How to Upsell and Cross-Sell to Mobile Shoppers to Increase Your Ecommerce Revenue?

In our previous post, we discussed strategies to drive repeat purchases on your Shopify mobile app, helping boost customer loyalty. 

Today, we’re going a step further by focusing on how upselling and cross-selling can also improve retention rates while increasing your eCommerce revenue. 

Upselling encourages customers to upgrade or buy a premium version of their selected product, while cross-selling suggests complementary items. Both techniques not only improve the shopping experience but also provide value, making shoppers more likely to return. 

💡Did you know? 

Upselling can increase revenue by 10-30%, while cross-selling can account for up to 35% of total eCommerce sales. These are not just add-ons; they can significantly impact your bottom line. 

In this blog, we’ll explore some effective strategies to leverage upsell and cross-sell opportunities specifically for mobile shoppers to drive more sales and build long-term customer relationships. 

5 Ways to upsell to your Shopify mobile app customers 

You must keep in mind that the upsell strategies that work are different for the Shopify website vs the native mobile app - thanks to the difference in features and functionalities. There are countless ways to upsell to your Shopify mobile app customers, but here are five strategies we think are the most effective: 

1. Personalize your upselling strategy 

Randomly recommending products is not upselling. In fact, if a product suggestion doesn’t feel relevant or tailor-made for a customer, they are unlikely to add it to their cart. 

Personalized upselling means offering better alternatives that align with the shopper’s current purchase and make their overall experience worthwhile. 

When done right, personalized upselling feels more like helpful advice than a sales pitch. For example, if someone is purchasing a pair of running shoes, suggesting a higher-end version with extra comfort or durability makes sense. It feels genuine, like a product they’d actually benefit from, not just a gimmick to increase revenue. 

Tailoring upsells this way ensures that your attempt doesn’t feel forced or salesy, which can otherwise irritate customers and even reduce your Customer Lifetime Value (CLVT). 

2. Categorize your products into different tiers 

A key goal in upselling is to convince customers to upgrade to a higher tier of product. To do this effectively, you need to organize your product catalog into different pricing levels, capacities, or features. 

This allows customers to clearly see what the upgraded versions offer, making it easier for them to justify spending more. 

Take laptops, for example. You might categorize them as follows: 

• Student/work laptops for basic tasks like word processing and internet browsing.

• Low-end laptops for home use, catering to families.

• Mid-range gaming laptops for casual gamers.

• High-end laptops for serious gamers, designers, or developers.

• MacBooks for Apple enthusiasts.

Each of these tiers appeals to different buyers, and by showing the differences between them, you make the case for why an upgrade is worth the investment. 

For example, convincing a customer to upgrade from a student laptop to a mid-range model could highlight faster processing speeds, longer battery life, and enhanced graphics. 

If you're unsure how to categorize products, just take a look at Amazon—they're masters at organizing items by both price and features. 

3. Offer side-by-side comparison 

One of the simplest but most effective upselling techniques is to offer a side-by-side comparison of products. 

This helps a customer quickly identify the superior option without having to sift through endless product details. 

For example, if a customer is eyeing a laptop with a 1.2GHz processor and 256GB of storage, showing them a comparable model with a 1.3GHz processor and double the storage for $300 more might encourage them to make the leap. 

The key here is to present the upgrade as a small price difference for a big jump in value. This clear presentation can often seal the deal for customers who were already leaning toward something better but needed a nudge. 

Again, here’s how Amazon does it: 

4. Offer discounts and free shipping 

Discounts and free shipping can be powerful motivators when it comes to upselling. Sometimes, customers need just a little extra incentive to consider higher-priced options, and these offers provide that nudge. 

Here’s how they work:

• Incentivizing Larger Purchases: Offering discounts on bigger orders or product bundles can prompt customers to spend more. For example, a "Buy One, Get One 50% Off" deal can encourage shoppers to pick up a second item they might not have otherwise considered.

• Tiered Discounts: You can also use a tiered discount system, where the more customers spend, the larger their discount. This approach encourages them to add more items to their cart to hit that next savings level. 

• Free Shipping Thresholds: Setting a minimum order amount to qualify for free shipping is another effective strategy. Customers often add more to their cart to avoid paying shipping costs, which increases your average order value. 

• Limited-Time Offers: Discounts and free shipping that are only available for a short time create urgency, pushing customers to act quickly. This urgency can lead them to upgrade to a higher-priced product. 

When using discounts or free shipping, be sure to communicate these benefits clearly. Display savings and free shipping opportunities prominently throughout the shopping experience. 

But then, this should not be limited to the shopping experience. If you have your own Shopify mobile app (one that you can easily build with Appbrew), you can send app push notification from time to time to capture attention and influence buying decisions. 

5. Get the right product placement 

Upselling is more than just showing customers higher-priced options; it's about timing and positioning. 

If you present an upsell too early in the customer journey, you might push them away before they’re ready to buy. 

To get it right, you need to know when and where to introduce your upsell offers.

Consider these key moments for upselling:

• On the cart page: When a customer is about to hit “Buy,” they're already committed. This is a great time to suggest a higher-tier product or an upgrade. 

• On product pages: When customers are actively browsing, they’re in the mindset to compare products. Offering an upsell at this stage makes sense because they’re already looking for the best value. 

• Via app push notifications: If customers have opted in for push notifications, personalized upsell offers based on their browsing history or previous purchases can keep them engaged over time. 

• On out-of-stock product pages: Instead of letting customers leave when something is out of stock, offer them a higher-tier alternative. This prevents lost sales and turns a negative experience into an opportunity. 

5 Ways to cross-sell to your Shopify mobile app customers 

Cross-selling is an essential tactic for eCommerce businesses looking to boost revenue, and brands that use this strategy often see a 20% increase in profits. 

Given the tight margins many online stores face, incorporating effective cross-selling strategies into your Shopify mobile app can make a significant difference. 

Note: Some of the strategies below might not work for you if you have a web view app and not a native Shopify mobile app.

Here are five actionable ways to cross-sell to your customers and increase your bottom line: 

1. Cross-selling at checkout 

The checkout page is one of the best places to introduce cross-sell offers. At this point, customers have already made the decision to purchase, and they’re in a buying mindset, so this is the perfect opportunity to suggest related products. 

Think of it like standing in line at a physical store where small, low-cost items like candy or gum are placed near the register. These last-minute additions are easy for the customer to add to their cart and can drive extra sales. 

In the context of your Shopify mobile app, you can achieve this with a product carousel or recommendations section labeled something like “Related Products” or “Customers Also Bought.” 

For example, if someone is purchasing a camera, you could suggest memory cards, tripods, or protective cases. By offering these complementary items when the customer is already ready to complete their purchase, you can increase their cart value with minimal effort. 

2. Product bundling 

Product bundling is a powerful way to cross-sell because it packages complementary products together, offering convenience and sometimes even a discount. 

Bundling helps customers discover items they might not have considered otherwise and simplifies their buying experience. 

For example, instead of making a customer browse and research multiple individual products, you could create a bundle that includes everything they need. This not only saves time but also increases the perceived value of the package. 

If you search for a GoPro on Amazon and scroll a little on the product page — you’d find that it often recommends buying the whole kit at a discount, which includes headmount, bag, tripod, additional batteries, etc. 

Even if you don’t discount the bundle, the convenience factor alone can drive conversions, especially in gifting scenarios. Customers want to make sure the recipient gets everything they need in one go, and a well-crafted bundle can make that happen. 

3. Make the offers available for a limited time 

Limited-time offers work wonders for cross-selling because they create urgency. When a customer feels like they might miss out on a deal, they’re more likely to act quickly and add additional products to their cart. 

A great example of this could be offering a limited-time discount on a complementary item. Say a customer adds a whey protein supplement to their cart. You could offer them a protein shaker or a pre-workout supplement at a discounted price for a limited time, encouraging them to make a quick decision before the offer expires. 

Adding a countdown timer to these offers amplifies the urgency, making the customer feel like they need to act fast. 

You could also create urgency through other methods, such as: 

• Daily deals or flash sales 

• “Last chance” offers for returning customers 

• Clearance items or “while supplies last” discounts 

The urgency, combined with a relevant product, can be the tipping point that convinces the customer to add more items to their cart. 

4. Order confirmation page offers 

Cross-selling doesn’t stop after the customer clicks “Buy.” In fact, the order confirmation page can be an ideal moment to present additional offers. 

At this stage, the customer is still engaged, and their excitement about the purchase is fresh, making them more receptive to considering other products. 

Many successful brands use the order confirmation page to offer limited-time deals on low-cost, easy-to-buy items. For instance, after someone has purchased a skincare product, you might suggest a travel-sized version of the product, or a complementary item like a serum or moisturizer. These products should be low-cost and easy for the customer to say yes to, turning impulse purchases into extra revenue. 

This strategy works particularly well because customers often feel a sense of accomplishment after completing a purchase, and they’re more likely to make an additional, smaller buy right after. 

5. Use auto-triggered messages to pitch at the perfect time 

Automated push notifications are a great tool to keep your customers engaged and to suggest complementary products at just the right time. These messages act as gentle nudges, encouraging customers to continue shopping or reminding them about items they’ve expressed interest in. 

The key to successful push notifications lies in timing. You want to suggest complementary products right after a customer has shown clear purchase intent, such as adding an item to their cart or browsing through multiple products. 

For example, if a customer adds a pair of shoes to their cart, you can trigger an automated push notification that recommends socks or shoe care kits. To make it more effective, you can consider sending push notifications with an embedded deep link that sends customers directly to the product page.

With nearly 40% of users interacting with push notifications within an hour of receiving them, this is a highly effective way to cross-sell. These notifications are particularly useful for mobile shoppers who may have gotten distracted or left items in their cart without completing the purchase. 

A well-timed message with a relevant product recommendation can bring them back to your app and prompt them to finalize the purchase with the added item — but one thing to ensure is that your Shopify mobile app is optimized, which brings us to how you can… 

Implement eCommerce upsell and cross-sell strategies in your app with Appbrew! 

Now that you have the most effective upselling and cross-selling techniques at your fingertips, it’s time to put them into action to grow your eCommerce business. By mixing and matching these strategies, you can drive more revenue, boost customer satisfaction, and increase profits. 

But to successfully implement these techniques in your Shopify mobile app, you need robust integration options. 

This is where Appbrew comes in. Shopify mobile apps built with Appbrew seamlessly sync all customer data from your Shopify store, ensuring that every product recommendation and upsell trigger is based on real-time customer preferences. 

With Appbrew, you can also customize your checkout page to suggest complementary products, easily create product bundles, and take advantage of the powerful app push notification feature. This not only helps you increase sales but also re-engage customers who may have forgotten about your store. 

Ready to take your upselling and cross-selling to the next level? Book an Appbrew demo and turn your Shopify store into a mobile app!