Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the most lucrative shopping events of the year, but they’re also highly competitive. Your Shopify store could see a massive surge in traffic, yet without strategic offers, many of those visitors may leave without maximizing your revenue potential.

That’s where cross-sell and upsell campaigns come in. Properly planned and implemented, these strategies can dramatically increase your average order value (AOV), turn casual shoppers into loyal customers, and ensure your store stands out during the holiday frenzy.

In this guide, we’ll cover five high-performing cross-sell campaigns you should launch before Black Friday, complete with practical examples, setup tips, and pro strategies for Shopify merchants.

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Before we dive into the campaigns, let’s clarify why upselling and cross-selling are so effective — especially during BFCM:

• Upsell: Encourages the customer to upgrade or buy a higher-value version of a product.
• Cross-sell: Suggests related or complementary products to the one being purchased.

Benefits for Shopify Stores

• Increase AOV: Customers spend more without increasing traffic.
• Improve conversion rates: Relevant offers encourage decision-making.
• Boost revenue: Pre-BFCM campaigns ensure you maximize profits before the rush.

Stat: According to BigCommerce, merchants who implement upsell and cross-sell strategies during peak shopping events can see a 20–30% increase in average order value.

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What it is: Help customers build a perfect combo directly from your Mini-Cart.

Example:

• Selling a winter jacket? Suggest gloves, scarves, or hats.
• Selling a laptop? Recommend a sleeve, mouse, or keyboard.

Why it works: It saves your customers time and boosts convenience — they don’t have to search for related products.

Step-by-Step Setup on Shopify:

1. Choose products that naturally pair together.
2. Place the bundle upsell in the cart drawer or mini-cart so it’s clearly visible to customers before they reach checkout.

Pro Tips:

• Limit to 3–5 items to avoid overwhelming the shopper.
• Use high-quality images and concise copy to show the benefit of the add-on.

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What it is: Combine products into a bundle and optionally offer a small discount.

Example:

• “Camera + Tripod + Memory Card” bundle at 15% off.
• “Skincare Starter Pack” with moisturizer, serum, and cleanser at 10% off.

Why it works: Bundles create a perception of value and convenience. Shoppers love feeling like they’re getting a deal on items they already plan to buy.

Step-by-Step Setup with Cross Sell & Upsell:

1. Identify products that naturally complement each other.
2. Go to Assign > Bundles in the Cross Sell & Upsell app.
3. Create a special bundle at any desired price.
4. Specify a discount (if applicable) in the bundle description.
5. Place the bundle upsell directly on the product page to make it visible before customers add the main product to their cart.

Pro Tips:

• Test bundle names like “Holiday Essentials” or “Black Friday Favorites.”
• Highlight the savings clearly to make the offer irresistible.
• Keep the bundle simple — 2–4 items usually convert best on a product page.

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What it is: Post-purchase upsells shown immediately after checkout.

Example:

• Customer bought a smartwatch — show extra straps, chargers, or protective cases.
• Customer bought a blender — show smoothie recipe books or cups.

Why it works: Customers have already committed to a purchase, so trust is established and they’re in a buying mindset. A single-click upsell can lead to instant incremental revenue.

Step-by-Step Setup on Shopify:

1. Use your Shopify Thank You page to show 2–3 relevant items.
2. Add a time-sensitive discount (“Add within 15 minutes and get 20% off”).
3. Include an image, title, and price for each upsell item.

Pro Tips:

• Highlight bestsellers or limited-stock items.
• Use urgency and social proof to nudge conversions.

Stats: Post-purchase upsells carry zero risk of disrupting checkout. Since these offers appear after payment is complete, they don’t affect conversion rates or increase cart abandonment.

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What it is: Reward your returning or loyal customers with exclusive early access to deals and upsells.

Example:

• Email: “VIP shoppers get early access to our Black Friday bundles — shop before everyone else.”
• Pop-up on site: “As a returning customer, you can unlock this special deal today.”

Why it works: Exclusivity builds urgency and loyalty, encouraging repeat purchases.

Step-by-Step Setup on Shopify:

1. Segment your email list to identify loyal customers.
2. Send a targeted campaign with early access links or codes.
3. Pair the offer with a cross-sell or upsell to maximize revenue.

Pro Tips:

• Include clear CTAs like “Claim Your Early Deal.”
• Limit availability to create urgency (“Only for the first 100 customers”).

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What it is: Help shoppers discover complementary products for gifting.

Example:

• “Shopping for him? Add this wallet to match the belt.”
• “Buying candles? Include gift wrap or a wick trimmer.”

Why it works: Many BFCM shoppers are buying gifts, so simplifying their decision-making drives higher AOV and customer satisfaction.

Step-by-Step Setup on Shopify:

1. Create a “Gift Guide” collection page with curated cross-sells.
2. Use banners or pop-ups to highlight these gift bundles.
3. Include images, prices, and short benefit-focused copy.

Pro Tips:

• Highlight popular items and bundles to encourage add-ons.
• Promote urgency (“Only a few gift bundles left at this price!”).
  
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1. Visuals Matter: Use clean, high-quality product images for all upsells.

2. Limit Choices: Too many options can overwhelm shoppers. Stick to 2–5 items.

3. Leverage Urgency & Scarcity: Include stock limits and countdowns to boost conversion.

4. A/B Test Placements: Test upsells on product pages, cart, checkout, and post-purchase to find your highest-performing spots.

5. Track Results: Use analytics to see which campaigns drive the highest revenue.

💡 Using Cross Sell & Upsell, you can place offers in 8 strategic locations across your Shopify store — optimizing for maximum conversions without any extra coding.

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Q1: How many upsells should I show per product?

• 2–5 is optimal — enough to give choice, not overwhelm.

Q2: Do cross-sells work on all Shopify themes?

• Yes! Most Shopify themes allow upsell and cross-sell placement with apps like Cross Sell & Upsell.

Q3: Should I use discounts for every upsell?

• Not necessarily — small incentives work best when combined with urgency and value propositions.

Q4: When should I start launching campaigns?

• At least 2–3 weeks before Black Friday for testing and optimization.

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The key to a successful Black Friday is preparation. By implementing cross-sell and upsell campaigns early, you’ll not only increase your Shopify store revenue but also enhance customer experience and loyalty.

Even starting with one or two campaigns — like “Complete the Look” or a simple “Bundle & Save” — can make a significant impact.

Ready to boost your BFCM sales? Install Cross Sell & Upsell today and place your campaigns in 8 high-converting locations across your Shopify store.

🎥 Want to see it in action? Check out the video below to learn how to assign cross-sells on product pages step by step.

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