What is an upsell?
An offer for a bigger or better version of what someone buys.
The short answer
An upsell is an offer for a bigger, better or fuller version of what someone is already buying. A cafe asking "Would you like a large?" is an upsell. Done well, it helps the buyer get more of what they came for, and it makes each order a little bigger.
What does upsell mean?
Upsell means offering a buyer a step up from what they picked. The word works two ways. To upsell is to make the offer. The offer itself is also called an upsell.
An upsell can come at two times:
- Before they pay: "Get the bigger pack instead?"
- After they pay: "Thanks for your order. Want to add the full set?"
Either way, the buyer is already saying yes to something. The upsell gives them a reason to get a bit more.
What are some upsell examples?
Upsell examples are all around you, in shops and online:
- A cafe offers a large coffee instead of a small one.
- A phone shop offers the model with more storage.
- A hotel offers a room with a view for a little more.
For digital products, here are made-up examples, not real products:
- Presets: someone buys 10 Lightroom presets, then gets offered the full set of 40.
- Ebooks: someone buys an ebook, then gets offered the ebook plus a workbook and a video walkthrough.
- Workout plans: someone buys a 4-week plan, then gets offered the 12-week plan.
- Templates: someone buys one Notion template, then gets offered the whole bundle.
See more ideas for Lightroom presets, ebooks and workout plans.
How is an upsell different from an order bump?
An order bump is a small extra added before the buyer pays, and a one-click upsell is offered after. That changes how many charges there are:
- Order bump: a small extra the buyer ticks before paying. It rides the same charge, so it carries one fee.
- Upsell: an offer shown after the buyer pays. One click adds it, no card to type again. It is its own charge with its own fee.
Many stores use both: a small bump at checkout, then a bigger upsell after. The full guide is how order bumps and one-click upsells work. An upsell is also not the same as a cross-sell. See upsell vs cross-sell.
How do upsells work on Stakk?
On Stakk, an upsell is an offer shown after the buyer pays. One click adds it, with no card to type again. It is its own charge with its own fee.
The steps to set one up are in how to add an upsell. A few tips for a good one:
- Make it fit. It should help with the thing they just bought.
- Make it a clear step up. More, bigger or faster, said in a few words.
- Keep it easy to say no to. Nobody likes a pushy offer.
Stakk does not do subscriptions or memberships, so an upsell on Stakk is always a one-off product, never a monthly plan. See pricing, or start free.
Questions people ask
Is it upsell or upsale?
Upsell is the usual word, written as one word. Upsale is a common mix-up for the same idea.
Is upselling pushy?
It does not have to be. A good upsell is small, fits what the person just bought, and is easy to say no to.
What is a cross-sell?
A cross-sell offers a different item that goes with the purchase, like fries with a burger. Read upsell vs cross-sell to see the difference.
More words to know
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