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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.

8 Min • 6 April 2026

How to Automate Shopify Post-purchase Email? [Examples + Tips to Convert]

To automate a Shopify post purchase email with Shopify Messaging, install the app, open Shopify Messaging, then head to Automations, and after that select templates for Post Purchase. From there, edit the email copy, timing, and trigger so it matches what should happen after checkout. I’ve seen a lot of Shopify stores put all their focus on getting the first sale. They work on ads and storefronts, but the moment the order comes in, the communication stops. Right after checkout, customers want reassurance. They want to know their order is confirmed, when it will arrive, and what happens next. A strong Shopify post purchase email flow handles this perfectly. A Shopify post purchase email is any email a customer gets after they complete checkout. In this blog, I’ll break down the types of post-purchase emails, how to set them up with automation, the best examples, and the conversion tips I use to make them work. Types of Shopify post purchase email + Examples A strong Shopify post purchase email flow does more than confirm the order. I use it to answer customer questions, build trust, and create the next buying opportunity. I sent each email with a goal in mind. Order confirmation email This is the first email customers expect after they buy. It should go out immediately because shoppers want instant proof that their order went through. I keep this email clear and short. It should include the order summary, payment details, shipping information, and a support contact in case the customer needs help. Here’s an example: Subject: Your order is confirmed Hi [First Name], thanks for your order. We’ve received your payment, and your order is now being processed. You can review your order details below, and if you need help, just reply to this email. Shopify thank you email The thank you email is where I make the customer feel good about buying. A warm thank you email can reinforce the buying decision, show brand personality, and make the experience feel more human. Here’s an example: Subject: Thanks for shopping with us Hi [First Name], thank you for your order. We’re glad you chose us, and we’re excited to get this to you. We’ll keep you updated along the way. Shipping and delivery update emails I send these emails to keep customers in the loop after the order is placed. I group both shipping and delivery confirmation together because both serve one clear purpose: reducing uncertainty. For example: Subject: Your order is on the way Hi [First Name], good news, your order has shipped. You can track it here: [Tracking Link]. We’ll send one more update when it gets delivered. How-to emails I write product education emails mainly for cosmetics stores because styling tips, care instructions, or a little guidance are required for this. Here’s an example I use: Subject: Quick tips before you use your product Hi [First Name], your order should be with you soon, so here are a few quick tips to help you get the best results. [Tip 1], [Tip 2], and [Tip 3]. A little guidance now can make the experience much better. Cross-sell or upsell emails This is the revenue-focused email in the post-purchase flow. I send it after the customer has had a little time with the original purchase. Product recommendations work better because they connect to what the customer already bought. A matching item, refill, add-on, or upgrade feels more useful. Subject: Complete your purchase with these picks Hi [First Name], based on what you bought, we picked a few products that go well with it. These are relevant add-ons that can help you get more value from your order. See the picks here: [Product Link]. Want to turn post-purchase Flow into extra revenue? If you want to go beyond basic follow-up emails, SellMore Post Purchase Upsell is a smart option to add at this stage. It helps you show one-click upsell offers on the post-purchase page and thank you page, so you can increase AOV after checkout. It also comes with AI-powered upsells, bundles, and analytics, which makes it a practical pick for stores that want to automate post-purchase sales more effectively. How to automate Shopify post purchase emails? Setting up post-purchase emails is not technical at all. I always tell store owners to keep it simple at the start. Build the flow, choose the tool, then automate each step based on what the customer does after checkout. Start with your post-purchase flow map Before I touch any app or automation setting, I map the flow. This makes the whole setup easier because I know what, when, and why an email is sent. Here’s a simple post purchase email flow that I follow Order confirmation: immediately Thank-you email: same day or next day Product education email: day 1 to 3 Review request: after delivery and enough time to use the product Cross-sell or upsell email: based on the product cycle Loyalty rewards email: later, if there is no repeat purchase This flow can be different based on your brand. Choose your automation tool Once the flow is clear, I pick the tool. You can use built-in Shopify tools like Shopify Messaging or Shopify Flow. This is a good starting point if you want something easy to manage and quick to launch. You can also use third-party apps as well. I use Omnisend for this. They have 500 emails/month for free in their starting plan, so it's a good start for new stores. I use Shopify Messaging to automate. I start with Messaging > Automations and start with a post purchase template. Pick the right triggers A trigger is the action that starts an email. I keep this simple because merchants mix up campaigns and triggers. A trigger is what tells the automation to send an email automatically based on customer behavior. This is what I use as a common post purchase trigger: Purchase completed First purchase Shipping and delivery notification Product delivered Product review request Product or category purchased I always choose triggers based on the purpose of the email. For example, if the email is meant to reassure, the trigger should happen right after purchase. Segment your customers Do not send every customer the same follow-up. That is one of the biggest mistakes I see with new stores. To solve this issue, I perform a basic level of segmentation to make your emails feel much more relevant. I usually start with simple groups like: First-time customers vs repeat customers Product category purchased High-order-value customers Subscription customers vs one-time buyers Customers who bought consumables vs non-consumables Add personalization No matter how much AI gets into my workflow, adding personalization strategies helps in conversion. Basically, add these details to the emails. The product the customer bought Shipping details A personal note for first-time buyers Usage tips based on the product type Recommendations linked to the original order Test, launch, and track performance Once the flow is ready, I launch it and watch the numbers. I focus on metrics like: Click rate Repeat purchase rate Review rate Support tickets Revenue from follow-up emails Best practices to convert Shopify post purchase emails Keep one clear CTA per email: A single next step, like tracking the order, leaving a review, or shopping for matching products, keeps the email focused on one goal. Work on your timing: Shopify post purchase emails work best when the timing fits the moment, for example, if an order is confirmed, send the order confirmation email instantly. Personalize the emails: Short sentences, clear subject lines, and natural copy make the email feel more personal and less like automation. Optimize for mobile: This is something I missed as well. Short subject lines, clean formatting, and easy-to-tap buttons help more people read and act on the email from their phone. So what have we learned… Shopify post purchase emails should be a part of the sales system from day one. I’ve seen new Shopify stores put all their effort into getting the first order, then miss the chance to build trust and bring that customer back. A simple post-purchase flow fixes that by keeping communication clear, timely, and useful after checkout. FAQs 1. Can you send emails through Shopify? Yes. You can send and even automate emails with the Shopify Messaging app. 2. How to customize order confirmation email in Shopify? Go to Shopify admin → Settings → Notifications → Customer notifications → Order confirmation> Edit code. From here, you can edit your order confirmation email. 3. How to reduce post purchase support tickets on Shopify? The fastest way is to make your post-purchase emails answer the questions customers ask most: order confirmation, shipping updates, tracking, delivery status, and easy access to support links or FAQs. 4. What type of post purchase emails can I send? You can send order confirmations, shipping and delivery emails, thank-you emails, upsell or cross-sell emails, and loyalty rewards emails.

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.