WordPress & WooCommerce: How to Boost Sales by Adding Linked Products (The Easy Way!)
So, you’ve got a shiny WooCommerce store brimming with fantastic products? Great! But are you truly maximizing your sales potential? One incredibly effective way to do that is by leveraging linked Learn more about How To Get Order List In Woocommerce Containing A Product products within WooCommerce. Think of it as suggesting a complementary drink when someone orders a burger, or recommending a protective case when someone buys a phone.
This article will break down how to add linked products in WooCommerce in a way that’s super easy to understand, even if you’re a complete beginner. Let’s get started!
What are Linked Products, Exactly?
In WooCommerce, “linked products” refers to different types of product relationships you can establish to encourage customers to buy more. There are three main types:
* Upsells: These are products you recommend on the product page as *superior* or *more profitable* alternatives to the product the customer is currently viewing. Think “Would you like the premium version with extra features?”
* Cross-sells: These are products you recommend on the *cart page*, based on what’s already in the cart. Think “Customers who bought this also bought…” or “You might also like…”
* Grouped Products: This allows you to bundle several related products together, offering them as a single product. Think “Camera Check out this post: How To Rearrange Products In Woocommerce Bundle” with a camera body, lens, and tripod.
Why Use Linked Products?
Here’s why linking products is a smart move for your WooCommerce store:
* Increase Sales: By subtly suggesting related items, you can encourage customers to add more to their cart, leading to higher order values.
* Improve Customer Experience: You’re helping customers discover products they might need or want, but might not have thought of themselves. This makes their shopping experience more convenient and satisfying.
* Promote Undersold Items: Got a product that’s not flying off the shelves? Linking it as a cross-sell or upsell to a more popular product can give it a much-needed boost.
* Boost Average Order Value (AOV): More products in each cart = a higher AOV. Higher AOV = more revenue!
How to Add Linked Products in WooCommerce (Step-by-Step)
Alright, let’s get practical. Here’s how to add upsells and cross-sells to your WooCommerce products:
1. Go to your WordPress Dashboard: Log in to your WordPress admin area.
2. Navigate to Products: Click on “Products” in the left-hand menu.
3. Edit the Product: Find the product you want to add linked products to and click “Edit”.
4. Scroll Down to Product Data: You’ll find a “Product data” meta box below the main product description. Ensure the product type is set to a *Simple product, Variable product*, etc. (not an External/Affiliate product).
5. Click on the “Linked Products” Tab: Inside the “Product data” box, you’ll see several tabs. Click on the “Linked Products” tab.
6. Add Upsells:
* In the “Upsells” field, start typing the name of the product you want to recommend as an upsell.
* WooCommerce will automatically suggest products as you type. Select the product you want to add.
* You can add multiple upsells.
7. Add Cross-sells:
* In the “Cross-sells” field, start typing the name of the product you want to recommend as a cross-sell.
* WooCommerce will automatically suggest products as you type. Select the product you want to add.
* You can add multiple cross-sells.
8. Update the Product: Click the “Update” button at the top right of the screen to save your changes.
Example:
Let’s say you’re selling a basic digital camera.
* Upsell: You might link it to a higher-end camera with more megapixels and better zoom.
* Cross-sell: You might link it to a memory card, a camera bag, or an extra battery.
Grouped Products: Selling Items Together
Grouped products are a bit different. Here’s how to create them:
1. Create Individual Products: Ensure all the products you want to group already exist as individual products in your store.
2. Create a New Product (the Group): Go to Products > Add New. Give this product a name (e.g., “Photography Starter Kit”). This is the “parent” product that will contain the other products.
3. Set Product Type to “Grouped Product”: In the “Product data” dropdown, select “Grouped product”.
4. Linked Products Tab – Add the Children: Go to the “Linked Products” tab. In the “Grouped products” field, start typing the names of the individual products you want to include in the group and select them as they appear.
5. Publish the Grouped Product: Publish or update the “parent” grouped product.
6. Important: For grouped products, you don’t need to set a price for the “parent” product (the group). The total price will be calculated based on the prices of the individual items within Check out this post: How To Set Your Woocommerce Store For Minimum Orders the group. However, make sure all child products are set to ‘visible’ in the catalogue and have a price.
Real-Life Examples and Reasoning
* Example 1: Coffee Shop
* *Product:* A bag of ground coffee
* *Upsell:* A higher-end bag of whole bean coffee with a premium blend.
* *Cross-sell:* A coffee filter, a French press, or a flavored syrup.
* *Reasoning:* Encourages customers to try a more expensive coffee and purchase complementary items to enhance their coffee brewing experience.
* Example 2: Online Clothing Store
* *Product:* A basic t-shirt
* *Upsell:* A designer t-shirt with a unique print or higher-quality fabric.
* *Cross-sell:* A pair of jeans, a jacket, or a belt that complements the t-shirt.
* *Reasoning:* Promotes more fashionable items and complete outfits, increasing the average order value.
* Example 3: Software Company
* *Product:* Basic photo editing software
* *Upsell:* A premium version of the software with advanced features and unlimited support.
* *Cross-sell:* A collection of premium photo filters or a training course on using the software.
* *Reasoning:* Introduces users to more powerful features and training materials that enhance their skills and usage of the software.
Tips for Maximum Impact
* Be Relevant: The products you link should genuinely complement each other. Don’t recommend unrelated items just to fill space.
* Use High-Quality Images: Make sure the images of your linked products are appealing and showcase the product well.
* Write Compelling Descriptions: Write clear and concise descriptions for your linked products to entice customers to click.
* Don’t Overdo It: Avoid overwhelming customers with too many linked product suggestions. A few well-chosen recommendations are more effective than a long list.
* Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on your sales data to see which linked product combinations are performing best. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
A Word on Programmatic Linking (for Advanced Users)
While the steps above cover the basic method, you can also programmatically link products using code. This is useful for complex stores or when you want to automate the linking process. Here’s a basic example using `woocommerce_after_single_product` action hook to display related products. Important: Use with caution and only if you’re comfortable with PHP and WordPress development.
<?php /**
- Display related products after the single product page. */ add_action( 'woocommerce_after_single_product', 'display_custom_related_products', 20 );
- ‘;
echo ‘get_permalink() . ‘”>’;
echo $related_product->get_image();
echo ‘
‘ . $related_product->get_name() . ‘
‘;
echo ‘‘ . $related_product->get_price_html() . ‘‘;
echo ‘‘;
echo ‘
function display_custom_related_products() {
global $product;
// Get related product IDs (replace with your own logic).
$related_product_ids = wc_get_related_products( $product->get_id(), 4 ); // get max 4 related
if ( $related_product_ids ) {
echo ‘
You might also like…
‘;
echo ‘
- ‘;
foreach ( $related_product_ids as $related_product_id ) {
$related_product = wc_get_product( $related_product_id );
if ( $related_product ) {
echo ‘
‘;
}
}
echo ‘
‘;
}
}
Explanation:
* This code adds a section with “You might also like…” after the main product description.
* It uses `wc_get_related_products()` to retrieve related products based on the current product’s ID.
* It then loops through the related products and displays Discover insights on How To Set Up Fb Sdk On Woocommerce their image, name, and price.
Remember to customize the product ID retrieval logic (`wc_get_related_products`) based on your specific requirements. Consider Explore this article on How To Update Woocommerce Plugin factors like product categories, tags, or custom fields when determining which products to link.
Conclusion
Adding linked products to your WooCommerce store is a simple yet powerful way to boost sales and improve the customer experience. By strategically recommending complementary items, you can encourage customers to add more to their cart and discover products they might not have found otherwise. So, take some time to analyze your product catalog, identify potential linked product combinations, and start implementing these techniques today! You’ll likely be surprised by the positive impact on your bottom line. Good luck!
