Straight to the point
When you manage an online clothing store, small tweaks and adjustments to your website can make a big difference. Any strategy that can reduce cart abandonments or increase conversions or order values is worth pursuing.
One such strategy that can easily increase average order values is implementing order bumps. Order bumps are relevant, low-cost items presented to shoppers at checkout. Because they’re the right items, presented at the right time, they can be very successful in increasing order value.
In this article, we’ll explain what order bumps are, why they work, and best practices to implement them in your store.
What is an order bump?
An order bump is a cross-selling technique in which you offer a lower-cost item directly on the checkout page. Shoppers can quickly add the extra item to their order with a single click right before completing payment.
Order bumps are an easy way to tap into impulse buying behavior to increase average order value.
The key with order bumps is offering items that are relevant to the purchase, while also being lower-cost add ons. Since shoppers are already committed to their purchase when they reach the checkout page, they’re already more receptive to additional suggestions. This makes the decision to add an additional, relevant, item to their cart a no brainer.
In practice, this might mean offering a pair of socks to a shopper purchasing a pair of shoes, or a belt to a shopper buying a pair of pants. They’re accessories that make sense for the order, and may be items shoppers are already looking for.
Why do order bumps work?
Because order bumps require very little effort on the part of the shopper, usually just checking a box or clicking a button, and they’re low-cost items, shoppers don’t need to think about it. With minimal friction involved, and because the add-on feels useful and inexpensive to the main order, it’s easy for shoppers to say yes on a whim.
There are different psychological triggers and cognitive biases at play that can also help explain why order bumps are so effective at increasing order value. For example, the anchoring effect leads many shoppers to rely on an initial piece of information when making a decision. In this case, the price of the first item makes the second, cheaper item seem especially affordable. The contrast effect works to the same end, making the second item feel even cheaper in contrast to the first.
Meanwhile, the commitment and consistency principle suggests that once a shopper commits to a main purchase, they’re more likely to agree to additional actions that align with that decision, like adding a related item.
What Order Bumps Can Do For Your Store
Order bumps are a simple yet powerful way to increase your store’s revenue without raising traffic or ad spend.
By offering a relevant, low-cost add-on at checkout, you can raise the average order value and maximize the return on each customer. When well-designed, order bumps enhance the buying experience by anticipating customer needs and offering convenience.
Over time, this tactic can significantly boost your profit margins while also reinforcing customer satisfaction and brand value.
How to Do Order Bumps Right
If you want to properly implement order bumps in your online clothing store, they need to be well thought out. Order bumps can’t harm the overall user experience. The most important things to take into consideration are product relevance and user experience (UX) design.
Recommend the Right Products
Order bumps only work when they feel natural to the shopper. That means suggesting products that clearly complement what’s already in their cart. If someone’s buying a jacket, offer a scarf or gloves, not a random t-shirt. Relevance is what makes the offer feel useful rather than pushy.
For fashion retail, it’s safer to stick to simple, high-utility add-ons like socks, undershirts, or neutral accessories. These work across styles and don’t require a deep understanding of individual taste. Having said that, you can also use personalization tools to make sure every order bump you offer makes sense to every shopper it’s presented to.
Just as important as relevance is price. The ideal order bump is a low-cost, low-effort decision. It’s something that adds clear value without creating hesitation. A $5 or $9 add-on feels easy to accept when a customer is already spending $100. But offer something too expensive or too unrelated, and the shopper might second-guess the entire checkout.
Aim for “no-brainer” products: items that are clearly useful, priced under 10% of the order total, and easy to add with one click. The bump should feel helpful and not salesy.
Related: Hyperpersonalization: Why Fashion E-Commerce Should Embrace It
Present Them Properly
To be successful, order bumps need to not only present relevant items, but also present them the right way, at the right time.
Timing is especially critical. The best time to present an order bump is just before a customer clicks “place order”. That’s when buying intent is highest, and the shopper is focused on completing the purchase. Show the offer too early, and it’s easy to ignore. Show it too late, and it turns into an afterthought.
Keep it simple. One bump is usually enough. If you crowd the screen with multiple suggestions, you risk decision fatigue, and worse, cart abandonment.
What you say matters too. Instead of bland prompts like “Add for $10,” highlight the benefit or value: “Add this for only $10 to complete your look” or “Add socks for $8, 20% off today!” These statements frame the offer as a smart move and make them feel less like a generic cross sell.
If the add-on unlocks free shipping or a bundle, say so. And if it’s a limited-time discount, don’t hide that urgency. Short, clear, benefit-driven messaging helps the bump feel like a helpful bonus, and not an interruption
When placed and worded well, an order bump fits naturally into the checkout flow. It gently nudges customers toward a higher-value cart without ever being too pushy.
Make Them Easy
This is where UX design makes all the difference. Order bumps need to be effortless, quick and easy. If a shopper has to pause, squint, or second-guess, you’ve already lost the moment.
A smooth UX means the offer is clear, visual, and instantly actionable. That starts with basics: show the product name, image, price, and any discount in a clean, digestible format. If it’s a scarf to go with a coat, show shoppers so they don’t have to imagine it. A crisp thumbnail and a line like “Add a matching scarf for $15” does the job perfectly.
Adding the item to a purchase should also be effortless. It shouldn’t take more than one click for a shopper to add an order bump to their cart. Whether it’s a checkbox or a labeled “Add to order” button, the action must be obvious and immediate. The shopper shouldn’t have to leave the checkout or fill out extra fields. Remember, the order bump should be a simple nudge.
When the offer is frictionless to accept, it enhances the overall checkout experience. And when the experience is easy, more shoppers say “yes” and add items to their cart.
Related: Providing the Best UX Possible in Your Online Fashion Store
FAQs About Order Bumps
What’s the difference between an order bump and an upsell?
An order bump is a small add-on offered at checkout, usually with one click. An upsell often promotes a more expensive alternative or bundle and usually appears after checkout or during product browsing.
How much should an order bump cost?
Ideally, it should be a low-cost item, typically under 10% of the main order value. The goal is to make it feel like a quick, easy addition.
When is the best time to show an order bump?
Right before the shopper places their order, when purchase intent is high and distractions are minimal.
What kinds of products work best?
Complementary, broadly useful items like socks, scarves, belts, or care products. Stick with essentials that match the style or function of what’s already in the cart.
Can too many order bumps hurt conversions?
Yes. Overloading the checkout with multiple offers can overwhelm shoppers and lead to drop-offs. Keep it simple: one well-timed, relevant bump is enough.
Optimizing Your Store With Order Bumps
Order bumps are one of the simplest, most effective tools available to boost revenue in your online clothing store. When they’re done right, they increase average order value without adding friction to the checkout process or relying on extra traffic. The key is presenting the right offer at the right time, and making it easy to accept.
If you’re looking for more tips to boost your store’s performance, make sure to check out our guide to optimizing your store’s checkout page.
