Getting a customer to make a purchase is a big win—but it shouldn’t be the end of the journey. With the right strategy, you can keep the momentum going and turn one sale into two (or more).
That’s where post-purchase upsells come in.
Post-purchase upsells are one of the easiest ways to increase your average order value (AOV) without increasing traffic or ad spend. And with Shopify, it’s easier than ever to use them smartly.
In this blog, you’ll learn what post-purchase upsells are, why they work, and how to use them effectively to grow your Shopify sales.
What Are Post-Purchase Upsells?
A post-purchase upsell is an offer shown to a customer after they’ve completed a purchase—but before they exit the order confirmation page or receive their confirmation email.
Unlike pre-purchase offers, these upsells don’t interrupt the checkout flow. The customer has already placed an order, so there's no risk of losing the initial sale. Instead, you're giving them a chance to:
- Add more items to their order
- Upgrade their product
- Get a bundle or discount they missed
Why it works:
The customer is already in a buying mindset. They’ve entered payment details, committed to a product, and feel good about their purchase. It’s the perfect time to offer more value.
Benefits of Post-Purchase Upsells on Shopify
✅ Increase Average Order Value
Every upsell boosts the total revenue per order—without extra marketing costs.
✅ Improve Customer Experience
When done right, upsells feel like helpful suggestions, not pushy sales tactics.
✅ Zero Impact on Checkout Conversion
Since the upsell appears after the purchase, it doesn’t risk interrupting or delaying the original transaction.
✅ Works With One-Click
With the right app or setup, customers can add upsell items with a single click—no need to enter payment info again.
Also read: Maximise Mobile Sales with Smart Bundling on Shopify
How to Set Up Post-Purchase Upsells on Shopify?
Shopify supports post-purchase upsells using apps or native functionality (if you use Shopify Checkout and Shopify Payments). Here's how to do it step-by-step:
1. Choose the Right Upsell Tool
Several Shopify apps make it easy to create post-purchase offers:
- Zipify OneClickUpsell
- ReConvert Upsell & Cross-Sell
- AfterSell Post Purchase Upsell
These apps offer pre-built templates, A/B testing, analytics, and one-click add-to-order functionality.
2. Decide What to Offer
Not every product makes a good upsell. Choose items that:
- Complement the original purchase
- Are lower in price than the original product
- Add extra value without feeling like a hard sell
Example:
If someone buys a phone case, offer a screen protector.
If they buy a fitness tracker, suggest extra bands or a water bottle.
3. Create a Clean, Mobile-Friendly Design
Most buyers are on mobile, so keep your offer short and clear:
- Use a strong headline (e.g., “Wait! Add this for 20% off”)
- Include product image, name, short benefit-driven copy
- Add a clear CTA button (“Add to Order”)
Avoid long descriptions or too many choices. One or two focused offers work best.
Smart Strategies to Make Post-Purchase Upsells Work
Now that you know the basics, let’s look at real strategies to make your upsells more effective.
✅ Offer a Limited-Time Discount
Give the customer a time-sensitive reason to buy now.
Example:
“Add this charger to your order for 20% off—offer ends in 10 minutes.”
✅ Show a Bundle Upgrade
Offer a better version of the product or bundle for a bit more.
Example:
“Upgrade to our Deluxe Kit and save ₹500.”
✅ Recommend Accessories
Accessories often convert well because they feel useful and relevant.
Example:
Bought a camera? Offer a tripod, memory card, or camera bag.
✅ Personalise Based on the Purchase
If possible, customise upsells based on what the customer just bought.
Apps like ReConvert allow you to set upsell rules based on product type, cart value, or tags.
✅ Keep it One-Click
Reduce friction. Use Shopify apps that let customers add items with one click—no extra steps or checkout process.
Mistakes to Avoid with Post-Purchase Upsells
While upsells can be powerful, poor execution can annoy customers or dilute your brand. Avoid these common mistakes:
❌ Offering Irrelevant Products
Random upsells reduce trust. Make sure the suggested item actually fits the original purchase.
❌ Making the Offer Too Complicated
Don’t overwhelm users with multiple items or lots of text. Keep it simple.
❌ Overusing Discounts
If you always offer big discounts post-purchase, customers might delay purchases expecting deals later.
❌ Forgetting to Test
Track performance. What works for one audience or product may not work for another. Use A/B testing to find your best-performing offers.
Introducing Wizio App
The Wizio app is designed to maximize your AOV through flexible quantity breaks, volume discounts, and buy X get Y free BOGO deals. Its user-friendly setup requires no coding, making it accessible to all Shopify store owners. Additionally, features such as Complete The Bundle Upsell and Frequently Bought Together (FBT) bundles offer a comprehensive approach to post-purchase upselling.
Key features of the Wizio app include:
- Flexible quantity breaks and volume discounts for different products.
- Buy X, Get Y Free (BOGO) deals.
- Complete The Bundle Upsell and Frequently Bought Together (FBT) bundles.
- Cart drawer with AI recommendations, Progress bar with free shipping & discounts, Gift Wrap, Shipping Protection & more.
- Build a box. Customer can build their own bundle.
- Seamless integration with subscriptions.
- Performance tracking and A/B testing capabilities.
Conclusion
Your job doesn’t end when someone clicks “Buy Now.” With post-purchase upsells, you have a golden opportunity to increase revenue and give your customers more value—without disrupting their shopping experience.
On Shopify, this is easy to set up, and once it's running, it works on autopilot.
Start by choosing one product to upsell, test it with a clear offer, and monitor your results. Even small improvements in AOV can make a big difference over time.
FAQs
1. How do post-purchase upsells work?
Post-purchase upsells offer customers complementary or upgraded products after they've completed their initial purchase. This strategy encourages customers to add more items to their cart, increasing the store's Average Order Value (AOV).
2. Are post-purchase upsells effective?
Yes, post-purchase upsells can be highly effective in increasing revenue and improving customer satisfaction. By offering relevant and personalized products, stores can enhance the overall shopping experience.
3. How can I measure the success of my post-purchase upsell campaigns?
You can measure the success of your post-purchase upsell campaigns by tracking metrics such as AOV, upsell conversion rates, and overall revenue generated from upsell offers. Tools like the Wizio app offer robust performance tracking capabilities.
4. What are some best practices for post-purchase upselling?
Some best practices for post-purchase upselling include offering highly relevant products, using engaging product recommendations, and ensuring a seamless checkout process. It's also essential to track and analyze the performance of your upsell campaigns to optimize your strategy over time.
5. Can post-purchase upsells help with inventory management?
Yes, post-purchase upsells can be an effective strategy for optimizing inventory levels. By promoting related or slow-moving products, store owners can improve inventory turnover and ensure a more efficient stock management process.
