If you’re not cross-selling or upselling, you’re leaving money on the table. Period.
I used to think the only way to grow my income was by getting more customers. More traffic. More leads. More people in the door. But the real game-changer? Learning how to sell more to the customers I already had.
That’s where cross-selling and upselling come in.
These strategies don’t just boost your revenue — they improve customer satisfaction too. When you suggest the right product at the right time, it doesn’t feel pushy. It feels helpful.
Let’s break down exactly how you can use cross-sells and upsells in your store — and start seeing bigger orders, happier customers, and less stress.
What’s the Difference Between Cross-Selling and Upselling?
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Cross-selling: Recommending a related product alongside the one they’re buying. (e.g., “You’re buying a planner? Want to add some printable stickers too?”)
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Upselling: Offering a higher-priced version or upgrade of the product. (e.g., “Want the premium bundle instead of the basic one?”)
Both aim to increase average order value without new ad spend.
Knowing when to use each can double your income from the same customer base. If you combine these techniques with smart promotions like using limited-time offers to increase conversions, you’ll accelerate your results even faster.
Why Cross-Selling and Upselling Work So Well?
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Customers are already in buying mode — you’re not starting from zero.
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Recommending relevant products adds value, not pressure.
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It increases revenue per transaction without needing more traffic.
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Helps customers discover products they may have missed.
It’s easier to sell to someone who’s already said yes once. These strategies take advantage of that momentum.
If you want to make it even easier, consider using Payhip’s built-in marketing tools to automate upsells and cross-sells inside your checkout process.
Cross-Selling Techniques That Actually Convert
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“Complete the set” suggestions at checkout (e.g., matching templates or accessories)
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Bundles or kits with a discount for buying more items together
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“Others also bought…” recommendations based on past purchases
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Time-limited cross-sell offers on the thank-you page or email follow-ups
Make sure your cross-sell products are directly related. Irrelevant suggestions feel spammy and reduce trust.
Another great tactic is bundling cross-sells with special promotions like creating discount coupons to drive sales, so customers feel rewarded for buying more.
High-Converting Upselling Strategies
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Offer a premium version or package at checkout
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Include add-ons like extended licenses or coaching sessions
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Highlight the savings: “Get 3 for the price of 2!”
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Use urgency (“Upgrade now and save 30% today only”)
Upsells should feel like an upgrade, not a switch. Use side-by-side comparisons if helpful.
For maximum results, pair your upsells with expert high-converting sales copy that highlights the added value clearly and emotionally.
Tools That Make Upselling and Cross-Selling Easier
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Platforms like Payhip and Shopify allow built-in upsell/cross-sell features
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Use tools like CartHook, Honeycomb, or Bold Upsell for automation
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For course creators: Teachable and Podia let you upsell other products post-purchase
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Email platforms like ConvertKit can trigger cross-sell offers based on past behavior
Keep it simple at first — even one upsell offer can make a difference.
Plus, you can test which offers work best by A/B testing your marketing campaigns to find the most profitable cross-sells and upsells.
Examples of Real Stores Using These Strategies
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A digital planner store offering a bundle of templates at checkout
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A course creator upselling a VIP coaching session after enrollment
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A skincare store cross-selling a travel-size product with the full-size order
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An ebook seller promoting a “Complete Collection” as an upgrade
Steal ideas from what’s working — then tailor them to your audience.
Best Practices for Cross-Sells and Upsells
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Keep the pitch clear and benefit-focused
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Limit offers to 1-2 extra items to avoid choice overload
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Make the pricing difference worth it (don’t upsell for $1 more)
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Use visuals to compare or showcase the value
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Test what works — different customers respond to different offers.
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Scale Fast
Cross-selling and upselling aren’t shady sales tactics, they’re smart customer service.
When you suggest relevant products that actually help, your customers win and so do you. No extra ad spend. No big tech stack. Just simple offers at the right moment.
Start with one product. Add a cross-sell. Then test an upsell offer. Watch what happens.
Most of us don’t need more traffic. We just need to make the most of the traffic we already have.
