Overview
This guide covers the most effective strategies for increasing conversions and maximizing AOV with Upcart. We’ll walk through cart design, rewards, upsells, add-ons, and what to do when your cart is empty.
Match your branding for trust and consistency
Customers are more likely to complete checkout when the cart feels like a natural extension of your store. Use the Design module to:
Inherit your fonts for a consistent experience
Set matching colors for buttons, backgrounds, and text
Use contrast on primary actions (like Checkout) to draw attention
Simplify layout by minimizing distractions and reducing clutter
If your store includes custom visuals such as a trust badge, custom icons, or brand illustrations, consider placing them via Custom HTML or through the built-in Trust Badges module.
Use rewards to motivate higher spend
Upcart’s rewards bar is an effective tool for nudging customers to add more to their cart. When configured correctly, it provides a clear path to unlock perks like free shipping, discounts, and free gifts.
Three-tier structure
Tier 1: Free shipping
A powerful motivator for first-time buyers. Start with a threshold just above your current AOV.
Example: If your AOV is $50, set the threshold at $55–$60.
Tier 2: Percentage discount
Offer a small discount at a slightly higher threshold.
Example: 10–15% discount once a customer spends above Tier 1.
Tier 3: Free gift
Provide a tangible reward that feels exclusive and valuable.
Examples: A sample, best-seller, or branded swag. Keep costs low but perceived value high.
Tips for rewards setup
Avoid large jumps between tiers
Highlight the reward value in the bar text
Keep rewards achievable but exciting
Note: Upcart tiered rewards do not create discounts. Set them up in Shopify or with a discount management app like Abra Promotions. Review Shopify’s discount stacking limitations before combining multiple discount types.
Combine or replace with triggered rewards for advanced targeting
Triggered Rewards let you create rule-based promotions that automatically apply discounts, free gifts, or free shipping when certain conditions are met.
Examples:
“Get a free gift card when you add any subscription”
“Spend $100 and add a snowboard → get 20% off”
“Free shipping for logged-in customers”
Supported triggers
Cart total threshold
Cart item quantity threshold
Specific products or variants
Collections
Subscription products
Customer login status
Supported rewards
Cart discount (fixed or percentage)
Free gift (specific product or variant)
Free shipping
Each rule supports up to two triggers with AND logic. You can create up to 10 active rules.
Offer relevant upsells
Upsells help increase cart value while adding value to the customer’s order. When done well, they feel like helpful recommendations.
What makes a good upsell
Related to current cart contents
Low-friction (low price or add-on accessory)
Enhances or completes the main purchase
Presented clearly with a benefit or urgency
Examples:
“Add this matching case for 15% off”
“Bundle with a charger and save $10”
AI vs manual upsells
AI upsells are best for large catalogs and adapt automatically.
Manual upsells give full control, making them ideal for curated or niche stores.
Note: You can only use one upsell method at a time.
Ideal number of upsells
Show 1–3 upsells per cart. More than 3 can overwhelm the customer, while fewer than 1–2 may miss opportunities.
Use add-ons to increase AOV with minimal friction
Add-ons appear in the cart footer as toggles for extras like shipping protection or gift wrapping.
They work best when:
Clearly explained (example: “Covers lost or stolen packages up to $100”)
Priced fairly in relation to cart value
Limited to one option (choose the most valuable for your customers)
Shipping Protection is built into Upcart and can be priced dynamically with tiers. Alternatively, you can use your own product as a custom add-on.
You can also choose whether or not the add-on counts toward the cart item total, which is helpful when using quantity-based rewards.
Turn empty carts into product discovery
Many carts are abandoned without items added. Upcart’s Empty Cart Recommendations can turn that moment into a browsing opportunity.
Suggestions:
Display seasonal products, best-sellers, or low-cost intro items
Use the “Shop Now” button to link to your highest-converting collection
Use a block layout for up to 5 products, or a carousel to show more
Example: During a holiday campaign, link the “Shop Now” button to your gift guide or sale collection.
Final tip: Test and refine
The best way to increase conversions is to start simple, test consistently, and learn from your data. Use Upcart’s Sandbox Mode to experiment with designs, upsell types, and rewards logic before going live.
Track changes in AOV, conversion rate, and cart abandonment to see what works best for your audience.
If you’re unsure where to start, we recommend:
One reward bar with 2–3 tiers
One to two relevant upsells
One clear add-on
Empty cart recommendations enabled