Post-Purchase Upsell on Shopify: Easy Setup Guide 2025

Every sale you make is an opportunity you’re probably missing. Post-purchase upsell strategies on Shopify benefit revenue growth and increase your average order value by 10-30%.

This guide provides a step-by-step setup for post-purchase upselling on Shopify, along with practical tactics to help merchants maximize their profitability.

How to Set Up Post-Purchase Upsell on Shopify (10-Minute Guide)

To get started, you’ll need a Shopify app that supports post-purchase upsells (PPU). These apps enable you to display a special offer immediately after a customer completes checkout.

AOV Post Purchase Upsell app helps Shopify merchants increase average order value (AOV) and boost customer retention. This powerful tool enables you to strategically place upsell offers on order confirmation pages, checkout pages, and thank-you pages to maximize revenue opportunities.

The app leverages data analytics to monitor customer behavior and response patterns to your offers. It uses these insights to help you optimize your product recommendations for higher conversion rates.

General app information:

• Rating: 5.0/5 (17 reviews)
• Developer: AOV.ai (by Avada)
• Pricing: Free
• Free plan: Yes

Who is it best for?

• E-commerce newcomers (Stay-at-home parents, university students, seniors).
• Shops aimed at boosting post-purchase income (Enhance monthly traffic).
• Vendors require downsell alternatives (Luxury fashion labels provide mid-tier products).

Pro tip: Make sure the app integrates with Shopify’s native checkout and doesn’t slow down your store.

Step 1: Create new offer

• Navigate to the AOV Post Purchase Upsell dashboard.
• Click Build offer or Create new offer in the left-hand bar.
• Select Post-purchase upsell, then click Create.

Pro tip: If you’re uncertain about the customer experience, use the preview function (eye icon) to visualize how your upsell appears to customers during their purchase journey on both desktop and mobile devices.

Step 2: Trigger the offers

• Name your PPU campaign (e.g., “Post-purchase upsell #1”).
• Set the conditions for 3 segments: Product, Order, and Customer (Maximum 3 conditions).
• Select the specific upsell product you want to offer.
• Click Add product and choose your preferred item from your product catalog.
• Schedule your offer for maximum effectiveness.

Pro tip: Enhance targeting precision by clicking the button Add ‘AND’ condition to create sophisticated customer behavior rules.

Step 3: Set up Post-Purchase Upsell offer

You have 3 ways to select the product you want to offer after checkout:

• AI Recommendation: Let the app automatically suggest high-performing products.
• Specific Product: Manually pick an individual product to upsell.
• Specific Collection: Offer a group of products from a particular collection.

• Select Percentage discount or Fixed amount discount from the dropdown.
• Enter the discount amount (e.g, 10% off).

Pro tip: Keep discounts attractive but sustainable. Test 10–20% of discount to find the optimal conversion rate for your store.

The application provides complete control over customer response scenarios:

• If declined, you can enable a Downsell offer (e.g., offer a smaller or cheaper item).
• If accepted, you can set up Upsell #2 as a follow-up offer to further increase AOV.

Step 4: Customize the widget

Select your favorite template > Click Save.

Step 5: Test the Offer

• Go to Settings > Checkout.
• Select AOV Post Purchase Upsell at the ‘Post-purchase page’ section.
• Make an order.
• Go to Order Tracker, find your ID.
• Check if your offer was shown, accepted, or declined, along with the reasons.

Pro tip: Follow the instructions in the “📌 How can you verify your offer?” section on the right-hand side for a perfect post-purchase offer launching.

Key considerations: To do this right, pick the right app, set up smart targeting rules, and test everything carefully. For comprehensive app comparisons, explore the best Shopify upsell apps with detailed pros, cons, and merchant recommendations.

Now that you understand how to set up effective upsells, let’s explore strategic placement options to maximize impact and conversion rates.

5 Different Placements & Why They Work

Each placement option serves different purposes within the customer journey. Here’s a breakdown of when to use each placement for optimal results:

1. Thank you page upsells (Post-checkout page)

Offers appear immediately after checkout completion on the order confirmation page. This placement is highly effective because customers remain engaged with your store. The timing doesn’t interrupt the checkout process.

This placement works particularly well for complementary accessories, product add-ons, or subscription offers related to the initial purchase.

2. One-click upsells

This conversion-focused placement allows customers to add recommended products with a single click. By reducing interruptions in the purchase process, this approach significantly boosts conversion rates for post-purchase offers.

One-click upsells are ideal for time-sensitive offers, limited-time promotions, or products with substantial complementary value to the original purchase.

3. Pop-up upsells

Your upsell promotions can appear as overlay elements on the thank you page, drawing attention to special offers through visual emphasis. These interactive elements work exceptionally well for limited-time promotions, exclusive deals, or highlighting high-margin products to recent purchasers.

Pop-ups are most effective when they incorporate personalization based on the customer’s purchase history and browsing behavior.

4. Order status upsell

This placement allows customers to discover and purchase additional products or collections while checking their order status. Order status page upsells are ideal for driving incremental revenue after the initial purchase but before fulfillment, providing a natural touchpoint without disrupting the customer journey.

These offers are particularly effective for replenishment products, complementary items, or introducing new products to existing customers.

5. Email follow-up upsells

Reach customers hours or days after their purchase through automated email sequences. These let you suggest products based on what they bought before and what they looked at. However, they typically see lower conversion rates than immediate post-purchase offers.

3 Common Post-Purchase Upsell Challenges and How to Fix Them

Even the most effective upsell campaigns can encounter challenges that impact their success. Let’s explore three common post-purchase upsell mistakes and offer practical solutions for them.

1. Low upsell conversion rates

Many merchants struggle with underperforming upsell campaigns because of irrelevant product recommendations.

If a customer purchases a 1-month supply of supplements, consider upselling them to a 3-month supply with a 10% discount per unit, offering both savings and convenience.

Pro tip: Analyze your sales data to identify products that are frequently purchased together and create valuable product combinations.

2. Technical integration issues

Complex app installations can lead to various technical problems that disrupt the customer experience. These may include broken checkout pages, duplicate payment processing between different Shopify apps.

To prevent these situations, it’s essential to test all post-checkout offers and upsell placements before launching your upsell campaigns.

Pro tip: Set up a test account to check the entire buying process as a customer would. This way, you can ensure everything works properly across different devices and browsers.

3. Poor customer experience

Instead of upselling a random item from your inventory, focus on offering products that meet your customers’ needs and relate to their recent purchase.

For example, when a customer purchases a basic moisturizer, offer them the premium version with anti-aging ingredients or SPF protection, at a special upgrade price.

Pro tip: Implement limits on the number of upsell attempts per customer and ensure that all recommendations logically complement their original purchase. Monitor customer feedback and satisfaction metrics to refine your approach.

Don’t worry, these challenges are fixable. Next, we’ll explore five proven approaches that successful Shopify merchants use to maximize their post-purchase upsell effectiveness.

5 Smart Tips for Post-Purchase Upsell Campaigns

If you’re new to Shopify or just starting to explore upsell strategies, these five proven strategies will help you build upsell campaigns that convert.

1. Related product upgrades

Start by analyzing your historical order data to identify product similarities and upgrade options within your catalog. The most effective post-purchase upsells offer enhanced or premium versions of products that customers have already purchased.

If a customer buys a basic coffee maker, present an upgraded model with additional features or a bundle that includes essential accessories at a special discount.

This approach encourages customers to increase AOV by selecting a better option, thereby enhancing satisfaction and reducing return rates.

2. Set the right price range

Research indicates that effective upsells typically account for 25-50% of the original purchase price. Avoid presenting expensive items to customers making modest purchases, as this misalignment can feel disconnected and significantly reduce conversion rates.

For example:

• For an affordable fashion store catering to budget-conscious shoppers, an upsell like “Add this coordinating belt for just $5” is more effective than attempting to sell a $40 jacket after a $20 dress purchase.
• Conversely, for a premium skincare brand, offering an advanced serum for $25 after a $60 moisturizer purchase aligns with customer expectations and spending patterns.

Pro tip: Your pricing strategy should align with your customer segments, product positioning, and overall brand perception in the marketplace.

3. Create compelling offers

You should develop upsell offers with clear, compelling value propositions that resonate with your target audience. Consider bundling complementary products at an attractive discount, offering upgraded versions with additional features, or providing exclusive access to new or limited-edition products. The key for you is to make customers feel they’re receiving special value that isn’t available through standard shopping.

For instance, create a deal like “upgrade your $60 skincare bundle to our full-size professional version for just $20 more—a 25% savings compared to purchasing separately.”

4. Segment your audience

Different customer segments respond to various types of offers based on their relationship with your brand. First-time buyers typically respond better to educational content about product usage and benefits, while returning customers prefer exclusive discounts or early access to new product launches.

If customers spend $500 of cart value, offer access to limited-edition items to create a sense of exclusivity and appreciation. Focus on purchase history, browsing behavior, and engagement patterns to select the most suitable customer segment for your store.

5. Test and optimize

As you experiment with various offer formats, timings, and presentation styles, remember to A/B test your upsell campaigns. This will help you identify which approaches resonate best with your target audience. Be sure to track key metrics: how many customers you attract, how much they spend, and whether they are satisfied with their purchases.

AOV Post Purchase Upsell provides comprehensive analytics and tracking capabilities, giving you complete visibility into customer behavior patterns. This allows you to create more seamless shopping experiences by tailoring your approach based on customer responses:

• If customers accept your initial upsell offers, you can present additional relevant options.
• If they decline, you can display alternative downsell options at more accessible price points.

This data-driven approach enables you to understand your customers better, offering products that genuinely match their preferences and needs.

Key Takeaways

To run successful upsell campaigns, focus on these key strategies:

• Analyze data regularly: Keep track of your sales and customer behavior to understand what works best.
• Smart pricing: Set prices that attract customers while still allowing you to make a profit.
• Attractive offers: Create compelling deals that encourage customers to buy more.
• Know your customers: Utilize customer segmentation to target specific groups effectively.
• Continuous improvement: Always look for ways to tweak and optimize your campaigns for better results.

By implementing these strategies, you can simultaneously boost revenue metrics and enhance customer satisfaction, creating a win-win scenario for your business and your customers.

Wrapping Up

Post-purchase upsells are one of the best ways to increase sales and revenue from existing customers. By implementing the right setup, choosing strategic placements, addressing common challenges, and following proven campaign selection tips, you can significantly boost your store’s profitability.

FAQs: Post-Purchase Upsell Deals on Shopify