01
The two mechanics, defined
An order bump and a post purchase upsell raise average order value at different moments.
An order bump is a small optional add-on inside the checkout, usually a checkbox. The order bump raises average order value with a single tick before the purchase completes, so the order bump is the lowest-friction way to raise average order value.
A post purchase upsell is an offer after the purchase, on the thank-you page. Because the card is on file, the post purchase upsell can be a one click upsell, and the one click upsell raises average order value without re-entering payment. The one click upsell works because the friction is gone, so the post purchase upsell and one click upsell stack on the order bump to raise average order value.
02
Why the order bump and one click upsell work
**The decision is made.** After crossing from considering to buying, an order bump and post purchase upsell face little resistance, so the one click upsell raises average order value easily.
**The friction is paid.** An order bump costs a checkbox; a one click upsell costs a tap. Removing friction is most of the battle, so the order bump and post purchase upsell raise average order value.
**Relevance multiplies acceptance.** A relevant order bump feels like completion, so the post purchase upsell and one click upsell raise average order value and protect goodwill.
03
The arithmetic that makes the case
Run the numbers. Sell a $100 product to 100 customers, $10,000. Add an order bump: a $30 item at 25% is $750, a 7.5% average order value lift from a checkbox. Add a post purchase upsell: a $150 one click upsell at 10% is $1,500, a further 15% average order value lift. Together, $10,000 becomes $12,250, a 22.5% average order value increase from the order bump and one click upsell, with the same ad spend. The order bump and post purchase upsell raise average order value, and average order value is competitive room.
04
How to do it without breaking the checkout
The order bump and post purchase upsell must never threaten the primary sale.
**Keep the order bump frictionless and optional.** A single checkbox, never pre-ticked, so the order bump raises average order value without breaking trust.
**Never interrupt the purchase.** The order bump sits alongside checkout, so the one click upsell and post purchase upsell raise average order value without blocking the sale.
**Make the one click upsell genuinely optional.** The post purchase upsell and one click upsell must be easy to decline, or the average order value gain costs refunds.
**Offer relevance.** Every order bump and post purchase upsell should complement the purchase, so the one click upsell raises average order value.
**Don't overload.** One order bump and one post purchase upsell is the ceiling; stacking kills the average order value and the primary sale.
05
Choosing what to offer
- **The natural complement:** the first order bump candidate to raise average order value.
- **The upgrade:** a strong post purchase upsell and one click upsell to raise average order value.
- **The time-saver:** an order bump that removes work and raises average order value.
- **The logical next step:** a post purchase upsell offered while warm to raise average order value.
Test which order bump and post purchase upsell land, measuring one click upsell acceptance against primary conversion and average order value.
06
The takeaway
The order bump and post purchase upsell are the most efficient revenue in your business, because the order bump and one click upsell work on customers who already decided to buy. The arithmetic is compelling: an order bump and a one click upsell can lift average order value by a fifth or more with no extra ad spend. But the primary purchase is sacred, so keep the order bump optional, make the one click upsell easy to decline, offer only what completes the purchase, and never let the order bump or post purchase upsell threaten the average order value you already won.
07
What is the difference between an order bump and an upsell?
An order bump is a checkout checkbox before purchase; a post purchase upsell is an offer after, often a one click upsell. The order bump raises the initial average order value; the post purchase upsell adds a second purchase to average order value.
08
How much can an order bump and upsell increase revenue?
An order bump and post purchase upsell can lift average order value 20% or more with no extra ad spend, because the one click upsell raises average order value on customers already buying.
09
Does an order bump hurt checkout conversion?
Only if done badly. A single optional order bump raises average order value without friction; a pre-ticked or stacked order bump hurts the sale and the average order value.
10
What is a one click upsell?
A one click upsell is a post purchase upsell accepted with one click because the card is on file, so the one click upsell raises average order value without re-entering payment.
11
How many upsells should I offer?
One order bump and one post purchase upsell. Stacking order bumps and one click upsells frustrates buyers and depresses the average order value and the primary sale.