Introduction
In today’s competitive digital marketplace, every eCommerce business aims to increase revenue while improving customer satisfaction. Odoo 18, a powerful Business Management Software, introduces intuitive tools within its Website and eCommerce modules to help businesses achieve these goals through effective cross-selling and upselling techniques. By strategically recommending complementary, alternative, or premium products, companies can enhance the shopping experience, raise average order value, and cultivate long-term customer loyalty.
This blog explores how to set up and use cross-selling and upselling in Odoo 18 to drive conversions and optimize your online store’s performance.
Understanding Cross-Selling and Upselling
Before implementing these techniques in Odoo 18, it’s essential to understand the difference between cross-selling and upselling:
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Cross-Selling: Recommending related or complementary products that enhance the main item being purchased. For example, suggesting a wireless mouse or laptop bag when a customer buys a laptop.
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Upselling: Encouraging customers to purchase a higher-end or upgraded version of the product they’re viewing, such as offering a laptop with more storage or better performance.
Both methods aim to increase the average order value (AOV) while providing customers with relevant options that meet their needs.
Configuring Cross-Selling and Upselling in Odoo 18
Odoo 18’s Website module seamlessly integrates cross-selling and upselling features directly into the Product Configuration interface. Businesses can define Optional Products, Accessory Products, and Alternative Products within the product form to automate these recommendations on the online store.
To begin:
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Navigate to the Sales tab in your product form.
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Add and configure your desired optional, accessory, or alternative products.
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Ensure your products are published on the website to make recommendations visible to customers.
Let’s explore how each of these options works in detail.
1. Optional Products – Personalization through Choice
Optional products allow customers to tailor their purchases according to their preferences. These products are typically configurable — offering variations such as size, color, or material — enabling buyers to personalize their shopping experience.
In Odoo 18, businesses can:
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Define optional products within the product form under the Sales tab.
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Use the eCommerce configurator to display options dynamically on the product page.
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Let customers add these optional items directly to their cart without navigating away.
For example, if a customer is buying a laptop, Odoo can suggest extended warranties, software licenses, or extra accessories as optional products. This approach empowers buyers with customization options, increasing satisfaction and engagement.
By leveraging purchase history and browsing behavior, you can present highly relevant optional product recommendations, increasing the likelihood of upsells.
2. Accessory Products – Enhancing Functionality and Value
Accessory products are add-ons or complementary items that enhance the main product’s usability, performance, or appeal. These products are perfect for cross-selling, allowing businesses to package related items together.
In Odoo 18:
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Accessory products are added in the product form under the Sales tab.
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When a customer views or adds the main product to their cart, Odoo automatically displays related accessories.
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Businesses can also create bundles and promotional offers by pairing accessories with core products.
For instance, a customer purchasing a smartphone could be shown accessories such as a phone case, charger, or wireless earbuds. This strategy not only increases order value but also improves the user experience by providing everything the customer might need in one place.
At checkout, Odoo’s automated recommendation system presents these accessory items, prompting buyers to complete their order with add-ons — boosting sales while enhancing convenience.
3. Alternative Products – Offering Smart Substitutions
Alternative products serve as replacements or comparable options to the item a customer is considering. They are useful when a product is out of stock or when you want to highlight premium alternatives.
In Odoo 18, you can:
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Define alternative products under the Sales tab in the product configuration.
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Display alternatives on the product page or in cart view.
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Help customers evaluate multiple choices before finalizing their purchase.
For example, if a customer is viewing a basic laptop model, Odoo can automatically suggest a similar model with a faster processor or higher storage capacity.
By offering alternatives, you guide customers toward products that better meet their requirements — increasing the potential for upselling to higher-margin products while ensuring they don’t leave the site empty-handed.
Optimizing the Shopping Experience
Odoo 18 ensures that cross-selling and upselling aren’t intrusive but rather intuitive and value-driven. Recommendations appear naturally within the shopping flow — from product pages to the checkout process — allowing customers to discover new options without distraction.
Some best practices include:
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Using clear product images and concise descriptions for suggested items.
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Highlighting discounts or bundle savings to encourage additional purchases.
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Leveraging Odoo’s analytics to monitor which recommendations perform best.
This data-driven approach allows you to refine your strategy over time, focusing on products and combinations that consistently drive conversions.
Using Dynamic Recommendations for Engagement
Odoo 18’s advanced eCommerce tools allow you to set up dynamic product recommendations based on user behavior. By analyzing purchase history, browsing data, and cart contents, Odoo automatically suggests items that are most relevant to each customer.
This personalized experience enhances engagement and builds trust — key elements in converting one-time shoppers into repeat customers.
Moreover, Odoo’s integration across modules ensures that data from sales, CRM, and inventory updates in real-time. This prevents stock mismatches and ensures customers always see accurate, available products.
Boosting Revenue with Bundled Promotions
Combining cross-selling and upselling strategies with promotional bundles can significantly increase sales.
Odoo 18 lets you create packages that include the main product plus related accessories at a discounted rate. This approach encourages customers to spend more while perceiving greater value.
For instance, offering a “Laptop Starter Kit” with a laptop, carrying case, and mouse at a special price can increase both conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
Benefits of Cross-Selling and Upselling in Odoo 18
Implementing these strategies within Odoo 18 offers several business advantages:
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Increased Average Order Value: Customers are encouraged to purchase complementary or upgraded products.
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Improved Customer Experience: Buyers enjoy a more personalized, interactive, and satisfying shopping journey.
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Efficient Inventory Management: Linked products ensure smooth coordination across sales and warehouse modules.
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Higher Conversion Rates: Well-placed recommendations reduce cart abandonment and increase completed purchases.
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Data-Driven Insights: Businesses can track which recommendations generate the most sales and adjust strategies accordingly.
Conclusion
Odoo 18 empowers businesses to take full advantage of cross-selling and upselling strategies with minimal effort and maximum impact. By configuring optional, accessory, and alternative products, companies can transform their eCommerce websites into intelligent sales engines that respond dynamically to customer behavior.
Whether you manage a small online shop or a large enterprise, leveraging Odoo 18’s Website and eCommerce modules enables you to increase revenue, strengthen customer relationships, and deliver a shopping experience that stands out in today’s digital economy.
With its seamless integration and user-friendly interface, Odoo continues to prove why it’s one of the most powerful Business Management Software solutions available for modern online businesses.