Upsella
Back to Blog
Tutorial

How to Set Up Post-Purchase Upsells in Shopify (Step-by-Step)

A complete guide to implementing post-purchase upsells on your Shopify store—including methods that work without Shopify Plus.

Upsella Team Dec 27, 2025 12 min read

What Are Post-Purchase Upsells?

Software configuration dashboard for setting up upsells
Setting up post-purchase upsells is easier than you think

Post-purchase upsells are offers shown to customers after they've completed their initial purchase. Unlike in-cart upsells that appear during browsing, post-purchase offers target customers who've already converted—making them low-risk and high-reward.

The timing matters: these offers appear between checkout completion and the thank-you page, or via follow-up channels like SMS. Selling to an existing customer has a 60-70% success rate, compared to just 5-20% for new prospects[1].

60-70%

Existing Customer Success

vs. 5-20% for new prospects

5.6%

Average AOV Uplift

From post-purchase upsells

28-30%

Top Conversion Rates

Best-performing upsell offers

Why Post-Purchase Timing Works

Post-purchase is the optimal moment for upselling for several psychological and practical reasons:

  • Zero risk to initial conversion – The customer has already paid. Your upsell can't cause them to abandon their cart.
  • Buying momentum – Customers are in purchasing mode and receptive to relevant offers.
  • Trust is established – They've committed to your store. The barrier to adding more is lower.
  • One-click purchasing – Payment details are already on file, enabling frictionless add-ons.

According to ReConvert, post-purchase upselling delivers an average 5.6% uplift in order value[2]. Some brands report upsell conversion rates as high as 28-30%[3].

3 Methods to Set Up Post-Purchase Upsells

There are three primary approaches to implementing post-purchase upsells in Shopify:

MethodShopify Plan RequiredComplexityBest For
Thank-You Page UpsellsAny planEasyQuick wins
Checkout UpsellsShopify Plus onlyMediumHigh-volume stores
SMS UpsellsAny planEasyOngoing revenue

Let's walk through setting up each method.

Method 1: Thank-You Page Upsells

Dashboard configuration for thank-you page upsells
Configure your thank-you page to display targeted upsell offers

The thank-you page (order confirmation page) is prime real estate for upsells. Apps like ReConvert and AfterSell let you customize this page with product recommendations, countdown timers, and one-click purchase buttons.

Step-by-Step Setup

1

Install a thank-you page app

Popular options include ReConvert (free plan available, paid from $4.99/month) and AfterSell.

2

Connect your Shopify store

Authorize the app to access your products and order data.

3

Create your first upsell offer

Select which products to recommend. Focus on complementary items that make sense with recent purchases.

4

Set targeting rules

Configure when offers appear based on cart contents, order value, customer tags, or other conditions.

5

Enable one-click purchasing

Allow customers to add items without re-entering payment info (uses the payment method from their original order).

6

Test the flow

Place a test order to verify the upsell appears correctly.

Pros

  • Works on any Shopify plan
  • Immediate visibility after purchase
  • Can include countdown timers for urgency

Cons

  • Single touchpoint—miss it and it's gone
  • Requires customers to stay on the page

Method 2: Checkout Upsells (Shopify Plus Only)

Shopify Plus merchants can add upsell widgets directly into the checkout flow using checkout extensibility. This is the most seamless experience but requires the enterprise plan ($2,000+/month)[4].

Shopify Plus Required

This method is only available for Shopify Plus merchants. If you're on a standard plan, skip to Method 3 for a solution that works on any plan.

Step-by-Step Setup

1

Install a checkout upsell app

Options include UpsellPlus, Checkout Blocks, or OrderBump.

2

Access checkout customization

In Shopify admin, go to Settings → Checkout → Customize checkout.

3

Add upsell blocks

Use the checkout editor to place upsell widgets where you want them (e.g., after shipping selection, before payment).

4

Configure product rules

Set which products trigger which upsell offers.

5

Style to match your brand

Customize colors, fonts, and layout.

6

Enable and test

Run test checkouts to verify everything works.

Pros

  • Native checkout integration
  • Highest visibility during purchase flow
  • Full customization options

Cons

  • Requires Shopify Plus ($2,000+/month)
  • More complex to set up

Method 3: SMS Upsells (Any Plan)

SMS post-purchase upsells extend your window beyond the checkout moment. Instead of a single touchpoint, you can reach customers hours or days after their purchase—when they're excited about their order arriving.

Upsella automatically sends AI-powered SMS upsells after customer purchases. The AI analyzes each order and recommends complementary products based on buying patterns, without manual effort.

Works on Any Shopify Plan

Unlike checkout upsells, SMS upsells work on Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans—not just Plus.
Step by step guide for SMS upsell setup
Setting up SMS upsells takes just minutes

Step-by-Step Setup with Upsella

1

Install Upsella from the Shopify App Store

Takes about 2 minutes. Works with any Shopify plan.

2

Get your dedicated phone number

Upsella provides a unique number for your store's SMS campaigns.

3

Configure timing triggers

Choose when offers are sent: post-checkout, order shipped, order delivered, or custom schedule.

4

Let AI handle product matching

Upsella's AI automatically analyzes purchase history to recommend relevant products. No manual rule-building required.

5

Review and launch

Messages include one-tap purchase links. Customers can buy with a single tap.

Learn more on our how it works page.

Why SMS Outperforms Other Channels

  • 98% open rate

    Compared to ~20% for email—your message actually gets seen.

  • Multiple touchpoints

    Reach customers after they leave your site, not just at checkout.

  • Timing flexibility

    Send when customers are most receptive (e.g., post-delivery excitement).

  • AI personalization

    Recommendations improve automatically based on order data.

Pros

  • Works on any Shopify plan
  • Reaches customers off-site
  • Runs automatically once configured
  • AI handles product recommendations

Cons

  • Requires SMS opt-in consent
  • Per-message costs apply

Check our pricing for details.

Best Practices for Higher Conversions

Regardless of which method you choose, follow these guidelines to maximize your upsell success:

1. Keep Offers Relevant

Customers don't mind upsells that add value. Offer compatible items (like a case after a phone purchase) rather than random products. Personalized upsells can increase unplanned purchases by 28%[6].

Pro Tip

Focus on items that genuinely complement the original purchase. A $15 screen protector after a phone case purchase feels helpful. A random t-shirt feels spammy.

2. Price Appropriately

A common guideline: upsell products should not exceed 25% of the original order value[7]. A $20 add-on after a $100 purchase feels reasonable. A $50 add-on feels pushy.

3. Limit Options

Present a maximum of 3 upsell options. Too many choices cause decision fatigue and reduce conversions[8].

4. Use Benefit-Driven Copy

Instead of "Add this product," try:

  • "Complete your set and save $12"
  • "Add this for 25% off"
  • "Most customers also grab this"

5. A/B Test Your Offers

Test different products, pricing, and messaging. Small improvements compound over thousands of orders.

6. Don't Be Pushy

Aggressive upsells damage trust. Make it easy to decline and continue. The goal is to enhance the experience, not interrupt it.

Remember

The best upsell feels like a helpful suggestion, not a sales pitch. If customers feel pressured, they're less likely to return.

Conclusion

Post-purchase upsells are one of the safest ways to increase revenue—the initial sale is already done. Whether you use thank-you page widgets, checkout customization (Plus only), or SMS follow-ups, the key is reaching customers at the right moment with relevant offers.

For stores on standard Shopify plans looking for an automated, AI-powered approach, Upsella offers post-purchase SMS upsells that run independently once configured—continuously identifying opportunities across your customer base.

Compare all your options in our upsell apps comparison guide.

References

  1. [1] Shopify. "How Post Purchase Upsells Boost Revenue & AOV". 2024.
  2. [2] ReConvert data, cited in GemPages. "Shopify Post-Purchase Upsell". 2025.
  3. [3] Logbase. "Shopify Post Purchase Upsell: Ultimate Guide To Drive AOV". 2025.
  4. [4] Qikify. "Top 5 Shopify Checkout Upsell Apps for 2025". 2025.
  5. [5] Shopify. "SMS Marketing Guide". 2024.
  6. [6] OptiMonk. "An Ultimate Guide to Shopify Post-Purchase Upsell". 2025.
  7. [7] EcomRise. "Shopify Upsell at Checkout: Best Strategies". 2025.
  8. [8] GemPages. "Shopify Post-Purchase Upsell Design Strategy". 2025.

Ready to boost your revenue with SMS upsells?

Upsella automatically sends AI-powered SMS upsells after customer purchases. Start your free trial today and unlock hidden revenue effortlessly.

Start Free TrialSee How It Works

Get SMS marketing tips in your inbox

Weekly insights on upselling, conversion optimization, and e-commerce growth.