Trigger Rules

What Are Trigger Rules?

Trigger rules determine when a gift is added to the customer's cart. CartSprinkle offers four types of triggers:

1. Spend Threshold - Based on cart total amount
2. Product Trigger - Based on specific product in cart
3. Collection Trigger - Based on products from a collection
4. Customer Segment Targeting - Restrict promotions to specific customer segments (Shopify Plus only)

Trigger Type 1: Spend Threshold

What Is It?

The gift is added when the customer's cart subtotal reaches or exceeds a specific dollar amount.

How It Works

• You set a minimum spend amount (e.g., $50)
• Customer adds products to cart
• When cart subtotal ≥ $50, gift is automatically added
• If cart total drops below $50, gift is automatically removed

Example

Best Use Cases

• ✅ Increase Average Order Value - Encourage customers to spend more
• ✅ Store-Wide Promotions - Any combination of products qualifies
• ✅ Holiday Sales - "Spend $100, get free gift wrapping"
• ✅ Free Shipping Alternative - Offer gift instead of/in addition to free shipping

How to Calculate Threshold

Step 1: Find your current average order value (AOV)

• Shopify Admin → Analytics → Reports → "Average Order Value"

Step 2: Set threshold 10-20% above your AOV

• If AOV = $50, set threshold to $55-$60
• If AOV = $100, set threshold to $110-$120

Important Notes

• 💵 Subtotal Only - Tax and shipping are NOT included in calculation
• 💳 Before Discounts - Threshold is checked against subtotal before discount codes
• 🌍 Currency - Threshold uses your store's default currency

Trigger Type 2: Product Trigger

What Is It?

The gift is added when a specific product (or variant) is added to the cart.

How It Works

• You select a specific "trigger product"
• Customer adds that exact product to cart
• Gift is automatically added immediately
• If product is removed, gift is removed

Example

Best Use Cases

• ✅ Move Specific Inventory - Promote slow-moving products
• ✅ Product Bundles - "Buy shampoo, get free conditioner"
• ✅ New Product Launch - Incentivize trying new items
• ✅ Complementary Products - "Buy phone, get free case"
• ✅ Upselling - Encourage purchase of premium items

Variants Support

If your trigger product has variants (size, color, etc.):

• Option A: Trigger on ANY variant of the product
• Option B: Trigger on SPECIFIC variant only (e.g., only "Red - Large")

Important Notes

• 🎯 Exact Match - Customer must add the exact product/variant you specified
• 🔢 Quantity - Adding multiple of the trigger product still only adds one gift
• 📦 Collections - Use Collection Triggers for collection-based promotions (see below)

Trigger Type 3: Collection Trigger

What Is It?

The gift is added when any product from a specific collection is added to the cart.

How It Works

• You select a specific collection (e.g., "Summer Collection")
• Customer adds ANY product from that collection to cart
• Gift is automatically added immediately
• If all collection products are removed, gift is removed

Example

Best Use Cases

• ✅ Themed Promotions - "Buy from Holiday Collection, get gift wrapping"
• ✅ Seasonal Campaigns - Promote entire collections with one promotion
• ✅ New Collection Launches - Incentivize customers to explore new arrivals
• ✅ Cross-Collection Promotions - Offer complementary gifts

Important Notes

• 🎯 Any Product in Collection - Any product from the selected collection qualifies
• 🔢 Multiple Products - Adding multiple products from the collection still only adds one gift
• 📦 Collection Changes - If products are added/removed from the collection, the promotion updates automatically

Trigger Type 4: Customer Segment Targeting (Shopify Plus Only)

What Is It?

Restrict your promotion to specific customer segments. This allows you to create exclusive offers for VIP customers, first-time buyers, high-value customers, or any custom segments you've created in Shopify.

How It Works

• You select one or more customer segments (e.g., "VIP Customers", "First-Time Buyers")
• Only customers who belong to the selected segments see the promotion
• Other customers won't see the promotion or receive the gift
• Works with any trigger type (spend threshold, product, or collection)

Example

Best Use Cases

• ✅ VIP Exclusives - Reward your most valuable customers
• ✅ First-Time Buyer Incentives - Welcome new customers with special offers
• ✅ High-Value Customer Rewards - Target customers who spend over $X annually
• ✅ Retention Campaigns - Win back customers who haven't purchased recently
• ✅ Geographic Targeting - Offer different promotions to customers in specific regions

Available Segments

Shopify Plus provides built-in segments, and you can create custom segments:

• Built-in Segments: VIP customers, first-time buyers, high-value customers, etc.
• Custom Segments: Any segments you create in Shopify admin (Customer → Segments)

Important Notes

• 🔒 Plus Only - This feature requires Shopify Plus subscription
• 🎯 Segment Membership - Customers must be actively in the selected segment
• 🔄 Dynamic Updates - If a customer's segment changes, they'll see/hide promotions accordingly
• 📊 Guest Customers - Guest checkout customers cannot be targeted by segments

Comparison Table

Which Trigger Should You Use?

Use Spend Threshold If:

• ✅ Your goal is to increase overall revenue
• ✅ You want a store-wide promotion
• ✅ You're running a seasonal sale (holidays, back-to-school)
• ✅ You want maximum customer eligibility

Use Product Trigger If:

• ✅ You need to move specific inventory
• ✅ You're launching a new product
• ✅ You want to create bundles that make sense together
• ✅ You're promoting a hero product

Use Collection Trigger If:

• ✅ You want to promote an entire collection or product line
• ✅ You're running themed campaigns (holiday, seasonal)
• ✅ You're launching a new collection
• ✅ You want to simplify promotion management (one promotion for many products)

Use Customer Segment Targeting If (Shopify Plus):

• ✅ You want to create exclusive offers for VIP customers
• ✅ You're targeting first-time buyers or high-value customers
• ✅ You need to run different promotions for different customer groups
• ✅ You want to maximize customer lifetime value through targeted incentives

Can You Run Both at the Same Time?

Yes! You can have multiple promotions active simultaneously:

Advanced Strategies

Strategy 1: Tiered Spending

Run multiple spend threshold promotions at different levels:

• Spend $50 → Get Sticker Pack
• Spend $100 → Get Tote Bag
• Spend $200 → Get Premium Gift Set

Strategy 2: Product & Collection Family

Create complementary bundles and collection promotions:

• Buy Face Cream → Get Free Sample Set (Product)
• Buy Camera → Get Free Memory Card (Product)
• Buy Coffee Beans → Get Free Mug (Product)
• Buy from Holiday Collection → Get Free Gift Wrapping (Collection)
• Buy from New Arrivals → Get Free Shipping Upgrade (Collection)

Strategy 3: Seasonal Combos

Mix triggers for seasonal campaigns:

• Black Friday: Spend $150 OR Buy Featured Item → Get Gift
• Holiday Season: Buy from Holiday Collection → Get Free Gift
• VIP Exclusive: VIP customers spend $200 → Get Premium Gift (Segment Targeting)
• (Run multiple promotions with different triggers and gifts)

Strategy 4: Segment-Based Exclusives (Plus Only)

Create tiered customer experiences:

• VIP Customers: Spend $100 → Get Premium Gift (Segment + Spend)
• First-Time Buyers: Buy Any Product → Get Welcome Gift (Segment + Product)
• High-Value Customers: Buy from New Collection → Get Exclusive Accessory (Segment + Collection)

Testing Your Triggers

Always test in an incognito browser:

Testing Spend Threshold:

1. Add products slightly below threshold → No gift
2. Add more to exceed threshold → Gift appears
3. Remove items to drop below → Gift removed

Testing Product Trigger:

1. Add random products → No gift
2. Add trigger product → Gift appears
3. Remove trigger product → Gift removed

Need Help Choosing?

• Read Best Practices
• Creating Promotions Guide
• Contact Support - We can help you strategize!