The Power of Deal Finder: How To Increase Ecommerce Conversions and AOV

In ecommerce, timing is everything. But so is visibility.

You can build the smartest discount campaign in the world, but if your customer doesn’t know about it until it’s too late, you’re leaving revenue on the table.

This is the invisible gap between discount strategy and customer experience: not just having promotions live, but ensuring they’re seen at the right time, in the right place, and with the right message.

The numbers tell the story:

• The Baymard Institute found that a staggering 70% of online shoppers abandon their cart (source) for a variety of reasons including extra costs or unclear incentives weren’t made clear early enough in the journey.
  
  
• Forrester reports that better visibility of discounts and promotions can increase ecommerce conversion rates by up to 20% (source).
  
  
• And according to Salesforce, 74% of customers expect brands to anticipate their needs and deliver personalised experiences — which includes showing them relevant deals proactively (source).
  
  

The reality? Your customer is busy. Distracted. Multitasking. Even the most carefully crafted promotion can go unnoticed if it’s not surfaced at the right time.

This is where Fortis’ Deal Finder shines.

By dynamically surfacing promotions throughout the customer journey — from product page to basket and beyond — Deal Finder turns passive browsing into active purchasing. It ensures every customer sees exactly how close they are to a better deal, and what actions they can take to unlock it.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

• Why real-time discount visibility has become critical to ecommerce success.
  
  
• How Deal Finder works across your site to remove friction and increase average order value (AOV).
  
  
• Real-world examples of how ecommerce brands use Deal Finder to capture more sales without increasing ad spend.
  
  
• And how you can get started today.
  
  

Let’s start with the psychology and the proof behind why visibility makes such a powerful impact.

The Conversion Power of Real-Time Discount Visibility

Even the best promotions fail if your customers never see them.

Ecommerce teams often pour hours into crafting great offers, only to bury them in generic site banners or hard-to-find checkout messages. The result? Shoppers browse without knowing what incentives they could unlock — and abandon their carts without ever seeing the full value of their potential purchase.

This isn’t a rare problem. According to the Baymard Institute, 48% of shoppers abandon their carts due to extra costs or unclear pricing surprises during checkout (source). If customers don’t understand the benefits early in the journey, they’re less likely to follow through.

Why Customers Miss Discount Opportunities

Even with strong offers in play, many ecommerce journeys fail to surface them clearly because:

• Discounts are passive, not proactive. Promotions sit quietly in banners, waiting to be noticed.
  
  
• Qualifying criteria are too complex. Spend thresholds, specific product combinations, or expiry dates are hidden in terms and conditions.
  
  
• Customers are moving fast. With mobile shopping now dominating ecommerce, attention spans are shorter, and missed messaging means missed conversions.
  
  

This is exactly the problem Fortis solves with Deal Finder — by dynamically showing customers where they stand in relation to their next reward, and exactly what action they need to take to unlock it.

The Power of Micro Nudges

Deal Finder isn’t about screaming promotions. It’s about timely, contextually relevant micro nudges that gently guide your customer to spend more — without the hard sell.

This approach is rooted in behavioural economics. Nobel Prize-winning economist Richard Thaler popularised the concept of “choice architecture” — the idea that how you present choices can dramatically influence outcomes. In ecommerce, nudges like "Add £10 more to qualify for free shipping" or "Add one more product to unlock your free gift" tap into this principle to encourage action.

Studies show that progress indicators can boost conversion rates by up to 20%, as they create a clear, visual path towards reward (source).

With Deal Finder, this happens automatically:

• Early in the journey: Promotions are introduced right on product pages.
  
  
• As customers browse: Spend progress or qualifying actions are displayed in real time.
  
  
• In the basket: Clear reminders of what's been unlocked (or what's left to do).
  
  
• At checkout: Confirmation of rewards, removing final hesitations.
  
  

By closing the loop visually at every stage, Deal Finder turns offers into motivators, not hidden afterthoughts.

How Visibility Drives Higher Average Order Value (AOV)

When promotions are visible and progress is tracked, something powerful happens: customers naturally start to "trade up."

They see tangible goals and adjust their behaviour accordingly:

• Adding one more product to qualify for a free gift.
  
  
• Increasing basket value to unlock a higher discount tier.
  
  
• Switching to a premium item because it pushes them over the reward threshold.
  
  

This behaviour aligns with the goal-gradient effect, a well-documented psychological principle showing that people accelerate their efforts as they perceive themselves to be nearing a goal.

With Fortis Deal Finder, you harness this effect by showing customers exactly how close they are to their reward, turning passive browsers into motivated buyers — and significantly increasing AOV without needing to rely on aggressive discounting.

In short: Visibility matters. When customers know where they stand, they spend more — and feel better about it. Deal Finder from Fortis transforms discounting from a background incentive into an active driver of conversions and larger basket sizes.

How Deal Finder Enhances the Ecommerce Journey

When it comes to ecommerce, every page, every click, and every moment is an opportunity to either lose a customer — or win the sale. Too often, discounting is treated as a static element of the journey: set once, hope for the best.

But the truth is, your customer’s journey is fluid. Their mindset shifts as they move from browsing to consideration to checkout. What they need isn’t just better offers — it’s better timing and visibility of those offers.

This is exactly what Fortis Deal Finder is built to do. It actively works alongside your store’s customer journey, not passively in the background.

Mapping the Deal Finder Experience to the Customer Journey

Let’s break down how Deal Finder operates at each stage:

1. Browsing Stage: Spark Curiosity Early

At the earliest point in the journey, customers are simply exploring options. They may not be thinking about qualifying criteria or thresholds yet — but Deal Finder subtly plants the seed.

• Teasers and hints: Display offers like “Spend £50 and claim a free gift” directly on product pages.
  
  
• Contextual placement: Use banners within Zones & Panels to ensure promotional visibility without overwhelming the experience.
  
  
• Brand alignment: Customise design via BlockLab and Twig tags so promotional prompts look and feel like your brand.
  
  

This early-stage visibility keeps offers top of mind as customers browse, nudging them toward intentional basket building.

2. Close to Qualifying: Motivation Increases

When a customer is nearly eligible for a promotion, they’re at a critical tipping point.

Deal Finder dynamically alerts them:

• “You’re just £10 away from unlocking your free gift.”
  
  
• “Add one more product to qualify for an exclusive discount.”
  
  

By clearly displaying progress, Deal Finder activates the goal-gradient effect we discussed earlier, where customers are more motivated as they get closer to a reward.

This small nudge is often the difference between an average basket and an upgraded one.

3. Qualified for the Promotion: Celebrate the Win

Once customers qualify, it’s crucial to acknowledge and celebrate the achievement:

• Highlight gift options or discounts unlocked.
  
  
• Offer selection prompts if multiple gifts are available.
  
  
• Reinforce value: Confirm the customer’s smart decision-making.
  
  

This recognition increases purchase satisfaction and reduces the risk of last-minute abandonment.

4. Basket Stage: Reinforce and Upsell

In the basket, Deal Finder:

• Clearly displays the promotion and any rewards earned.
  
  
• Offers upsells or gift switch options, keeping engagement high.
  
  
• Confirms value alignment, reducing decision fatigue before checkout.
  
  

This is a vital stage for preventing second thoughts and encouraging customers to follow through.

5. Checkout Stage: Remove Final Doubts

Even at the final step, Deal Finder continues working:

• Confirms all earned rewards so there are no surprises.
  
  
• Reinforces urgency for limited-time offers.
  
  
• Provides confidence that the best deal has been secured.
  
  

No last-minute cart abandonment due to uncertainty or fear of missing out on a better offer elsewhere.

Seamless Integration Across Every Page

What makes Fortis Deal Finder particularly powerful is its flexibility:

• Product pages: Highlight relevant offers as customers browse.
  
  
• Basket pop-ups: Dynamic updates show progress toward promotions.
  
  
• Checkout page: Final confirmation to close the sale confidently.
  
  

With easy integration using provided code snippets, Deal Finder ensures promotional visibility is baked into every touchpoint — reducing reliance on ads or external messaging to communicate value.

And thanks to its design customisation, Deal Finder never looks out of place. It feels like a natural extension of your site, maintaining brand integrity while amplifying your promotional strategy.

Tailoring the Experience to Your Brand

No two ecommerce businesses are alike. Deal Finder’s customisation options ensure:

• Messaging reflects your tone of voice.
  
  
• Promotions align visually with your brand identity.
  
  
• Content is dynamically updated without needing constant design refreshes.
  
  

For busy ecommerce teams, this means scaling promotions effortlessly across categories and seasons, without developer bottlenecks or manual design adjustments.

As your promotional strategy evolves, Deal Finder evolves with you.

Examples of Deal Finder in Action

Theory is good. But seeing Deal Finder in action makes it real.

The beauty of Fortis Deal Finder is its flexibility — whether you're selling luxury skincare, electronics, B2B wholesale orders, or anything in between, it adapts to your promotional goals and helps maximise every opportunity.

Let’s look at five practical examples that show how ecommerce brands are using Deal Finder to boost their average order value (AOV) and improve customer experience.

1. Boosting AOV With Free Gift Offers

The Scenario:
A beauty retailer runs a "Spend £75, get a free skincare gift" promotion. But previously, customers rarely reached the threshold because the promotion details were buried in site banners.

With Deal Finder:

• Customers see the free gift teaser directly on relevant product pages.
  
  
• As they shop, Deal Finder dynamically updates: "You're just £12 away from your free gift."
  
  
• Upon qualifying, Deal Finder celebrates the achievement and prompts customers to select their reward.
  
  
• In the basket, customers can see their gift clearly, reducing hesitation before checkout.
  
  

The Result:
Higher basket sizes, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced drop-offs at checkout.

Tip: Free gifts feel more valuable than discounts, and Deal Finder ensures your customers never miss them.

2. Converting Browsers Into Buyers With Spend Progress

The Scenario:
A home decor brand offers "Spend £150, save 20%," but without clear visibility, most customers fall short of the target.

With Deal Finder:

• Deal Finder proactively tracks basket value and shows customers their progress: "Add £25 more to unlock 20% off your entire basket."
  
  
• As items are added, the message updates in real time.
  
  
• At the basket stage, Deal Finder reinforces the promotion, encouraging final additions before checkout.
  
  

The Result:
Increased conversion rates and uplift in average order values, all without increasing ad spend.

Why it works: Customers love seeing visible progress — it’s a natural motivator.

3. Reducing Checkout Friction With Real-Time Confirmation

The Scenario:
An electronics store noticed customers abandoning carts at the final step, unsure if discounts had applied properly.

With Deal Finder:

• Promotions are confirmed throughout the journey, especially at checkout.
  
  
• Customers receive clear messaging: "Your 15% discount has been applied."
  
  
• Gift offers and qualifying spend confirmations are also surfaced at this final step.
  
  

The Result:
Fewer abandoned carts, smoother checkout flow, and higher completion rates.

Tip: Eliminate doubt at the point of conversion to seal the deal.

4. Supporting Seasonal Campaigns Effortlessly

The Scenario:
A fashion retailer runs multiple seasonal offers across categories, struggling to keep site messaging updated.

With Deal Finder:

• Seasonal promotions auto-update across product pages, basket, and checkout without manual intervention.
  
  
• Promotional banners and dynamic messages reflect real-time availability, spend thresholds, and reward eligibility.
  
  
• Messaging stays brand-aligned using customised design tools within Deal Finder.
  
  

The Result:
Zero design bottlenecks, consistent promotional messaging, and a seamless customer experience during high-traffic periods.

Fortis Deal Finder ensures your seasonal campaigns are as agile as your customers.

5. Making B2B Promotions Personal and Effective

The Scenario:
A B2B supplier wants to encourage trade clients to increase order volumes, but buyers are unaware of volume-based savings.

With Deal Finder:

• Volume discounts ("Order 10 units, save 15%") are displayed clearly during the browsing phase.
  
  
• As customers add products, Deal Finder updates them on potential savings.
  
  
• In the basket, Deal Finder confirms tiered discounts and encourages incremental additions.
  
  

The Result:
Larger average orders and improved customer engagement, without relying on external sales prompts.

Why it works: B2B buyers appreciate transparency and clarity in pricing. Deal Finder makes volume incentives obvious.

Recap: Why These Examples Work

Across all these scenarios, common threads emerge:

• Real-time visibility: Customers know exactly where they stand at every stage.
  
  
• Dynamic updates: Progress indicators nudge behaviour naturally.
  
  
• Basket reinforcement: Promotions stay top of mind at the most critical points.
  
  
• Design alignment: Messages feel like part of the native site experience.
  
  

By integrating Deal Finder, brands turn passive promotions into active sales drivers — helping customers see the value on offer and make purchase decisions with confidence.

Next, we’ll zoom out and explore how to build a personalised, data-driven incentive strategy that goes beyond individual campaigns and drives sustainable growth.

Building a Personalised, Data-Driven Incentive Strategy

While Deal Finder delivers immediate improvements to visibility and conversion, its real power shines as part of a longer-term, data-driven strategy. The brands that see the most sustainable growth aren’t just running promotions — they’re building intelligent incentive ecosystems, personalised to customer needs and continually optimised over time.

Here’s how to elevate your discounting and gifting strategy beyond transactional offers and into lasting profitability.

1. Understand Customer Behaviour in Context

Start with insight. Leverage Deal Finder’s data to understand:

• Which customer segments respond best to dynamic prompts?
  
  
• What basket sizes are common, and where do customers tend to drop off?
  
  
• Are there products frequently bought together that can form natural bundles?
  
  

For example, you might find that first-time shoppers often abandon at a £40 spend, but they’re likely to add one more item if they see they’re close to a gift threshold. This is actionable intelligence that helps you build smarter offers.

According to McKinsey, personalisation can drive revenue increases of 5 to 15%, and boost marketing spend efficiency by 10 to 30% (source).

With Fortis and Deal Finder, these insights become your day-to-day playbook.

2. Segment and Target with Precision

Not every customer should see the same message.

Use Deal Finder to segment your audience:

• First-time visitors: Surface introductory offers.
  
  
• Loyal customers: Highlight VIP perks or exclusive free gifts.
  
  
• High-intent browsers: Show personalised nudges to help them reach spend thresholds.
  
  
• Lapsed customers: Win back attention with time-sensitive incentives.
  
  

Targeting ensures you're offering the right reward, to the right person, at the right moment — optimising conversion without compromising margin.

Tip: Start with broad segments and refine over time based on performance data.

3. Balance Value with Margin Protection

Personalisation doesn’t mean giving away margin freely. It means offering perceived value while maintaining profitability.

Fortis' rule engine lets you:

• Set minimum thresholds for gift eligibility.
  
  
• Exclude low-margin or high-demand items from certain promotions.
  
  
• Prioritise value-driven offers over discounting, such as free gifts or upgrades.
  
  

This balance helps you build customer excitement without eroding profit.

Smart promotional strategies create win-win scenarios: perceived value for the customer, controlled cost for the business.

4. Automate Seasonal and Lifecycle Promotions

Deal Finder is not just for day-to-day ecommerce. It's a powerful engine for automating:

• Seasonal promotions (Black Friday, Summer Sales).
  
  
• Customer lifecycle journeys (welcome offers, anniversary gifts).
  
  
• Post-purchase follow-ups ("You've unlocked a thank-you reward!").
  
  

Automation reduces manual effort and keeps your customer experience feeling fresh and engaging, all year round.

5. Use Data to Test, Learn, and Optimise

Finally, your incentive strategy should be a living system — constantly refined based on performance insights.

With Deal Finder and Fortis:

• Run A/B tests on message timing and placement.
  
  
• Test progress indicators vs. simple discount prompts.
  
  
• Review which messages drive higher AOV and lower abandonment.
  
  
• Adjust thresholds based on customer behaviour patterns over time.
  
  

Tip: Analyse customer journeys where Deal Finder was visible vs. hidden to understand impact.

Continuous learning is what transforms short-term promotion success into long-term profitability.

Ready to Maximise Conversions? Put Deal Finder to Work Today

Discounts and incentives only work when your customers can see them — and know exactly how close they are to unlocking them. Too often, great offers are hidden, misunderstood, or surfaced too late in the journey, leaving revenue and customer satisfaction behind.

With Fortis Deal Finder, you close the gap between your promotional strategy and customer experience:

• Promotions become visible and motivating throughout the entire journey.
  
  
• Customers understand what actions they need to take — in real time.
  
  
• Progress indicators nudge behaviour and increase average order value.
  
  
• Personalised prompts align to customer segments and purchase behaviours.
  
  
• Automation ensures that seasonal, campaign, and day-to-day offers are always accurate, dynamic, and aligned with your brand.
  
  

No more passive offers waiting to be discovered. No more last-minute design tweaks or manual code changes. Just intelligent, automated, brand-aligned promotions that work harder — and smarter.

If you’re ready to increase AOV, reduce cart abandonment, and deliver a shopping experience that feels personal and rewarding at every step, Fortis Deal Finder is ready for you.

Discover how Fortis Deal Finder transforms ecommerce conversions