Here’s a fun fact: 70–95% of revenue from top-performing eCommerce stores often comes from their upsells and repeat purchases. Surprising? Maybe. Powerful? Absolutely.
Upsell on shopify is the art of encouraging shoppers to go for a higher-value product, an upgrade, or a related add-on — all before they hit the “Complete Order” button. It’s the friendly nudge that says, “You might like this even better,” and it works.
Why should you care? Because upselling increases your Average Order Value (AOV) — that sweet metric that tells you how much each customer is spending. The higher it goes, the more profit you make from the same traffic and marketing spend. If you’re running a Shopify store and haven’t tapped into the power of upselling, you’re likely missing out on easy revenue. Let’s dive into how to upsell on shopify, and how you can turn simple tweaks into serious sales.
What Is Upselling on Shopify?
Upselling on Shopify is all about offering your customers a better version of what they’re already interested in — a higher-end product, a larger size, or a premium bundle. It’s different from cross-selling, which suggests related but separate products (“You bought a phone, here’s a case!”).
Upsells usually show up at key moments in the customer journey — like on product pages, the cart page, or even after checkout on the post-purchase page. When done right, upselling leads to higher AOV, stronger customer loyalty, and better profit margins. Curious about how to add upsell products in Shopify? You’ll be glad to know it’s easier than you think — and we’ll walk you through it step by step.
Types of Upsell Strategies for Shopify Stores
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to upsell on shopify — and that’s the beauty of it. Depending on where your customer is in their buying journey, you can tailor your upsell strategy to match their mindset and maximize conversions. From product pages to post-checkout thank-you screens, each touchpoint offers a golden opportunity to increase Average Order Value (AOV) without being pushy. Let’s break down the most effective types of upsell and learn how to add upsell products in shopify.
Pre-purchase Upsell
This upsell happens on the product page. For example, if a customer views a basic blender, you suggest a premium version with more features. It’s a subtle nudge to consider something better before they even add anything to the cart.
In-cart Upsell
Once an item is in the cart, show an upgrade or add-on. Say someone adds running shoes — offer a premium insole or shoe cleaner right in the cart. It’s a last-minute chance to boost the order before checkout.
Post-purchase Upsell
After checkout, offer a relevant upgrade or add-on without requiring another transaction. For instance, after buying a camera, offer a discounted lens. The customer’s already in buying mode — this is a powerful time to upsell.
Set the mode for higher purchases with adding valuable products
Subscription Upsell
Turn a one-time product into a recurring order. For example, if someone buys skincare, offer a monthly subscription at a discounted rate. It increases lifetime value while giving the customer convenience.
Manual vs Automated Upsell
Manual upsells require hand-picking offers, while automated tools use data to suggest the best upsell in real time. For instance, an app can automatically show best-sellers based on what’s in the cart, saving you time and increasing conversions.
How to Add Upsell Products in Shopify?
When it comes to adding upsell offers to your Shopify store, you’ve got two solid paths: use Shopify’s built-in features or go for third-party apps. Each method has its strengths depending on how much control, automation, and customization you want.
Built-in Shopify Functions
Shopify doesn’t offer advanced upsell tools by default, but you can still create simple manual upsells. For example, you can recommend related or premium products by editing product descriptions, using “Recommended Products” sections on your product pages, or creating product bundles manually. It’s a more hands-on approach but great for full control over what’s being shown.
Using Shopify Apps
If you want to scale your upselling strategy and automate key parts of it, using the best upsell app for Shopify is a smart move. These apps let you set targeted conditions—like showing relevant offers when certain products are in the cart or after checkout—and often include analytics, A/B testing, and flexible design options to help boost performance.
Want to read an example?
Let’s say you want to upsell a laptop case with a laptop.
- Create the Related Product (Laptop Case)
- Go to your Shopify admin > Products > Add product.
- Add the laptop case with full details, images, price, and inventory.
- Save the product.
- Edit the Main Product Page (Laptop)
- Go to Products and select the laptop product.
- Scroll to the Product description and add a section like:
“Need protection? Add our best-selling laptop case to your order — designed to fit perfectly!” - Add a hyperlink to the laptop case product page.
- Save changes.
- Use a Product Recommendation Section (Optional Theme Feature)
- Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize.
- Navigate to the product template.
- Add or edit a section like “Recommended Products” or “You may also like.”
- Manually select the laptop case as a related product.
- Save and publish.
- Optimize Messaging and Placement
- Keep upsell text short and benefit-driven (“Protect your laptop — save 10% on this case when added today!”).
- Place recommendations near the “Add to Cart” button for visibility.
- Create the Related Product (Laptop Case)
Do It with Fast Bundle!
(How to Create Add-On Offers in Minutes)
If you’re looking for a simple yet powerful way to automate your upsell offers, Fast Bundle is one of the best upsell apps for Shopify to get the job done. It allows you to create high-converting product bundles and add-on offers that feel relevant and valuable — not pushy. Whether you want to suggest accessories, upgrades, or special bundles, Fast Bundle helps you do it with minimal effort.
Here’s how to create upsell in shopify, using Fast Bundle:
- Login to your Shopify store using username and password.
- In the right side of your admin panel, scroll down to “apps” and select “Fast Bundle”.
- After opening the app, a new page will appear. Here you’ll simply need to click on “Create new bundle”.
- From our 6 types of bundles, select “add-on”.
- With this feature, you can add complimentary products, personalize them, add discounts, and more.
That’s it — now you’ve got an upsell offer that’s smart, targeted, and designed to increase your Average Order Value (AOV). Plus, the app’s user-friendly interface and built-in analytics make it easy to test and optimize your strategy over time.
How to Create Effective Upsell Offers
Creating upsell offers that actually convert isn’t about pushing random products — it’s about offering real value at the right moment. A successful upsell feels like a helpful suggestion, not a sales pitch. That means showing the right product, with the right message, at just the right time.
Product relevance: complementary and value-enhancing
Upsells work best when the suggested product makes the original purchase better — think phone + case, or coffee machine + premium beans. The more relevant the offer, the more likely customers will see it as helpful, not pushy. Irrelevant upsells can feel spammy and hurt conversion rates.
Offer design: discounts, bundles, urgency
Use incentives like “Buy more, save more,” limited-time discounts, or value bundles to increase perceived benefit. Even small offers like “Add for 10% off” can drive big lifts. Urgency elements like countdowns or “Only 3 left!” add motivation and tap into FOMO.
Placement: timing and visibility
Where and when your upsell appears matters. Product pages, cart pages, and post-purchase screens all work — but choose based on product type and buying behavior. Keep upsells highly visible without disrupting the main purchase flow.
Copywriting: persuasive, non-intrusive language
Use friendly, benefit-driven language like “Customers love adding this…” or “Upgrade for better results.” Avoid hard-sell tones. A good upsell feels like advice from a helpful salesperson, not a pushy popup screaming “Buy now!”
A/B testing and optimization
Test different upsell products, copy, designs, and placements to see what works best. Monitor metrics like AOV, click-throughs, and conversion rate. Use the data to refine your offers over time — even small tweaks can lead to noticeable gains.
Real-World Upselling Use Cases
Plenty of successful Shopify brands are quietly using upselling to boost their revenue — and they’re doing it without overwhelming their customers. Let’s take a look at how a few of them make it work in the real world.
- Gymshark, the popular fitness apparel brand, uses in-cart upsells to recommend matching accessories like water bottles or socks when customers add leggings or workout tops. The trigger is simple: when a customer adds a clothing item to their cart, a related product appears just below — clean, relevant, and perfectly timed. The result? Increased AOV with minimal effort.
- Allbirds, known for eco-friendly shoes, places subtle pre-purchase upsells on their product pages. For instance, when browsing shoes, customers might see a recommendation to upgrade to a weather-resistant version for just a bit more. This encourages value-focused upgrades without interrupting the shopping flow.
- Blume, a skincare brand, uses post-purchase upsells to great effect. After checkout, they offer a limited-time deal on a complementary product (like face mist after buying a cleanser). The offer feels exclusive and timely — leading to frequent add-on purchases.
These brands all have one thing in common: they trigger upsells that feel helpful, not annoying. By aligning upsell offers with customer behavior, they boost revenue while improving the shopping experience. You can do the same — it’s all about timing, relevance, and execution.
Complementary Strategies: Cross-Selling & Bundling
Upselling works even better when paired with smart strategies like cross-selling and bundling. These approaches not only increase the customer’s cart size but also enhance their overall shopping experience by offering more value, convenience, and relevance. Here’s how they complement your upsell game perfectly:
Cross-Selling Adds Relevance
Suggesting related but separate products (like a camera bag with a camera) helps enhance the original purchase and increases total cart value alongside upsells.Bundling Creates Perceived Value
Combining multiple products into a bundle (e.g., shampoo + conditioner + serum) gives customers a deal and makes them feel they’re getting more for less.
They Reinforce Upselling
When used together, cross-selling and bundling make upsells feel natural — not forced — by offering complete solutions instead of just pricier upgrades.
Boost Conversion Rates
These tactics reduce decision fatigue by guiding customers toward smart, curated choices, making them more likely to buy — and buy more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Upselling on Shopify
Ever been asked if you want a warranty, three accessories, and a cleaning kit just for buying headphones? That’s upsell overload — and customers hate it. In fact, 88% of shoppers abandon purchases when the buying process feels confusing or overwhelming. To keep your upsell strategy smooth and effective, avoid these common pitfalls:
Overloading offers
Showing too many upsell options at once can overwhelm the customer and distract from the main purchase. Keep it simple: one great offer is better than five irrelevant ones.
Recommending unrelated products
Suggesting items that don’t match the original purchase (like socks with skincare) confuses shoppers and hurts trust. Relevance is key to building better upsell conversions.
Being too pushy or interruptive
Pop-ups that disrupt the shopping flow or force decisions can backfire. Upsells should feel helpful and optional — not like aggressive sales tactics.
Ignoring mobile experience
If your upsells don’t look good or load well on mobile, you’ll lose sales fast. Make sure your offers are responsive and easy to interact with on all devices.
Think Bigger: Why Smart Upselling on Shopify Just Makes Sense
Upselling on Shopify is about making more from what you already have. When done right, it boosts Average Order Value (AOV), improves customer satisfaction, and even increases profit margins without needing more traffic. The beauty? You’re helping shoppers discover better options, not forcing a sale.
And here’s the secret sauce: there’s no “perfect” upsell strategy from day one. The real magic happens when you test, tweak, and learn. Try different placements, messages, and products. See what clicks. Shopify gives you the tools — and your customers will tell you what works. So start small, experiment boldly, and watch your revenue grow smarter, not harder.
Make upselling effortless!
Fast Bundle helps you sell more, faster!
FAQ
How do I upsell a product on Shopify?
Use product recommendations, bundles, or apps to suggest higher-value items during the shopping or checkout process.
Can you do upsells without apps?
Yes, manually by editing product pages, using custom sections, or linking to upgraded versions in product descriptions.
What’s the difference between upsell and cross-sell?
Upsell suggests a better version of the same product; cross-sell recommends different but related items.
How do I measure upselling performance?
Track metrics like Average Order Value (AOV), upsell conversion rate, and revenue generated from upsell offers.
