7 WooCommerce Cross-Sell Tactics to Boost Sales

Picture this: you’re about to buy a pair of running shoes at the store. Just as you’re about to pay, the cashier casually suggests a pair of moisture-wicking socks that runners love – and they’re 20% off if you grab them now! You think, well, that makes sense, and boom – your total just went up. This is cross-selling, and it can be done online, too. 

The good news is that your WooCommerce store can handle this automatically at just the right time during a customer’s visit. Research shows cross-selling can boost revenue by up to 30%, but let’s be honest – WooCommerce’s built-in cross-sell features aren’t exactly optimized for conversions.

If you’re only relying on WooCommerce’s default cross-sells, which show up on the cart page, you’re missing out on serious revenue. This won’t give you control over when and how offers appear, which means lost opportunities to increase order value.

That’s why you need to be more strategic, with the likes of smart order bumps, personalized side cart recommendations, and dynamic cross-sells that actually convert. We’ll walk you through seven powerful cross-sell tactics to boost your AOV with WooCommerce (made even better with CheckoutWC, BTW… but we’ll get to that!).

1. Strategic order bump placement for instant results

“Oh hey, want to add this for just a few bucks more?” – sound familiar? Well, that’s an order bump. AKA a quick, one-click way to boost your customer’s cart value without them having to rethink their entire purchase. And it works a treat.

With CheckoutWC, you can drop high-converting order bumps right into your WooCommerce checkout. Think of it like a choose-your-own-adventure moment for your customers – except instead of battling dragons, they’re grabbing an accessory they didn’t know they needed but suddenly must have.

But here’s the thing: WooCommerce’s default setup only shows cross-sells in the cart, meaning many customers never even see them. CheckoutWC changes this by letting you display cross-sell offers in multiple high-converting locations:

• During checkout: Show offers between steps or near the payment options to catch customers when they’re already in buying mode.
• Post-purchase: Hit them with a last-minute “Wait! You might like this too” deal after they buy (when they’re most likely to say yes).
• Side cart integration: Keep offers visible while customers review their cart, making it easy to add extra items with a single click.
• Multi-location flexibility: Show the same offer in multiple places to reinforce the value without being pushy.

Instead of hoping customers notice a cross-sell buried in the cart, you’re actively putting high-converting offers in front of them at the perfect time.

The key to a high-converting order bump? Matching the offer to customer intent. Is someone buying a laptop? Offer a discounted protective case. Selling premium coffee? Suggest a bundle of eco-friendly stirrers.

As of CheckoutWC 10.0, you can dynamically configure order bumps based on cart contents, purchase history, product inventory, and even cart subtotal. It’s basically like having a mind-reading sales assistant – but in plugin form. Basically, CheckoutWC’s order bump and upsell features make it ridiculously smooth. 

Setting up your first high-converting order bump

Alright, let’s get your high-converting order bump in CheckoutWC set up:

1. Get the plugin

First things first, get the plugin and make sure you’re on the Plus, Pro, or Agency plan of CheckoutWC (because order bumps are a premium feature, and our premium features make you money 💰).

2. Add a new order bump

Head to your dashboard → CheckoutWC → Order Bumps. Make sure Enable Order Bumps is on. Then, press Manage Bumps click “Add New Bump” and choose a trigger product or category – this is what will activate the offer.

3. Set display conditions

Want the bump to show only when the cart total hits a certain amount? Or maybe only when specific items are in the cart? CheckoutWC lets you choose! Just head to Display Conditions.

4. Pick your placement

Where should it appear now that you’ve set up your order bump? With CheckoutWC, you have several placement options:

• Between checkout steps: Introduce an offer before the final payment step, when customers are already in buying mode.
• Post-purchase: Show an exclusive deal after checkout is complete, when customers are more likely to add something extra.
• In the side cart: Keep cross-sells visible as customers review their orders, making it easy to add last-minute items.

🤫 Sneaky tip: Try adding an order bump to the checkout page, since it’s one of the most effective ways to boost AOV without disrupting the buying experience!

5. Write an offer they can’t refuse in Offer Language 

Keep it short, clear, and benefit-focused. Something like:

🚀 “Complete your setup with a [matching item]—10% off if you grab it now!”

6. Save & test it live

Click save, hop over to your store’s front end, and make sure it works! And boom – you’ve just added a high-converting, one-click revenue booster to your WooCommerce store.

2. Smart side cart recommendations that convert

Smart side carts are great for WooCommerce cross-selling since they keep customers engaged in their shopping experience while subtly suggesting relevant add-ons.

A Shopify-style side cart is the perfect way to boost sales without disrupting the shopping flow. Instead of dragging shoppers to a separate cart page (where distractions happen), a side cart lets them review their order, see relevant product suggestions, and – oh, look! – add more items with a single click. 

Side carts are the perfect “might as well add this too” moment. CheckoutWC’s Side Cart can make all of this possible because:

• It replaces WooCommerce’s default checkout with a sleek, modern side cart.
• You can strategically place cross-sell offers inside the cart without being pushy.
• Customers can stay on the page while making adjustments, leading to fewer drop-offs and more conversions.

3. Multi-step checkout cross-selling optimization

A long, cluttered checkout page is basically the shopping equivalent of a traffic jam. But here’s the thing: both one-page and multi-step checkouts have their place:

One-page setup 

• A one-page checkout works well for simple purchases, especially if you can streamline form fields and remove unnecessary steps. A faster process can mean fewer drop-offs.

• A multi-step checkout is great when customers need time to review their details, reducing overwhelm and making cross-sell placements more strategic.

With CheckoutWC, you can choose either approach, but when it comes to cross-selling, a multi-step checkout gives you more chances to introduce relevant offers at the perfect moment.

Here’s how a multi-step checkout helps boost cross-sells:

• More opportunities for product recommendations: Instead of cramming everything onto one checkout screen, you can place targeted cross-sell offers at key moments:
  • Shipping step: Suggest an add-on that enhances their purchase, like a travel-sized lotion with a skincare order.
  • Payment step: Offer a bundle discount, like 10% off a second item.
  • Order review step: Provide a last-minute deal before they hit “Place Order.”
• Reduces cognitive load: Breaking checkout into digestible steps keeps customers focused and prevents decision fatigue.
• Boosts engagement: Each step feels like progress, keeping customers moving toward that sweet, sweet purchase.

Want to go full mad scientist with your cross-selling? A/B test different cross-sell placements in the checkout process to see what converts best. The right product, at the right step, can make all the difference.

4. Post-purchase cross-sell opportunities

You know that moment when you’ve just bought something, and your brain is still in “yes, let’s spend money” mode? That’s the perfect time to offer an irresistible post-purchase cross-sell, and CheckoutWC’s After Checkout Submit Modal makes it easy to do just that.

Order bump offer form 

Instead of letting customers wander off into the digital sunset, this handy feature pops up immediately after purchase with a well-timed “Hey, you might love this too!” suggestion. And because they’ve already committed to buying, they’re far more likely to think it’s a good idea!

🔥 Why post-purchase cross-sells work

• The customer is already in buying mode; they said yes once, making it easier to say yes again.
• There’s no checkout friction since they’ve already completed their order, adding an extra item feels effortless.
• Highly targeted offers = higher conversions. For example, “Now that you’ve got your new phone, how about a protective case?”

“The key to a great post-purchase cross-sell is relevance. If you offer something that naturally complements their purchase, it feels like a helpful suggestion, not a pushy upsell.”

– Clifton Griffin, Founder at CheckoutWC.

5. Data-driven product suggestions

Ever had a store recommend something so spot on that you wondered if they were secretly reading your mind? That’s data-driven cross-selling, and your WooCommerce store can do the same! CheckoutWC’s conditional rules let you create highly relevant cross-sell offers based on:

• Cart contents: Suggesting a laptop sleeve when a customer buys a MacBook.
• Product categories: Offering a travel pillow when someone grabs a suitcase.
• Purchase history: They might love a new water bottle if they’ve bought running shoes, for example.

Here are some quick tips to find the best product pairing:

• Dig into purchase history – what do people frequently buy together?
• Look at cart data – which items tend to appear in the same orders?
• Experiment! A/B test different product suggestions to see what converts best.

With CheckoutWC, you can take the guesswork out of cross-selling and let data do the heavy lifting. This will give you higher AOV, happier customers, and a checkout experience that feels personalized instead of pushy!

6. Cross-sell performance tracking and optimization

So, you’ve set up your cross-sell offers – nice! But how do you know if they’re actually working? The trick to maximizing revenue is about tracking, testing, and optimizing them to see what converts best. Some important metrics to track are:

• Cross-sell acceptance rate by placement location. Are more people biting on offers in the side cart, during checkout, or post-purchase?
• Revenue contribution per cross-sell offer. Which specific cross-sell items are making you the most money?
• Performance by product category pairing. Are certain product combinations performing better than others?

🔍 What to test for better cross-sell conversions?

• Timing matters. Does your audience respond better to suggestions during checkout, in the side cart, or after purchase?
• Price relationships. Are customers more likely to add a $10 item to a $50 order, or a $100 add-on to a $500 purchase?
• Discount sweet spots. Does a 10% discount drive more conversions, or do people need to see 20% off to take action?

7. Cross-sell discounted product bundles

If you’ve ever seen a “Buy X, Get Y at 20% Off” deal and thought, well, that’s a no-brainer, then you already know why cross-selling products in bundles works so well. Instead of selling individual add-ons, you package them together at a discount, making it an easy yes for customers. 

🎯 Why bundling works for cross-selling

• It feels like a better deal, as getting multiple items at a discount is more tempting than buying them separately.
• It’s frictionless, as customers don’t have to hunt for accessories; you’ve already curated the perfect set.
• It boosts AOV effortlessly: one click, and their cart value jumps.

🔥 The power of a well-timed bundle

Instead of just recommending a laptop bag, why not offer a “Laptop Essentials Bundle” that includes:

✔️ A laptop bag.
✔️ A wireless mouse.
✔️ A keyboard cover.

Want to know our secret weapon? Make it a limited-time deal. Try saying something like, “Complete your setup with this bundle – only available for 24 hours after your purchase!” With CheckoutWC, you can automate these post-purchase bundle offers, ensuring customers get the right deal at the right moment. Smart, right?

Transform your WooCommerce checkout today

Cross-selling is one of the most effective ways to boost revenue in your WooCommerce store. Whether it’s a one-click order bump, a subtle side cart recommendation, or a well-timed post-purchase offer, the right cross-sell at the right moment can turn an average sale into a bigger, more profitable order.

Unlike WooCommerce’s basic cross-sell options, CheckoutWC boosts your checkout process with:

✅ Conditional offers based on cart contents, purchase history, and categories.
✅ Flat or percentage-based discounts to create irresistible deals.
✅ Strategic cross-sell placements throughout an optimized, high-converting checkout flow.

Offering a win/win situation: a smoother experience for customers and a bigger bottom line for your store. So, if you’re serious about increasing your average order value without annoying your customers, explore CheckoutWC’s plans today!

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