Shopify Post-Purchase Upsells: Ultimate Guide 2024

Boost your Shopify store’s revenue with post-purchase upsells. Here’s what you need to know:

Post-purchase upsells are offers made right after a customer buys
They can significantly increase average order value (AOV)
Effective types include one-click add-ons, product bundles, and related suggestions
Set up upsells using Shopify’s built-in tools or third-party apps
Key to success: relevance, timing, and ease of purchase

Real results:

310 Nutrition: 30% upsell acceptance, 25% AOV increase
Kettle & Fire: 140% more checkouts, 41% higher revenue per customer

Feature	Post-Purchase Upsells	Pre-Purchase Upsells
Timing	After checkout	Before or during checkout
Risk	Low cart abandonment	May increase abandonment
Ease	Often one-click	Usually need cart changes
Focus	Use buying momentum	Increase initial purchase

To get started:

Choose relevant products to upsell
Set up offers using Shopify tools or apps
Test and optimize your upsell strategy
Track key metrics like conversion rate and AOV

Remember: Keep it simple, relevant, and customer-focused for best results.

What are post-purchase upsells?

Post-purchase upsells are offers made right after a customer buys something. They’re designed to boost order value by suggesting related products or upgrades.

These upsells happen between checkout and the thank-you page on Shopify stores. They catch customers when they’re most likely to buy more, without messing up their initial purchase.

Think of it like this: You buy running shoes, and then you’re offered socks or insoles to go with them. It’s a win-win: you get useful stuff, and the store makes more money.

Here’s how post-purchase upsells compare to pre-purchase ones:

Post-Purchase Upsells	Pre-Purchase Upsells
After checkout	Before or during checkout
Don’t risk cart abandonment	Might increase cart abandonment
Often one-click add-ons	Usually need cart changes
Use buying momentum	Try to increase initial purchase

Why do store owners love post-purchase upsells?

They boost average order value
They’re easier for customers to accept
They can make customers happier with their purchase
They’re a cheap way to increase sales

Real results speak for themselves:

310 Nutrition: 30% of customers said yes to upsells, boosting order value by 25%
Kettle & Fire: 140% more checkouts completed and 41% more revenue per customer

"Upsells not only get customers to spend more now, they’re also more likely to come back and shop again." – Krista Walsh, CartHook

Why post-purchase upsells work

Post-purchase upsells are a smart way for Shopify stores to boost sales. They tap into the customer’s mindset right after they’ve made a purchase.

The buying mindset

When someone buys from your store, they’re in a good mood. They’ve found what they wanted and made a decision. This puts them in a "buying mindset" – they’re more open to other offers.

Stores can use this good mood to sell more. It’s called "buying momentum." Why? Because:

Customers already trust your store
They’re excited about their purchase
The hard part (deciding to buy) is over

Three key factors

Post-purchase upsells work because of three main psychological factors:

1. Reciprocity

When customers get a good deal, they often want to give back. If your store offers a great product, buyers might be more willing to consider add-ons.

2. Anchoring

The first purchase sets a price point in the customer’s mind. Smaller, related offers often seem more reasonable in comparison.

3. Loss aversion

People hate missing out. Time-limited upsells tap into this feeling, making customers more likely to add items to avoid regret later.

Here’s how these factors play out in real life:

Factor	How it works	Example
Reciprocity	Customers want to give back after a good experience	A small freebie with purchase
Anchoring	Initial price influences how we see upsells	A $20 accessory after a $100 main purchase
Loss aversion	Fear of missing out drives quick decisions	"One-time offer" only at checkout

Real results

These tactics work. Just look at the numbers:

310 Nutrition: 30% of customers accepted upsells, boosting order value by 25%
Kettle & Fire: 140% increase in checkout completion and 41% more revenue per customer

"Upsells not only get customers to spend more now, they’re also more likely to come back and shop again." – Krista Walsh, CartHook

Post-purchase upsells aren’t just about making more money now. They’re about building long-term customer relationships.

Types of Shopify post-purchase upsells

Shopify stores use different upsells to boost sales after purchase. Here are four main types:

One-click add-ons

These are quick, easy offers customers can add with one click. They’re usually small, cheap items that complement the main purchase.

Example:

Buy a phone → Get a screen protector
Order makeup → Add makeup remover wipes

Why they work: They’re simple and don’t slow down buying.

Product bundles

Bundles group related items, often at a discount. They aim to increase order value.

Buy This	Get This Bundle	Save
Running shoes	Socks + water bottle	15%
Camera	Extra lens + bag	20%

Bundles make customers feel like they’re scoring a deal.

These show items that pair well with the purchase. They’re based on what others often buy together.

Examples:

Buy a laptop → See laptop stand or hard drive
Get a dress → Check out matching accessories

These remind customers of things they might need but forgot.

Service or subscription offers

These add ongoing value to a one-time buy. They can build lasting customer relationships.

Examples:

Extended warranty for electronics
Monthly coffee subscription with a coffee maker
Premium content access with an online course

These can provide steady income and extra value for customers.

Pick the right upsell for your products and customers. The goal? Offer something useful, not just make an extra sale.

Setting up upsells on Shopify

Want to boost your Shopify sales? Post-purchase upsells are your secret weapon. Here’s how to set them up:

Built-in Shopify tools

Shopify’s got your back with native upsell features:

Thank You Page: Customize it to show upsell offers.
Checkout Settings: Enable post-purchase options in Settings > Checkout.

Upsell apps

Need more firepower? Check out these Shopify apps:

App	Cool Features	Rating
AfterSell	Custom designs, targeting	400+ 5-stars
Upsell Wizard	One-click offers, discounts	Not listed
Candy Rack	Easy setup, analytics	2-week free trial
Bold Upsell	Works with Shopify checkout	Not listed

Quick setup guide

Let’s set up an upsell with AfterSell:

Install AfterSell from Shopify App Store.
Hit the Funnels tab.
Create a funnel (template or scratch).
Set up your offer:
- Pick trigger products
- Choose upsell items
- Add discounts (optional)
Make it look good (match your brand).
Activate and test.

Pro Tip: Keep it simple. Selling a tennis racket? Offer discounted tennis balls.

Don’t forget to track your results. AfterSell shows you views, conversions, and order value bumps. Use this data to fine-tune your strategy.

Tips for effective upsells

Want to make more money from your Shopify store? Here’s how to supercharge your post-purchase upsells:

Personalized offers

Match upsells to your customer. Check what they’ve bought before. If they grab a tennis racket, why not offer cheap tennis balls?

When and where to show upsells

Timing matters. Hit them with upsells right after they buy. The order confirmation page? That’s prime upsell territory.

Upsell Spot	Why It Works
Order confirmation	Customer’s still pumped about buying
Post-purchase email	Reminds them what they bought
Upsell-only page	All eyes on the offer

Pricing your upsells

Keep it cheap. Make upsells cost less than what they just bought. It’ll feel like a small extra, not a big spend.

Showing value clearly

Don’t just list stuff. Show how the upsell makes their purchase better. Keep it simple:

"Our merchants often boost their average order value by 25%!" – AfterSell team

Pro tip: Create urgency. "Only 2 left!" or "Sale ends soon!" can make customers act fast.

Tracking upsell success

Let’s look at how to measure if your post-purchase upsells are doing their job.

Key metrics to watch

Here are the numbers that matter:

Metric	What it shows
Upsell conversion rate	How many customers buy upsells
Average Order Value (AOV)	Customer spend per order
Revenue per visitor	Money made per site visit
Upsell to total sales ratio	Upsells’ share of your income

Using Shopify’s tools

Shopify’s got built-in analytics. Here’s how to use them:

1. Go to your Shopify admin panel

2. Click "Analytics"

3. Find the "Sales" section

4. Look at "Average order value" and "Total sales"

Tip: Set up custom reports for upsell-specific data.

Testing what works

A/B testing is key. Here’s how:

Choose one thing to test
Make two versions
Split your traffic
Run the test for 2+ weeks
See which version wins

Real results: 310 Nutrition tried post-purchase upsells. 30% of customers said yes, boosting their AOV by 25%.

"Upsells get customers to spend more now and make them more likely to come back." – Krista Walsh, Shopify Retail Author

Keep testing and tweaking. You’ll find your winning upsell strategy.

Common upsell mistakes to avoid

Let’s dive into some upsell pitfalls that can tank your post-purchase game:

Too many offers

Throwing a ton of choices at customers? Bad move. Here’s why:

Shoppers get overwhelmed and bail
More options often mean fewer sales

The numbers don’t lie: 17% of US shoppers feel swamped by choice, and 10% have ditched purchases when faced with too many options.

The fix: Keep it simple. Stick to 2-4 upsell offers per purchase. Quality trumps quantity every time.

Poorly chosen or timed upsells

Irrelevant or badly timed offers? That’s a recipe for disaster:

Problem	Impact
Unrelated products	Customers lose trust
Bad timing	Sales opportunities slip away
Wrong audience	Wasted effort and money

The fix: Use customer data to personalize offers. Show upsells after the initial buy decision but before checkout.

Not mobile-friendly

Ignoring mobile shoppers? Big mistake:

Tons of people shop on phones and tablets
Clunky mobile upsells = abandoned carts

The fix: Test your upsell process on different devices. Make sure buttons are easy to tap and forms are a breeze to fill out on smaller screens.

Bottom line: Boost sales without ticking off your customers. Keep it simple, relevant, and smooth across all devices.

"Don’t treat them just as data points, make an effort to understand their needs and preferences to not only successfully upsell them, but to build trust and loyalty." – Upsellit

Advanced upsell techniques

Want to supercharge your Shopify upsells? Let’s explore some next-level strategies that’ll boost your sales and keep customers coming back.

Customer grouping

Splitting customers into groups isn’t just smart—it’s a game-changer. Here’s why:

Tailored offers for specific customer needs
Spot trends in buying behavior
Less time wasted on irrelevant upsells

How to do it:

Analyze data for common customer traits
Create buyer personas
Craft upsells for each group

Think Spotify. They group listeners by music taste, then serve up personalized playlists. Result? Users stay engaged and are more likely to upgrade.

Flexible pricing

Static prices? That’s old news. With flexible pricing, you can:

Adjust prices based on demand
Offer special deals to different groups
Maximize profits during peak times

Strategy	Use Case	Example
Time-based	Sales events	Black Friday flash deals
Seasonal	Cyclical demand	Higher sunscreen prices in summer
Volume-based	Bulk purchases	"Buy 2, get 1 50% off"

Pro tip: Use apps like HypeCart for automatic dynamic pricing based on your store’s data.

Multi-step upsell process

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A multi-step approach can lead to more sales and happier customers.

Try this 3-step process:

Small, easy-to-accept upsell right after purchase
Complementary product email a few days later
Larger upsell or cross-sell when they return to your store

Why it works:

Doesn’t overwhelm customers
Builds on the initial purchase
Keeps your brand top-of-mind

The goal? Add value at every step. Just look at Amazon—they make 35% of revenue from upsells. When done right, everyone wins.

Real examples of successful upsells

Let’s look at some Shopify stores crushing it with post-purchase upsells.

BOOM! by Cindy Joseph

This cosmetics brand hit it big:

$1,000,000 in upsell revenue
10% revenue boost on day one
28% upsell conversion rate for a new product

Their secret? After checkout, customers see an upsell offer instead of a boring thank you page. One-click purchases = easy money.

"Our most profitable post-purchase sales funnel… the best product for your first upsell is more of what they just ordered." – Cindy Joseph, BOOM! Founder

AppleCare+

Even tech giants love upsells:

Sales jumped 20% to $8.5 billion in 2021
Proves upsells work for big companies too

H&M

The fashion giant boosted sales by:

Creating a killer membership program
Upselling to loyal customers after purchase
Making customers feel like VIPs

What we can learn

1. Keep it relevant

Offer stuff that goes with what they just bought. BOOM! nailed it by offering more of the same product.

2. Strike while the iron’s hot

Hit ’em with upsells right after they buy. They’re in a spending mood.

3. Make it easy

One-click upsells, like BOOM! uses, are money in the bank.

4. Always be testing

BOOM! didn’t get lucky. They kept tweaking their strategy based on data.

5. Build relationships

H&M shows that smart upsells can make customers love you even more.

Future of post-purchase upsells

Post-purchase upsells are evolving rapidly. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

AI in upsell optimization

AI is revolutionizing Shopify stores, making upsells smarter and more personalized.

AI analyzes customer purchases and preferences, then suggests products they’re more likely to want. This isn’t guesswork – AI tools are improving fast. Since 2020, stores have been increasing AI adoption by 25% annually.

Take Sephora: They use AI to analyze customer feedback, helping them suggest better products and improve store layouts. The result? Happier customers who spend more.

Upsells and loyalty programs

Smart stores are combining upsells with rewards programs. Why? It works.

Consider this:

Existing customers spend 30% more on new products
Retaining customers costs 4-10 times less than acquiring new ones

Stores are using tech to keep customers coming back. A pet store owner tried this approach:

1. Sold a fish tank and goldfish 2. Sent fish care tips 3. Provided ongoing customer support

The outcome? Sales skyrocketed from $250-$500 to over $2,500.

New tech for upsells

Big changes are coming:

1. Smart appliances as customers

By 2028, we might see 15 billion connected products making autonomous purchases. This could transform how stores sell and ship products.

2. Voice shopping

Over 50% of people in the U.S. use voice search daily. Stores need to prepare for voice shoppers.

3. Better chatbots

AI chatbots are getting smarter, handling complex questions and assisting more customers.

4. Mobile-first everything

Mobile shopping will account for over 50% of online sales in 2023. Stores must make mobile upsells seamless.

The key? Stores need to keep pace with these changes. Those who do will see significant growth.

The future of upsells is about using tech to help customers, not just boost sales. Stores that grasp this concept will thrive.

Conclusion

Post-purchase upsells on Shopify can supercharge your online store’s profits. By offering relevant products right after a sale, you’re tapping into your customers’ buying momentum. The result? A big boost in average order value (AOV).

Let’s look at some real numbers:

310 Nutrition: 30% of customers said yes to upsells, bumping up AOV by 25%.
Kettle & Fire: 140% more checkout conversions and 41% higher revenue per customer.
BombTech Golf: 45% better website conversion rates and 10% less cart abandonment.

These stats show what well-done post-purchase upsells can do. But it’s not just about making more money. Good upsells can actually make customers happier by showing them products they really need.

Why do post-purchase upsells work so well?

Timing: They catch customers when they’re ready to buy.
Personalization: They’re often based on what the customer just bought.
Ease: Customers can often say yes with just one click.

For Shopify store owners, setting up upsells is easy. There are plenty of apps in the Shopify App Store to help you get started.

"Upsells not only get customers to spend more now, but they’re also more likely to come back and shop again", says Krista Walsh from CartHook.

Looking ahead, post-purchase upsells are going to get even smarter. AI recommendations, loyalty program tie-ins, and new tech like voice shopping are coming. Stores that stay ahead of these trends and focus on helping customers, not just boosting sales, will win big.

Frequently asked questions

What are post-purchase upsells on Shopify?

Post-purchase upsells are offers made right after a customer buys something. They’re designed to get customers to add more to their cart.

How effective are post-purchase upsells?

They can be VERY effective. Check this out:

310 Nutrition: 30% of customers said yes to upsells, boosting their average order value by 25%.
Kettle & Fire: Saw a 140% jump in checkout conversions and 41% more revenue per customer.

What types of post-purchase upsells work best?

The most effective ones include:

One-click add-ons
Product bundles
Related product suggestions
Service or subscription offers

How do I set up post-purchase upsells on my Shopify store?

You’ve got two main options:

Use Shopify’s built-in tools
Try third-party apps from the Shopify App Store

Many apps make it easy to get started with AI-powered recommendations.

What’s the difference between upselling and cross-selling?

Upselling	Cross-selling
Offers upgrades or fancier versions	Suggests related products
Example: "Want to supersize that?"	Example: "Fries with that?"

How many upsell offers should I show customers?

Keep it simple. Stick to 1-2 relevant upsells per purchase. You want to boost sales, not annoy your customers.

Can post-purchase upsells work on mobile?

Absolutely! Just make sure your offers look good on small screens and are easy to buy with one tap.

How do I measure the success of my post-purchase upsells?

Keep an eye on these:

Upsell conversion rate
Average order value (AOV) increase
Revenue per user (RPU)
Customer lifetime value (CLV)

Most Shopify upsell apps have built-in tools to track these for you.

Are there any downsides to using post-purchase upsells?

There can be if you’re not careful:

Customers might get annoyed if your offers are pushy or irrelevant
You could see more refunds if people feel pressured
It might hurt the customer experience if not done right

The key? Offer relevant, valuable upsells and don’t go overboard.

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