Cross selling

Cross-selling is an eCommerce selling tactic to generate more sales by suggesting additional, related, or complementary products to a buyer.


Cross-selling suggests additional items to buyers already making a purchase. It’s an effective strategy to increase sales by boosting Average Order Value (AOV) while building customer trust and loyalty.

What is Cross-Selling?

Cross-selling introduces complementary or related products to enhance a shopper’s purchase. For instance, when a customer adds a pen to their cart, suggesting ink refills or other stationery items is cross-selling in action.

Cross-selling benefits eCommerce stores by:

  • Improving Customer Retention: Offering relevant suggestions enhances satisfaction.
  • Increasing Customer Lifetime Value: Loyal shoppers are likely to return for future purchases.
  • Driving AOV and Profits: Shoppers often add additional items they didn’t initially plan to buy.

Cross-Selling Techniques

Implement these techniques to optimize cross-selling in your store:

  1. Complementary Items: Suggest products that complete or enhance the original purchase.Example: Pair a T-shirt with matching pants, shoes, or a belt.
  2. Related Products: Display items within the same category, even if they’re not directly complementary.Example: Offer hoodies or jackets alongside a T-shirt.
  3. Bundles or Combos: Combine items and offer discounts to incentivize buying multiple products.Example: Bundle a shirt with pants and a belt at a discounted rate.
  4. Previously Viewed Items: Track and showcase products customers have browsed before.Example: Display a “Recently Viewed” section on the product or checkout page.
Author
Published
November 22, 2024
Updated
November 22, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

This can be done at any time during the purchase process on the product page or checkout page.

It's important not only because of high profits, but also because it increases buyer satisfaction, builds engagement around the store, and helps to create long-lasting customer relationships.

Examples of cross selling include: Fast food restaurants asking: “Do you want coldrink with that?” eCommerce stores showing “customers also bought” or "Do you want to buy this also".