Online shoppers frequently make single purchases. To thrive as online shop, you need customers to fill their baskets completely. Average Order Value (AOV) is important. It shows how much money customers spend on average with each order. Effective upselling can turn small sales into larger ones. You can boost revenue without needing new customers.
This article shares seven great upselling strategies to boost AOV in 2025. It offers insights, real examples, and expert tips. These will help you add these strategies to your eCommerce business easily.
Why Upselling is the Key to Higher Profits
Upselling is more than a sales technique; it boosts profits. Businesses that are good at upselling often enjoy higher profits. Companies using good upselling strategies have seen revenue rise by 10-30%. As some sales experts put it, “The difference between a sale and a big sale is the ‘upsell.'”
When customers choose premium versions or extra items, the order value goes up. It also boosts the customer experience by providing more value.
💡 Pro Tip: Using the right Call-to-Action (CTA) phrases is key to persuading customers to upgrade their purchase. Strong CTAs encourage action, increasing the success of upselling strategies.
7 Proven Upselling Strategies to Increase AOV
1. Bundle Products Smartly
Product bundles create a tempting package that customers can’t resist. By grouping related products at a discount, you encourage shoppers to spend more. They feel like they are getting a good deal. A skincare brand can bundle a cleanser. This boosts average order value (AOV) and shows customers more of your products.
Tip: Check your sales data. Look for products that people often buy together. Then, create bundles with a small discount compared to buying them separately.
2. Set Free Shipping Thresholds
Offering free shipping at a certain order value is a surefire way to encourage customers to add more items to their cart. Many shoppers abandon their carts when they see shipping fees at checkout. By setting a free shipping threshold slightly above your current AOV, you motivate them to spend just a little more.
Practical Tip: If your average order value is $50, set the free shipping threshold at $65. Show this incentive on product pages and at checkout.
🔗 Bonus: Want to reduce cart abandonment even further? Check out our guide on Reducing Cart Abandonment by 20% with a High-Converting FAQ to build trust and prevent drop-offs at checkout.
3. Limited-Time Upsell Offers
When customers see that a deal won’t last long, they are more likely to make a purchase quickly. When customers see an exclusive upsell deal that expires soon, they’re more likely to act fast. Limited-time offers can have add-ons, upgrades, or discounts. These deals often apply when you buy an extra item within a specific time.
Practical Tip: Use countdown timers on product pages or at checkout to create urgency. Shopify apps like Bold Upsell can automate this process.
🚀 Want to learn more? Discover the full potential of limited-time promotions in The Power of Limited-Time Offers: How to Boost Sales Instantly and drive faster purchase decisions.
4. AI-Based Personalized Recommendations
AI can be very helpful in making upselling easier and more effective. AI recommendation engines watch how customers act. They suggest products that fit well, making upselling feel smooth and natural. Large retailers, such as Amazon, excel at this. They earn up to 35% of their revenue through personalized recommendations.
Tip: Use AI tools, like Shopify’s recommendation algorithms, to help you. They can suggest related products based on what users have looked at and purchased.
5. Tiered Pricing Models
Tiered pricing encourages customers to spend more. It offers better value at higher price points. This strategy is common in SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. It also works well for e-commerce products.
Tip: Provide three pricing options: basic, standard, and premium. The premium level gives the best value.