How to Add Order Bumps and Upsells to Your Course or Membership Funnel

When it comes to optimizing your sales process for your online course or membership, two powerful strategies can significantly boost your revenue without a lot of extra effort: order bumps and upsells. However, these terms are often confused or misused. Let’s bring some clarity to what they are, how they work, and how you can implement them effectively in your business.

What Is an Order Bump?

An order bump is a small, relevant offer presented to customers during the checkout process. It’s something they can easily add to their purchase with a single click —no additional decision-making stress required. Think of it like grabbing a candy bar or bottle of water while standing in the checkout line at the grocery store: it's a quick, low-cost addition.

To be most effective, an order bump should meet two important criteria:

• Low price point: It should be inexpensive enough that it’s a no-brainer.

• High relevance: It must directly complement the main product the customer is purchasing.

For example, if someone is enrolling in a course about launching a membership site, the order bump might be a workbook or spreadsheet bundle that helps them plan their launch. It’s connected, valuable, and easy to say yes.

One major mistake to avoid: offering an item that’s unrelated or too expensive. If your order bump feels confusing or causes your customer to stop and reconsider, you risk them abandoning the entire purchase altogether.

What Is an Upsell?

Unlike an order bump, an upsell is a higher-priced offer that typically requires more consideration. It’s not something you want to present during checkout because it could interrupt the buying momentum. Instead, upsells are better positioned after the customer has already experienced some value from your original offer.

For instance, once a customer has completed part of your course or spent some time inside your membership community, you might present them with the opportunity to book a private coaching session or purchase a more advanced program. At that point, they’ve had the chance to know, like, and trust you — making them more likely to invest in a higher-ticket offer.

PRO TIP: Positioning upsells inside your program — such as in the dashboard or community space — makes them feel like a natural next step rather than a hard sell.

Should You Add Order Bumps or Upsells Right Now?

If you’re excited about adding these elements, it's important to first make sure your original offer is already selling. Focus on testing and optimizing your main offer before worrying about order bumps and upsells. Otherwise, you risk wasting time building out extras for a product that hasn’t yet proven itself.

Once you have customers buying your main offer, listen to their feedback. They may even give you amazing ideas for small add-ons or next steps that naturally lend themselves to an order bump or upsell.

And when you do introduce an order bump, keep it simple. One clear, relevant offer is better than bombarding customers with multiple options. In fact, too many offers can confuse buyers and hurt your sales — complexity kills clarity.

A good rule to remember: simplicity creates clarity. A single, well-placed order bump offers a seamless experience for your customer and increases your income without overwhelming anyone — including you.

Key Takeaways

• Order bumps are low-cost, highly relevant offers shown during checkout to boost revenue without disrupting the buying process.

• Upsells are higher-cost offers introduced after your customer has had a chance to experience your product and see the value you provide.

• Focus on your core offer first before building out extra offers.

• Keep it simple: One strategic offer beats a maze of confusing options every time.

Done right, order bumps and upsells are an easy and powerful way to grow your business while keeping the customer experience smooth and positive.