Improving Take Rate & Conversions in SellUp

Modified on Wed, 18 Feb at 9:35 AM

Category: Optimisation · Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced · Last updated: February 2026

"Take rate" the percentage of customers who accept a cross-sell or upsell offer is one of the highest-leverage metrics in SellUp.

Even a modest improvement in take rate compounds directly into revenue without increasing ad spend or traffic. This guide covers the two core offer types in SellUp, how to optimise messaging for each, and which products tend to convert best.

In this article Action Offers · On Page Offers · Best Products to Cross-Sell · Quick Reference

Action Offers

Action Offers are shown to customers immediately after a key interaction — typically after adding a product to cart or completing a checkout step. Because the customer has just taken an action, their purchase intent is at its peak. This is why Action Offers consistently deliver the highest take rates in SellUp.

What you can customise

Offer Title: the headline shown at the top of the modal or drawer
Subtitle / Body: supporting copy that adds context or urgency
Product Titles: override the default product name with something more contextual
CTA Button Text: replace the default "Add" with something more intentional
Funnel: define which products are shown together and in what order

Advanced

The Problem: Generic messaging kills conversion

Pain Point

Most merchants leave Action Offers on default settings. A title like "You might also like" and a CTA of "Add" gives the customer no reason to take action. The offer feels incidental rather than intentional, so they skip it.

Solution

Treat your Action Offer like a micro sales page. The title should create a pull, either surfacing a benefit, a gap ("your wash isn't finished yet"), or a moment of clarity ("the step most people skip"). The subtitle should answer why now. Product titles should reinforce the offer context, not just repeat the product name. The CTA should feel like a decision, not a default.

Messaging Framework for Action Offers

Element	Default (avoid)	Optimised Example
Title	Complete Your Order	Your Wash Isn't Finished Yet
Subtitle	Lock in Nourishment after Cleansing	Add nourishment while your hair is ready to absorb it.
Product Title	Deep Restoring Conditioner	Deep Restore Conditioner
CTA	Add	Add & Continue

Pro Tip Test two or three title variations over a two-week period. Even small wording changes, like "The Step Most People Skip" vs. "Don't Stop at Clean" can produce measurably different take rates. Use SellUp's analytics to track which funnel version converts better.

On Page Offers

On Page Offers are embedded directly into the product page, typically below the add-to-cart button or in a dedicated cross-sell section. They're always visible, making them excellent for product discovery, but they operate passively: the customer is browsing, not mid-action, so intent is lower. The focus here is on relevance, layout, and copy that creates curiosity or a sense of completeness.

What you can customise

Section Title: the heading shown above the product recommendations
Custom Product Titles: reframe each product in the context of the page the customer is already on
Product Descriptions: add short, benefit-focused copy to each recommended product

Advanced

The Problem: On Page Offers feel like noise

Pain Point

When On Page Offers use generic section titles like "Frequently Bought Together" or pull through default product names without context, they blend into the page. Customers scroll past them the same way they scroll past banner ads, they've been trained to ignore anything that doesn't feel specifically relevant to them.

Solution

The section title should create a natural continuation of the product the customer is already looking at. Think of it as the next sentence in the conversation: if they're viewing a shampoo, "Complete Your Washday Routine" feels like a logical next step rather than an interruption. Custom product titles and short descriptions should highlight the benefit in context, not just what the product is, but why it makes sense alongside what's already in their cart or on the page.

On Page Messaging Examples

Element	Default (avoid)	Optimised Example
Section Title	Frequently Bought Together	Complete the Routine
Product Title	Silky Leave In Conditioner	Silky Leave-In: locks in moisture post-wash
Description	(none)	Applied after cleansing, this leave-in seals hydration and reduces frizz without weighing hair down.

Important Keep custom product titles concise: aim for under 10 words. On Page Offers are scanned quickly. If the title runs too long it breaks layout on mobile and loses the customer before they've read the benefit.

Action Offers vs. On Page Offers — At a Glance

	Action Offers	On Page Offers
When shown	After a customer action (add to cart, checkout step)	Passively on the product page
Take rate	Higher: intent is at its peak	Lower: discovery mode
Primary goal	Conversion: get the add	Discovery: surface relevant products
Key customisations	Title, subtitle, product titles, CTA, funnel order	Section title, product titles, descriptions
Messaging tone	Urgency, benefit, moment-specific	Contextual, educational, routine-building

Best Products to Cross-Sell

Not all cross-sells are equal. The highest-converting offers share a few traits: they're complementary (not competing), they have a clear "why together" story, and they're priced in a way that doesn't cause cart anxiety. Here are the categories and patterns that typically perform best.

Consumables paired with durable or hero products

If a customer is buying a tool, device, or one-time purchase, a consumable that extends or enhances it is a natural fit. It creates ongoing value and feels like a logical next step rather than an add-on. Example: a hair tool paired with a heat protectant spray.

Step 2 in a routine

Routine-based offers are some of the most powerful. If your product is step one, a cleanser, a primer, a serum; the cross-sell should be step two. The framing almost writes itself: "This is what comes next." Customers who care about the first product are predisposed to care about the result, and the second product is what delivers it.

Trial or travel sizes

Offering a smaller or lower-cost version of a complementary product reduces the commitment barrier. A customer already spending £50 on a hero product is much more likely to add a £12 travel-size companion than a second full-price item.

Bundles with a visible saving

If the Action Offer can surface a bundle price or a clear saving versus buying separately, take rate increases significantly. Make the saving explicit in the title or subtitle, don't assume the customer will do the maths.

Products with high reviews or social proof

If you have a product with strong review ratings or that's a best-seller, it earns more trust as a cross-sell than a newer or lower-rated item. Where possible, surface star ratings or short social proof snippets alongside the recommended product.

Merchant Tip Avoid cross-selling direct alternatives or products that could cause the customer to second-guess their original choice. The cross-sell should add to the cart, not replace the reason they came.

Quick Reference Checklist

Action Offer title creates curiosity, urgency, or a clear benefit, not just a label
Subtitle answers why this product, why now
Product titles are short, contextual, and benefit-led
CTA is a deliberate phrase, not just "Add"
On Page section title continues the narrative of the current product page
On Page product descriptions are under 2 sentences and focus on outcome
Cross-sell products are complementary, not competing
Offers are reviewed and messaging tested at least monthly

Need help? If you'd like to review your current Action Offer or On Page copy, reach out to the SellUp support team and share your store URL. We're happy to take a look and suggest specific improvements.