Value Added

It refers to a physical or imagined perception of a bonus that is applied or combined with a product or service with little or no extra cost involved with the purchase. Value-added features give competitive edges to companies with otherwise more expensive products.

Value added can be used to describe anything from a free sample attached to a familiar product on a store shelf, or a product discount when responding to an email newsletter marketing message that is accompanied by a special offer if a customer acts within a certain time frame.

This term has also been used for food that is packaged for convenience, to include the preparation in the package it came in, to combining all ingredients for a “home-cooked” meal. In the online world, added value marketing can be used when a product is purchased and bundled with a service agreement or free upgrades. The possibilities are pretty much endless as to what the “value” can be when this marketing strategy is used.