Upselling & Cross-Selling Tactics That Work in Funnels

Upselling and cross-selling are proven ways to increase revenue from each customer. In a funnel, these tactics keep customers buying more or higher-end products. Upselling invites a buyer to purchase a higher-priced version of their chosen product, while cross-selling offers complementary items For example, a software subscription might have an upsell to premium support, and cross-sells for related plugins.

Effective upsell strategies:

• Post-Purchase Upsells: Right after someone buys (on the thank-you page or in a confirmation email), offer a one-click upgrade or add-on. Since the customer is in “buying mode,” a relevant upgrade feels natural. Kartra explains that an upsell is “inviting them to purchase an upgrade… usually at the time of checkout or purchase” For instance, on an online course funnel, offer a coaching session upsell immediately after checkout.

- Order Bumps: On the checkout page, present a small add-on (like a warranty or accessory) with a checkbox. It’s a low-friction upsell. Example: adding a “+VIP support package for $20” checkbox below payment. - Bundles and Tiered Packages: Offer product bundles (“Frequently bought together”). On a product page, show a bundle price that’s cheaper than buying items individually. This cross-sells related goods.

For instance, a camera listing could upsell a lens bundle. Effective cross-sell strategies:

• “You May Also Like” Sections: Display related products on the cart page or checkout. E-commerce sites often use “Customers also bought…” sections to suggest complementary products (e.g., camera tripod with camera). Zendesk notes cross-selling “persuades a customer to buy other products or services that complement another purchase” - Email Cross-Sells: Follow up a purchase with an email suggesting related items. “Thank you for buying X!

Many customers also get Y with X.” Send this in the days after purchase, when the excitement is high. - Limited-Time Bonuses: After buying, offer a special discount on a related product but with a deadline (“Buy within hours to get 30% off product Y!”). This mixes urgency with cross-selling. - Personalized Recommendations: Use customer data.

If someone bought a marketing eBook, email them an invitation to a related webinar. Personalized cross-sell increases relevance and trust. General tips:

• Highlight value: Make it clear how the upsell/cross-sell benefits the customer (e.g. “Upgrade to pro for unlimited access!”). - Keep it simple: One great upsell is better than many. Don’t overwhelm with choices. - Use social proof: Show ratings or testimonials near the upsell to reinforce the decision. - One-click purchase: For digital funnels, allow adding the upsell with one click to avoid re-entering info (as Systeme.io and others enable). - Segment offers: Align offers with what the customer actually needs.

Irrelevant upsells feel pushy. Done well, upselling and cross-selling feel like helpful suggestions rather than hard sells. They also raise Average Order Value without needing new leads. For example, showing a compatible item at checkout might add revenue instantly. As an added boost, you often improve customer satisfaction by offering a solution they didn’t know they needed