Most eCommerce brands try to grow by doing more.
More products.
More ads.
More traffic.
But what if the biggest revenue increase didn’t come from scaling…
…but from fixing one small part of your funnel?
There’s a simple change that can dramatically increase your average order value — often without touching your ads, your product, or your targeting.
And yet, most dropshipping stores either ignore it completely…
or implement it in a way that barely moves the needle.
The Real Problem: Most Funnels Don’t Maximise Each Customer
Here’s what typically happens in eCommerce:
A customer lands on your store.
They like the product.
They buy.
And that’s it.
One product. One transaction. One fixed value.
Then brands go back to trying to acquire the next customer —
spending more on ads, testing creatives, chasing better ROAS.
But very few stop and ask:
Are we actually maximising each customer before they leave?
Because the truth is…
Lots of people try to build funnels that convert —
but not to expand the value of each conversion.
The Missed Opportunity (Where Most Revenue Is Lost)
The moment a customer decides to buy is the most valuable moment in your entire funnel.
That’s when:
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Trust is highest
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Friction is lowest
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Intent is strongest
And yet…
Most stores do nothing with it.
They let customers check out with:
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One product
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No enhancements
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No additions
And move on.
Which means they’re leaving a huge amount of potential revenue on the table every single day.
What High-Performing Dropshippers Do Differently
The stores that scale profitably don’t just focus on getting the sale.
They focus on maximising the moment of purchase.
They understand that:
A customer who is ready to buy…
is also open to buying more — if it makes sense.
Not through aggressive selling.
Not through complicated funnels.
But through simple, well-placed offers that feel natural.
The Answer: Order Bumps
Order bumps are one of the simplest — and most effective — ways to increase AOV.
They are small, complementary offers shown directly on the checkout page, allowing customers to add them to their order with a single click.
In the example below, notice how order bumps are used to seamlessly introduce complementary products that go hand-in-hand with the main item - along with upgraded shipping options.
Instead of forcing extra offers, you’re simply enhancing the purchase, which makes customers far more likely to say yes.
No extra steps.
No redirection.
No disruption.
Just a simple addition at the perfect moment.
Why Order Bumps Work So Well
By the time a customer reaches checkout, the hardest part is already done.
They’ve decided to buy.
So instead of asking them to reconsider their purchase, you’re simply offering something that enhances it.
Not:
“Do you want something else?”
But:
“Do you also want this?”
That’s why order bumps feel natural — and convert so well.
How Many Order Bumps Should You Use?
The sweet spot:
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1–2 order bumps → clean and high-converting
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Up to 3 → works if highly relevant
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More than 3 → usually hurts conversions
At this stage, simplicity wins.
What Makes a High-Converting Order Bump
The difference between a bump that converts… and one that gets ignored:
Relevance
It must directly relate to the main product.
Clarity
The value should be obvious in seconds.
Low friction
Easy “yes” decision (usually lower price point).
Immediate usefulness
It enhances the main purchase right away.
Where Order Bumps End — Upsells Begin
Order bumps are powerful because they capture quick, low-friction wins at checkout.
But they’re just the first layer.
Once the initial purchase is completed, you unlock another opportunity:
Upsell steps.
This is where you can increase order value even further — without interrupting the original buying decision.
What Are Upsell Pages?
Upsell pages (also known as OTOs — one-time offers) are shown immediately after checkout.
They allow customers to add additional products to their order with a single click, without needing to re-enter payment details.
At this stage, the customer has already committed.
Which means:
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Trust is established
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Resistance is lower
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And they’re far more open to upgrading or adding more
Why Upsells Work So Well
If order bumps are about small additions, upsells are about value expansion.
Instead of adding a £5–£15 item…
You can introduce:
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Bundles
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Premium versions
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Complementary products
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Subscriptions
This is where AOV can increase significantly — sometimes more than the initial product itself.
How Many Upsells Should You Use?
There’s a balance here.
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1–2 upsells → optimal for most stores
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3 upsells → works if the flow is strong
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More than 3 → can create fatigue and drop-off
The key isn’t to stack offers.
It’s to create a logical progression.
The Real AOV System
The highest-performing dropshipping funnels don’t rely on just one tactic.
They combine:
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Order bumps → quick, easy wins at checkout
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Upsells → larger value increases post-purchase
Together, they create a system where:
Every step increases order value — naturally.
Most stores try to grow by getting more customers.
But the fastest way to grow is often simpler:
Make more from each customer you already have.
Order bumps start that process.
Upsells scale it.
When both are implemented properly, your funnel stops being just a checkout…
and becomes a revenue engine.
Ready to put this into action?
We’ve put together a fully optimised dropshipping funnel template with both order bumps and upsells already built in, so you can get started immediately.
Use it as-is, customise it to your product, and start increasing your AOV from day one.