If you're tired of feeling like you're hustling hard for small sales, this blog post is going to be your new best friend. Let’s talk about upsells, add-ons, and bundles—your secret weapons for boosting your average order value without needing a flood of new customers. 🙌
Whether you sell custom shirts, tumblers, stickers, sublimation goodies, or DTF prints, these simple techniques can help you make more money per order (and make your customers feel even more excited about what they just bought).
Let’s break it down 👇
💡 What is Average Order Value (AOV), and Why Does It Matter?
Your Average Order Value is how much money customers spend per order in your shop. If your AOV is $18 and you bump it up to $30 using upsells and bundles?
👉 You just increased revenue by 66% without spending a penny on marketing. 😎
It’s not about pushing people to spend more—it’s about offering them MORE VALUE and giving them what they didn’t know they needed!
🛍️ 1. Use Add-Ons to Boost Small Orders
Add-ons are small, lower-cost items that complement your main products. Think of it like the “Would you like fries with that?” of your shop. 🍟
Ideas for Add-Ons:
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A vinyl decal or sticker sheet with a matching tumbler
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Mini care cards, thank-you cards, or label sets
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A mystery sticker for $1.99
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Upgrade to gift packaging for $4.99
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Bonus mockup files or backgrounds for digital shops
🛠 How to Set it Up:
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In Shopify, use an app like Frequently Bought Together
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In Etsy, create separate listings and link them in your product descriptions or thank-you message
🎯 2. Offer Strategic Upsells
Upsells encourage customers to upgrade or get a better version of the item they’re already buying.
Examples of Effective Upsells:
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"Upgrade your shirt to a hoodie!"
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"Add name personalization for only $5 more"
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"Switch to a 30oz tumbler for just $7 extra"
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"Get the full bundle with 3 extra files for $10 more"
🛠 Tools to Use:
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Shopify: ReConvert makes it easy to upsell on the thank-you page or during checkout.
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Etsy: Include upsell options in your variations or use graphics in your listings to show the premium upgrade.
🔥 Pro Tip: People love options. Let them build their own custom bundle with simple “Add to Cart” prompts!
🎁 3. Create Bundles That Deliver More Value
Bundles are a great way to group similar or complementary products together and offer a slightly better price than buying individually. Customers feel like they’re getting a deal—and you’re increasing your sale size. Win-win!
Examples of Bundles:
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“Mom Life” Sticker Bundle: 5 stickers for $15 (vs. $4 each)
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Tumbler & Matching Shirt Set
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DTF Transfer Pack: 5 transfers for the price of 4
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PNG Drive Bundle: 10 themed files in one listing
🛠 How to Set it Up:
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Create bundle listings with a clear value breakdown.
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Use graphics or infographics to show the savings.
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Name your bundles something fun and clickable like “Spooky Season Pack” or “Mystery Grab Bag.”
🔥 Pro Tip: Create seasonal bundles (Fall Bundle, Pride Bundle, etc.) and promote them during key holidays or launches!
💬 4. Promote Your Upsells & Bundles Like a Pro
It’s not just about having them—it’s about making them obvious and irresistible.
✅ Add a "Bundle & Save" highlight on Instagram
✅ Mention upgrade options in your product descriptions
✅ Include upsell suggestions in your post-purchase emails
✅ Use carousel graphics to show upgrade vs. standard options
📈 Final Thoughts: AOV Boost = Biz Growth Without Burnout
You don’t need more customers—you need to make the most of the ones already shopping with you. Using upsells, add-ons, and bundles is one of the fastest, easiest, and most sustainable ways to increase your income.
✅ Create complementary add-ons
✅ Offer upgrades and upsells
✅ Bundle related products with a “buy more, save more” structure
✅ Promote your offers in your listings, emails, and social media
