How to Set Related Products in WooCommerce: Boost Sales with Smart Recommendations
Want to effortlessly boost your WooCommerce sales? Related products are your secret weapon. By suggesting relevant items to customers viewing a product page, you increase the chances of them adding more to their cart. This article will guide you through setting up related products in WooCommerce, even if you’re a complete beginner.
Why Use Related Products?
Think of it like this: you’re browsing Amazon for a new coffee maker. Amazon cleverly suggests coffee beans, filters, and even a milk frother. This isn’t random; it’s strategic. By showing related products, Amazon increases the average order value (AOV) – meaning customers buy more per order. The same principle applies to your WooCommerce store.
Methods for Setting Up Related Products
There are two primary ways to set up related products in WooCommerce:
- Manually: This gives you complete control but is time-consuming for large catalogs.
- Using Plugins: Plugins offer automated suggestions and save you significant time, often with more advanced features.
- Navigate to the Product Edit Page: Go to your WooCommerce dashboard, then Products > All Products. Edit the product for which you want to add related items.
- Find the “Related Products” Section: Scroll down on the product edit page. You should find a section labeled “Related Products” or something similar. The exact wording might vary slightly depending on your theme and plugins.
- Select Related Products: Start typing the name of the product you want to relate. WooCommerce will provide suggestions from your product catalog. Select the relevant ones by clicking on them. You can select multiple products.
- Save Your Changes: Click “Update” or “Publish” to save the changes you’ve made. Now, when a customer views the product page, the related products will be displayed.
- YITH WooCommerce Related Products: This plugin provides various display options and advanced features like displaying related products based on categories or tags.
- WooCommerce Product Recommendations: Offers AI-powered recommendations based on customer purchase history and browsing behavior.
- Relevance is Key: Only suggest products truly related to the main product. Avoid irrelevant suggestions that confuse customers.
- Consider Customer Needs: Think about what customers might need or want *in addition* to the current product. What complements it?
- Test and Refine: Track your results. See which related products drive the most sales and adjust your selections accordingly.
- Maintain a Clean Presentation: Don’t overwhelm customers with too many related products. A few well-chosen suggestions are more effective than a long, cluttered list.
Method 1: Manually Setting Related Products
This method is ideal for smaller stores or when you want very specific control.
Example: If you sell hiking boots, you might relate them to hiking socks, trekking poles, and a waterproof backpack.
Method 2: Using Plugins for Related Products
Plugins offer automation and often more sophisticated recommendation algorithms. Popular options include:
Choosing a plugin: Consider your store size, technical skills, and budget when choosing a plugin. Many offer free versions with limited functionality, while paid versions unlock advanced features.
Choosing the Right Related Products: Best Practices
No matter which method you choose, always follow these best practices:
Conclusion
Setting up related products in WooCommerce is a simple yet powerful way to boost your sales. By carefully selecting relevant items and using the right tools (manual selection or a helpful plugin), you can significantly increase your average order value and create a more engaging shopping experience for your customers. Start optimizing today and watch your sales grow!
