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How GemUpsells works

Overview

To run an upsell funnel and display upsell widgets on a live store, merchants need to build a funnel in GemUpsells and publish it. For the Checkout and Thank You touchpoints, if used, they must also add the corresponding app blocks and widget IDs in Shopify's checkout editor.

Once configured, GemUpsells displays the relevant upsell widgets at each touchpoint buyers reach throughout their shopping journey. Products purchased through these widgets are tracked as upsell revenue.

Merchant journey — 5 main setup steps

Step What merchants do
1. Install the app and enable app embed Install GemUpsells from the Shopify App Store, then enable the app embed in Shopify's theme editor using the Enable now button on the Home page.
2. Create a funnel Choose one of four templates — Product Routine, Cart Maximizer, Subscription Upgrade, or Post-purchase Offer — or start from scratch.
3. Configure each touchpoint On the canvas, add upsell groups, select widgets, configure products and offers, define display conditions, and set up funnel discounts.
4. Customize the design Change widget presets, use Global Styles to align colors and typography, or use AI to customize individual design elements.
5. Publish the funnel Click Publish. GemUpsells automatically validates the funnel and identifies any touchpoints that are not ready to go live.

Additional setup for specific touchpoints

GemUpsells prompts merchants to complete the following setup when publishing a funnel that uses these touchpoints:

  • Checkout and Thank You: Widgets are displayed through Shopify extensions. Merchants click Set up on Checkout or Set up on Thank You on the relevant widget to place it on the corresponding page in Shopify's checkout editor. Checkout upsells require Shopify Plus.
  • Post-purchase: Merchants must select GemUpsells as their post-purchase app in Shopify's checkout settings by clicking Setup in Shopify.

Buyer journey — how upsells appear on the live store

Here's an example of how buyers may encounter upsell touchpoints and the widgets configured by the merchant throughout their shopping journey.

  1. Add to Cart → Popup on ATC: A popup appears with complementary product recommendations, progress toward free shipping, free gifts, or order discounts.
  2. Open the cart → Cart Drawer: The GemUpsells cart drawer displays configured widgets, such as a tiered reward progress bar, product recommendations, subscription options, or add-ons like shipping protection.
  3. Proceed to checkout → Checkout: Buyers can add small complementary items and see reviews or trust badges that reinforce purchase confidence. Applicable funnel discounts are automatically applied to the order.
  4. Complete payment → Post-purchase: A dedicated offer appears after checkout. Buyers can accept it to add the product to their existing order without re-entering payment details, or skip the offer.
  5. Reach the Thank You page → Thank You: Buyers may see social links for purchased products, a call-to-action to shop, or recommendations for future purchases.

Buyers do not necessarily see every widget. At each touchpoint, they only see upsell groups whose display conditions match their cart or order. Touchpoints hidden by the merchant or not yet configured are skipped without displaying additional content.

How GemUpsells handles key logic

Concern How the system works
Who sees which widgets? At each touchpoint, GemUpsells evaluates each upsell group's conditions against the buyer's cart or order. Matching groups are displayed. Groups set to Always show are always displayed.
Where are discounts applied? Funnel discounts — such as free shipping, free gifts, and order discounts — apply to the cart when the required conditions or thresholds are met, even if no widget displaying the discount is currently visible. Widget discounts apply only to products associated with that widget.
Why doesn't the live store reflect my changes? The live store runs the published version of the funnel. After merchants make changes in the app, the funnel status changes to Need republishing. Buyers continue to see the previous version until the merchant publishes again. Changes to touchpoint visibility take effect immediately on the live store.
Can multiple funnels run simultaneously? No. Each store can have only one active funnel running on its storefront at a time. To run a different funnel, merchants must unpublish the currently active funnel first.
Where does widget styling come from? Widget designs are based on their selected presets and customized using the store's Global Styles. The Popup on ATC and Cart Drawer are built and managed by GemUpsells rather than inherited from the theme's native components.
How is upsell revenue calculated? Products added through GemUpsells widgets are tracked as upsell items. Once the order is completed, the attributed amount is included in Upsells revenue, after deducting product discounts applied by GemUpsells. Merchants can view this metric on the Analytics page.