Master In-App Bundles & Upsells: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you run an eCommerce brand with a mobile app and you’re not using upsells or in-app product bundles, you’re quietly losing money every day.

Most brands focus on customer acquisition, and sure, it’s important. But what separates brands that grow sustainably from those that stay stuck is what they do after the first product lands in the cart. Here comes app-based cart optimization.

In 2025, mobile isn’t just one of your sales channels. For most DTC brands (For example, Lenskart, MamaEarth, Bewakoof), it is the most intimate one. The screen is smaller. The user is more focused. And every tap is a chance to either increase order value or end the session. That’s what makes in-app bundles and upsells so powerful. They don’t interrupt. They enhance.

The beauty of in-app product bundles and bundling inside an app is this: they can be contextual, fast, and invisible in the best way. You’re not shouting with banners, following the right mobile app upsell strategy. You’re suggesting with intent. You’re guiding the user to make a smarter purchase, not just a bigger one.

And unlike desktop eCommerce, where you need a landing page, email follow-up, and a funnel that might lose people in tabs, mobile gives you one uninterrupted path. A moment of attention. A single thumb movement that adds ₹300 to the cart. That’s real leverage. But the question arises: “How to bundle products in a mobile app?”

I’ve seen apps double their AOV from small shifts: moving the upsell above the fold, refining the language from “Add more” to “Complete your set,” or turning a set of related products into a bundle that feels like a hack, even if the discount is small. That’s how you increase AOV in mobile apps.

This in-app upsells guide isn’t about gimmicks. It’s about designing nudges that respect your users and reward your brand.

What’s the Difference Between Bundles and Upsells (And Why It Matters)

It’s easy to lump in-app product bundles and upsells into the same category. After all, both aim to increase AOV(Average Order Value) in mobile apps. But how they function — and more importantly, how they feel to your users — is where most app brands get it wrong.

Let’s start with upsells. These are nudges to get users to spend more on something related or better than what they’ve already shown interest in. Think of it like: “Upgrade to the full-size version,” or “Add a matching bottle for $9 more.” It’s a value shift, from one item to something better or more complete.

Then there are bundles. These are combinations, intentional groupings of products that work well together. Sometimes the price is lower than buying them separately, but the real hook is convenience and discovery. The customer doesn’t have to think: “What else do I need with this?” You’ve already figured it out for them.

Now here’s where it gets tricky, and where most no-code or plug-and-play mobile apps fall short. Brands often confuse bundling with simply listing a product as “frequently bought together.” That’s not a bundle. That’s noise.

A good bundle is curated and positioned. It’s not just 3 random things at a lower price, it’s a meaningful combination with a purpose: a skincare starter kit, a gym essentials pack, a “work from home” combo. When done right, in-app product bundles sell stories, not just savings.

Upsells, meanwhile, work best when they feel personal. Not “here’s more stuff,” but “this is the smarter choice based on what you’re buying.”

The distinction matters because mobile users scroll fast and think faster. If your mobile app upsell strategy feels like a detour or your bundle feels like a pile-on, it will get ignored. But if it feels intuitive, something they would’ve picked anyway. The app checkout upsell tactics will convert silently, but powerfully.

Where to Place Upsells & Bundles in Your App Flow

As per sources, the key to effective upselling and bundling isn’t just what you offer, it’s where you show it. In mobile apps, attention is limited. The offer has to show up when the shopper is most open to it.

The product detail page is a great place to introduce bundles. When someone’s already browsing a product, they’re in decision-making mode. Suggesting a bundle like “Get the full set for 20% off” feels like smart shopping, not extra spending. And it fits naturally into the scroll.

On the cart page, upsells are most effective. This is where you say, “Hey, you’re almost there. Want to round it out?” Things like “Add a matching item for $19” or “Upgrade to express shipping for $50” work well here. These are one-tap choices. No overthinking.

Checkout upsells can be powerful if done carefully. You don’t want to interrupt payment flow, but you can sneak in a subtle nudge: “Need a gift box?” or “Add-on protection for $99.” If it’s fast and optional, users won’t feel slowed down.

Post-purchase upsells are underused. After someone buys, they’re still engaged. This is the perfect time to say, “Want to add a refill while it ships?” or “Save 15% on your next item for the next 30 minutes.” It’s a win-win: you earn more, and the user stays active.

Placement isn’t guesswork. It’s timing, context, and respect for flow. A good offer in the wrong place is just noise. You need the right mobile app upsell strategy that works! We’ll discuss everything in detail through this in-app upsells guide.

Read More: How to Run In-App Campaigns for Flash Sales or BFCM

How to Build In-App Bundles & Upsells Without Code

Let’s get practical. You want to offer in-app product bundles and upsells inside your app, but you don’t have developers on standby. That’s where no-code app builders step in.

Most modern no-code platforms (like Twinr) let you build and manage upsells with simple drag-and-drop workflows. But knowing how to use them strategically is where most merchants fall short.

Start by defining your upsell rules. Do you want to upsell based on cart value? Specific products? Customer behavior? For example, if someone adds a hair serum, upsell a complementary heat protectant. No-code tools let you set this logic visually. You don’t need to write a single line of code.

Then, build your bundles. Keep it simple: two to three items max. Make the offer feel smart. Don’t say, “Buy more, save more.” Say, “Build your nighttime routine” or “Ready-to-go lunch kit.” Focus on value over volume. And make sure your bundles look great on mobile: clean thumbnails, short copy, one-tap add to cart.

What’s underrated? Real-time testing. No-code platforms let you test a bundle layout on your live app instantly, no app store resubmission needed. You can change pricing, text, or visuals on the fly, based on analytics.

If your users are skipping over your in-app product bundles, it’s not because they hate deals. It’s because your offer wasn’t timed, framed, or placed well. Good tools won’t fix bad thinking. But if your thinking is sharp? No-code will move fast enough to match your ambition.

What Makes an Upsell or Bundle High-Converting?

You can’t throw a discount on a random combo and expect results. The best-performing mobile app upsell strategy and bundles share a few characteristics that make them feel like value, not a sales push. Let’s break them down through this in-app upsells guide.

1. Relevance – If they don’t match the user’s current interest, the app’s checkout upsell tactics will be ignored. Context matters. Suggest a matching cleanser with a moisturizer, not gym shoes with skincare.
2. Timing – The right app-based cart optimization should show the offer when the user is mentally primed to act. Mid-browse? Suggest a bundle. About to check out? Slip in an add-on.
3. Visual Simplicity – Your offer has a split-second to register. Use clean thumbnails, bold pricing, and one clear CTA. No paragraphs. No clutter.
4. Perceived Value – A ₹50 discount won’t move the needle unless it feels like a good deal. Use framing: “Save ₹200 by bundling” works better than “Buy more, save more.”
5. Social Proof – If others bought the bundle or loved the add-on, show it. Star ratings or “Top Pick” tags increase conversions without adding noise. That’s how you increase AOV in mobile apps.

Most importantly? Don’t be clever. Be clear with the right mobile app upsell strategy. “Complete the look” works better than “Bundle & Save.” It speaks the customer’s language. This in-app upsells guide will give you plenty of such tricks. So, stay tuned till the end.

Real Examples of Effective In-App Upsells

These are real app checkout upsell tactics used by successful DTC mobile apps. They convert because they respect user behavior and enhance the buying experience. A perfect example of app-based cart optimization. The following examples will show you how to bundle products in a mobile app.

1. Skincare App – Routine Builder “Start your 3-step night ritual” offered users a cleanser, serum, and moisturizer bundle. Simple CTA, visual cards, and a small 15% discount. Result? 38% AOV lift.
2. Meal Kit Brand – Add-On Meals On the cart page, they offered “Add a quick lunch for ₹149” with tappable recipe thumbnails. No scroll. One click. 1 in 4 users added it.
3. Pet Supply Store – Subscription Upsell After checkout, they pitched “Subscribe for 10% off your next order.” Since users had already paid, the pressure was gone. Conversion rate? 17.4%.
4. Fashion App – Complete the Look On product pages, a smart AI-driven section suggested “Style it with” accessories. The upsell was subtle but relevant. Conversion from this module: 12%.

What works isn’t gimmicks. It’s psychology. Relevance, timing, and effortlessness. Hopefully, this in-app upsells guide has already given you some positive insights. Isn’t it? Keep reading for more such examples.

Measuring the Impact of Your Upsell Strategy

You don’t need a PhD in analytics to know if your mobile app upsell strategy is working. But you do need to look beyond just the conversion rate.

Start with AOV (Average Order Value). This is your north star. Track it before and after implementing in-app product bundles or upsells.

Also, monitor whether the app-based cart optimization is working fine:

• Attach rate – What percentage of users who saw the upsell actually added it?
• Click-through rate (CTR) – Are users engaging with the upsell widget at all?
• Cart abandonment – Did the offer add friction? If this rate increases, something’s off.

Many no-code platforms will give you this data inside their dashboard. If not, connect your app to a mobile analytics tool like Mixpanel or Firebase.

A tip: test one thing at a time. If you change copy, layout, and pricing all at once, you won’t know what moved the needle. Run clean A/B tests. Track time on the page. Watch heatmaps.

Numbers tell you what. Behavior tells you why. You’ll know what’s going right and what’s wrong, how to bundle products in a mobile app, and so on.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You just need to avoid the potholes by following this in-app upsells guide. Here’s what happens most often:

1. Generic Recommendations – “You might also like…” isn’t enough. Personalize through a better app-based cart optimization strategy, or don’t show it at all.
2. Too Many Offers – One strong upsell is better than four weak ones. Don’t make the cart feel like a sales pitch. Or else, the app’s checkout upsell tactics will fall apart.
3. Bad Timing – An upsell on the homepage? That’s an example of a premature mobile app upsell strategy. Let the user explore first.
4. Cluttered UI – If users have to scroll to see the upsell, it’s too late. Keep it above the fold.
5. No Mobile Testing – What looks good on desktop may break on mobile. Always preview in the app context.

These mistakes don’t just hurt conversions. They hurt trust. If your mobile app’s upsell strategy feels like a trap, it kills the brand vibe instantly.

Upsell and Bundle Automation: What You Can Set and Forget

Once you know what works and how to bundle products in a mobile app the right way, automation helps scale without lifting a finger. Here are a few strategies to set and forget:

1. Product-based triggers – If a user adds Product A, automatically show Upsell B. Use logic flows to customize per SKU.
2. Cart value logic – Offer a bundle when the cart crosses ₹1,500. “Unlock free shipping when you add X” is powerful and easy to automate.
3. Time-based offers – “Add this in the next 5 minutes to save 15%.” It’s scarcity without pressure. Most no-code tools support countdown modules in their in-app product bundles.
4. New user journeys – On their second or third app session, show a beginner’s bundle or kit. These journeys can be built once and reused endlessly.
5. Post-purchase drip – Set an automatic in-app campaign to show “Need a refill?” two weeks after delivery. It boosts retention and keeps CAC low.

Automation doesn’t mean laziness. It means freeing up your team to focus on better ideas, not clicking buttons. It makes your mobile app’s upsell strategy work better!

Final Thoughts: From Tactic to Strategy

Upsells and in-app product bundles aren’t just sales tactics. They’re how you show your customer you understand them. Done right, they create delight, not fatigue.

Think about what your user wants, not what you want to push. Make the experience feel smarter, smoother, and more curated. And when in doubt, ask: “Would I want to see this if I were them?”

The best in-app strategies are invisible. The customer doesn’t feel marketed to. They feel like they found the better deal, the smarter pick, the right kit, all on their own.

That’s how you win in mobile commerce. Not with louder popups. But with subtler, sharper thinking.

And that’s what this in-app upsells guide has been about.

You should no longer have doubts about how to bundle products in a mobile app. It’s time to test, iterate, and let your app quietly do the upselling for you.