Are you struggling to gain revenue from your WooCommerce store? What if you could boost your sales without spending a single extra dollar on ads or traffic?
If you’re running a WooCommerce store, you may wonder how to increase WooCommerce revenue with related products. But there’s a misconception among store owners. They think more visitors = more sales.
But, the game changer strategy is, you need to sell more to the existing customers. For example, Amazon attributes over 35% of its total revenue to product recommendations. They include features like ‘Frequently Bought Together’ and ‘Customers Also Bought.’
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn strategic WooCommerce product recommendations to upgrade your WooCommerce revenue.
In This Blog, We’ll Talk About:
– The power of product recommendations
– Different types of related products in WooCommerce
– Strategic placement of WooCommerce related products
– Advantages of adding Woocommerce product recommendations
– Proven strategies to maximize WooCommerce revenue
– How to set up WooCommerce related products (built-in method)
– Smarter product recommendations using ShopBuilder plugin
– Common mistakes to avoid during implementing WooCommerce product recommendations
The Power of Product Recommendations
Think about your last online shopping experience. You added a laptop to your cart, and the store suggested a laptop bag, and a wireless mouse. Did you add them to the cart? There is a high chance, you added them.
That’s the psychology behind product recommendations. They work because they:
Save time: There is no need to search for complementary items while purchasing.
Add value: Relevant suggestions upgrade the shopping experience of customers.
Build trust: When recommendations are accurate, shoppers trust your suggestions and expertise.
Increase convenience: Only in one transaction, users get all the items they require.
The 3 Types of Related Products in WooCommerce
Basically, there are 3 types of WooCommerce product recommendations. They are specifically designed and placed to guide customers during purchasing.
Before diving into strategy, let’s have a brief discussion about them –
Cross-Sells
Cross-sells suggest complementary products that pair well with existing items on the cart. They provide additional value to the primary product.
Where They Appear: Primarily on Cart Page or during Checkout.
Example: Suppose a customer bought a phone for $400. Now, in the cart page you can suggest buying a screen protector or phone case.
Purpose: Cross-sell products encourage customers to add more related products per transaction. This will ultimately increase the Average Order Value (AOV).
Up Sells
Upsells motivate customers to purchase more expensive or premium versions of the product they are viewing.
Where They Appear: Primarily on the Product Page.
Example: A customer is looking at a standard $600 laptop. You may display a $750 premium model with double the RAM in the upsell section.
Purpose: The main goal of up-sell is increase the total value of the single item purchased.
Related Products
WooCommerce displays these items automatically on product pages. They belong to the same category or tag as the product a customer is viewing.
Basically, it works in a discovery mechanism. Shoppers discover alternatives and complementary items of products.
Where They Appear: Single Product Page.
Example: A shopper is browsing organic cotton t-shirts. WooCommerce will suggest more products that have cotton t-shirts tag.
Purpose: This product strategy helps in product discovery. It also keeps users to stay longer on the site.
Comparison Summary
| Type | What It Does | Where It Shows | Goal |
| Cross-Sells | Recommends complementary add-on products | Cart page | Increase cart size |
| Upsells | Suggests premium or higher-value versions | Product page | Increase item value |
| Related Products | Shows similar items based on category/tags | Product page | Discovery & alternatives |
Strategic Placement: Where to Show Product Recommendations
Timing and strategic placement is everything. Show recommendations too early, and you’ll distract customers. Too late, and you’ve missed the opportunity.
Knowing where to place your WooCommerce product recommendations is just as important as being aware about what to recommend.
Product Pages
Product pages have the highest impact. In these pages, your customers are most engaged and open to suggestions.
Place upsells above the fold or directly below the product description. Show related products lower on the page under a heading like “You May Also Like” or “Similar Products.”
Cart Page
Cart page is a sweet spot for WooCommerce cross-sell suggestions. Customers are already determined to purchase the product.
Actually, they’re in buying mode. You can offer complementary items or small add-ons (under $20) for quick decisions. Insert messaging like “Complete Your Order” or “Customers Also Bought.”
Checkout Page
Checkout page recommendations are considered powerful but risky. You can present one irresistible offer as a checkbox add-on.
Keep the interface simple and focus on high margin-low cost items. Small add-ons like warranty protection or gift wrapping work well here.
Thank You Page
This order confirmation page is an overlooked goldmine. After a customer completes a purchase, they’re on a dopamine high.
Use the Thank You page to offer a one-time “thank you” discount on a related item. You can also add a one-click upsell or a “You might also need” suggestion related to what they just bought.
Advantages of Adding WooCommerce Related Products
Adding related products in WooCommerce is a high-impact, low-effort strategy. You can significantly optimize your store’s performance. Here are some primary advantages:
🔸 Increases Average Order Value
Customers add more items when they see relevant suggestions at the right moment.
🔸 Improves Product Discovery
Shoppers find products they didn’t know you offered. This will expand their awareness about your brand.
🔸 Reduces Bounce Rate
Related products keep visitors engaged longer instead of leaving after viewing one item.
🔸 Boosts Conversion Rates
Relevant recommendations build confidence and reduce decision fatigue. This leads to more completed purchases.
🔸 Enhances Customer Experience
With helpful suggestions, customers feel more confident during the purchase process.
🔸 Strengthens Internal Linking for SEO
Related product links improve site structure, helping search engines crawl and index your pages better.
🔸 Maximizes Existing Traffic
You sell more without spending extra on ads. Same visitors, higher revenue.
🔸 Clears Slow-Moving Inventory
Pair related products strategically to move stock that isn’t selling on its own.
Proven Strategies to Maximize WooCommerce Revenue
Ready to sell beyond basic recommendations? These advanced WooCommerce related products selling strategies can significantly amplify your results.
1. Strategic Checkout Page Additions
The checkout page is your last chance to increase order value before payment. But be careful—the wrong approach can cause cart abandonment.
The most effective strategy here is the one-click order bump. You need to present a single, highly relevant product.
For example, offer a $10 Yoga Block Set when a customer is purchasing a $45 Yoga Mat—as a simple checkbox option. You can also add “Save $3 if added now’’. This creates a sense of urgency with a feeling of getting a bonus.
Focus on low-cost items that naturally “complete” the primary purchase
| 💡Pro Tip: Test different offer positions. Some stores see better results with offers above the payment section, others below. |
2. Smart Product Bundling
Instead of selling items separately, you can create a strategic bundle. Shift the customer’s focus from “how much does this cost?” to “how much value am I getting?”.
Best practices for generating bundle offers:
– Analyze purchase history to identify which items naturally drift towards each other.
– Create themed bundles: “Complete Home Office Setup” or “Beginner’s Fitness Kit”. Simplify the decision-making process for the shopper.
– Offer bundle discounts (10-15% off when bought together). An Essential Kit (e.g., a Phone + Case + Screen Protector) is perfect for increasing primary purchases.
Comparison of High-Converting Bundle Types
| Bundle Type | Example | Discount Strategy |
| Essential Kit | Phone + Case + Screen Protector | 15% off bundle |
| Upgrade Bundle | Basic Plan → Premium + Accessories | 20% off upgrade |
| Seasonal Bundle | Summer Essentials Pack | Free shipping |
| Starter Pack | “Everything you need to start with” | 10% off + digital guide |
3. Behavioral Targeting
Track customer behavior—recently viewed products, search history, and past purchases. In future, you can offer dynamic recommendations.
Browse History: Retarget visitors by displaying recently viewed items. This will keep their interest at the forefront of the shopping experience.
Cart Abandonment: Send automated mails to abandoned cart customers. Pair abandoned items with personalized offers and product suggestions.
Purchase History: By following past purchase history, you can send exclusive deals to customers. .
Search Queries: Based on the search queries recommend products align with the keywords and categories to users.
Time on Page: Some users spend significant time researching specific items. Ensure high engagement by showing premium or “pro” versions of products.
4. Urgency-Driven Recommendations
Create urgency with countdown timers and limited-time discounts. Time-sensitive offers have a psychological effect on shoppers. These offers drive them to make a final purchase decision.
Implement tactics like flash discounts—for example, “Add this to your cart within 10 minutes for an extra 15% off. Place these triggers next to add-to-cart buttons or within checkout offers
Examples of Urgency in Action:
The First-Time Buyer Special: “New customer exclusive: Use code HELLO20 in the next 60 minutes to save 20% on your first order!”
The Seasonal Closer: “Our Summer Sale ends at midnight tonight—your last chance for free shipping on all orders.”
The Post-Purchase Upsell: A countdown timer on the “Thank You” page offering a one-time deal: “Add a second unit to your order for 50% off (Offer expires at 05:00).”
| ⚠️Warning: Never use “fake” urgency, such as timers that reset every time a page is refreshed. Modern shoppers are highly tech-savvy. If they realize your deadlines or stock counts are fabricated, you will permanently damage your brand’s credibility and lose their trust. |
5. Category-Based Recommendations
Implementing category-based product recommendations in WooCommerce is a smart approach. This strategy acts like a digital personal shopper. Keep recommendations relevant by matching product categories.
Category Matching Strategy:
A “one-size-fits-all” approach to related products isn’t an effective strategy. High-performing stores prioritize functional relevance over random association:
Electronics: Focus on utility (cables, protection plans, or high-speed chargers).
Clothing: Prioritize the “Complete the Look” aesthetic (matching accessories or fabric care).
Fitness: Create a bundle of different activity types (cardio gear vs. recovery tools). This ensures logical consistency.
Home Decor: Offer coordinating aesthetic pieces or the specific tools needed for installation.
| 💡Advanced Tip: Utilize Micro-Tags. Don’t just rely on broad categories like “Fitness.” Use specific Product Tags (e.g., “Weight-loss Training” or “Cold Weather Gear”) to create hyper-precise micro-categories. This ensures that a shopper looking at winter running tights sees thermal gloves instead of summer racing shorts. |
6. Post-Purchase Upsell Funnels
Want to boost your WooCommerce sale? Then the sale shouldn’t end at the “Thank You” page. Create a dedicated post-purchase flow using tools like CartFlows.
This strategy is highly effective because it treats the customer as an established partner. After a customer completes checkout, present a one-click upsell offer. This process doesn’t require to re-enter payment details.
Conversion rates for one-click upsells typically range from 5–15%. This is one of the highest-ROI tactics available.
Example: A customer purchased a High-End DSLR Camera for $1,200. So, you should create a post-purchase funnel immediately with a one-time offer:
The Offer: A 128GB High-Speed Memory Card + Protective Carrying Case.
Add a single “Add to My Order” button that automatically updates the existing transaction.
💡Pro Tip: Use “Downsells” to maximize your WooCommerce order value. Program your funnel to immediately display a downsell—a smaller, even more affordable alternative. If they say “no” to the $55 accessory kit, offer a single $15 screen protector. This “Last Chance” offer often captures those who are interested but budget-conscious.
7. Cart Value Triggers
Strategic Cart Value Triggers are a very useful approach to increase WooCommerce revenue. You need to show different recommendations based on how much customers are spending. But make sure your recommendations align with the customer’s current spending mindset.
The Logic of Spend-Based Recommendations
Effective stores don’t suggest $100 items to someone buying a $5 accessory. Instead, they use tiered logic.
Low Tier ($0–$50): Focus on high-margin, low-cost impulse buys like “essentials.” The goal is to get the customer comfortable adding anything extra to the cart.
Mid Tier ($51–$100): This is the “sweet spot” for bundles. You can use the Free Shipping Threshold as a psychological lever to push the customer toward a slightly higher total.
High Tier ($100+): This is an upgrade transition from “more items” to “better items.” High-value shoppers are more likely to invest in protection plans, premium materials, or exclusive add-ons.
8. Email Follow-ups
Post-Purchase Email Follow-ups maximize customer lifetime value. Effective follow-up emails should not feel like a generic sales pitch. First, analyze the data from the initial purchase. Then craft personalized recommendations that enhance the customer’s experience.
Complementary Pairing: Suggest items that are functionally necessary for their new purchase.
The “Restock” Reminder: You can use this technique for skincare, coffee, supplements products. Schedule your email to arrive just as they are likely running low.
Social Proof Integration: Include “Trending Now” items within the same category. Show your customers what other shoppers are buying.
💡Advanced Tip: Use “Predictive Analytics” for Timing. Don’t just guess when to send. If your data shows a bottle of SunScreen lasts 30 days, trigger an automated “Related Product” email on Day 25. This ensures your recommendation hits their inbox at the right time. In this way, you’ll make an effortless conversion.
How to Set Up WooCommerce Related Products (Default Method)
WooCommerce includes a basic related products system out of the box. The built-in system is surprisingly powerful if you know how to pull the levers. Here is the streamlined process to master the native settings.
Step 1: Organize Your Product Categories and Tags
The default engine relies entirely on your Categories and Tags. The more organized your taxonomy, the more relevant your recommendations will be.
- Go to Products > Categories and create a logical hierarchy.
- Add specific product tags like “summer-collection,” “eco-friendly,” or “best-seller.”
- Ensure every product has at least one category and two to three relevant tags.
Step 2: Configure Upsells and Cross-Sells Manually
For each product, you can manually assign upsells and cross-sells:
- Navigate to Products > All Products and select a product to edit.
- Scroll down to the Product Data section and click the Linked Products tab.
- In the Upsells field, search for and add higher-value alternatives.
- In the Cross-sells field, add complementary products.
- Click Update to save your changes.
Step 3: Verify Display on the Frontend
After saving, visit the product page on your live site. You should see a “You May Also Like” section (related products) and your manually assigned upsells. Cross-sells will appear on the cart page when the product is added to cart.
⚠️ Limitation:
The WooCommerce built-in system for related products is limited. You can’t personalize recommendations based on browsing behavior. This manual system also doesn’t support displaying “Frequently Bought Together” bundles, or show recommendations on checkout. Sometimes, it shows irrelevant suggestions and you’ll get limited customization options. For those features, you’ll need a dedicated plugin.
Unleash Smarter Product Recommendations (Using ShopBuilder)
Want to increase WooCommerce revenue with related products without having multiple plugins? ShopBuilder might be your answer.
ShopBuilder is an all-in-one WooCommerce plugin by RadiusTheme. It is designed specifically to help store owners increase WooCommerce sales. This plugin comes with smarter product recommendations, cross-sells, upsells, and conversion-focused features.
Here are the modules that directly support your WooCommerce upsell and cross-sell strategy:
Extended Cross-Sell Module
This is ShopBuilder’s most powerful tool for WooCommerce product recommendations. It displays an interactive popup when customers add items to their cart. In this front-end pop-up, you can showcase cross-sells, upsells, related products, or custom selections.
Advanced features of extended cross-sell module
- Choose product source: cross-sells, upsells, related, category-based, or custom.
- Customizable popup design (colors, buttons, borders).
- Set product display limits to avoid overwhelming customers.
- Adjustable popup delay timing for better user experience.
- Two interactive popup layouts to match your store’s style.
Product Wishlist Module
Wishlists keep potential buyers engaged even when they’re not ready to purchase. Sometimes, customers save products to buy later. This strategy helps you to not lose potential customers to competitors.
Advanced features of wishlist module
- Add wishlist from the product page or shop page.
- Easy wishlist management for customers.
- Customizable wishlist table layout.
- Pairs well with follow-up email campaigns.
Flash Sale Countdown Module
Urgency drives action. A flash sale countdown timer on a cross-sell or upsell offer can significantly increase conversion rates. Limited-time offers push hesitant buyers to act now instead of later.
Advanced features of flash sale countdown module
- Build unlimited flash sale campaigns.
- Target specific products or entire categories.
- Run or pause campaigns with one click.
- Customizable timer design to match your branding.
Sales Notification Module
Social proof is powerful. Display live sales popups (“Someone in New York just purchased…”). When shoppers see that others are buying, it entices their interest and push them toward completing a purchase
Advanced features of sales notification module
- Display real-time purchase notifications.
- Customize notification design and colors.
- Control popup timing and location visibility.
- Option to simulate sales activity for new stores.
Buy X Get Y (BOGO) Module
BOGO deals are proven revenue drivers. They increase average order value while giving customers the feeling of getting a great deal. This module automates the entire process, so you don’t have to manage it manually.
Advanced features of Buy X Get Y (BOGO) module
- Offer free or discounted products automatically.
- Define minimum purchase quantities for eligibility.
- Schedule start and end dates for each offer.
- Customize offers by user roles.
ShopBuilder offers a free version and a Pro version with all modules. The Pro comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support.
If you want a single, well-supported plugin to handle WooCommerce product recommendations, cross-sells, and conversion optimization, ShopBuilder is worth a look.
This video provides a practical guide on how to install and use the ShopBuilder plugin to customize your WooCommerce pages and modules for better conversions.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Conversion Rate
Even the best WooCommerce related products strategy can backfire if you make these common errors.
Recommending irrelevant products
Relevance is everything. Suggesting phone cases on a laptop page destroys trust.
Overwhelming the customer
Showing 10+ recommendations looks desperate and causes decision fatigue.
Ignoring mobile experience
Over 60% of eCommerce traffic is mobile. If your recommendations break on small screens, you’re losing sales.
Using aggressive popups
Intrusive recommendation popups that block content drive customers away.
Not testing or measuring
Implementing recommendations without tracking results means you’re flying blind.
Recommending out-of-stock items
Nothing frustrates customers more than clicking a recommended product only to find it’s unavailable.
Slow page load times
Heavy recommendation widgets that slow your site down will hurt conversions more than they help.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Maximum 3–4 recommendations per section is the sweet spot. The amount of related products causes decision paralysis and can actually decrease conversions.
Yes. Internal linking through WooCommerce related products improves site architecture. It also increases page views per session, reduces bounce rate, and helps search engines crawl and index your product pages more effectively.
Upsells suggest higher-value alternatives to the current product (shown on product pages). Cross-sells recommend complementary add-on products (shown on the cart page).
Not really, If you use quality plugins and optimize images. Always test site speed after implementation.
It’s not recommended to over use the related products. You can display them on product pages, cart, checkout, and thank you pages first. Don’t overdo it.
Final Thoughts
Increasing your WooCommerce revenue by 35% shouldn’t feel like a dream. It’s an achievable dream. The formula is straightforward: show the right products, to the right customers, at the right time.
You don’t need a massive marketing budget. You don’t need a team of developers. You need a clear strategy for WooCommerce upselling and cross-selling, the right tools, and a commitment to testing and optimizing.
Start with the basics—organize your categories, assign your upsells and cross-sells, and install a solid plugin ShopBuilder.
