Good product recommendations feel like helpful suggestions, not ads — and they quietly raiseaverage order value. The key is showing the right product, in the right place, at the right moment.
The recommendation types that work
- Complementary ("goes with") — products that pair with the item, e.g. the case for the phone. The highest-intent recommendation, because it completes the purchase.
- Frequently bought together — the combinations your data (or common sense) shows people buy as a set. Package them as abundle for one-click add.
- Related / similar — alternatives in the same category, useful on the product page for shoppers still deciding.
- Upgrades — a better version of what they're viewing (seeupsell vs cross-sell).
Where to place them
- Product page — "goes with" and "frequently bought together", below the buy button while intent is highest.
- Cart — quick, cheap cross-sells to lift the order before checkout.
- Post-purchase — a one-click add-on after payment, with zero conversion risk.
What makes them convert
- Relevance over volume — two great suggestions beat ten random ones.
- A clear reason — "Complete the set", "Customers also bought".
- An incentive — a small bundle discount makes "add to cart" easy.
- Fast, native design — a widget that matches your theme and doesn't slow the page.
Watch the margin
Recommendations usually carry a small discount to seal the deal — make sure the extra order value beats the discount and fees. Track it against yournet profit, not just revenue.
Turn recommendations into offers
Packmate turns "frequently bought together" and "goes with" into real offers — bundles, mix-and-match sets andgift-with-purchase — shown in a theme-matched widget, with the discount applied automatically at checkout.