Cross-sell Meaning & Examples
Definition
Cross-selling is the practice of suggesting additional, complementary products to customers based on what they are already buying. For example, offering shoe cleaner when a customer adds sneakers to their cart.
Good or Bad?
Good, if used smartly.
It can increase order value without being pushy. But if the suggestions are irrelevant, it can frustrate customers or distract them from completing the purchase.
Why does it matter?
Because increasing Average Order Value (AOV) without acquiring new customers helps you grow more efficiently.
Cross-selling also enhances the shopping experience by helping customers discover what they might genuinely need.
Common Mistakes
- Recommending unrelated or random products
- Showing too many cross-sell suggestions and cluttering the interface
- Placing suggestions too late (e.g., after checkout)
How to Improve It?
- Analyze your past sales data to identify popular product combinations
- Place cross-sell offers on product pages, in the cart, or during checkout
- Keep suggestions limited and visually subtle
- Use customer behavior and purchase history for dynamic cross-sell recommendations
Recommended Plugin
Dynamic Pricing & Bulk Quantity Discounts for WooCommerce by WPFactory includes cross-sell support with quantity-based logic. It lets you offer conditional pricing and create bundles or offers that incentivize buying more items together.
Real-World Example
A customer adds a smartphone to the cart. A cross-sell module offers a screen protector and phone case with a 10% discount if both are added together.
Related Terms
FAQs
What’s the difference between cross-sell and upsell?
Cross-sell offers additional products, while upsell offers a better or higher-priced version of the same product.
Should I show cross-sells before or after checkout?
Ideally during product selection, in-cart, or on the checkout page to avoid disrupting the user journey.
