Shopify Post-Purchase Upsell: A Comprehensive Guide For More Sales (2024)

Most e-commerce merchants are familiar with upsell offers, especially throughout the customers’ shopping process. But did you know that running post-purchase upsells on Shopify is also a reliable and fail-proof strategy?

Grab the opportunity to recommend complementary products while your customers are still in a shopping mindset after purchase. You will certainly see increasing conversion rates in your store and an enhanced customer experience.

In this article, we provide all you need to know about Shopify upsell after checkout and how to effectively operate these offers for more sales.

1. What is A Shopify Post-Purchase Upsell?

A Shopify post-purchase upsell is an upselling strategy on Shopify targeting customers right after they complete a purchase.

Unlike Shopify’s pre-purchase upsell, this method takes advantage of their buying momentum rather than selling additional products before checkout. The system will offer extra products or services when the initial purchase is finalized.

Some key aspects related to this type of upsell:

• Timing: This offer is displayed after a customer completes the checkout but before they leave the thank you page or receive the order confirmation email.
• Relevance: The offer usually includes products or services that complement the buyer’s original purchase. These can include an upgraded model, an extended warranty, or accessories.
• Incentives: Most merchants use bundle deals, discounts, or limited-time offers to make the upsell more appealing.
• Smooth acceptance: Customers should be able to accept the offer easily with just one click for more convenience and satisfaction.

2. Different Methods To Implement Post-Purchase Upsell

There are 2 common ways to operate Shopify post-purchase upsell for your online store, including the one-click functionality and on thank you pages.

One-click upsell

After completing their initial purchases, customers are presented with an upsell offer that appears on a separate landing page (instead of a confirmation order or a thank you page).

It works similarly to a product page, where you can customize the text, add exclusive deals, and set a countdown timer to motivate a purchase.

If they accept the promotion, the additional item will be automatically added to their current order without going through the checkout process again. If they decline the offer, they will be redirected to the thank you page.

Example: A customer completes their purchase of a digital camera. The system then offers a compatible lens for 10% off, which the customer can claim immediately with one click.

Thank-you page upsell

After completing their initial purchases, customers are redirected to a thank you or order confirmation page.

Place relevant upsell offers on the thank-you page so customers can easily add extra products to their orders. Typically, these offers appear in product add-on sections on thank-you pages.

Example: A customer completes their purchase of a hairdryer. On the store’s thank you page, they are offered a hair care product kit, which is easily added to their order.

3. How to leverage your Shopify upselling strategies

3.1 Trigger upsell based on the “add to cart” action.

The auto add-to-cart functionality is also effective in helping you upsell after checkout on Shopify. When customers add an eligible product to their cart, the system automatically adds a related item as an upsell (which can be removed as desired).

In this case, the offer is showcased as an upselling pop-up. This type of upselling mostly happens when customers are on the product page, looking for information about a product. Thanks to its automation, buyers needn’t click on anything to claim the extra items, enhancing their shopping experience.

Read more: Shopify Upsell on Product Page: How can it be implemented effectively?

BOGOS is a powerful Shopify app featuring the auto add-to-cart feature for free gifts and upsell offers. The setup process is simple, and the app will automatically add the upsell item to the customer’s cart after detecting eligible products.

Apart from that, you can try other upsell approaches using auto add to cart:

• Product bundles:

Create bundles where additional goods are automatically added to the cart after buyers add the eligible item.

• Pop-up suggestions:

Use pop-ups to offer complementary products when an item is added to the cart, prompting quick decisions.

3.2 Utilize email marketing to upsell

A lot of merchants use automated emails for Shopify post-purchase upsell to gain more sales after completed orders. Take a look at these customized after-checkout emails: 

• Post-purchase emails:

After a buyer makes a purchase, send an email recommending items that complement their order. Include incentives like limited-time offers or discounts.

You should tailor these suggestions based on customer purchase history. For example, suggest running accessories for a customer who frequently buys running gear.

• Abandoned cart emails:

Remind customers of the products left in their cart to encourage purchase decisions. Suggest additional goods that go well with what they intended to buy.

• Seasonal and event-based campaigns:

Incorporate seasonal trends or upcoming events with your upsell emails. For instance, suggest back-to-school supplies or summer accessories.

• Product launch emails:

Announce new products via email and recommend them as upgrades or enhancements for their previous purchases.

• Loyalty program emails:

If you run a loyalty program, offer exclusive upsell opportunities to its members. Give them early access to new products or highlight special deals.

4. Why is Upsell After Checkout Important on Shopify?

Increase sales revenue

When you offer additional products or services after the original purchase, it helps increase the average order value (AOV) as customers spend more on each order.

Moreover, post-purchase upsells usually have a higher acceptance rate. This is because customers are still in a shopping mindset after completing a purchase, so they are more willing to continue buying.

Enhance customer experience

Shopify post-purchase upsell offers should be highly personalized based on the buyer’s browsing behavior and purchase history. This makes the experience more personal and enticing.

Of course, customers will appreciate relevant recommendations that complement their initial order. You should enable the one-click feature to increase their satisfaction with extra convenience in the shopping process.

Customer loyalty and retention

Since you add value to the original purchase with complementary products or upgrades, customers would be more satisfied and likely to return to your store.

They love thoughtful upselling as it shows your understanding and anticipation of their needs, which builds their trust and loyalty. You will be surprised by how these buyers trust your brand and are willing to purchase.

Inventory management

Post-purchase upsell campaigns can help move slow-moving or overstocked products. Present them as additional items to customers’ recent purchases.

Additionally, upselling is your opportunity to introduce lesser-known and new goods that have yet to be discovered. Buyers are happy with relevant recommendations, and you have optimal inventory management.

Efficient operation

While it is crucial to attract new traffic, you should also focus on utilizing your existing customer base. Offer them attractive deals that keep them engaged.

Not to mention the lower marketing costs when you use an upsell strategy. Since it targets customers who already purchased, it is more cost-effective than running new marketing campaigns to acquire new buyers.

5. How to Add Post-Purchase Upsell on Shopify

5.1 Top 3 highly recommended Shopify apps for after-checkout upsell

The most optimal way to operate Shopify post-purchase upsells is through third-party apps. These software are well-designed to create complex upsell conditions that apply to all stages of a sales funnel, especially after checkout.

Selleasy

Selleasy is an effective upsell and cross-sell app that can help you leverage your e-commerce business on Shopify. This all-in-one solution can increase your AOV by enabling 6 types of upsell offers, with ease of use, smooth Shopify integration, and customizable widgets.

The best part about this software is its free installation. Merchants can examine its operation and decide whether to invest in more advanced subscriptions.

Shopify rating: 4.9/5

Customer support: Documentation, FAQ, email, live chat, video chat

Pricing: Free; $8.99 to $16.99 per month

5.2 ReConvert

Another optimal solution to build a Shopify upsell funnel is ReConvert. You can motivate buyers to spend more money with effective checkout and post-purchase upsell funnels, boosting AOV and customer retention.

This app is known for its user-friendly design, which includes a simple drag-and-drop editor. It enables merchants to easily build upsell strategies, such as bundle upsell, cross-sell, one-click upsell, etc.

Shopify rating: 4.9/5

Customer support: Documentation, FAQ, email, live chat

Pricing: Free; $4.99 to $14.99 per month

Bold Upsell  

Bold Upsell is an innovative AI-powered software for building high-converting upsell and cross-sell deals. The fully customizable process is simple to operate without the need for coding.

You can set up upsell offers in multiple locations, including product pages, in carts, at checkout, and after purchases. The app comes with detailed performance analytics to monitor and adjust your promotions.

Shopify rating: 4.7/5

Customer support: Documentation, FAQ, live chat

Pricing: Free; $9.99 to $59.99 per month

5.2 Steps to add a post-purchase upsell with Selleasy

One-click upsell

Step 1: Visit your Selleasy dashboard > Click Add offer > Post purchase (2) > Post purchase upsell.

Step 2: Name the upsell offer for internal reference. Choose whether this promotion is activated for specific products, product tags, or all available items.

Step 3: In Select offer products, choose Manual if you want to personalize the product list. If you click on Automatic, Selleasy allows you to show a maximum number of 5 items using Shopify’s automatic product recommendations. Note that automatic recommendations are not available for new stores. Then, choose whether you want to give the upsell products a specific discount.

Set the highest priority level (1) to prioritize this upsell offer over other promotions.

Save the offer > Click Publish.

Thank-you page upsell

6. Best Practices For Post-Purchase Upsell on Shopify

So, what should new merchants keep in mind to optimize their activities and create appealing Shopify post-purchase upsell deals?

Here is our guide to succeed with this strategy and make more sales:

Timing is key

The very first thing to focus on is the timing setup for this offer.

You need to present the upsell immediately after the checkout is completed. This is when the buyer is still highly engaged, has a shopping mindset, and is ready to spend.

If they decline your first Shopify upsell after checkout, consider sending follow-up offers.

The offer should be sent via email or SMS after a short period, such as within 24 hours. An email marketing service can help you automate this process and deliver personalized emails in bulk.

Focus on relevance and personalization.

Always recommend additional items that go well and add genuine value to the buyer’s original purchase. For instance, if they bought a smartphone, offer accessories like earphones or phone cases.

Besides relevance, you should focus on personalization. Use customer data, including their browsing behavior and purchase history, to personalize upsells that are more likely to be accepted.

Clear value proposition

When you propose an upsell deal, clearly explain how the recommended products can enhance the value of their initial order. Emphasize the benefits rather than just features to motivate their shopping decision.

If you want to make the offers more attractive, attach them with exclusive discounts, limited-time promotions, or bundles. Buyers are more likely to purchase upsell products if they come with extra benefits.

Leverage customer experience

As you present Shopify post-checkout upsell deals, ensure they do not interrupt the customer’s shopping experience. Pushy or aggressive tactics will likely backfire and cause them discomfort browsing your store.

Another note is to use clear and concise messaging on your offers to avoid confusion. Make it simple for customers to understand what they are being suggested and why they should have it. 

Regarding compliance and transparency, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, your upsell items should have clear prices and avoid hidden costs. Second, buyers should be able to opt out of these offers if they are not interested, maintaining a positive experience.

Monitor and optimize

To gauge the success of your strategy, you need to monitor crucial metrics, such as AOV, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction. Then, use the collected insights to refine your upsell strategies and continually improve conversion rates.

Many merchants integrate their Shopify stores with Google Analytics to get a detailed overview of their promotions’ performance.

Third-party apps like BOGOS, Selleasy, or ReConvert are also helpful solutions for creating upsell offers and monitoring their performance. These software have built-in tracking and analytics systems to ensure your campaigns are continually optimized.

7. Conclusion

Considering the various stages of a customer journey, you will find that Shopify post-purchase upsell is one of the most effective methods. Since customers have just purchased from your store, they will likely grab relevant upsell deals for a complete solution.

In general, this type of upselling adds more value to customers’ orders while making more sales and enhancing their satisfaction. There are multiple benefits that come with this strategy, but at the same time, it is still cost-effective even for newbies.

Would you try activating post-purchase upsell on Shopify in your next campaign? Use third-party software to yield the best results!

8. FAQs