Checkout upsells in Checkout Plus can now be set up as an upgrade. Instead of adding another item, an upgrade swaps out one of the products in the cart: when a shopper adds the upgrade at checkout, the quantity they add is removed from the item you picked.
It's a great fit for a step up, like going from an 8-piece set to a 10-piece set, or from a 15 ml bottle to a 30 ml bottle of a beauty product. This guide walks you through setting one up and testing it.
Before you start
Checkout Plus installed on your Shopify store
The item shoppers start with and the upgrade you want to offer, set up in Shopify. They can be different variants of the same product, like a 15 ml and a 30 ml size.
New to upsells? Start with How to add upsells to Shopify checkout with Checkout Plus.
Step 1: Open Checkout Upsells
In your Shopify admin, open Apps and then Checkout Plus.
Under Popular Customizations, select Checkout Upsells.
Create a new upsell, or open an existing one to edit it in the Upsell Editor.
Step 2: Name your upsell and set conditions
In Step #1: Name Your Upsell, enter an Upsell Name. Shoppers don't see it.
In Step #2: Condition To Display Upsell, add the conditions that trigger the upsell, or check Always show this upsell (no conditions).
Your usual settings in the Summary still apply, like Priority, Can be combined with other upsells, Customer Type, and Country Filter.
Step 3: Turn on the upgrade
In Step #3: Select Products to Offer at Checkout, open Additional options.
Check This is an upgrade product. The quantity added at checkout is removed from the item you select next.
Step 4: Pick the item to upgrade
In the Select product window, find the item shoppers start with and check it, like the 15 ml size.
Click Select.
The item now shows under the checkbox. Only the variants you picked are removed, up to the quantity the customer adds, and other variants of that item stay in the cart. Want a different item? Click Change item. Want any variant of it to be upgradable? Click Upgrade every variant.
Step 5: Add the upgrade product
Click Add Product.
In Add products, check the upgrade you want to offer, like the 30 ml and 50 ml sizes, then click Add.
To change which variants are offered, click Select Variants on the product, make your picks, and click Done.
Want the upgrade at a special price? Check Apply a discount exclusive to the upsell and set it up. Without a discount, the shopper pays the upgrade's regular price.
The Summary now shows This is an upgrade product with the item you picked.
Step 6: Save
Click Save in the top bar.
Step 7: Make sure the upsell block is in your checkout
In your Shopify admin, go to Settings → Checkout and open the checkout editor.
Check that the Upsells & Recommended Products block is added, for example in Order summary. If it isn't, add it and save.
Use the block's Heading to tell shoppers what's on offer, like "Upgrade to a larger size at a discount!"
Step 8: Test it
From your storefront, add the item you picked in Step 4 to your cart and go to checkout.
Find the upgrade offer and click Add.
Check that the quantity you added is removed from the original item, and that the price looks the way you expect.
Try it on desktop and mobile.
Tips
Make it a clear step up. Upgrades work best when the new product is obviously the better version, like a bigger set or a larger size.
Say it in the heading. Use the block's Heading to spell out what changes, like "Upgrade to a larger size at a discount!"
Use variants of the same product. Upgrade the 15 ml size and offer the 30 ml and 50 ml sizes, all from one product.
Check your stock. Make sure the upgrade has enough inventory before a big sale.
Troubleshooting
I see "The item being upgraded can't also be one of the products you offer."
You can't offer the same item you're upgrading. Remove it from the products you offer, for example by unchecking it in Select Variants, or click Change item to upgrade a different item. Other variants of the same product are fine.
The upgrade offer isn't showing at checkout
Make sure the Upsells & Recommended Products block is added and saved in the checkout editor, the upsell is saved and active, and your conditions are met. Test with the item you picked to upgrade in the cart. Products you offer aren't shown if they're already in the cart.
The original item is still in the cart
Only the variants you picked are removed, up to the quantity the shopper adds, and other variants stay in the cart. To let any variant of the item be upgraded, click Upgrade every variant.
The price isn't what I expected
The shopper pays the upgrade's price. Check the product's price in Shopify, plus any discount you set with Apply a discount exclusive to the upsell.
Need help? Contact Checkout Plus support from the app, and tell us which item you're upgrading.
Ready to try it? Install Checkout Plus from the Shopify App Store.