3 Methods to Upsell Product Add-Ons on Shopify in 2025

3 Methods to Upsell Product Add-Ons on Shopify in 2025

30 July, 2024 10 min read
Allan Vu

Allan Vu

Digital Marketing Specialist

When it comes to creating Shopify product add-ons to maximize revenue potential, thoughtful execution matters, a well-structured strategy not only accelerates customer journeys but also effectively increases average order values. According to McKinsey, these cross-selling tactics help to increase sales by 20% and profits by 30%

For those who have yet to venture into the realm of Shopify product add-ons, now is an opportune moment to consider them seriously and thrive in such a competitive e-commerce landscape. Our blog article will offer three key methods to help merchants easily upsell product add-ons on Shopify, including:

  • Using the Product add-ons section on the product page.
  • Using Product Bundles.
  • Upsell product add-ons using a conditional pop-up.

Let’s dive in!

1. What are Product Add-ons?

Shopify product add-ons are extra items or services that customers can choose with their main purchase. Typically, add-ons should be products or features from the same category as your main products. For example, when shopping for cosmetics, you’ll commonly see cushion foundations attached to their refills. 

Product add-ons upselling example on Shopify
A typical example of add-on products on Shopify

Unsurprisingly, gaining a competitive edge in the e-commerce industry requires Shopify merchants to create strategies encouraging customers to spend more. This is where add-on products come into play. For example, Amazon has recently reported that 35% of its online retailers’ revenue comes from upselling and cross-selling. 

So, what exactly can you profit from upselling product add-ons on Shopify? Here is a short breakdown you should  keep in mind:

  • Increase average order value (AOV): Encouraging customers to buy additional products or more expensive versions of the main one can significantly boost revenue. 
  • Enhance customer lifetime value (CLV): Many customers would be interested in valuable add-ons and upgrades. From there, you can enhance their satisfaction, leading to long-term loyalty and repeat purchases.
  • Optimal inventory management: If you want to clear out less popular products from the inventory, try upselling them as add-ons. Moreover, encouraging buyers to purchase complementary items can help maintain a balanced stock.

2. 3 Ways To Upsell Product Add-ons On Shopify

Setting up product add-ons on Shopify undoubtedly plays a vital role in any e-commerce revenue strategy. However, many merchants struggle to implement them in ways that automatically and genuinely drive sales. This is true since Shopify’s native built-in features fall short. That leads to the release of BOGOS, a third-party all-in-one promotion app that helps to fill the gap thoroughly. 

BOGOS allows merchants to set up all the add-ons seamlessly using three proven methods, as we mentioned in the introduction. In the following section, we will walk you through these approaches and explain how to use them step by step.

3.1. Method 1: Using the Add-ons sections 

Upsell product add-ons with add-ons section
Upsell product add-ons using the add-ons section on the product page.

The first approach allows merchants to add product add-ons directly on their Shopify stores at key decision points. When shopping online, customers typically follow three main steps: browsing product pages to find what they like, proceeding to checkout to make their purchase, and finally reaching the thank you page after completing their order.

Taking full advantage of this, BOGOS offers three significant locations in your store recommended to showcase Shopify product add-ons, including: 

  • Product page (frequently bought together): Shows shoppers what other buyers typically purchase together.
  • Check out page: It becomes an effective way to capture last-minute additions during the payment process. 
  • Thank-you page: This taps into the post-purchase dopamine, capturing shoppers at their most receptive moment after successfully purchasing the main products.

On the other hand, if you are new to the e-commerce business and only need to set up add-ons in the most basic way, consider using Shopify’s built-in features to collaborate with the Search & Discovery app. This duo’s most significant advantage is its no-fee requirement and smooth integration of the two native functions. 

If it sounds suitable for your brand orientation, don’t hesitate to take a look at our step-by-step guide on how to add frequently bought together on Shopify without an app, which will cover every part you need.

For Shopify merchants seeking more flexibility with upselling and cross-selling strategies, BOGOS is a top choice. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to upsell product add-ons using the BOGOS Shopify app.

Step-by-step guide to upsell product add-ons on Shopify using the BOGOS app

3.2. Method 2: Using Product Bundles 

Product bundles example
Customers can claim the whole bundle, including the main product and its add-ons.

The second option for driving sales is to group product add-ons on Shopify into a bundle that works best as a set. By grouping complementary products into collections, you’ll simplify your customers’ decision-making by allowing them to purchase related items together rather than searching for them separately. Plus, it’s a win-win when customers can buy at a lower price and businesses increase their average order value.

When it comes to creating product bundles on Shopify, there are three practical ways to do so directly within the Shopify admin dashboard without having to use a third-party app: 

  • Creating a new product as a bundle
  • Using product variants
  • Leveraging collections with native discounts

👉 For a detailed walkthrough of each method with screenshots and step-by-step instructions, check out our comprehensive blog post that will guide you through the entire process of setting up product bundles on Shopify without any apps.

These approaches may appear cost-effective, but they require many manual setups, which increase unexpected human errors. Alternatively, creating product bundles on Shopify using a third-party like BOGOS will be a game-changer, especially for high-volume inventory stores.

It allows you to create product bundles alongside other powerful offers like free gifts, gift with purchase, BOGO, tiered value offers, and frequently bought-together bundles. Furthermore, the BOGOS app helps to streamline your buyers’ online shopping experiences by featuring a slider or auto-add to customers’ carts.

Here are several principal bundles BOGOS offers that can enable you to maximize the average order value:

BOGOS offers a 7-day free trial, allowing merchants to test all of these bundling features and explore how they can boost their store’s performance without any upfront commitment.

3.3. Method 3: Using Pop-up

Upsell product add-ons using a pop-up
Upsell product add-ons using a pop-up

Although the two approaches mentioned above are pretty practical for upsell strategies, they still have their setbacks, especially regarding their ability to trigger offers suddenly at the precise moment. That’s why pop-up-based bundles were developed and operate based on specific triggers: 

  • Cart value triggers: Popups will appear after a customer’s cart reaches a certain amount
  • Product or category triggers: Target particular items or categories to recommend complementary products
  • Time delay triggers: Display popups after a customer has spent a specific time browsing
  • Specific page views: Trigger popups when customers browse particular product or category pages
  • Scroll depth triggers: Show popups when customers scroll halfway down a page

To maximize engagement, ensure the pop-up timing feels natural. A survey revealed that 45.6% of users feel annoyed by frequent popups, and 28.6% dislike popups that appear immediately when they enter a site. Poorly timed or irrelevant popups can frustrate customers and even push them to leave. 

In short, if you require a more advanced experience, consider using a third-party Shopify app that offers upsell popups. BOGOS stands out as a front-runner. This app allows shoppers to choose their preferred add-ons and enhances personalization with advanced configuration and powerful triggers. 

BOGOS Shopify app
>>> Discover how BOGOS can fuel your eCommerce business here

4. Best Practice To Maximize The Impact Of Product Add-Ons On Shopify

Product add-ons can be a game-changer for merchants to gain a competitive edge in the e-commerce industry. Nevertheless, it’s essential to have a thorough optimization strategy to maximize their impact and scale your revenue. In the next section, we’ll explore the main takeaways for Shopify merchants to acknowledge when setting up product add-ons.

4.1. Understand Your Audience 

There is no doubt that deeply understanding what additional products or services are necessary for your customers matters significantly. Every merchant should carefully analyze their store’s actionable data to choose targeted add-ons that can directly meet their audience’s specific needs. This approach not only identifies the most suitable add-ons for your main products but also provides an upselling strategy that avoids irritating your customers.

4.2. Dynamic Pricing Strategies

Pricing strategy remains imperative in determining whether customers will choose your add-ons or not. Therefore, we recommend that you make your Shopify product add-ons more affordable than purchasing them individually. However, remember to create attractive packages that encourage customers to buy more while ensuring your store’s margins stay healthy.

4.3. Enhance Visual Appeal

It is evident that a visually appealing product add-on package can easily attract customers 

at first glance. A confusing and unattractive layout finds it very hard to keep customers’ attention. That is why utilizing a third-party Shopify app becomes a go-to choice. With their advanced features, merchants can automate the entire process, save valuable time, and minimize unexpected human errors.

4.4. Limited-Time Offers

Limited-time deals will help you motivate customers to complete their purchases quickly. A countdown timer on your homepage or product page will highlight the limited availability of a promotion. Also, consider running flash sales for your add-ons. They can last for a few hours or days to encourage prospective buyers.

4.5. Strategically Promoting Add-Ons 

In this digital landscape, inbound marketing positions itself as a leading role in engaging the target audience with product promotion. Shopify add-ons products are no exception. You should highlight them in your email marketing and social media, ensuring they receive sufficient attention for your campaigns.

5. Conclusion

To sum up, Shopify product add-ons serve as a strategic tool that streamlines the shopping experience, enabling merchants to create valuable touchpoints that increase sales. With a well-structured upsell product add-ons Shopify campaign, you’ll be able to create a win-win situation where your customers enjoy a more tailored shopping experience. In contrast, you enjoy higher average order values.

If you’re ready to implement this revenue-boosting strategy, consider using a specialized third-party app to automate the entire process. It will offer both high customization potential and significant time savings as you launch your multiple add-on campaigns.

Discover how BOGOS can fuel your eCommerce business here or book a demo call today. 

8. FAQs

What types of products can be used for upsell add-ons?

Some suitable products for upsell add-ons can be:
– Complementary products, such as a pair of earbuds for smartphones
– Upgrades or premium versions of the item
– Service add-ons, such as installation services or extended warranties
– Product bundles or kits to provide a complete solution

How do I track the performance of my upsell product add-ons on Shopify?

Most upsell Shopify apps come with integrated analytics and reporting tools. These tools track and analyze crucial metrics like conversion rates, upsell revenue, and customer engagement with your offers.
From there, you can use the insights to identify problems in your performance and optimize future strategies.

How can I upsell without being pushy?

If you want to avoid being pushy when upselling, keep a couple of notes in mind. Create offers that are relevant and genuinely useful to customers but limit the number of deals presented at once.
Also, make sure you clearly communicate the add-on’s value and price. Finally, your buyers should feel comfortable declining the offer without pressure.

What are the common mistakes to avoid when upselling?

Try not to make the following mistakes when upselling on Shopify:
– Offering irrelevant add-ons: Make sure you provide relevant add-ons to the main product.
– Overloading the customer: Avoid presenting multiple upsell offers at once.
– Ignoring customer data: Use customer behavior insights to tailor the deals.
– Failing to test: Regularly test and adjust your strategy to find the best approach.

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