Last updated - November 24, 2023
In the competitive eCommerce world, the quest for increasing sales is a never-ending journey.
What if we told you that there is a proven strategy to boost your sales and revenue? That is, through upselling and cross-selling. These two powerful techniques increase sales by encouraging customers to explore and purchase additional products.
Most eCommerce stores generate 10% to 30% of revenue through upselling and cross-selling. Before delving into strategies, we will clarify the concepts of upsell and cross-sell.
Upselling and Cross-selling
Upselling encourages customers to purchase higher-end products with additional features, while cross-selling encourages customers to buy additional relevant products that complement their main product.
For example, if a customer plans to purchase a Smartphone with basic features, upselling is to make them upgrade their smartphone to a higher version with extra features. On the other hand, cross-selling is to make that customer buy a phone case or earphones in addition to their smartphone.
Let’s discuss the tried and tested upselling and cross-selling ideas for your WooCommerce store.
Upselling Ideas for WooCommerce Store
Product Bundles
Product bundles involve grouping related products and offering them as a package at a slightly discounted price compared to purchasing each item separately.
It encourages customers to spend more for a good deal, thus increasing the average order value. For example, if you sell Cameras, you can provide a product bundle in the same electronics categories as a camera with camera lenses or a tripod.
Cross-Category Upsells
Unlike bundling products belonging to the same categories, you can group two categories.
For instance, if a customer buys a camera from the electronics category, you can bundle it with a camera bag from the accessories category. Also, if a customer buys a fitness smartwatch from the accessory category, you can bundle it with a fitness subscription service.
Tiered Pricing
With tiered pricing, you offer different pricing levels based on product features. It encourages customers to unlock products with better pricing.
For instance, if you sell software products, you can offer the basic version with limited features and the premium version with advanced features.
Bulk Discounts
Another tier-based model is offering bulk discounts depending on product quantity. Offering bulk discounts pushes customers to buy more items at once.
For example, if you sell clothing, you can provide a slight discount for buying two clothes and a higher discount for buying three or more.
Cart Upgrades
When a customer adds products to their cart, you can suggest an upgraded version of that product with enhanced features.
For example, if a customer adds a basic smartphone model, you can offer them a laptop with an advanced model and features.
Subscription Plans
Rather than making one-time purchases, encourage customers to subscribe to a curated subscription box that includes a selection of products with discounted prices or incentives.
This approach suits niche-based regular consumable products like skincare, beauty products, coffee, medicines, and feminine products.
Customers can save more time by subscribing without adding the same cart items for each month.
Extended Warranty
Customers can buy an extended warranty for high-value products like electronics, vehicles, or home appliances.
It makes customers worry less about product damage and complete their purchase with peace of mind.
VIP Membership
Create a VIP or loyalty program where customers can spend a certain amount or make repeated/ more purchases to access exclusive benefits such as early access to an offer, premium customer or product installation support, special discounts, and more.
It hypes customers to spend more dollars to attain your brand’s VIP status, thus increasing your business’s revenue.
Donate to a Cause
It is a strategy that focuses on brand value instead of sales. You can work with a charity that aligns with your brand’s value.
Allow customers to donate to a cause at checkout. It not only supports good deeds but also improves your brand image.
Cross-Selling Ideas for the WooCommerce Store
Related Product Suggestions
Since cross-selling is about suggesting related products that complement their main product, display relevant products on the product page.
It allows customers to explore complementary products and add items accompanying their primary purchase.
For example, if a customer is looking for a digital camera, show them relevant items such as a camera bag or lenses.
Frequently Bought Together
Customers like to buy products as a bundle to add value to their purchases.
Group products and show them as “Frequently Bought Together” on the product or cart pages.
When customers buy a laptop, they will buy a wireless mouse or keyboard together with a laptop.
Customer Also Bought
Analyze your previous sales data and identify products that customers purchased alongside a specific product.
You can display those complementary products as “Customer Also Bought,” which gives customers valuable suggestions on the product page.
When customers are confused about choosing complementary products, the “Customer Also Bought” section clarifies what to buy with the main product.
Product Recommendations
Use Upsell and Cross-sell plugins like Checkout Upsell and Order Bump for WooCommerce that analyze customer behavior, such as purchasing history, and recommend related products that value their primary purchase.
The WooCommerce plugin suggests products and simplifies your upselling and cross-selling process. From creating upsell or cross-sell offers to tracking the offer results, the plugin helps you manage the process with less effort and time.
If you are unaware of the WooCommerce plugin, it is an add-on software that provides additional functionalities or features to your WooCommerce store. Many WooCommerce plugins are available for different purposes to enhance the performance of your online store.
Flash Sales and Discounts
Offer limited-time discounts on complementary products when customers make a purchase.
When a customer purchases their main product, enable the complementary products at a discounted price for a limited time with a countdown. It urges customers to buy the product immediately.
Complete the Look
Help customers envision how your products work together. Show a set of products in an image of how your products look when used together.
It is the best approach for a fashion store, where you can show a complete outfit with matching accessories on how the complementary accessories look when combined with their main clothing product.
You can also apply the approach to categories like home decor, interior designing, or other eCommerce niches.
Gift Bundles
When some people are excited to provide surprise gifts for their loved ones, others get confused when choosing gifts.
Help customers to pack perfect gifts for their loved ones with relevant gift bundles. You can also create pre-package gift bundles for special occasions such as birthday gifts or holidays like Christmas.
You can increase your Average Order Value (AOV) and sales by suggesting product bundles relevant to their occasion theme.
Exclusive Discounts
You can provide exclusive discounts by analyzing the repeated customers’ purchase details.
You can provide an offer based on user roles such as shipping location, previous purchase history, first-time purchase, and more.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are one of the best complementary products in cross-selling technique.
When customers are unsure about their recipient’s preference, they plan to surprise them with a gift card.
You can use the opportunity to offer gift cards for free or at a discounted price when customers spend a certain amount on their primary purchase
Product Reviews as Recommendations
If you are unsure about recommending products, ask customers to leave reviews for products they have purchased.
By utilizing these reviews, you can turn them into product recommendations.
When customers need clarification about a skincare product, reviews or personalized product recommendations make them complete their order.
Cross-Sell Through Content
Use a content marketing strategy for cross-selling. Write blog posts, make videos, or create content explaining how your products work together or providing value to your customers, along with links to access products.
By educating your products using informational content, customers can explore your products, thus increasing your sales.
Post-Purchase Upsells
Instead of providing offers before or during the purchase process, you can also implement an upselling technique after completing the purchase.
Thank-You Page Offer
When a customer purchases your ebook, you can offer a discount either for your upcoming ebook or high-cost ebooks or products on the Thank you page of the purchase.
Email Follow-ups
Customers leave their email addresses on the checkout page when they purchase.
Use the email address to send personalized product offers based on their purchase. It encourages customers to return to your WooCommerce store for more purchases.
Quick Tips to Get Success at Upselling and Cross-selling
- Highlight Value: Since upselling and cross-selling involve product suggestions, provide relevant recommendations that value customers’ purchases.
- Time Matters: Providing upsell and cross-sell offers at the right time at the right place (such as product page, cart page, checkout page) is a key to mastering these powerful sales strategies.
- Personalization: Customize offers based on customers’ interests and purchase history to increase sales.
- Social Proof: Share positive reviews on social media or below product pages to build trust about your products. Testimonials motivate customers to purchase from your WooCommerce online store.
To Wrap Up
Upselling and Cross-selling are potent tactics to boost your WooCommerce store sales and revenue. It increases your average order value and enhances your customers’ shopping experience.
Customers with the best shopping experience with your store return for more purchases. Tailor your online store with personalized product recommendations and achieve high sales.
