Upsell (Upgrade Offer)
An Upsell campaign offers a better product or a bigger variant in place of what the customer is buying. The line is replaced , not added: an upgrade banner on the product page and a swap card with undo in the cart.
Updated October 7, 2026
What Is It?
An Upsell campaign offers a better product or a bigger variant in place of what the customer is buying. The line is replaced, not added: an upgrade banner on the product page and a swap card with undo in the cart.
📸 [SCREENSHOT: Product page banner "Upgrade to Signature Loafer - only $65 more" with a Switch button]
How It Works
Two modes
| Mode | What it offers | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Better product | A higher-priced product | Derby → Premium Loafer |
| Bigger variant | A larger size of the same product, along a price-ordered option | Serum 30 ml → 50 ml → 100 ml |
Bigger variant needs a product with an option whose prices increase (for example Size). If none qualifies, the builder says so and suggests Better product mode.
Trigger
Upsell triggers on specific products (rule triggers like collection or vendor are not available yet).
Upgrade to (Better product mode)
| Source | Meaning | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Manual picks | Up to 6 products you choose | Prime |
| Pool | A collection, tag, vendor or product type | Prime |
| Smart ladders | Rules find candidates: same type, higher price, better margin | Ultimate |
Every upgrade must be priced above the trigger. Anything at or below it is flagged as a downsell and must be fixed before saving.
Incentive
| Incentive | Meaning |
|---|---|
| No incentive (default) | Most upgrades are a pure margin play |
| % off upgrade | A percentage off the upgraded line |
| $ off upgrade | A fixed amount off the upgraded line |
| Cap the difference | Customer pays at most $X more. The incentive covers the rest, per unit |
The incentive applies only to lines swapped by the widget, never to the same product bought directly.
Phrasing
The banner text comes from a Phrasing template. {title} and {diff} are replaced automatically, per language. Leave it blank to use the widget's default text.
Placement
Product page banner, Cart swap card, Both, or None.
At a Glance
| Upsell | Cross-sell | |
|---|---|---|
| Cart result | Line replaced | Line added |
| Customer ends with | One better item | Trigger plus add-on |
| Incentive/discount | Optional, only on swapped lines | On the add-on |
| Best for | Premium alternatives, bigger sizes | Accessories |
When to Use It
| Goal | Example |
|---|---|
| Move to a premium sibling | Derby in cart → offer the Loafer |
| Sell the bigger size | 30 ml → 50 ml, only $16 more |
| Close a price gap | Flagship for at most $15 more |
| Upgrades across a big catalog | Smart ladders find them by rule |
Step-by-Step: Create an Upsell Campaign
Scenario Used in This Guide
Goal: Customers buying the Classic Derby are offered the Signature Loafer instead, no incentive. Type: Upsell, Better product, Manual picks, Product page + Cart.
Step 1: Go to Create Campaign
Click Campaigns → Create Campaign.
Step 2: Choose Campaign Type
Click the Upsell (Upgrade offer) card.
📸 [SCREENSHOT: Campaign type grid with the Upsell card highlighted]
Step 3: Pick a Scenario (Optional)
| Scenario | Pre-fills |
|---|---|
| Better product swap | Better product mode, Manual picks, no incentive (this guide) |
| Bigger size (variant) | Bigger variant mode |
| Capped difference | Cap the difference incentive |
| Smart ladders | Rules find upgrades (Ultimate) |
| More units (3-pack) | Opens the Tiered Quantity builder (quantity upsell is a different campaign type) |
Step 4: Name and Phrasing
Enter a Campaign name and optionally a Phrasing template (default: Upgrade to {title} - only {diff} more).
Step 5: Set the Trigger
Under When the customer is buying, pick the Products the customer is buying, then choose the Upgrade mode.
📸 [SCREENSHOT: Trigger card with specific products and the Upgrade mode pills]
Step 6: Set the Upgrade
Under Upgrade to:
- Better product: choose Manual picks, Pool, or Smart ladders. The Preview of upgrade offers lists each candidate with price and whether it's above the trigger.
- Bigger variant: the builder lists each trigger's size ladder and lets you choose the option to climb.
📸 [SCREENSHOT: Upgrade to card: Manual picks and the preview with prices]
Step 7: Choose an Incentive
Pick No incentive, % off upgrade, $ off upgrade or Cap the difference and enter the value. A live Storefront copy preview shows what customers will read.
Step 8: Choose How It Combines
Best deal wins (default) or Stack on product discounts.
Step 9: Choose Placement
Pick Product page banner, Cart swap card, Both or None. Use Manage widget settings for texts and colors (see Upsell Widget).
Step 10: Schedule & Save
Set dates and click Save.
Step-by-Step: Verify the Campaign Works
Test Scenario
Campaign: Derby ($120) → Loafer ($185), no incentive.
Verification Table
| Cart | Expected |
|---|---|
| Derby | Banner/card: "Upgrade to Signature Loafer - only $65 more" |
| Tap Switch | Derby removed, Loafer added, undo shown |
| Tap Undo | Derby restored |
| Loafer bought directly | Full price, no incentive |
| Incentive "Cap the difference $15" on a swap | Customer pays $15 more than the trigger |
Step 1: Add the Trigger
Add the Derby. Confirm the swap card (or banner) appears with the real price gap.
📸 [SCREENSHOT: Cart swap card "Upgrade to Signature Loafer - only $65 more" with Switch]
Step 2: Switch
Tap Switch. The cart now has the Loafer in place of the Derby, tagged as an upgrade, with any incentive applied.
Step 3: Undo
Tap Undo within the undo window. The original line returns.
Step 4: Check the Direct Purchase
Buy the Loafer directly in a new cart. No incentive applies.
Tips & Common Mistakes
- Upsell replaces, Cross-sell adds. Use Cross-sell if you want two items.
- Prices must increase. Upgrades at or below the trigger price are flagged as downsells.
- Use Bigger variant for sizes and Better product for different products. They are separate modes.
- Pick the right incentive shape. "Cap the difference" tracks price changes automatically, a fixed amount drifts when prices change.
- Keep the price gap in the text.
{diff}is often the most persuasive part of the banner. - Smart ladders are suggestions. Pin or exclude candidates that are technically higher priced but a different kind of product.
- Triggers are specific products. Refresh the list when you launch new entry-level products.
- Check variant prices: a sale that drops a bigger size below a smaller one breaks the ladder at that step.
Mini FAQ
Does the customer keep their options after a swap?
In Bigger variant mode every other choice the customer made is kept. In Better product mode the line is replaced by the upgrade product, so check the swap on a product with options (such as size) to confirm the result is what you want.
Can the customer undo a swap?
Yes. The toast has an undo for a configurable window (3 to 30 seconds, set in the widget settings).
Which plan do I need?
Upsell is on Prime and above. Smart ladders need Ultimate.
Why doesn't the banner show on my product?
The product isn't in the campaign's trigger list, or the placement is set to Cart only.
Best for: Retail & DTC stores with clear premium alternatives or multiple sizes.
Related Campaigns
- Cross-sell: add items instead of replacing
- Tiered Quantity Discount: "more units" upsell
- Product Bundle
- Upsell Widget
Need a Hand?
Our support team is here to help, reach out anytime at support@aspedan.dev, or use in-app chat.
Last updated: October 2026