How to implement upsells and cross-sells on WooCommerce

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

Implement upsells and cross-sells in WooCommerce by configuring product relationships in the Product Data section of each product. Navigate to the Linked Products tab and select related items for upsells and cross-sells to increase average order value.

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Prerequisites

Active WooCommerce installation
WordPress admin access
Product catalog with multiple related items
Basic understanding of product relationships

Step-by-Step Instructions

Access Product Edit Screen

Navigate to Products > All Products in your WordPress dashboard. Click Edit on the product you want to configure with upsells and cross-sells. This will open the product editing interface where you can manage all product settings.

Start with your best-selling products as they'll have the most impact on revenue.

Open Linked Products Tab

Scroll down to the Product Data section and click on the Linked Products tab. This tab contains all the settings for product relationships including upsells, cross-sells, and grouped products. You'll see empty fields for Upsells and Cross-sells.

Configure Upsells

In the Upsells field, start typing the name of a higher-value or premium version of the current product. Select products from the dropdown that appear. Upsells should be more expensive alternatives that provide additional value or features compared to the current product.

Limit upsells to 3-4 products to avoid overwhelming customers with too many choices.

Set Up Cross-sells

In the Cross-sells field, type and select complementary products that work well with the current item. These should be related products at similar price points that enhance the customer's purchase. Cross-sells appear on the cart page to encourage additional purchases.

Choose products that genuinely complement each other to maintain customer trust and satisfaction.

Update and Save Product

Click the Update button to save your changes. The upsells and cross-sells are now configured for this product. Repeat this process for other products in your catalog to create a comprehensive network of product relationships.

Configure Display Settings

Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Products and review the display options. Ensure that product suggestions are enabled in your theme settings. Most themes automatically display upsells on single product pages and cross-sells on the cart page.

Check your theme documentation for specific upsell and cross-sell display customization options.

Test the Implementation

Visit your product pages as a customer to verify upsells appear in the product details section. Add items to cart and check the cart page to confirm cross-sells are displaying correctly. Make test purchases to ensure the functionality works throughout the entire checkout process.

Use an incognito browser window to test the customer experience without admin privileges affecting the display.

Monitor Performance and Optimize

Use WooCommerce > Analytics > Products to track which upsells and cross-sells are performing well. Review conversion rates and adjust your product relationships based on actual customer behavior and purchase patterns.

Regularly update your upsells and cross-sells based on inventory changes and seasonal trends.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Upsells or cross-sells not displaying on frontend

Check your theme compatibility and ensure woocommerce_output_upsells and woocommerce_cross_sell_display hooks are present in your theme files. Switch to a default WooCommerce-compatible theme temporarily to test.

Products not appearing in search when adding upsells/cross-sells

Ensure the products you're searching for are published and have Catalog visibility set to visible. Check that the products aren't in draft status or hidden from search.

Too many product suggestions overwhelming customers

Limit upsells and cross-sells to 3-4 items maximum per product. Use the filter woocommerce_upsells_total and woocommerce_cross_sells_total in your theme's functions.php to control the number displayed.

Cross-sells not showing on cart page

Verify your theme includes the woocommerce_cross_sell_display hook on the cart page template. Check WooCommerce > Status > Templates for any outdated cart templates that need updating.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official WooCommerce website before purchasing.

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