works because it eliminates friction and customers don’t need to search multiple product pages.
Customers often shop for a specific season or occasion. A shoppable gallery tailored to these needs drives multiple purchases.
By grouping relevant items together, you create a natural buying path where customers feel compelled to buy the entire set.
People trust other customers more than branded content. By turning user-generated photos into shoppable galleries, you combine authenticity with commerce.
This not only builds trust but also encourages community engagement—customers get excited to be featured on your site.
Shoppable galleries are perfect for showing value-added bundles instead of pushing products individually.
Example: A coffee brand can show a “Morning Coffee Kit” gallery with a grinder, premium beans, and a French press. Customers are likely to purchase more when they see how the items complete each other.
With over 70% of eCommerce traffic coming from mobile, galleries must be mobile-friendly.
A smooth mobile experience is key for impulse purchases, which are often higher in value.
Shoppable galleries shouldn’t live in one corner of your site. Integrate them across multiple touchpoints:
The more exposure customers have to these galleries, the more opportunities they have to increase order value.
Data helps you identify which galleries drive the biggest AOV.
Regular testing ensures your galleries continue to drive measurable growth.
A great gallery balances inspiration with usability. Follow these best practices to maximize effectiveness:
Lifestyle photos show products in action. They tell a story, helping customers picture themselves owning the product. Use aspirational settings that reflect your target audience’s lifestyle.
Product tags must be visible but subtle. Use hover effects, small icons, or text labels that make it clear which items are clickable without cluttering the photo.
Adding all items at once should be frictionless. A single button like “Add All to Cart” can significantly increase AOV because it saves time for the shopper.
While beautiful images are essential, customers also need details. Use quick-view popups that show product names, prices, and a brief description without taking users away from the gallery.
Avoid overloading galleries with too many tags or complex layouts. A clean design ensures the shopping journey feels effortless.
Test galleries on different devices. Mobile shoppers should enjoy the same intuitive experience as desktop users.
When it comes to creating shoppable galleries and lookbooks on Shopify, Lookfy stands out as one of the most powerful and user-friendly apps. It’s designed specifically to help merchants transform lifestyle images, collections, or even Instagram-style feeds into interactive galleries where customers can shop directly.
Lookfy offers flexible pricing plans suitable for different store sizes:
This pricing makes Lookfy accessible to both small businesses and larger brands that want to scale.
Using Lookfy is straightforward, even for non-technical store owners:
By following these steps, merchants can turn static images into interactive sales channels that encourage customers to buy multiple products together.
Lookfy is not just a gallery app, but it’s a conversion tool built to boost both customer engagement and average order value. For fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and home decor brands, it’s the go-to choice to create immersive shopping experiences.
Shoppable galleries are more than just visually appealing features—they are powerful sales tools that can significantly increase your average order value. By showing products in context, encouraging bundling, and making it effortless to buy multiple items at once, galleries bridge the gap between inspiration and conversion.
From “Shop the Look” collections to UGC galleries, and from bundled product displays to mobile-optimized layouts, these strategies transform how customers shop. Combined with the right apps and careful design, shoppable galleries help customers feel inspired while driving measurable revenue growth.