If you run an online store using WooCommerce, you might want to encourage customers to buy related products together. One of the best ways to do this is by showcasing frequently bought together products in WooCommerce. Fortunately, WooCommerce provides a built-in feature that allows you to do this without the need for additional plugins.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to display frequently bought together products in WooCommerce using WooCommerce’s Linked Products feature.
Table of Contents
What Do Frequently Bought Together Products Mean?
Frequently bought together products in WooCommerce refer to a set of items that are often purchased together by customers. These are typically complementary products that enhance the usefulness or experience of the main product.
By displaying frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, you can encourage customers to make additional purchases, ultimately increasing sales and improving their shopping experience.
For example:
- A laptop may be frequently bought together with a laptop bag, a wireless mouse, and a cooling pad.
- A smartphone may have screen protectors, phone cases, and charging cables as frequently bought together products in WooCommerce.
- A coffee maker may be linked with coffee beans, filters, and descaling solutions.
By identifying and showcasing these product pairings, you can create a seamless shopping experience while boosting your store’s revenue.
Why Show Frequently Bought Together Products in WooCommerce?
Displaying frequently bought together products in WooCommerce can help increase your store’s average order value (AOV) and improve customer experience. Here’s why it works:
✅ Boosts Sales
Customers are more likely to purchase complementary products when they see them grouped together. This strategy taps into the psychology of convenience, making it easier for customers to add more items to their cart. By strategically linking frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, you can significantly increase your store’s revenue and order value.
✅ Enhances User Experience
A well-optimized WooCommerce store should make shopping easy and intuitive. By displaying frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, customers can quickly find related items without searching separately. This helps streamline their shopping journey and improves their overall experience. You can also use frequenty bought together products recommendations to encourage email subscribers by offering exclusive bundle discounts or personalized product suggestions through your mailing list.
✅ Encourages Bulk Purchases
When customers see frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, they are more likely to add multiple products to their cart. For instance, a customer buying a DSLR camera may not initially think about getting a memory card or a carrying case, but when those items are recommended as frequently bought together products, they are more inclined to buy them.
✅ Improves Product Discoverability
Sometimes, customers may not be aware of related products that can enhance their purchase. By showing frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, you increase the chances of customers discovering useful items they might not have searched for otherwise. This not only helps your store make more sales but also adds value to your customers by helping them find what they need effortlessly.
✅ Builds Customer Trust
When customers see relevant product recommendations and product reviews in WooCommerce, they perceive your store as helpful and knowledgeable. If your recommendations and reviews are genuinely useful and logical, it builds trust with shoppers, making them more likely to return for future purchases.
Also read How to Remove Quantity Field from WooCommerce Product Page
How to Add Frequently Bought Together Products in WooCommerce?
WooCommerce comes with a built-in Linked Products feature that allows you to suggest upsells and cross-sells for each product. By using this feature, you can effectively display frequently bought together products in WooCommerce and guide customers toward making better purchasing decisions.
Step 1: Edit a Product in WooCommerce
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to Products > All Products.
- Find the product you want to edit and click Edit.
Step 2: Add Linked Products
Scroll down to the Product Data section.Click on the Linked Products tab.You can now set up product recommendations using two options:
- Upsells: Displays related product bundles under the “You may also like…” section on the product page.
- Cross-sells: Recommends complementary products in the “You may be interested in…” section of the shopping cart.
Customize your product further by:
- Adding a Q&A section
- Creating a product image gallery
- Adding tags, categories, or attributes
- Embedding a product video
Once satisfied with the setup, click Publish or Update to save your changes.
Step 3: Check the Display on Cart Page
Once you’ve linked the products, go to your WooCommerce store, add the main product to the cart, and proceed to checkout. You’ll see the frequently bought together products in WooCommerce displayed as suggestions on the cart page.
To make the most of this feature, ensure that the related products you choose are genuinely useful and relevant to your customers.
Once you’ve linked the products in up-sells, go to your WooCommerce store, you’ll see the frequently bought together products in WooCommerce displayed as suggestions on the main product page.
Difference Between Upsells And Cross-Sells
| Aspect | Upselling | Cross-Selling |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Encourages customers to purchase a higher-end or more expensive version of a product they are considering. | Suggests complementary or related products to the one the customer is purchasing. |
| Objective | Increase the sale value by offering a premium product. | Enhance the overall purchase by adding related items. |
| Best Use Cases | – Technology: Offering a higher-spec laptop or smartphone when a customer considers a base model. – Subscription services: Encouraging users to upgrade to a premium membership. – Hospitality: Suggesting a deluxe hotel room instead of a standard one. | – E-commerce: Recommending accessories like a case or charger for a smartphone purchase. – Retail: Suggesting a matching belt for a suit. – Restaurants: Offering side dishes or drinks with a main course. |
| Timing | Occurs during the product selection phase, before the purchase is finalized. | Typically presented during or after the initial purchase decision, such as at checkout or on the product page. |
| Benefits | – Increases average order value. – Enhances customer satisfaction by meeting potential needs. | – Boosts overall sales volume. – Improves customer experience by providing useful additions. |
| Intent | “Why not get the upgraded, fancier version?” | “Since you’re getting this, you might love this too!” |
Tips for Optimizing Frequently Bought Together Products in WooCommerce
To maximize the impact of frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, consider these optimization tips:
1️⃣ Choose Relevant Products
Ensure that the suggested products are closely related to the main product. Unrelated recommendations may not only frustrate customers but also reduce trust in your store’s recommendation system. Take the time to analyze customer purchasing behavior and select items that genuinely enhance the main product.
2️⃣ Use Pricing Strategies
Offering discounts or bundle deals on frequently bought together products in WooCommerce can encourage bulk purchases. For instance, providing a small percentage off when customers buy two or more related items together can make the offer more appealing. You can also promote upcoming bundle deals on a coming soon page to build anticipation and drive early interest.
3️⃣ Monitor Performance
Track the performance of your frequently bought together products in WooCommerce using WooCommerce analytics or third-party tracking tools. Identify which product pairings lead to more conversions and which ones underperform. Improving these pairings can enhance your store’s SEO by increasing engagement, reducing bounce rates, and encouraging longer browsing sessions.
4️⃣ Update Product Links Frequently
Customer preferences and market trends change over time, so it’s important to update your product pairings regularly. For instance, if a new version of a product is released, update the linked products accordingly. Staying up to date ensures that your recommendations remain relevant and useful to customers.
5️⃣ Use Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs)
When displaying frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, make sure customers understand the value of purchasing additional items. Use persuasive CTAs such as “Complete Your Set,” “Get the Best Experience,” or “Save More When You Bundle” to encourage customers to add extra products to their cart. Ensure your product recommendations are accessible to all users by following web inclusivity best practices, such as using clear language, readable fonts, and screen reader-friendly formatting.
The Psychology Behind Frequently Bought Together Products
Understanding the psychology of consumer behavior can help you leverage frequently bought together products in WooCommerce more effectively. By tapping into key psychological triggers, you can influence purchasing decisions, enhance customer experience, and ultimately increase your sales. Here’s why customers are inclined to purchase related items together and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage.
💠 Convenience
One of the primary reasons customers are drawn to frequently bought together products is convenience. In today’s fast-paced world, shoppers appreciate any feature that simplifies their decision-making process.
For example, if a customer is purchasing a camera, they may also need accessories such as a memory card, a tripod, or a protective case. By displaying these related products together, you make it easy for customers to find everything they need in one place. This not only saves them time but also increases the likelihood of them making additional purchases, boosting the overall order value.
💠 Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is another powerful psychological trigger that influences buying behavior. When customers see that other shoppers frequently purchase certain items together, they may feel compelled to do the same. Social proof plays a huge role in decision-making, as people tend to follow the actions of others, especially when they perceive those actions as beneficial.
For instance, if a product page highlights that a particular laptop is often purchased with a premium mouse and keyboard, a shopper may feel that they are missing out on a complete setup by not adding these accessories to their cart. This subtle pressure can nudge hesitant buyers toward making a purchase.
💠 Perceived Value
Customers are more likely to buy related products together when they perceive an increase in value. Bundling items or offering personalized recommendations can enhance this perception.
For instance, if an online store sells skincare products, suggesting that customers purchase a cleanser, moisturizer, and serum together makes sense. Shoppers may believe that using the complete set will yield better results than purchasing just one product.
FAQs
How do I enable Frequently Bought Togehter Products in WooCommerce?
WooCommerce allows you to manually add frequently bought together products using the Linked Products feature. You can set up upsells and cross-sells by editing a product in your WooCommerce dashboard and adding related items under the Linked Products tab.
What is frequently bought together?
Frequently bought together products in WooCommerce refer to a set of items that are often purchased together by customers. These are typically complementary products that enhance the usefulness or experience of the main product.
What is upsell product in WooCommerce?
Upsell products encourages customers to purchase a higher-end or more expensive version of a product they are considering.
What’s the difference between upsells and cross-sells in WooCommerce?
Upsells encourage customers to buy a higher-end or premium version of a product. Displayed while selecting a product, on product page.
Cross-sells suggest complementary products that enhance the main purchase. Displayed while checking out for payment, on cart page.
Final Thoughts
Using WooCommerce’s built-in Linked Products feature is a simple yet effective way to display frequently bought together products in WooCommerce. By strategically adding relevant cross-sells, you can enhance the shopping experience and boost your sales without needing any extra plugins.
Start optimizing your WooCommerce store today by implementing this method, and watch your sales grow! By effectively setting up frequently bought together products in WooCommerce, you can significantly enhance customer engagement, increase average order value, and drive more revenue for your online store.
