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Cross-selling in WooCommerce: Boost order value and complementary sales

Smart sales strategy for WooCommerce shops ready to grow — without more traffic.

If you run a WooCommerce store and want to increase order value, start using cross-selling. This guide explains:

  • What cross-selling is (and why it works).
  • The limitations of built-in WooCommerce features.
  • How to implement smart product recommendations with the free Splendid Sales Booster plugin.

Key benefits:

  • Increase average order value.
  • Automate product recommendations.
  • Improve conversions — no coding, no cost.

What is cross-selling?

Cross-selling is a sales tactic that suggests relevant add-on products alongside the customer’s main choice. Think: a light bulb for a lamp, a filter for a coffee maker, or a case for a phone — offered at just the right moment.

Why cross-selling in WooCommerce makes sense

Three powerful reasons to use it:

  1. More revenue — customers buy more in one go.
  2. Better service — you help them complete the purchase need.
  3. More return buyers — a more complete shopping experience.

How WooCommerce handles cross-selling

WooCommerce lets you assign cross-sell products to each item. But here’s the catch:
They only show up on the cart page — which many customers skip.

Limitations of standard WooCommerce:

  • No personalisation.
  • No visibility at key buying moments (like right after “add to cart”).
  • No persuasive sales messaging.

Result? Cross-selling potential goes untapped.

Real-world example: Cross-selling at IKEA

At IKEA, add a lamp to your cart and the system immediately suggests a matching bulb.
Simple — but it lifts the cart value from €19 to €22,5 and improves the shopping experience.

You can do the same in your shop. Even better.

Screenshot from ikea.co.uk / Table lamp produkt with cross-selling section.

Why use Splendid Sales Booster?

Splendid Sales Booster for WooCommerce is a free plugin that fixes the gaps in WooCommerce and gives you real control over cross-selling:

It lets you:

  • Display recommendations after “add to cart” — no matter the page.
  • Create smart messages that boost conversions (like “67% of shoppers buy this with…”).
  • Match the look and feel of your shop — no code needed.
  • Set order and CTA buttons with easy drag-and-drop controls.

How to set up cross-selling with Splendid Sales Booster

  1. Go to product edit mode in WooCommerce.
  2. Open the “Related Products” tab > Splendid Sales Booster.
  3. Select complementary products, add your CTA, and save.
  4. In WooCommerce > Settings > Products > Splendid Sales Booster, choose where and how to display (e.g. drawer, above “Add to cart”).

That’s it. No developer. No hassle.

Does cross-selling really work?

Absolutely — and you don’t have to take our word for it. Just think about your own buying habits.

Ever been to McDonald’s?
You order a burger, and the cashier asks: “Would you like fries with that?” — that’s cross-selling. A simple move that works because it meets the customer’s needs at exactly the right moment.

It works the same way in online stores.
A well-designed recommendation system not only increases cart value, but also makes the customer feel better served with more tailored offers.

Want proof? Let’s take the example of Just Sunnies, an online sunglasses retailer.
They implemented personalised cross-selling based on previous customer purchases (with help from Klaviyo) and achieved:

  • +15% sales increase
  • +21% boost in conversion rate

This isn’t Amazon. These are results from a mid-sized store that simply started offering customers relevant add-ons to what they already wanted to buy.

Source: BigCommerce case study

And another shot. We’ve got our own data showing that cross-selling rocks.

Our client prawie.pro, run by Leszek Śledziński, generated over €26,000 in additional revenue using Splendid Sales Booster. That’s not just a bump in performance, it’s a measurable boost driven entirely by better product recommendations. According to Leszek, the setup was “straightforward and quick”, proving that you don’t need complex configurations to start seeing serious results.

This kind of outcome is what we consistently hear from store owners: smart cross-sells work. When implemented contextually, in the right spots and with the right timing, they help users discover more value and increase average order value, without feeling pushy. It’s not just a tactic, it’s a sustainable way to grow your store’s revenue with minimal effort.

Bottom line?
Cross-selling works because it mirrors natural buying behaviour. Combined with the right tool — like Splendid Sales Booster — it can be one of the simplest ways to drive more orders and increase average order value.

FAQ – Common Questions

Do I need coding skills?
No. Splendid Sales Booster works entirely from the WooCommerce dashboard.

Can I show cross-sell offers outside the cart?
Yes. A drawer can appear right after clicking “Add to cart” — a great time to increase order value.

Does cross-selling work for small shops?
Absolutely. It works regardless of traffic. Small shops often benefit more — they know their customers best.

Start today

Download the free Splendid Sales Booster for WooCommerce plugin and increase the value of every order — smartly and automatically.

Available on WordPress.org