Small But Mighty
If you’re not upselling or cross-selling, you’re leaving money on the table—simple as that. As part of a strong digital strategy, upselling and cross-selling are two of the most effective tactics in ecommerce marketing, especially when combined with time-saving marketing automation solutions. Not only do they boost your average order value, but they also improve customer experience when done right. For small businesses and growing brands, partnering with an ecommerce marketing agency in Melbourne can help make these strategies feel seamless rather than salesy.
Let’s look at what works—and what converts.
What’s the Difference Between Upselling and Cross-Selling?
- Upselling: Encouraging customers to buy a more expensive version of a product (e.g. 256GB phone instead of 128GB).
- Cross-selling: Recommending related or complementary products (e.g. phone case and charger when someone buys a phone).
Both are powerful ecommerce marketing techniques that can significantly lift sales and customer satisfaction—when supported by a clever digital strategy.
1. Bundle Offers That Make Sense
Product bundling is a classic cross-sell strategy, but it works best when it’s genuinely useful. Think: camera + memory card + lens cleaner. Not only does this improve perceived value, but it also makes checkout smoother for your customer.
A Shopify report found that product bundles can increase AOV (average order value) by up to 20%. An experienced ecommerce marketing agency in Melbourne can set up these bundles and test them with real-time analytics to ensure you’re offering the right combos.
2. Personalised Product Recommendations
According to McKinsey, 71% of consumers expect personalisation—and 76% get frustrated without it. That’s where your ecommerce platform’s data comes into play. Use browsing behaviour, purchase history, and cart contents to suggest products the customer is most likely to buy.
Tools like Klaviyo, Rebuy, or even Shopify’s native features help integrate AI-driven product recommendations that align with your overall digital strategy.
3. Use “Frequently Bought Together” Widgets
A proven cross-sell tool made famous by Amazon, “frequently bought together” widgets encourage users to buy items other customers have paired with their main purchase.
The psychology is simple: people trust social proof. This widget can increase your sales with very little effort—especially if you’re using ecommerce marketing tools that automate the process.
4. Time-Sensitive Upsells at Checkout
Want fries with that? Upselling at checkout works in ecommerce too. Limited time offers like “upgrade for just $10 more” or “add protection for 1 year” create urgency and boost conversions.
According to Forrester, upselling can increase revenue by 10–30% on average. This is one of the simplest strategies to implement—especially with the help of an ecommerce marketing agency in Melbourne that can design optimised checkout flows for your site.
5. Post-Purchase Offers and Thank You Pages
Don’t stop selling after checkout! Post-purchase upsells can be just as powerful as in-cart offers. Include personalised recommendations on your thank you page, ad retargeting, or follow up with an exclusive offer via email.
Apps like AfterSell or Zipify OCU integrate these upsells directly into your digital strategy, helping turn one-time buyers into returning customers.
6. Loyalty Programs and VIP Upsells
Your most loyal customers are also your best candidates for upsells. Incentivise larger purchases or exclusive products via loyalty programs, early access, or VIP-only offers. According to Yotpo, loyal customers are 60–70% more likely to convert than new ones.
An ecommerce marketing agency in Melbourne can help you develop loyalty schemes that offer value and drive repeat purchases, enhancing your brand experience and bottom line.
Ready to Upsell the Right Way?
Upselling and cross-selling aren’t just about increasing revenue—they’re about offering more value to your customers. Whether it’s bundling complementary items, offering smarter recommendations, or targeting loyal customers, these strategies need to be part of your ecommerce marketing toolkit. With a strong digital strategy and marketing automation behind you—and expert input from an ecommerce marketing agency in Melbourne—you can turn small purchases into bigger sales, all while keeping your customers happy and engaged. Now’s the time to review your upsell and cross-sell tactics. Because smart ecommerce marketing isn’t about pushing products—it’s about helping customers buy better.