7 Effective Methods to Display Product Recommendations in WordPress
Many WordPress experts have observed that strategic product recommendations significantly enhance e-commerce performance. Well-implemented suggestions help shoppers discover items they might otherwise overlook, moving beyond basic search functionality.
Successful online stores frequently recommend complementary products, upgraded versions, or frequently purchased combinations to increase average order values. This approach benefits both customers and merchants when executed thoughtfully, creating helpful shopping experiences rather than aggressive sales tactics.
Fortunately, implementing effective product recommendations on WordPress sites is more straightforward than many store owners anticipate. After evaluating numerous approaches, we've identified seven practical methods that deliver tangible results for businesses of varying sizes.
Why Implement Product Recommendations in WordPress?
Displaying relevant product suggestions on cart or checkout pages can substantially increase average order values for online stores. By presenting appropriate recommendations, you help customers find items that match their interests, leading to more satisfying shopping journeys.
For example, when a customer purchases a hat from a clothing store, suggesting sunglasses makes sense since both items provide sun protection and are commonly purchased together.
You can present these recommendations through various formats including slide-in carts, order bumps, upsell offers, or cross-sell products. Automated post-purchase emails containing recommendations can further boost sales.
Let's explore how to effectively display product recommendations in WordPress. This guide covers multiple approaches, so you can select the method that best fits your needs:
- Method 1: Display Product Recommendations on Product Pages
- Method 2: Display Product Recommendations on Cart Pages
- Method 3: Display Product Recommendations as Sliding Carts
- Method 4: Present Product Recommendations as Order Bumps
- Method 5: Provide Post-Purchase Recommendations via Email
- Method 6: Display Product Recommendations in Popups
- Method 7: Show Product Recommendations in Digital Download Platforms
- Bonus: Properly Configure E-commerce Tracking in WordPress
- Frequently Asked Questions About Product Recommendations
Method 1: Display Product Recommendations on Product Pages
This method works well for showing relevant suggestions directly on individual product pages.
WooCommerce includes built-in upsell functionality that enables this feature. You can use it to recommend premium versions or enhanced alternatives of the product customers are currently viewing. These manually selected items typically appear in a section titled "You may also like..." or similar phrasing.
For comprehensive guidance on implementing product upsells, consult tutorials created by experienced developers.
Using a Plugin for Enhanced Recommendation Flexibility
For greater control over recommendation placement and presentation, consider using specialized e-commerce plugins. These tools typically offer complementary product features that provide flexibility to display relevant suggestions not only on product pages but also within cart and checkout interfaces.
As effective upsell and cross-sell solutions, these plugins can suggest premium product versions or display items that complement what customers are viewing.
Begin by installing and activating your chosen plugin. Follow standard WordPress plugin installation procedures.
After activation, navigate to the plugin's modules section and locate the complementary products feature.
On the configuration screen, enable the module by clicking the activation button.
Next, create a campaign to power your complementary products section. Remember that each campaign typically controls one complementary products section, so create separate campaigns for different product groups if needed.
Set the campaign status to "Active" using the dropdown menu and assign a descriptive name for easy identification.
Now configure the trigger settings:
- Select "All Products" to display complementary sections across all product pages
- Choose "Specific Products" to target particular items or product groups, then search for and select the products where you want the complementary section to appear
Scroll to the complementary products area and search for items to recommend. These might include accessories, related tools, or other products that pair well with your main offerings.
After configuration, a live preview typically appears showing how your complementary products section will display on your site.
To encourage purchases, consider enabling bundle discount options. This reveals additional settings where you can select discount types for customers who add complementary items to their carts. Available options often include:
- Percentage discounts
- Fixed amount reductions
- Free cheapest item
- Free shipping
You can also specify minimum item requirements from the complementary list to qualify for discounts. For instance, setting this to 1 means customers need to select at least one recommended item to receive the offer, though you can increase this number if desired.
Next, expand the product page settings section. Set the status to active, then choose where to display the complementary section. You can position it before the add to cart button, after product descriptions, or in other strategic locations.
