How to create an upsell offer to increase order value and revenue

Quick Summary: How to use simple upsell offers or add-ons to increase revenue and enhance the customer experience without creating a brand-new offer. Learn what upsells are, why they work, what types to use, and how to build one that feels valuable (not pushy).

You don’t always need to create another offer to make more sales.

Sometimes, you just need to help your customers say “yes” to a little more.

That’s the magic of an upsell offer (or add-on offer). It’s a way to increase revenue without starting from scratch.

When done right, upsells are helpful, not salesy, and offer your buyers the next best step.

In this post, you’ll learn:

What upsells are (and aren’t)
Why they work for online business owners
Smart upsell ideas by business type
How to add one to your current funnel

What is an upsell offer (or add-on)?

An upsell is a small, complementary product that’s offered after someone buys.
Often during checkout, on the thank-you page, or in a follow-up email.

It helps your customer get results faster, easier, or with less stress.

Here’s the key: It’s not a random second offer. It’s strategically connected to what they just bought.

Why an upsell offer matters:

You’ve already done the hard work to get the sale. Why stop there?

Here’s what a well-placed upsell does:

✅ Increases average order value (AOV) instantly

✅ Maximizes revenue without needing new traffic

✅ Deepens your relationship with buyers

✅ Delivers more value and support to those who want it

The best part? Upsells are often made from content or assets you’ve already created.

Types of upsell offers that work well:

Not sure what to offer? Here are smart, simple options that work across business types:

Bonus Templates or Toolkits
“Want the full set? Add the Ultimate Template Toolkit for $17.”
Private Session or Audit
“Need help applying this? Book a 30-minute 1:1 call.”
Advanced Training or Companion Resource
“Take it further with this next-level workshop.”
Lifetime Access Upgrade
“Keep this content forever for just $12 more.”
Early Access or VIP Bonuses
“Get early access to [next offer] or behind-the-scenes content.”

Upsell offer examples by business type

Let’s look at how different solopreneurs might apply this:

Service Provider
- Pinterest Manager:
  Offer a 1:1 strategy session or client strategy audit after selling a playbook or template pack.
- Graphic Designer:
  Upsell a branding checklist, bonus template bundle, or 30-minute design feedback call after a Canva template purchase.
- Copywriter:
  Offer a content audit, email swipe file upgrade, or plug-and-play copy deck after a messaging guide or workbook.

Coach
- Add a private coaching session after a mindset workbook or planning tool.
- Upsell journal prompts, meditations, or live workshops to support deeper integration.

Digital Creator / Template Seller
- After selling a single Notion template, offer a full business dashboard bundle.
- Upsell bonus icons, color palettes, or how-to video trainings.
Course Creator
- - After a mini-course, offer an advanced module, workbook, or resource vault.
  - Bundle in access to a live Q&A call or exclusive group thread.

Suite to Scale Newsletter:
Get expert tips every Wednesday on product suite creation, sales funnels, and impactful program design—all tailored for service business owners like you.

How to create an effective upsell offer

This part is simpler than you think. Here’s how to make your upsell work:

1: Start with your core or intro offer

Before creating anything new, look at what’s already working in your business.

Ask yourself:

What’s your best-selling offer?
What do buyers ask for after purchasing it?
Where do they get stuck or want more support?

💡 Pro tip: Your upsell doesn’t need to be “bigger”, it needs to be closer to what they want next.

2: Create (or repurpose) something that supports it

Don’t overcomplicate this.

You might already have the perfect upsell sitting in a Google Doc or Loom video. The goal is to help the customer get results faster or go deeper into a key part of the offer.

You could:

Bundle existing templates into a “Pro Pack”
Record a quick advanced lesson
Offer a 30-minute strategy call

💡 Pro tip: If you’re unsure what to create, ask your recent buyers what they wish they had next.

3. Make the value clear

Your buyer just made a decision, now you need to make it easy to say yes again.

Keep your messaging simple and focused on:

The benefit (“Get your next step done in 30 minutes”)
The outcome (“Save 3+ hours of implementation time”)
The format (“Includes 3 ready-to-use Canva templates”)

💡 Pro tip: Don’t bury it in copy. Use bold statements, bullet points, and short testimonials when possible.

4: Set it up in your funnel

There’s no “perfect” place to show your upsell but you want it close to the original offer so the momentum is still fresh.

Common placements:

Checkout page upsell or order bump (one click = added)
Thank-you page offer
Email follow-up 1–2 days after purchase

💡 Pro tip: If it’s time-sensitive or limited, mention that to encourage quick action without pressure.

Mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

❌ Offering something unrelated
→ Stick to something that complements the main offer.

❌ Overloading the buyer with choices
→ Present just one upsell at a time, clearly and simply.

❌ Not showing the value clearly
→ Use bullet points, testimonials, or before/after examples.

❌ Sounding pushy
→ Position your upsell as support, not pressure.

✨ Real-life example: upselling strategy support after the playbook

When I created the Pinterest Strategy Playbook as an intro offer, I knew some buyers would want more personalized help.

So I offered a 60-minute 1:1 strategy session as an upsell either focused on their business or auditing a client’s Pinterest strategy.

While it was a higher-priced offer (more than the playbook itself), it converted well because it built directly on the value of the original product. The framework gave them confidence and the upsell gave them custom feedback and deep clarity.

If I could do it again, I’d consider a lower-cost upsell to increase conversions but the lesson still holds:
When your intro offer solves a clear problem, people are ready for more.

Here’s what a client had to say about the 1:1 strategy session:

“Kathryn blew my mind with how much amazing Pinterest knowledge she could cram into an hour. It was obvious that she had prepared items to discuss that specifically related to my brand, not just canned strategies that would work for anyone. I always knew I wasn’t leveraging Pinterest the way that I could, but I had no idea the power it had as a marketing platform. She explained everything in terms that were easily understandable and made it all feel very doable. She not only explained the big picture whys and hows of Pinterest, but gave me easy step-by-step instructions on exactly how to implement her strategies. She gave me lots of homework, but I am so grateful to have found her.”
— Katie Saunders, The Branding Zoo