Transforming an online store into a booming success isn't just about getting traffic; it's about maximizing the value of every single customer interaction.
Have you ever wondered how the most profitable eCommerce sites consistently encourage customers to buy more, without resorting to annoying or pushy sales tactics? The secret often lies in intelligent product recommendations.
Imagine a customer is browsing your store for a specific item. What if, at precisely the right moment, you could effortlessly guide them to a complementary product, a premium upgrade, or something others frequently buy together? This isn't just an upsell or cross-sell; it's a genuine service that enhances their shopping experience while significantly boosting your store's average order value (AOV).
We've worked with countless WordPress and WooCommerce store owners, and time and again, we've witnessed the transformative power of a well-placed product recommendation. When executed correctly, these suggestions feel helpful, not intrusive, guiding customers to discover items they truly need or desire.
The good news? Adding these powerful recommendation capabilities to your WordPress site is much simpler than you might think. We've rigorously tested numerous strategies, and in this comprehensive guide, we'll unveil seven proven methods that deliver tangible results for businesses of all sizes.
Ready to unlock your store's full potential? Let's dive in.
Why Smart Product Recommendations Are Essential for Your WordPress Store
In the competitive world of online retail, just making a sale isn't enough. To truly thrive, you need to cultivate a customer journey that encourages exploration and increases the average order value of every transaction. This is precisely where intelligent product recommendations shine.
By strategically suggesting highly relevant products, you empower customers to discover items they might never have found through search alone. This leads to a more satisfying shopping experience and inherently encourages larger purchases. For instance, if a customer adds a stylish hat to their cart from your clothing store, recommending sunglasses or a complementary scarf makes perfect sense. Both items protect from the sun and are frequently purchased together, creating a natural synergy.
These recommendations can appear in various forms—from a discreet slide-in cart to a prominent order bump, a compelling upsell, or a precisely targeted cross-sell. You can even leverage automated emails to drive post-purchase engagement. The ultimate goal is to enhance customer satisfaction by offering convenient solutions, all while significantly growing your revenue.
Now, let's explore the most effective ways to implement dynamic product recommendations in your WordPress store.
We'll cover multiple powerful methods, so feel free to jump to the one that interests you most:
- Method 1: Display Recommendations Directly on Product Pages
- Method 2: Optimize Your Cart Page with Product Suggestions
- Method 3: Integrate Recommendations into a Sliding Cart
- Method 4: Boost Conversions with Strategic Order Bumps
- Method 5: Drive Sales with Post-Purchase Email Recommendations
- Method 6: Capture Attention with Product Recommendation Popups
- Method 7: Enhance Easy Digital Downloads with Recommendations
- Bonus: The Critical Role of eCommerce Tracking
Method 1: Display Recommendations Directly on Product Pages
The individual product page is arguably the most crucial place for targeted recommendations. This is where a customer actively evaluates an item, and a well-timed suggestion can lead to an immediate add-to-cart.
By default, WooCommerce includes a basic upsell feature. This allows you to recommend premium versions of the product a customer is viewing, or suggest directly related items under a "You may also like" section. It's a simple, plugin-free way to get started.
For a deeper dive into WooCommerce's built-in upsell functionality, check out our guide on how to upsell products in WooCommerce.
Elevate Your Recommendations with the Merchant Plugin
While WooCommerce's default works, if you need granular control over the placement, appearance, and logic of your recommendations, the Merchant plugin by aThemes is an exceptional choice. Its "Complementary Products" feature goes beyond basic upsells, offering the flexibility to display suggestions not only on product pages but also on the cart and even at checkout.
Merchant allows you to suggest premium versions, similar to WooCommerce's upsells, or expertly display items that perfectly complement the product a customer is viewing.
To get started, first install and activate the Merchant plugin. If you need guidance, our comprehensive tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin has you covered.
Note: Merchant offers a free plan, but the advanced Complementary Products module requires the pro version.
Once activated, navigate to Merchant » Modules and select the 'Complementary Products' section.
On the next screen, simply click 'Enable' to activate the module.
Next, you'll create a "campaign" which powers your complementary product sections. Remember, each campaign is tied to a specific complementary product display, so if you're aiming for different recommendations across various products, you'll need to set up separate campaigns for each.
Begin by setting the Campaign Status to 'Active' from the dropdown and assign a descriptive name for easy identification.
Now, define your "Trigger."
- Choosing 'All Products' will display your recommendations across every product page.
- For highly targeted suggestions, select 'Specific Products.' Then, search and select the exact products where this campaign should appear. These are the pages where your carefully curated complementary section will be shown.
Scroll down to the 'Complementary Products' area and search for the items you wish to recommend. Think accessories, related tools, or anything that perfectly pairs with your main product.
Merchant provides a live preview on the right, showing you exactly how your complementary products section will look on your site as you build it.
To give shoppers an extra incentive, toggle on the 'Offer a discount on this bundle' switch. This unlocks discount options, including:
- Percentage off
- Fixed amount off
- Cheapest item free
- Free shipping
You can also set a minimum number of recommended items a customer needs to select to unlock the discount, providing flexibility for your offers.
Expand the 'Product Single Page' section. Set its status to 'Active' and choose where on the product page your recommendations will appear: before the add to cart button, after the product summary, or after the product tabs.
Optionally, add a compelling title and a brief description. This is your chance to highlight the value proposition, perhaps mentioning the discount or free shipping.
To create another unique recommendation campaign, simply click 'Add New Complementary Offer' and repeat the process.
Finally, fine-tune the aesthetics in the 'Look and Feel' section.
Select your preferred layout, checkbox style, and customize colors, fonts, and corner radius to flawlessly match your brand.
Once satisfied, click 'Save' at the top. Your powerful, optimized complementary product section is now live!
Method 2: Optimize Your Cart Page with Product Suggestions
The cart page is a critical juncture. A customer is close to completing their purchase, and a well-placed suggestion can significantly increase the total order value before they head to checkout.
WooCommerce's default "cross-sell" option is designed specifically for this. It allows you to display relevant, complementary products on the cart page without requiring any additional plugins.
To set this up, simply open the product you want to edit in the WooCommerce editor. Scroll down to the 'Product Data' section, switch to the 'Linked Products' tab, and add your desired cross-sell products. These are the items that will appear on the cart page.
Once your changes are made, click 'Publish' or 'Update'.
Now, when a customer adds a product to their cart and navigates to the cart page, they'll see your cross-sell recommendations prominently displayed in the 'You may be interested in…' section.
Method 3: Integrate Recommendations into a Sliding Cart
A sliding cart provides a seamless and ever-present way to display product recommendations. Rather than forcing a customer to a separate cart page, a subtle side cart can follow them through their shopping journey, offering opportunities for impulse buys and last-minute additions.
FunnelKit is a robust WooCommerce plugin that excels at creating these dynamic sliding carts, complete with integrated product recommendations. During our testing, we found it exceptionally user-friendly and highly scalable, making it a powerful addition to any store.
Begin by installing and activating the Sliding WooCommerce Cart by FunnelKit plugin. If you're new to plugin installation, our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin can help.
Upon activation, go to FunnelKit » Cart and toggle the 'Enable Cart' switch to 'On.'
From here, you can customize the sliding cart's visibility, icon position, and settings for coupons, order summary, and checkout. For more details on these initial setups, refer to our tutorial on how to easily add a sliding cart in WooCommerce.
Next, navigate to the 'Upsells' column (usually on the left) and switch 'Enable Cart Upsells' to 'On.'
Note: The advanced upsells feature requires the pro version of the plugin.
This will reveal new settings where you can configure the display layout for your product recommendations. A live preview will show you how each style looks.
Decide whether you want to recommend cross-sell products, upsell products, or 'Both.' Then, add a compelling heading to introduce your recommendations and set the number of products to display.
Scroll down to the 'Upsells and Cross-Sells' section, where you'll see a list of all products in your store. Expand a product's tab and click 'Add Upsell' or 'Add Cross Sell' to attach your recommendations.
Remember the distinction: upsell products are premium or upgraded versions of what the customer is considering, while cross-sell products are complementary or related items.
Clicking either button will open a popup, allowing you to search for and select the specific product you wish to recommend.
Repeat this process for other products in your store as needed to build a comprehensive recommendation strategy.
Finally, click 'Save' at the top to secure your settings.
Your WooCommerce store will now feature a dynamic sliding cart, complete with smart product recommendations, ready to encourage more purchases.
Method 4: Boost Conversions with Strategic Order Bumps
Order bumps are a highly effective technique to increase average order value by presenting relevant, often lower-priced products directly on the checkout page. This strategic placement can convince customers to add an extra item right before completing their purchase.
To implement powerful order bumps, you'll need the FunnelKit Builder. We've extensively tested this plugin and found it to be surprisingly robust yet incredibly beginner-friendly, making it a top choice for optimizing your checkout experience. For a detailed overview, see our FunnelKit Builder review.
First, install and activate FunnelKit Builder. Our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin is available if you need it.
Note: FunnelKit Builder offers a free plan, but the order bump feature is exclusive to the pro version.
Upon activation, go to FunnelKit » Settings in your WordPress admin sidebar and switch to the 'License' tab. Enter your license key (found on the FunnelKit website) and click 'Activate' and 'Save Changes'.
Next, ensure you have a customized checkout page for your WooCommerce store built with FunnelKit.
Navigate to FunnelKit » Store Checkout from the WordPress dashboard and click the 'Add Order Bump' button.
A popup will appear asking for a name for your new order bump. Provide a clear, descriptive name, then click 'Add'.
FunnelKit will add the order bump to your checkout funnel. Click the 'Edit' button to configure it.
On the new screen, click 'Add Product'.
In the popup, search for and add the products that perfectly complement the buyer's primary purchase. Then, click 'Add Product'.
You can assign a discount type for these products (e.g., percentage off, fixed amount) and even allow customers to select more than one quantity.
Once configured, click 'Save Changes'.
Scroll down to the 'Order Bump Settings' section to define the bump's behavior and display position during checkout.
- Selecting 'Add Order Bumps to Cart Items' will suggest these products as extra purchases.
- Choosing 'Replace Order Bumps with a Cart Item (used for upgrades)' offers customers the option to swap their current item for a higher-end version.
Switch to the 'Design' tab to customize the visual appearance of your order bump.
Add a compelling title and description, adjust text colors, background, toggle colors, borders, font sizes, price display, and padding to ensure it perfectly matches your brand. Once satisfied, click 'Save'.
Now, navigate to the 'Rules' tab and click 'Add Rules'.
Here you can set conditions for when your order bump will appear. Rules can be based on cart contents, customer history, geography, or even specific dates and times.
For example, to display the order bump for a specific product, choose 'Customer Product Purchased' from the dropdown. Then, enter the product name and click 'Save Changes'.
Visit your WooCommerce store's checkout page to see your strategically placed order bump in action.
For a more in-depth understanding of trigger rules and setting up advanced order bumps, consult our beginner’s guide on how to create an order bump in WooCommerce.
Method 5: Drive Sales with Post-Purchase Email Recommendations
The customer journey doesn't end at checkout. Post-purchase recommendations sent via email are an exceptional way to foster loyalty, encourage repeat business, and introduce customers to products they might need after using their initial purchase.
For this, we highly recommend FunnelKit Automations, a powerful automation plugin that we've thoroughly tested and found to be a leader in the market. Its ability to create intelligent, automated workflows is unparalleled. Learn more in our FunnelKit Automations review.
FunnelKit Automations allows you to set up a workflow that automatically sends a personalized recommendation email to users a set time after their purchase.
First, install and activate the FunnelKit Automations plugin. Detailed instructions are available in our tutorial on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Note: You can utilize FunnelKit's free plan for this specific task.
Once activated, go to FunnelKit Automations » Automations and click the 'Create Automation' button.
This will take you to the 'Add Automations' page, where FunnelKit offers a variety of pre-made templates. Switch to the 'WooCommerce' tab and select the impactful 'Post Purchase Sequence' template.
A preview of the automated workflow will open in a new tab. Click 'Import Recipe'.
A prompt will appear. Give your workflow a descriptive name and click 'Create'.
The FunnelKit Automation editor will now launch. Start by clicking the 'Order Created' tab, which serves as the trigger for your workflow.
A popup will appear. Select the order status that should trigger the email. For example, 'Processing' will send the email shortly after the order is placed, while 'Completed' will send it after the customer receives their order. Configure this setting, then click 'Save'.
Next, click the 'Delay' tab.
This popup allows you to define how long after the purchase the email should be sent. For instance, you could choose '1 hour' from the dropdown menu.
Click 'Save' to apply your chosen delay.
Now, click the 'Action' tab within the editor to configure your email's content. Begin by setting a compelling subject line.
Then, click the 'Merge Tags' option at the top.
A new popup will open. Switch to the 'Orders' tab.
Scroll down to the 'Order Cross Sells' option and click the 'copy' button next to it.
The prompt will close, and you can now scroll down to the text editor within the 'Action' popup.
Customize your email content to your liking and strategically insert the cross-sells merge tag. This tag will dynamically display a list of relevant products you’ve linked through WooCommerce or FunnelKit for the specific purchased product.
Once satisfied, click 'Save and Close'.
Review your automated workflow to make any final adjustments.
Finally, toggle the 'Inactive' switch at the top to 'Active'.
Your customers will now automatically receive a tailored email with product recommendations, precisely an hour after their purchase, driving further engagement and sales.
Method 6: Capture Attention with Product Recommendation Popups
Popups are an incredibly effective way to attract immediate attention and deliver highly targeted product recommendations. Whether a customer is about to leave your site (exit-intent) or has spent a certain amount of time on a specific page, a popup can seize the moment and present compelling upsell or cross-sell opportunities.
For this, we recommend OptinMonster, widely recognized as the best lead generation and conversion optimization tool on the market. It empowers you to create stunning popups, gamified spin-the-wheels, banners, and floating bars using its intuitive pre-made templates and visual editor.
OptinMonster's powerful exit-intent technology is particularly valuable, allowing you to display product popups just as users signal their intent to leave your store, preventing potential lost sales. At ShareWordpress, we've seen exceptional results using OptinMonster to promote our services and newsletter. Read our full OptinMonster review for more insights.
To create a product recommendation popup, you’ll first need to create your account on the OptinMonster website.
Once your account is set up, install the free OptinMonster plugin on your WordPress dashboard. This plugin acts as the bridge connecting your website to the OptinMonster service.
Upon activation, the OptinMonster setup wizard will appear. Click 'Connect Your Existing Account' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the connection process.
Next, navigate to OptinMonster » Settings and click the 'Auto Generate Keys + Connect WooCommerce' button. This crucial step ensures that campaigns created with OptinMonster are properly displayed within your WooCommerce store.
Now, head over to OptinMonster » Templates from your WordPress dashboard and select 'Popup' as the campaign type.
Choose a template that suits your needs. For this tutorial, we're using the 'Product Recommendations' template, which is ideal for this purpose. Click 'Use Template'.
A prompt will appear, asking you to name your campaign.
OptinMonster’s intuitive drag-and-drop builder will launch. Here, you can easily add image blocks, product details, and a clear call-to-action (CTA) for your recommended items. For a more detailed walkthrough, see our tutorial on how to create a WooCommerce popup to increase sales.
Click the 'Product Details' element in the popup preview, and its settings will open in the left column. Enter the URL for the recommended product page in the 'Redirect URL' field.
Next, switch to the 'Display Rules' tab at the top. This is where you define when and where your product recommendation popup will appear.
Open the 'Time on Page' dropdown menu and select 'Page Targeting'.
This powerful option lets you display your popup to users only when they are on a specific product's page, making it perfect for highly relevant cross-sells or upsells. Choose 'contains' from the middle dropdown and then enter the URL or a keyword of the product page where you want this specific recommendation to show.
Alternatively, you could select the 'Exit Intent' option to show the popup precisely as a user is about to leave your store. This is a powerful last-ditch effort to prevent abandonment and offer a relevant product.
You can even adjust the intensity of the exit-intent trigger to fine-tune how aggressively it appears.
Finally, navigate to the 'Publish' tab.
Click the 'Publish' button to make your popup live, and then 'Save' to confirm your settings.
Now, visit your online store. If you set page-specific targeting, go to that particular product page to see your dynamic product recommendations popup in action.
Method 7: Enhance Easy Digital Downloads with Recommendations
If your WordPress store specializes in selling digital products—like e-books, software, music, or courses—the traditional WooCommerce-centric methods might not be the most streamlined approach for product recommendations. Fortunately, there's a tailored solution.
Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the premier WordPress plugin specifically designed for selling digital goods. Many of our partner brands rely on EDD for its robust features and scalability when selling their plugins and digital assets. Dive deeper with our comprehensive EDD review.
First, you'll need to install and activate Easy Digital Downloads. If you need assistance, our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin can walk you through it.
Note: EDD offers a free plan, but the crucial 'Cross-sell and Upsell' add-on is a premium feature requiring the pro version.
After activation, go to Downloads » Settings in your WordPress admin sidebar and enter your license key (found in your EDD account dashboard). Click 'Activate'.
Once EDD is set up, ensure your store is configured to sell your digital products. Our beginner’s guide on how to sell digital downloads in WordPress provides full instructions.
Next, head to Downloads » Extensions. Locate the 'EDD Cross-sell and Upsell' addon and click 'Install'.
Once installed, the addon will automatically activate, indicated by a toggle.
Now, navigate to Downloads » Settings again and switch to the 'Extensions' tab.
Here, you can configure the default headings for your upsell and cross-sell sections. Remember: upsell products are typically higher-tier or premium versions, while cross-sell products are related or complementary items. Tailor the headings to be clear and inviting. You can also adjust the number of product recommendations to display from the dropdown menus.
Once done, click 'Save Changes'.
Now, open the specific digital product where you wish to add recommendations in the block editor.
Scroll down to the 'Cross-sell and Upsell' section. You can add custom headings for each section here, which will override the default settings if left blank.
Then, from the dropdown menus, select the upsell and cross-sell product recommendations that are most relevant to the current digital product.
After selecting your recommendations, click 'Update' or 'Publish' to save your changes.
When a customer views that product on your website's front-end, the upsell product will be prominently recommended on the product page.
Conversely, cross-sell products will be strategically displayed to users when they reach the checkout page.
Here’s how cross-sell recommendations looked on our demo site:
Bonus: The Critical Role of eCommerce Tracking
Implementing product recommendations is a fantastic step, but to truly maximize their impact, you must track their performance. Without proper eCommerce tracking, you're flying blind, unable to discern which recommendations are resonating with customers and driving sales.
Effective tracking allows you to:
- Identify your top-selling products.
- See which recommendation campaigns yield the highest conversion rates.
- Understand customer behavior and purchasing patterns (e.g., confirming that customers buying sunscreen also frequently purchase hats).
- Discern how customers find and interact with your site.
This invaluable data empowers you to refine your recommendation strategy, creating highly relevant suggestions that directly boost your conversions and revenue.
For seamless eCommerce tracking in WordPress, we recommend MonsterInsights, by far the best Google Analytics solution on the market.
After installing MonsterInsights, the first step is to smoothly connect your website with Google Analytics. Our detailed tutorial on how to install Google Analytics in WordPress guides you through this process.
Next, go to Insights » Addons from your WordPress dashboard and install the powerful eCommerce addon.
Finally, visit Insights » Settings and switch to the 'eCommerce' tab. Here, toggle the 'Use Enhanced eCommerce' switch to 'On'.
With this enabled, MonsterInsights will automatically begin collecting crucial analytics data, including your conversion rate, total transactions, revenue, average order value, and detailed insights into your top-performing products.
For a comprehensive guide, see our tutorial on how to properly set up eCommerce tracking in WordPress.
Ready to Transform Your WordPress Store?
Implementing smart product recommendations is no longer an advanced tactic reserved for eCommerce giants. As we've shown, with the right tools and strategies, any WordPress or WooCommerce store can leverage the power of upsells and cross-sells to significantly enhance the customer experience and boost revenue.
From subtle suggestions on product pages to dynamic offers right at checkout, each method we've explored empowers you to guide your customers effortlessly toward more valuable purchases. Don't leave money on the table; start experimenting with these proven strategies today!
We hope this article has provided you with actionable insights into showcasing product recommendations effectively in your WordPress store. You might also find our beginner’s guide on how to pass payment processing fees to customers in WordPress and our top picks for the best WooCommerce email customizer plugins helpful as you continue to optimize your store.
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