Overview
Checkout upsells work because the customer is already committed to buying. The goal is to add a relevant product without slowing down checkout or creating a new decision that feels hard.
In Order Editing, checkout product recommendations are managed through the Product List Upsell placement on the Checkout Page. This guide explains how to choose offers, discounts, filters, and tests for that placement.
🔒 Shopify Plus: Product List Upsell on the Checkout Page requires Shopify Plus because it uses Shopify checkout extensibility.
Choose one obvious add-on
The strongest checkout upsells are easy to understand in one glance. Customers shouldn't need to compare features, read a long description, or decide between too many products.
Start with one highly relevant add-on before testing larger product groups. A single clear offer usually creates less friction than a long carousel at checkout.
Good checkout offer | Why it works | Product source to try |
Care kit with shoes or apparel | It protects the product the customer already chose. | Complementary Products, Metafields, Single Product |
Travel mini with beauty or skincare | It feels low risk and useful. | Group of Products, Collection |
Treats with pet food | It fits the same buying occasion. | Related Products, Complementary Products |
Gift wrap or gift card | It applies across many purchases. | Single Product, Gift Card |
A useful rule of thumb is to choose products priced around 15 to 30% of the cart value. For a $100 cart, test products around $15 to $30 first.
Use discounts carefully
Discounts can improve acceptance, but they aren't always required. A highly relevant product can convert without a discount, especially for premium brands or practical add-ons.
When you do discount, start modestly. Many stores should test 5 to 10% before jumping to deeper discounts. Use larger discounts only when margins support it or when the product needs extra motivation.
Discount approach | Use when | Example copy |
No discount | The product is an obvious complement. | Complete your set with this add-on. |
Small percentage off | You want a gentle incentive. | Add this to your order and save 10%. |
Fixed amount off | The saving is easy to understand. | Save $5 when you add this today. |
Free gift | The offer is a reward for reaching a threshold. | You've unlocked a free gift. |
Keep the copy short
Checkout copy should be direct. Customers are close to payment, so the offer needs to explain what it is and why it belongs in the order.
Copy type | Template | Best for |
Completion | Complete your routine with [product]. | Beauty, supplements, home, fashion |
Pairing | Pairs perfectly with your [cart item]. | Most complementary products |
Social proof | Most popular add-on. | High-volume bestsellers |
Value | Add [product] for just [price]. | Low-priced add-ons |
Use Add to order or a similarly direct button label. Avoid clever CTAs when customers are trying to finish checkout.
Target by cart context
Use filters to make checkout offers more relevant. A broad bestseller can work as a first test, but targeted offers usually perform better once you have enough traffic.
Start with simple filters like Products in Cart, Products in Collection, Order Total, and Discount Codes in Order. Use When all filters match for precise targeting, or When any filter matches for broader coverage.
ℹ️ Note: Some customer-level filters aren't available at checkout because Shopify doesn't expose all customer data when the checkout app block renders.
Place the app block where it supports checkout
Add the Product List Upsell in the Shopify checkout editor. Place it where customers can notice it without pushing important checkout steps too far down the page.
A good starting point is near the order summary or above the payment action, depending on your checkout layout. Preview both desktop and mobile before going live.
⚠️ Shop Pay: If the app block sits inside a collapsed Shop Pay section, customers may not see it. Check your checkout editor behaviour settings and preview Shop Pay before launch.
Measure revenue and checkout health
A checkout upsell should increase order value without hurting checkout completion. Review Conversion Rate, average order value, and Top Upsell Products after launch.
If views are high but accepts are low, test a more relevant product, a lower price point, or a clearer headline. If the offer is distracting, simplify the product selection or move the block lower in checkout.
