When you're trying to boost your average order value (AOV), Shopify offers two powerful tactics: upselling and cross-selling.

• Upselling encourages customers to buy a more expensive version or upgrade of a chosen item.

• Cross-selling suggests complementary or additional items that go well with what’s already in the cart.

But which approach should you choose? The answer largely depends on your business case, product catalog, and customer behavior.

Pros & Cons: Upselling

Pros:

• Increases order value with minimal extra effort.

• Appeals to buyers already leaning toward a purchase.

• Capitalizes on decision momentum.

Cons:

• Can feel pushy if not done tastefully.

• Not every product has a logical higher-tier alternative.

• Requires thoughtful strategy to avoid annoying customers.

Pros & Cons: Cross-Selling

Pros:

• Enhances customer experience by offering complementary items.

• Works well for stores with related or accessory-based products.

• Encourages multiple-item purchases without pushing upgrades.

Cons:

• If irrelevant suggestions appear, they can feel spammy.

• Too many options can overwhelm and distract purchases.

• Needs smart selection to feel natural and useful.

So… Upsell or Cross-Sell?

It comes down to what makes sense for your store:

• If you have premium upgrades or add-on variants, upselling may be ideal.

• If your catalog includes complementary goods, cross-selling can prompt multiple purchases smoothly.

• Often, combining both strategies—and tailoring them to customer behavior—is the strongest approach.

Enter Addly: Your All-In-One Upsell & Cross-Sell Solution

Why choose one when you can have both? That’s where Addly • AI Bundles & Upsells shines. This versatile Shopify app offers:

• AI-generated upsell and cross-sell recommendations based on order history and buying patterns.

• Flexible bundle discounts, quantity/volume pricing, mix-and-match offers, and "frequently bought together" widgets.

• A seamless user interface with live visual previews—no guesswork involved.

• Rich customization: supports multiple languages, currencies, and full design tailoring.

• Insightful analytics: A/B testing, clickthrough rates, recommendation performance, and optimization tips.

• Easy integration with Shopify themes, checkouts, page builders, carts, translations, and more.

• Accessible pricing: a free plan to start, plus scalable premium options for growing stores.

With Addly, you don't have to pick a side—you can offer both upsells and cross-sells, customized for what works best.

When Addly Is the Right Fit

• Selling complementary items? Use cross-sell bundles or "frequently bought together" suggestions via Addly.

• Promoting upgrades or premium versions? Leverage its AI-powered upsell sliders and bundles.

• Need to clear inventory with incentives? Utilize mix-and-match offers or volume discounts.

• Working in multiple markets? Addly supports localization, so your offers look seamless everywhere.

• Want to track what converts best? Addly’s analytics tools give clarity to what resonates with customers.

See how intuitive it is—just install Addly, set up a few offers, and watch your AOV grow.

Final Thoughts

• Upselling works when you want customers to upgrade—better margins, same product.

• Cross-selling enhances purchase experience with complementary products.

• Addly gives you both, intelligently. Backed by AI, customizable layouts, deep analytics, and global support.

• Whether you're executing upsells, cross-sells, or both—you can't go wrong when you choose Addly.

Ready to transform your Shopify store? Install Addly • AI Bundles & Upsells now and elevate both upsell and cross-sell strategies—smartly and effectively!