# 12 Cross-Selling Examples for Online Stores (and How to Copy Them)

> Twelve cross-selling examples from everyday stores: what’s in the cart, what to suggest, where to show it and why it works. Plus how to set each up in WooCommerce.

Source: https://nanflows.com/blog/cross-selling-examples
Published: 2026-11-06 · Updated: 2026-11-01
By: Prince Sharma
About: Nanflows sliding cart (https://nanflows.com/products/nanflows-sliding-cart)

**In short:** cross-selling means suggesting a product that goes with what the shopper is already buying: socks with hiking boots, a memory card with a camera, gift wrap with a present. The good ones are cheaper than the main product, make it better to use, and take one click to add. Show them on the product page, right after add to cart, in the cart or at checkout. In WooCommerce, [Nanflows Sliding Cart Pro](https://nanflows.com/products/nanflows-sliding-cart) shows cross-sells inside the side cart, where shoppers look.

## What makes a cross-sell work

A cross-sell isn’t a second sales pitch. It answers the question the shopper would ask next: “What else do I need for this?” The ones that work share four things:

- **They are related.** The add-on is used with the product, not just sold by the same store.
- **They are cheaper.** A $12 add-on to an $89 order is an easy yes. A second $89 product is a new decision.
- **They are few.** One to three suggestions. More turns a nudge into homework.
- **They are one click.** An Add button that keeps the shopper where they are.

Upselling is different: it suggests a better version of the same product. The difference, and when to use each, is in [upsell vs cross-sell](https://nanflows.com/blog/upsell-vs-cross-sell).

![Six cross-sell pairs: what’s in the cart and what goes with it](https://nanflows.com/img/blog/cross-sell-pairs.svg)
*Every add-on here is cheaper than the product it goes with, and makes it better to use.*

## 12 cross-selling examples

### 1. Hiking boots → wool socks

New boots and old cotton socks mean blisters. A pair of wool socks at $12 next to $89 boots is advice as much as a sale. **Where:** in the cart, after the boots are added.

### 2. Coffee beans → a mug or paper filters

Someone buying beans is about to make coffee. Filters run out; a mug is a small treat. **Where:** on the product page, as frequently bought together.

### 3. Phone case → screen protector

The shopper is protecting the phone already. The screen is the obvious other half. **Where:** in a popup right after add to cart: “Added. Protect the screen too?”

### 4. Camera → memory card and spare battery

Many cameras arrive without a memory card, and a spare battery saves a day out. Sell them together as a kit, with a small saving over buying them one by one. **Where:** on the product page, as a bundle.

### 5. Chinos → a belt

“Complete the look” works in clothing because the shopper can picture the outfit. Show the belt the model is wearing. **Where:** on the product page and in the cart.

### 6. Cleanser → moisturizer

Skincare is a routine of steps. A shopper buying step one is a good fit for step two, especially as a set. **Where:** on the product page, as a routine bundle.

### 7. Printer → ink

The add-on everyone needs, sooner or later. Offer one spare set at checkout, then remind them when it is likely to run out. **Where:** in the cart, and in an email after the order.

### 8. Pet food → treats

Food is the habit; treats are the fun part, and they are cheap enough to add on impulse. Even better when the treats take the order over your free shipping amount. **Where:** in the cart, next to a free shipping bar.

### 9. Candle → matches or a wick trimmer

A $4 add-on to a $26 candle. Small, useful and easy to forget. **Where:** in the cart or at checkout.

### 10. A sofa → fabric protection or cushions

Big purchases make small extras feel minor. Cushions in the same fabric or a protection spray fit naturally. **Where:** on the product page, before the decision is made, rather than at payment.

### 11. A gift → gift wrap and a card

Gift buyers want it to arrive ready. Wrap and a note at a few dollars save them a step. **Where:** at checkout or in the cart, as a tick box.

### 12. An online course → a template pack

Digital products cross-sell too: the course teaches the method, the templates save the work. No shipping, so the add-on is pure margin. **Where:** right after add to cart, or on the thank-you page.

## Where to show a cross-sell

![Five places to cross-sell, from the product page to the email after the order](https://nanflows.com/img/blog/cross-sell-places.svg)
*The closer to payment, the smaller and simpler the add-on should be.*

| Place | Best add-on | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Product page | Two or three extras, or a kit | Camera, memory card, battery |
| After add to cart | One thing that goes with it | Case, then screen protector |
| Cart | One or two cheap add-ons | Boots, then socks |
| Checkout | A tick box, no new page | Gift wrap |
| After the order | The next thing they need | Ink refill |

## How to set them up in WooCommerce

- **On the cart page:** WooCommerce’s own cross-sells, set on each product under **Product data → Linked Products → Cross-sells**, show under “You may be interested in…” on the cart page. Only there, and the classic cart shows two. If yours are missing, see [cross-sells not showing](https://nanflows.com/blog/woocommerce-cross-sells-not-showing).
- **In the side cart:** [Nanflows Sliding Cart Pro](https://nanflows.com/products/nanflows-sliding-cart) shows the cross-sells of everything in the cart inside the side cart, with an Add button that doesn’t leave the page, and counts what they sell.
- **On the product page:** [Nanflows Bundles](https://wordpress.org/plugins/nanflows-bundle/) is free for frequently bought together and fixed bundles, like the camera kit. See [frequently bought together](https://nanflows.com/blog/woocommerce-frequently-bought-together).
- **Right after add to cart:** a small popup with one suggestion. The setup is in [a popup after add to cart](https://nanflows.com/blog/woocommerce-popup-after-add-to-cart).

## Measure what each one sells

Change one thing at a time and give it a few weeks. Watch three numbers: how often the add-on is added, the average order value, and the conversion rate. If the average order goes up and conversions stay the same, keep it. The [average order value calculator](https://nanflows.com/average-order-value-calculator) shows what a small rise per order adds up to.

## Cross-sell in the cart with Nanflows Sliding Cart

- **Free:** [Nanflows Sliding Cart on WordPress.org](https://wordpress.org/plugins/nanflows-sliding-cart/) opens a side cart the moment a product is added, with AJAX add to cart, the coupon field and express checkout buttons.
- **Pro:** [Nanflows Sliding Cart Pro](https://nanflows.com/products/nanflows-sliding-cart) adds upsells and cross-sells in the cart, a one-click add-on such as gift wrap, a free shipping and rewards bar, and cart analytics. $39 a year for one site, or $149 for five.
- More: [WooCommerce cart upsells](https://nanflows.com/woocommerce-cart-upsell), [cart upsells and cross-sells: setup and ideas](https://nanflows.com/blog/woocommerce-cart-upsells) and [how to increase average order value](https://nanflows.com/blog/how-to-increase-average-order-value).

## FAQ

### What is an example of cross-selling?

Suggesting wool socks to someone buying hiking boots, or a memory card to someone buying a camera. The add-on goes with the product in the cart and costs less than it.

### What is the difference between cross-selling and upselling?

Cross-selling suggests a different product that goes with the one being bought. Upselling suggests a better or bigger version of the same product, like the 1 kg bag instead of 500 g.

### Where should I show cross-sells in an online store?

On the product page for kits and bigger extras, right after add to cart and in the cart for one or two cheap add-ons, and at checkout only for small tick-box extras like gift wrap.

### How many cross-sells should I show?

One to three at a time. More choices make shoppers stop and compare, which is the opposite of what a cross-sell is for.

### Does WooCommerce have cross-selling built in?

Yes. Each product has a Cross-sells field under Linked Products, and WooCommerce shows them on the cart page. To show them in a side cart, on product pages or after add to cart, you need a plugin.