Getting a new customer is expensive. Selling a little more to a customer who is already buying is much easier — if you show the right product at the right moment.
That is the job of WooCommerce product recommendations: upsells, cross-sells and related products that help customers find what they need and increase your average order value.
Quick answer
WooCommerce supports three types of recommendations. Upsells suggest a better or premium alternative on the product page. Cross-sells suggest complementary products in the cart. Related products show similar items automatically. The best recommendations are relevant, limited to a few choices and placed where the customer is making a decision.
1. Upsells vs cross-sells vs related products
- Upsell: a higher-value alternative. Example: the 1 kg bag instead of 500 g, or the premium model.
- Cross-sell: a product that complements the purchase. Example: a case with a phone, or socks with shoes.
- Related products: similar products from the same category or tags, helpful when the current product isn’t quite right.
2. How to set them up in WooCommerce
In the product editor, open Product data → Linked Products:
- Add Upsells — shown on the product page as “You may also like”.
- Add Cross-sells — shown on the cart page.
- Related products appear automatically based on categories and tags.
Manual linking works for small catalogs. For large catalogs, automated or AI-based recommendations save time and adapt to shopper behavior.
3. Where to show recommendations
- Product page: upsells and related products below the main details.
- Cart: cross-sells that complete the purchase.
- Side cart: a small “Complete your order” section in the side cart.
- After purchase: recommendations on the thank-you page or in follow-up emails.
- Empty search or cart pages: popular products instead of a dead end.
4. Make recommendations relevant
Bad recommendations look like ads. Good ones look like helpful advice.
- Recommend products that genuinely fit together.
- Keep upsells close in price — a 3× more expensive product rarely converts.
- Show three to six products, not twenty.
- Exclude out-of-stock items.
- Use clear labels: “Frequently bought together”, “Complete the look”, “Upgrade to Pro”.
5. Measure what works
Track the share of orders that include a recommended product, your average order value and the click rate on recommendation sections. Adjust products and placement based on the results, not guesswork.
Recommendation checklist
- Upsells set on key products
- Cross-sells set for the cart
- Relevant related products
- 3–6 products per section
- Out-of-stock items excluded
- Clear labels for each section
- Average order value tracked over time
Show smarter product recommendations
Siteryn AI Product Recommendations shows shoppers smart related products, upsells and cross-sells to help increase your average order value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between upsells and cross-sells in WooCommerce?
Upsells suggest a better or more expensive alternative to the product being viewed. Cross-sells suggest complementary products and appear in the cart.
Where do WooCommerce cross-sells appear?
By default, cross-sells appear on the cart page. Some themes and plugins also show them in a side cart or at checkout.
Can product recommendations be automated?
Yes. Plugins can recommend products automatically using categories, purchase history or AI, which is useful for large catalogs.
How many recommended products should I show?
Usually three to six. Too many options make choosing harder and reduce clicks.
Final Thoughts
WooCommerce product recommendations help customers discover products they’ll love and help you grow average order value without extra advertising.
Start with a few well-chosen upsells and cross-sells on your best sellers, measure the results, and expand from there.
