Why Checkout Is the Perfect Place for Recommendations

When I first started running my Shopify store, I focused all my energy on product pages and ads—but I kept wondering why some customers abandoned their carts. Then I realized: the checkout page is gold. People there already decided to buy; it’s the last step before conversion.That’s why showing recommended products or discount bundles here is so effective. It’s not pushy—it’s helpful. A customer buying a laptop might also need a sleeve or a mouse. Suggesting it at checkout feels like a friendly tip, not an upsell.

How Shopify Lets You Do This

Here’s the catch: Shopify doesn’t make it easy for everyone.

  • On Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans, you can’t modify the default checkout page.
  • On Shopify Plus, you can use Checkout Blocks or Checkout UI Extensions to embed product suggestions directly.

For those of us not on Plus, there’s still hope: you can do recommendations on the cart page or post-purchase offers. They work surprisingly well if done right.

My Favorite Ways to Show Recommendations

Checkout Blocks (Shopify Plus)

If you’re lucky enough to be on Plus, Shopify Checkout Blocks are amazing. I’ve used them to:

  • Show a “Complete the Look” widget for accessories.
  • Offer bundle discounts like “Add a charger and save 10%.”
  • Display progress bars for free shipping, nudging customers to add one more item.

Setting it up is easier than it sounds: install the Checkout Blocks app, customize the block, set the rules, and place it on the checkout page. The result? higher AOV without annoying customers.

Third-Party Apps

Not on Plus? No problem. I’ve tried a few apps that bring recommendations into the checkout experience or post-purchase flow:

  • AI-driven suggestions based on what’s in the cart.
  • Conditional bundle discounts that feel personalized.
  • Simple analytics to see what’s working and what isn’t.

The trick is to pick relevant products. I learned the hard way that generic recommendations don’t convert. Only suggest what makes sense for the customer.

Cart Page and Post-Purchase

Even without Plus, you can capture extra revenue:

  • Cart Page: Add a “Customers also bought” or bundle offer before checkout.
  • Post-Purchase: Show one-click add-ons right after checkout. I love this for small accessories or consumables—it’s a last-chance gentle upsell.

Both are easy to implement with most Shopify apps and can really increase revenue without touching the main checkout flow.

Tips That Actually Work

  1. Be Relevant: Show products that naturally complement the items in the cart.
  2. Keep It Subtle: Don’t distract from completing the purchase.
  3. Make Value Clear: Discounts and bundles should be obvious.
  4. Test Everything: Track clicks, conversions, and revenue. Small tweaks can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts

Adding recommended products or discount bundles at checkout isn’t just a clever hack—it’s a way to enhance the shopping experience and increase sales at the moment customers are most ready to buy.Whether you’re on Shopify Plus or using cart/post-purchase alternatives, the key is relevance, timing, and clarity. Do it right, and your customers will thank you—sometimes with bigger carts and repeat purchases.