There are a thousand types of discounts you can offer to get customers to hit that "Add to Cart" button! But, if you think your job is done the second they click it, think again! That's actually when the real fun begins. Your new mission? Getting them to double the items in their cart! Sounds pretty awesome, but how?!
Well, let me introduce you to the magic of a cross-selling discount! Stick with me, and I’ll show you the benefits of cross-selling strategies and how they can boost your sales while giving your customers an even better experience!
What Is a Cross-Sell Discount?
You’ve probably come across different types of discounts in marketing before, but cross-sell discounts might not be one of them. No need to stress! Let’s break it down for you:
So, a cross-selling discount in retail is a clever way to offer customers related products while they’re already making a purchase. It’s like killing two birds with one stone! Not only are you improving their shopping experience, but you’re also increasing the total sales. Pretty cool, right?
For example, imagine you’re at a fast-food joint and order a cheeseburger. The cashier might suggest adding fries and a drink to make it a combo. Now, you're getting a better meal, and the restaurant is making a bigger sale. Win-win!
Key Benefits of Cross-Selling Discounts
The benefits of cross-selling go way beyond just boosting sales. There’s actually a lot more to it! Here are a few other ways this strategy can totally transform your Shopify store:
Increased Revenue
A cross-sell discount might appear in different sections when the customer is choosing items or events done with them! It's like a little reminder, "Hey, you might need this too!" And honestly, it works. This method can really boost your sales, as it encourages people to grab related items they might not have thought of at first. And it’s not just some theory. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that customers tend to spend 60% more when you cross-sell relevant products.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
Think about it: if someone just bought their first laptop from you, they might also need a mouse and a cover bag, right? Adding these extras makes the whole experience feel more enjoyable and, honestly, more fun. It’s like helping your customers get everything they need in one go – they walk away happier, and that’s a win for everyone.
Increased Average Order Value (AOV)
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: when people grab those extra items, your Average Order Value (AOV) goes up, too.
Take Amazon, for example. Their recommendation engine, which relies on cross-selling algorithms, drives a massive 35% of their total sales. And while we don’t have exact figures for AOV, it’s clear that cross-selling has a huge impact. By getting customers to add more to their cart, you're helping move more products and increase overall sales.
Better Inventory Movement
When you encourage people to purchase additional and related products other than their main product, it will also help you move inventory.
Better Product Awareness
A cross-selling discount is all about showing customers related products while they're already shopping. You know, things they might not have even considered, but they actually go really well with what they’re buying. It’s like when you're in a store, and you see a cool accessory next to the jacket you're eyeing!
You didn’t plan to get it, but now it feels like you need it. By offering a cross-selling discount, you're giving your customers a chance to discover more of what you’ve got, which is a great way to increase awareness of other products in your Shopify store. That makes sense, right?
Real Example of Cross-selling in Retail
Amazon uses personalized cross-selling offers by analyzing purchase history and browsing behavior. If a customer purchases a book on gardening, they might be shown discounts for related items such as gardening tools, soil, or planters.
During the 2019 Amazon Prime Day, Amazon saw a 70% increase in Prime Day sales from the previous year, in part due to aggressive cross-selling strategies. The promotion offered cross-sell bundles with discounts on related items, which encouraged shoppers to buy more than originally planned.
How to Use Cross-Sell Discounts on Your Shopify Store? (Different Strategies)
There are different methods to use cross-selling discounts and strategies on your Shopify store. For example:
Cross-selling on the Product Page
One great way to boost sales is by offering your customers a cross-selling discount right on the product page. Think about it! Let’s say someone’s checking out a camera. At the bottom of the page, you show them related items like lenses or a cool camera bag. It’s super convenient for them and honestly one of the easiest cross-selling methods to set up. Plus, who doesn’t love a good deal on something they might need anyway?
Cross-selling During Checkout
Another smart way to offer cross-selling discounts is on the checkout page. At this point, your customer is fully locked in; they’ve already decided to buy from you (huge win!) and are about to hit “pay.” This is your golden moment to suggest something extra they might love.
For example, imagine a customer adds a 1 kg bag of premium coffee beans ($40) to their cart. When they get to checkout, a pop-up or sidebar appears with something like:
“Take your coffee on the go! Add a reusable coffee mug now for just $17 (15% off).”
Cross-selling Popups
Apart from showing cross-selling offers at the bottom of the product page or during checkout, you can also use pop-ups to grab attention. Picture this: a customer is adding a laptop to their basket, and a pop-up appears saying something like,
“Wait! Add a wireless mouse with your laptop purchase!”
Simple, But here’s the key: make your offer effortless for them to say yes. Adding a call-to-action button like “Add to Cart” or “Claim Offer” makes it super easy for the customer to accept the deal on the spot.
Cross-selling with Post-Purchase Emails
Think a customer’s intent to buy more ends the moment they complete checkout? Nope, not even close! If that were true, post-purchase emails wouldn’t even exist. But they do, and they work.
After someone finishes their purchase and is waiting for delivery, it’s actually a great time to suggest something extra.
For example, you could send an email offering 20% off a related product, like accessories or refills. And don’t forget to make it easy for them to take action by including a button like “Add to Cart” or something similar!
Cross-selling on Your Thank You Page
Psychologically speaking, when a customer completes a purchase and lands on the thank-you page, they’re in a positive, feel-good mood. It’s like a little dopamine boost; they’ve made a decision they’re happy about. This is another perfect moment to introduce a cross-selling discount for related products.
For example, you could say:
“Thank you for your purchase! Complete your setup with [related product] at 20% off—just for you!”
When customers are already feeling great, they’re much more likely to say yes to something that feels like an added bonus.
Cross-selling with other Types of Discounts
Want to make your discounts work even harder? Try combining cross-selling discounts with other types of discounts! It’s a great way to catch your customers’ attention and nudge them to make a purchase. For instance, let’s say you run a deal where customers who spend $100 or more get access to a cross-selling offer.
Here’s how it could work: a customer adds a pair of running shoes ($60) and a workout shirt ($30) to their cart, totaling $90. Almost there, but not quite. Then, a pop-up or banner shows up saying, “Hey, you’re just $10 away from unlocking 20% off on this premium water bottle!” (normally $20, now $16). Boom! They’re motivated to hit that $100 mark and grab the extra discount.
Discounty: Simplify and Supercharge Your Discount Campaigns
Dicosunty, one of those third-party apps, allows you to run multiple types of discounts at the same time super quickly and easily. Here's what it brings to the table:
- Seamless Campaign Combinations: Mix and match various promotions.
- Advanced Pricing Options: Manage and handle your camping seamlessly.
- Automatic Discounts: Set specific start and end times for your offers; no manual toggling needed.
- 24/7 Support: Got questions? Discounty is here around the clock.
- Flexible Plans: From free options to unlimited access, there's a plan that fits your financial needs.
5 Top Tips on Cross-Selling Discounts
Let’s talk about how to ace your cross-selling strategy without coming off as pushy. The goal? Make it feel like a natural part of the shopping experience. Here’s how to do it right:
- Stay in the Zone
Think about it! If someone buys a winter coat, the next thing they’ll need probably isn’t a blender. Keep your suggestions on point. Matching scarves, cozy hats, or sleek boots? Now you’re talking. The goal is to feel like a helpful friend, not someone throwing random ideas at the wall.
- Don’t Break Their Flow
Timing is everything. If you jump in too soon with a cross-sell discount, it’s like interrupting someone mid-sentence. Awkward, right? Let them make their initial choice first. Once they’ve committed, or even after hitting “buy”, you casually suggest something that complements their pick. Smooth, not pushy.
- Make It Urgent
Nobody wants to miss out on a great deal. That’s where FOMO (fear of missing out) comes in. If you play it right, you can encourage customers to grab that extra item before they even think twice.
Here’s how: Add a little pressure by pairing your cross-sell discount with a time limit.
For instance, if someone adds a pair of shoes to their cart, suggest a matching handbag with a “limited-time-only” deal that expires in an hour. It’s like saying, “Don’t wait, this deal won’t!”
- Keep It Simple
Less is more when it comes to cross-sell options. Offering too many extras at once can overwhelm customers and lead to decision fatigue. Instead, focus on a few carefully chosen products that complement their purchase.
- Leverage Social Proof
People trust people, plain and simple. Adding reviews and testimonials from real customers can make your cross-selling products more appealing. If a buyer sees glowing feedback about the cozy scarf you’re recommending with their new coat, they’ll be much more likely to click “add to cart.”
Conclusion: Is Cross-Selling Good for Your Shopify Store?
The benefits of cross-selling are endless! However, thinking about adding cross-selling discounts to your store? Let’s see if it’s the right move:
- Product Fit: Do your products naturally go hand in hand? Think peanut butter and jelly, or a phone case and screen protector. Cross-selling works best when items just make sense together.
- Customer Behavior: Take a closer look! Are your customers already buying related products together? If so, cross-selling might feel like a no-brainer to them.
- Profitability: Ask yourself: will those extra sales from cross-selling actually boost your bottom line? Make sure it’s worth the effort.
- Shopping Experience: Does adding cross-selling offers make the customer journey smoother, or does it feel pushy? Nobody likes feeling like they're being “sold to.”
- Metrics: Finally, don’t just guess! Test it! Keep an eye on things like your Average Order Value (AOV), conversion rates, and customer feedback to see if it’s working.
Cross-Selling Strategies: When It Works and When It Doesn't
To better grasp, let's take a look at two popular brands below:
- Amazon uses cross-selling discounts by pairing complementary products such as lenses or memory cards with cameras. This strategy doesn’t just boost their average order value; it also makes the shopping experience more seamless for customers.
- On the flip side, luxury brands like Rolex avoid using cross-selling. Why? Their customers prioritize exclusivity, and adding extra suggestions could cheapen that premium vibe.
The takeaway? Cross-selling isn’t one-size-fits-all! It thrives when it matches your customers’ expectations and your brand’s positioning.
