Author: Sajini Annie John

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How Anua Unlocked 5X AOV Growth with iCart’s Smart Cart Features

delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business delivery customization Challenges Solutions drive results Scale business Anua is a globally recognized Korean skincare brand known for its minimalist philosophy and focus on gentle yet effective formulations. Built on the idea of simplifying skincare routines, Anua develops products that deliver visible results while avoiding harsh or irritating components, making them suitable for sensitive skin types. Initially using a traditional full cart experience, Anua transitioned to iCart’s side cart solution in August 2025, to create a more seamless and engaging shopping journey. This shift allowed customers to easily explore complementary skincare products without disrupting their browsing flow, making it more intuitive to discover items that fit into a complete routine. By surfacing relevant recommendations directly within the cart, the brand enhanced product visibility across its range. Challenges Before implementing iCart’s side cart solution, Anua faced limitations with their existing full cart experience, which created friction in the customer journey. The traditional cart setup redirected users away from product pages, interrupting their browsing flow and reducing opportunities to explore additional products. As a skincare brand built around routines rather than single-item purchases, this made it difficult to effectively showcase complementary products and encourage customers to build complete regimens. Additionally, the lack of in-cart personalization and strategic upsell opportunities meant that customers were often unaware of related products that could enhance their skincare results. This limited the brand’s ability to increase average order value (AOV) and fully leverage its diverse product range. Anua needed a more dynamic and intuitive cart experience that could seamlessly introduce relevant recommendations while maintaining a smooth and engaging shopping journey. ❌ Cart Value Barriers Low average order value (AOV) due to single-item focus Most customers completed purchases with one primary product instead of building multi-step routines. Cart abandonment near shipping thresholds Customers were not clearly informed or motivated to reach free shipping or discount thresholds. Missed savings opportunities Customers were unaware of potential value in purchasing bundled routines or multiple complementary products. ❌ Absence of Progress-Based Incentives No free shipping or discount progress bar Customers were not motivated to increase their cart value due to lack of visible incentives. Missing tiered rewards system There were no structured milestones (e.g., “Spend more to unlock offers”), reducing upsell opportunities. ❌ Ineffective Cart UI/UX (Pre-Side Cart) Full-page cart disrupted shopping flowCustomers had to leave their browsing journey, increasing friction and drop-offs. No quick add/remove functionality Users couldn’t easily modify their cart or add suggested products without navigating away. Solution To overcome these challenges, Anua implemented iCart’s side cart solution to transform their traditional cart into a high-converting, interactive experience. By replacing the full-page cart with a seamless side cart, the brand ensured that customers could continue browsing while viewing their cart, significantly reducing friction in the shopping journey. Additionally, features like product recommendations & progress bars for free shipping and discounts motivated customers to increase their cart value. By combining personalization, incentive-driven messaging, and a user-friendly interface, Anua successfully turned their cart into a powerful revenue-driving touchpoint rather than just a checkout step. To maximize their cart effectiveness, they implemented two powerful features: ✅ Progress Bar with Multi-Reward Incentives Implemented a tiered progress bar to encourage higher cart value Customers are guided with a clear message like “Add $3.10 to unlock secret offer,” motivating them to continue adding products. Generated over $5M+ in revenue through incentive-driven cart progression Used product-based rewards to align with customer intent Instead of generic discounts, Anua incentivized purchases with relevant skincare items like Dark Spot Pads and mini serums. Built visual motivation for routine expansion As customers add products, they can clearly track progress toward unlocking multiple rewards, encouraging them to build a complete skincare routine. ✅ Product Recommendations Implemented “Frequently Bought Together” recommendations Customers adding a single product (e.g., toner) are shown complementary items like serums, moisturizers, or pads to complete their routine. Generated over 275K revenue through in-cart recommendations Encouraged full skincare regimen building Instead of isolated purchases, the cart suggests step-by-step product combinations aligned with common skincare routines. Increased product discovery at the final stage By surfacing relevant items directly in the cart, Anua ensured customers explore more of their catalog without leaving the checkout flow. Results Achieved in Last 180 Days 22932 Total Store Orders 45101 Total iCart Orders 5X iCart Generated AOV 65.70% Upsell Affected Conversion Rate These improvements reflect a clear shift in customer behavior on Anua’s store. Cart abandonment reduced as shoppers discovered complementary skincare products and felt encouraged to build complete routines. Engagement also increased, with customers interacting more with in-cart recommendations and exploring relevant product pairings. Results & Impact And...Results is Our Main Clarification By implementing iCart’s cart drawer, product recommendations, and progress bar, Anua transformed its cart into a high-performing conversion touchpoint. Shopping Experience Enhancement The improved cart experience encouraged customers to discover complementary products and understand the value of sustainable beauty routines. For instance, the clear presentation of subscription savings alongside one-time purchase options helped customers make more informed decisions about their long-term hair care needs. As Anua continues to optimize its cart experience, the brand is closely monitoring: Routine-based purchasing behavior - tracking how customers move from single items to multi-step regimens Engagement with in-cart recommendations - measuring interaction with suggested products Cart value progression - analyzing how incentives influence higher spending [related_cases_slider] Ready to Write Your Success Story? Try icart App Join successful businesses like Anua and Master your delivery scheduling Delight customers with precise timing Grow your special occasion orders Expand your delivery reach

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2 Min • 7 April 2026

How to Set Up Shopify Post Purchase Upsell (No Coding Needed)

Setting up a Shopify post purchase upsell involves installing a dedicated upsell app, enabling it within your checkout settings, and creating a funnel that presents a targeted, one-click offer immediately after payment but before the thank-you page. This approach allows customers to add additional products to their order without re-entering payment details, making the process seamless and highly effective for increasing average order value. In this guide, you’ll learn how to set up Shopify post-purchase upsells without any coding, along with shopify post purchase upsell strategies to maximize conversions and boost your store’s revenue. What is a Shopify post purchase upsell? A Shopify post purchase upsell is an offer shown to your customer after they've completed checkout but before they leave your store. It's a one-click offer that says: "Hey, would you also like this?" Because payment details are already captured, customers can accept the offer with a single tap. No re-entering card numbers. No second checkout. Just one click and the item is added to their order. Steps to add a Post Purchase Upsell on Shopify Here, we will see the steps to setup post purchase upsells using SellMore app. The first step you need to do is create a new template. Now create a new funnel, add the conditions as per your choice and select the post purchase template that you have created. After making the changes, click on the save button.

6 Min • 31 March 2026

How to Set Up a Coming Soon Shopify Page Before Your Store Launch

Here's the situation most new Shopify merchants find themselves in: Your store isn't live yet. And you already have people friends, followers, potential buyers who want to know when they can shop from you. What do they see when they visit your store URL right now? If it's a blank screen, a Shopify "store not ready" page, or worse a password-protected default page with zero context you're already losing potential customers before your store has earned a single dollar. A coming soon Shopify page changes that completely. It tells visitors: We're real. We're coming. Don't miss it. This guide is written for merchants who want to do it right from day one. What Is a Coming Soon Shopify Page? A coming soon Shopify page (also called a pre-launch page or under construction page) is a temporary front-facing page that visitors see before your store is officially open. Instead of letting people hit a dead end, you give them something to engage with. At minimum, a good Shopify coming soon page includes: A clear message that the store is launching soon A countdown timer or expected launch date An email capture form to collect leads Your brand name, logo, and a strong tagline Social media links or a way to follow your journey At its best, a coming soon page is your first marketing asset, something that builds excitement, collects pre-launch emails, and makes your actual launch day significantly more profitable. Why a Coming Soon Page Matters 1. It Captures Pre-Launch Email Subscribers Email marketing consistently delivers the highest ROI of any digital channel some studies cite $36 for every $1 spent. A coming soon page with an email opt-in form lets you build that list before launch. When you go live, you're not starting from zero you're sending launch-day emails to people who already raised their hand. 2. It Signals Legitimacy Customers are skeptical of new online stores. A professional, branded coming soon page immediately tells visitors: this isn't a fly-by-night operation. You've invested in a domain, you have branding, and you have a real launch planned. That trust signal matters. 3. It Gives You Something to Promote Running pre-launch ads? Posting on Instagram? Emailing your personal network? You need somewhere to send people. A coming soon page gives you a real destination, something worth clicking and something worth sharing. 4. It Protects Your Brand During Development While you're still building out product pages and policies, your coming soon page keeps random visitors from seeing an incomplete store. No more awkward "dummy product" pages or placeholder text accidentally going public. How to Set Up a Coming Soon Shopify Page: Step-by-Step 1. Go to the Shopify App Store and search "coming soon page" 2. Install your preferred app and grant necessary permissions. Here we will show about LaunchX app. 3. After installing the app, complete the onboarding steps. 4. Go to the app settings and enable the app. 5. You will get a set of pre-built templates. You can go with it and customize the template. 6. Editor will open up with preview of the template and interface to edit the template. You can customize the template based on your needs. 7. Preview on both desktop and mobile before publishing. And save the changes. 8. You can also make the coming soon page password protected from the general settings. Enable the password protection and add your required options in it using the fields given as shown below: Common Mistakes Merchants Make With Coming Soon Pages 1. Launching without any email capture The entire point of a pre-launch page is to build a list. If you don't have a form, you have a dead end. 2. No early-bird incentive Asking someone to give you their email "just because" is a hard sell. Give them a concrete reason: early access, a discount, free shipping, or exclusive bonuses. 3. Forgetting mobile Preview your coming soon page on your phone before going live. If the form is broken, the text is cut off, or the countdown is invisible; fix it. 4. Being too vague about what you sell "Something amazing is coming" tells visitors nothing. Be specific about your product category and your unique angle. 5. Not promoting the page A coming soon page sitting unpromoted on the internet collects zero leads. Share it on your personal social channels, run a small ad campaign, post in relevant communities drive traffic to it. 6. Not having a launch date A countdown timer with a real date creates urgency. "Launching soon" creates nothing. Pick a date and commit to it. Final Thoughts Here's the uncomfortable truth: you'll never feel completely ready to launch. There will always be one more product to add, one more page to polish, one more thing to figure out. That's exactly why your coming soon Shopify page should go live the moment you have a domain and a clear value proposition even if your store is weeks away from opening. Start with a coming soon page. Build your list and make your launch matter. Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can I have a coming soon page on Shopify without disabling my whole store? Yes. Shopify's password protection feature keeps your store private while your coming soon page (or the built-in password page) is visible to the public. If you use an app or a custom page, you can route all public traffic to the coming soon page while your full store remains password-protected and accessible only to you. 2. How long should I keep my coming soon page up? There's no universal rule, but 2–6 weeks is a common pre-launch window. Long enough to build a meaningful email list and generate buzz, short enough that you don't lose momentum or overpromise a launch date you can't keep. 3. Will my coming soon page hurt my SEO? A well-set-up coming soon page won't significantly hurt your SEO, especially since you're in a pre-launch state with little to no existing rankings. That said, use proper meta titles and descriptions on the page. Don't let it stay live long after launch, and use a 302 (temporary) redirect if needed so Google knows the page will change.

5 Min • 31 March 2026

Shopify Recommended Products: Manual vs Automatic – Which Works Better?

Every product page on your Shopify store is a selling opportunity and what you place in the "Recommended Products" section can make or break that moment. Done right, product recommendations keep shoppers engaged, increase average order value, and turn browsers into buyers. Done wrong, they feel random, irrelevant, and send customers straight to the exit. Shopify gives store owners two ways to handle this: let the algorithm decide automatically, or take full control with manual curation. Both approaches have their place but knowing which one to use, and when, is what separates stores that consistently upsell from those that leave revenue on the table. In this guide, we break down exactly how manual and automatic recommended products work on Shopify, the real-world pros and cons of each, and how to choose the right strategy for your store's goals. What Are Shopify Recommended Products? Picture this: A shopper lands on your product page looking for a pair of running shoes. They're ready to buy but you only show them that one pair. No related items, no complementary accessories, no "others also loved" suggestions. They buy (if you're lucky), and then they leave. Now imagine showing them matching running socks, an insole upgrade, or the trail version of the same shoe. Suddenly, a $79 order becomes a $140 order. That's exactly what Shopify recommended products do, they surface the right products to the right shopper at the right moment. In simple terms, Shopify recommended products are product suggestions displayed on your store typically on product pages, the cart page, or checkout designed to encourage shoppers to discover more of what you sell. Why Shopify Product Recommendations Actually Matter Most Shopify merchants obsess over traffic, more clicks, more ads, better SEO. And that's valid. But there's a more immediate revenue lever sitting right inside your store that most merchants completely underestimate. Beyond revenue, smart recommendations also: Reduce bounce rates by keeping shoppers engaged on your site Improve product discovery for items buried deep in your catalog Build a personalized shopping experience that earns loyalty Lower the cost-per-conversion from your paid traffic Manual Recommendations Manual product recommendations are exactly what they sound like: you decide which products get suggested alongside which other products. In Shopify's native editor, this means going into each product and handpicking what appears in the "Related Products" section. How Manual Recommendations Work in Shopify Go to your Shopify Admin > Products Open any product you want to configure. Scroll to the bottom of the product page to find the "Product recommendations" or "Related products" section (availability depends on your theme). Manually select related products Use Shopify's native search to pick and pin specific products. In some themes you may need to edit the theme's code or use metafields to hard-code product associations. Repeat for every product Review and update periodically Seasons change, products go out of stock, new arrivals come in. Manual setups need ongoing human maintenance to stay relevant. Automatic Recommendations Automatic Shopify product recommendations use algorithms and increasingly, AI to analyze shopper behavior and surface products that are most likely to convert. Shopify's native recommendation engine uses the "Recommendation Intent API," which pulls from purchase data, browsing patterns, and product metadata to generate suggestions automatically. Many Shopify product recommendation apps go even further, using machine learning to personalize suggestions for each individual shopper in real time. How Automatic Recommendations Work Shopify's built-in algorithm considers several signals to decide what to recommend: Purchase history: Products frequently bought together. Browsing behavior: Items often viewed in the same session. Product metadata: Shared tags, collections, and product type. Inventory availability: Only in-stock items (in most cases). Global trends: What's converting across similar stores (in some third-party apps). Manual vs. Automatic: Side-by-Side Comparison Here's everything in one place so you can make an informed decision for your specific store: FactorManualAutomaticSetup timeHigh - requires per-product configurationLow - works out of the boxCatalog size suitabilityBest for small catalogs (under 50 SKUs)Best for medium to large catalogsData requirementNone - works on Day 1Needs traffic/purchase history to be accuratePersonalization✗ Same for every shopper✓ Can be individualized per visitorMargin control✓ Full control over what you promote✗ Algorithm prioritizes conversions, not marginsSeasonal merchandisingScalability✓ Easy to adjust strategically✗ Very hard to scale with large catalogs~ Possible with advanced apps, not natively✓ Scales effortlesslyBrand control✓ Full editorial control~ Dependent on app/filter rules Tips to Maximize Revenue from Shopify Product Recommendations 1. Recommend the Right Things Showing 8 recommendations on a product page feels like noise, not help. Stick to 4-6 highly relevant suggestions. Fewer, stronger recommendations outperform long generic lists every time. 2. Placement Matters The cart page is one of the highest-converting spots for recommendations because the shopper is already in buying mode. Product page recommendations work best below the fold, if they're competing with your main CTA above the fold, they're hurting your primary conversion. If you want to show recommendations on cart page, you can make use of Shopify apps like iCart. 3. Use Social Proof in Your Recommendation Widgets Adding star ratings, review counts, or "Bestseller" badges to your recommended products dramatically increases click-through rates. A product sitting at ★4.8 with 340 reviews sells itself even in a recommendation widget. Most good Shopify product recommendation apps support this natively. Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the difference between manual and automatic product recommendations? Manual recommendations are curated by store owners, while automatic recommendations are generated by algorithms using customer data, purchase history, and behavior patterns. 2. Do automatic recommendations increase sales more than manual ones? In many cases, automatic recommendations perform better because they adapt to user behavior in real time. However, manual recommendations can outperform them in targeted campaigns or curated collections. 3. Are Shopify’s built-in recommendations enough? Shopify provides basic automatic recommendations, but advanced personalization often requires third-party apps for better targeting, analytics, and customization.