One-Click Upsells: How to Implement Them?

Like, I’d just bought something I actually wanted, and then—bam—another offer popped up asking me to buy more. It felt like walking out of a store and someone chasing you down the street yelling, “Wait! Want another one?!”

That was before I actually understood what a one-click upsell is supposed to be — and more importantly, before I learned how to use it the right way. The non-sleazy way. The smart way.

So if you’ve been wondering what the heck a one-click upsell is, and how to set it up so you’re not annoying people (but actually making more sales), here’s what I’ve learned from doing it the wrong way first — and eventually getting it right.

What Even Is a One-Click Upsell?

Okay, super simple: a one-click upsell is when someone completes a purchase, and immediately after that — like, on the next screen — you show them another offer. But here’s the kicker: they can buy it with one single click. No re-entering info, no extra steps. Just one click, and boom — it’s added to their order.

Platforms like Payhip, ThriveCart, ClickFunnels, and Shopify (with some hacks) all offer this kind of post-checkout upsell.

It’s kinda like when you’re at the fast-food drive-thru and they ask, “Want to add fries?” after you’ve already ordered your burger. You’re already in the buying mood. It’s easy to say yes.

If you want to take this to the next level, check out how to create automated upsell funnels on Payhip — it walks through setup examples that actually convert.

The First Time I Tried It… Total Flop

So my first one-click upsell was a hot mess.

I was selling an online course about digital planning. After checkout, I offered an upsell: a “VIP Coaching Session” for $199. I thought I was being slick.

Want to guess how many people bought it?

Zero.

Turns out, slapping a high-ticket item right after someone’s bought a $29 course feels jarring. It’s too big of a jump. And honestly, it felt out of place. That’s when I realized a one-click upsell should feel like the natural next step — not a leap off a cliff.

What Actually Works? (From Hard-Won Experience)

Here’s what finally worked for me:

• Offer something small and useful — I created a $9 digital sticker pack that complemented the main course.

• Make sure it’s directly related — If your main product is about email marketing, your upsell shouldn’t be a TikTok template.

• Keep the copy short and clear — “Want to speed up your results? Add these plug-and-play templates to your course for just $9.”

• Use urgency without pressure — I added a little line: “Only available on this page.” No timers. No flashing warnings. Just a clear, calm offer.

And guess what? Conversion rate went from 0% to 18.6%.

Want to know why that worked so well? It comes down to the psychology behind successful upselling — understanding buyer behavior can change everything.

How to Set Up a One-Click Upsell? (Step-by-Step)

Depending on your platform, the process varies, but here’s the general flow:

• Choose a product that complements your main offer
  Think add-ons, cheat sheets, workbooks, extra templates — something easy to say “yes” to.

• Create a dedicated upsell page
  This shows up after checkout. It should include a headline, a short description, and one big “Add to Order” button.

• Enable one-click functionality
  Most platforms will let you auto-charge the payment method used in the main checkout — no extra login or cart step.

• Test the timing
  Some tools let you show upsells before the thank-you page, others after. Play around and test what converts better.

• Track conversions like your life depends on it
  Seriously. Check your conversion rates, AOV (average order value), and drop-off rates. That’s how you know if the upsell’s actually working.

Need help improving that AOV? These 7 best tips to increase order value with upsells are a must-read.

What NOT to Do? (Please Learn From Me)

• Don’t upsell something more expensive than the original product (unless it’s really obvious why).

• Don’t offer something random. It needs to make sense.

• Don’t overwhelm people with too many choices — one offer is usually enough.

• Don’t guilt-trip the buyer with “Don’t you care about your success?” messaging. That’s gross.

One-click upsells should feel like helpful suggestions, not pressure tactics. That’s what keeps your customers happy — and keeps them coming back.

If you’re looking for examples of what actually works, check out 11 case studies of successful upsell strategies. There’s a lot to learn just by seeing what others have done right.

Real Talk: Is It Worth It?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: it depends on your offer, your audience, and your execution. If your upsell is aligned, low-friction, and genuinely helpful — it works. I’ve seen people double their revenue just by adding a simple $7 PDF upsell.

If you need a conversion boost, using scarcity to boost upsell conversions can make a huge difference. But it has to feel natural — not manipulative.

The key? Make it feel like a no-brainer. Like the buyer’s thinking, “Yeah, I do want that.”

Because the truth is — once someone’s in buying mode, they’re way more open to saying yes again. So don’t miss that window. Offer them something awesome, simple, and useful.

Final Thoughts

Look, I’m not saying you need to become some kind of upsell ninja overnight. But if you’re selling anything online — courses, templates, digital goods, coaching, whatever — one-click upsells can be a seriously powerful tool.

Start small. Think about what you would’ve wanted after buying your main offer. Then build it. Test it. Refine it.

And hey, if your first attempt flops like mine did? Don’t sweat it. Adjust, improve, and try again.

It’s not about tricking people. It’s about serving them better. And when you do that, the sales take care of themselves.