It took me a while to notice a pattern in my own shopping. I’d go in for one thing, and a few clicks later, I had three in my cart. Not because of a deal or anyone pushed me. It just felt like the right add-on.
That’s when it clicked.
You don’t always need more traffic to make more money. Sometimes, you just need to show the right second product at the right moment.
The funny part is, you already responded to this as a buyer. Phone with a case. Camera with a memory card. Coffee machine with filters. You rarely question it because it makes sense.
Most shoppers expect this kind of help.
Epsilon reports that 65 percent of shoppers are more likely to stick with brands that offer a personalized experience.
And frequently bought together works because, when you do it in the right way, it feels personal, not pushy.
In this guide, you’ll go through 7 frequently bought together examples that actually work across different industries. You’ll see what makes them convert, what to avoid, and how to apply the same logic to your own store without guessing or copying blindly.
Let’s start!
TL;DR – Frequently Bought Together Concept & Examples in One Quick Scan
What this guide covers
- What frequently bought together means and how it works in WooCommerce
- How this strategy increases AOV without more traffic
- Real examples from Amazon, Walmart, IKEA, ASOS, and more
- How to apply tiered discounts to push full bundle purchases
Why does it work for your store:
- Increases average order value (AOV)
- Saves customers time
- Promotes lesser-known products
- Triggers impulse buys
- Drives cross-sell
- Supports seasonal campaigns
7 real examples to learn from:
- Amazon – Precise, data-driven bundles
- Walmart – Practical add-on suggestions
- West Elm – Stylish room-ready sets
- Boll & Branch – Core product + accessory pairings
- Ikea – Visual bundle suggestions
- ASOS – Full outfit combinations
- Canyon Bicycles – Gear and accessory bundles
Use Dynamic Discounts for WooCommerce to apply tiered cart discounts to your frequently bought together offers and increase bundle conversions without manual setup.
What is Frequently Bought Together & How Does it Work?

Frequently Bought Together is a simple feature that shows your customers which products are often purchased together. It’s a way to suggest items that complement the one they’re already interested in, making it easier for them to get everything they need in one go.
For example, if someone is looking at a wireless mouse, you might show a laptop stand and a mouse pad as items often bought together. These accessories make a perfect bundle for a better workspace.
This approach works because it adds value for both sides. Your customers save time by discovering items they actually need, and you increase your average order value without spending extra on ads. It also introduces them to products they might not have considered, giving you more opportunities to make a sale.
Once you start showing these combinations in your store, you’ll notice that customers naturally add more items to their cart, and the checkout process feels smoother for them. It’s a small tweak with a measurable impact on revenue.
How Does This Method Help You as an Online Seller?
Using the frequently purchased together method can directly improve your sales and customer experience in several ways.
i. Increase Average Order Value (AOV)
Suggesting complementary products can increase the average order value. When a customer adds one item, show them related items they’re likely to need.
For example, if someone buys a smartphone, suggesting a case or screen protector encourages a bigger purchase.
This turns single-item checkouts into multi-item sales, helping you earn more from the same customer with very little extra effort.
- You can learn more about how to increase AOV from here
- If you want to learn about aov marketing, you can also go further.
ii. Save Your Customer’s Time and Effort
Your customers don’t have to spend time searching for items they might need with their original purchase.
Let’s say someone buys a DSLR camera; showing them camera lenses, tripods, and memory cards as “frequently bought together” items means they don’t have to go looking for these accessories themselves.
You’re offering a simple, one-stop shopping experience, which makes it more likely they’ll complete the purchase.
iii. Expose Lesser-Known Products
Not all of your products will be top-sellers, but by pairing them with popular items, you can increase their exposure.
For instance, if your store sells running shoes and a popular fitness tracker, pairing the fitness tracker with your shoes on the product page can introduce that tracker to customers who might not have considered this bundle buying otherwise.
This can lead to more sales for products that wouldn’t typically get as much attention on their own.
iv. Boost Impulse Purchases
Customers are more likely to add an extra item to their cart when they see it next to something they’re already buying.
For example, if someone is buying a laptop and sees an offer for a matching laptop sleeve, they may decide to buy the sleeve as well without much thought.
This kind of impulse buying can significantly increase your sales per customer.
- Learn more about how to activate customers’ impulse purchases
v. Drive Cross-Selling Opportunities
The Frequently Bought Together feature can help you cross-sell products from different categories.
For instance, if a customer is buying a home coffee maker, you can show them coffee beans, mugs, or milk frothers as items that are commonly purchased with the coffee maker.
This encourages customers to add items from different categories, increasing the range of your sales and introducing them to products they might not have considered.
vi. Target Seasonal Needs
You can use frequently bought-together suggestions to match seasonal needs. This helps your store stay relevant during different times of the year.
For example, if someone buys snow boots in winter, suggest thermal socks or gloves. These timely add-ons improve customer satisfaction and convenience.
Offering season-specific combos helps boost sales by showing the right products at the right time. It’s a simple way to drive more value from each purchase.
7 Frequently Bought Together Examples for Your Store
The Frequently Bought Together feature is everywhere, from global giants to niche stores.
Let’s explore how different websites use it.
1. Amazon
Amazon knows exactly what you’re looking for—even before you do. It ensures every recommendation feels like it’s made just for you.
From the moment you add an item to your cart, Amazon’s algorithms go to work, showing combinations that make sense and add value.
I have added a set of baby pacifiers to the cart, and here are the recommended products in every possible way which was relevant.

First, they suggested some top picks that can be bought with the pacifier. Then they showed me the items that other customers also bought with the pacifier I had added to the cart. This is incredible to trigger the need for a product.

Not only that, Amazon also observes shopping trends and recommends products according to what customers also buy. This recommendation also drives your customers to add more items to the cart.
A great part is that no matter how much you scroll down, the product added to the cart will stick to the upper right corner.

So, you can say amazon frequently bought together section works magically while recommending sponsored frequently bought products.
- You can learn more about the Amazon Seller Center feed if you are interested in this marketplace.
2. Walmart
Walmart stands out as a great example of frequently bought-together (FBT) recommendations, offering a seamless shopping experience for gamers.
Imagine you’re eyeing a Microsoft Xbox Series X. Walmart doesn’t just stop there—they suggest essentials like a wireless controller, an expansion card to boost storage, and EA Sports College Football 25 (Xbox Series X physical copy) to get you started.

This smart approach ensures you have everything you need for a complete gaming setup within less time & effort.
3. West Elm
West Elm has a smart approach to recommending frequently bought-together items, especially when you’re browsing for furniture.
Let’s say you’re checking out a dining table. They don’t just stick to dining chairs; they can suggest a Parker buffet, a Parker sofa, or a media console, which may complement the look of your dining room.
It’s all about helping you visualize an entire dining setup, which can often lead you to add more to your cart.

They also feature a “Frequently Paired With” section that recommends multiple designs of dining chairs that complement the dining table you’ve chosen, encouraging you to complete your dining table setup.

4. Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch excels at using frequently bought-together (FBT) to boost sales by engaging customers early in their shopping journey.
Suppose you’re browsing for a comfy mattress, a “You May Also Like” section suggests items like mattress protectors and mattress toppers that complement the mattress perfectly.

This approach works because shoppers are still exploring and open to enhancing their purchases. At checkout, Boll & Branch seals the deal with a “25% off $300+ with code CYBER25” offer, encouraging customers to grab extra items at a discount.

5. Ikea
Ikea is another online furniture store that appears as a great website for recommending frequently bought together products.
If you add a cabinet to the cart they first will recommend you similar products to open more choices in front of you.

Then, after the next scroll, you’ll see their recommended products, such as hangers, hooks, or stands, necessary for the cabinet to get its maximum user experience.

After that, you will get the below recommendation as “Get the Look” where they suggest more furniture that the customers may like just to complete the full setup of the room.

So, this will pique the urge to have a full setup of your cabinet, and they will make their money at the same time.
- Read this online furniture marketing if you are in the related industry
6. ASOS
ASOS is a standout example of effective frequently bought-together recommendations because it goes beyond simple pairings. Their “Buy the Look” feature uses machine learning to suggest complete outfits that work together seamlessly.
If you’re shopping for a jacket, you’ll see recommendations for jeans, shoes, or accessories that match the style and color of the product you’re viewing.

What makes ASOS unique is how their algorithm doesn’t just tag items from product images. Instead, it analyzes each product’s style to find complementary pieces that will make you feel like your own personal stylist curated the suggestions.
7. Canyon Bicycles
Canyon Bicycles is a great example of how to make frequently bought-together (FBT) work for high-ticket items.
When customers invest in something as expensive as a $4,000 bike, Canyon focuses on suggesting affordable add-ons, like accessories or gear that other riders bought.

Their approach includes offering sponsored frequently bought-together bundles at discounted prices and using persuasive messaging to show how these extras enhance the main product.
Now I’ll show you how you can add discounts on frequently bought together product recommendations using WooCommerce.
How To Apply A Discount on Frequently Bought Together Products
After you’ve seen how real brands use frequently bought together, the next step is to apply this to your own store in a way that actually pushes customers to add more items. That’s where cart-based discounts come in.
First, you set up your frequently bought together groups using a product recommendation tool like WPC Frequently Bought Together for WooCommerce or Cart Upsell for WooCommerce. For example, you might group:
- A smartphone
- A phone case
- A screen protector
These three products now show up together on the product page as a suggested set.
To motivate customers to add the full set, you apply tiered discounts at the cart level. Here’s how that looks in action:
- If the customer adds all three items to the cart, they get a higher discount on those three line items.
- If they add only two items, they still get a smaller discount on those two products.
The discount appears directly in the cart, so the customer sees the savings instantly before checkout. This makes the value clear and increases the chance they’ll add the third item instead of stopping at one or two.
You can set all of this up easily with the Dynamic Discounts for WooCommerce plugin. It lets you apply different discount values based on how many related products a customer adds, without manual work on your end.

Conclusion
Frequently bought together isn’t just a neat feature; it’s a way to make shopping easier for your customers and increase your sales without extra traffic. Start with your best-selling products, pair them thoughtfully, and test different combinations to see what sticks.
Adding a small, tiered discount can take it even further. When customers see clear savings for adding multiple items, they’re more likely to complete the bundle, boosting your average order value effortlessly.
Use the right tools, like Dynamic Discounts for WooCommerce, to automate these offers and keep your FBT suggestions fresh and relevant. A little strategy goes a long way in turning simple suggestions into real revenue.
** FAQs **
What are frequently bought together items?
Frequently bought together items are products that customers often purchase in the same order. These items usually complement each other based on real buying behavior.
How does Amazon’s frequently bought together work?
Amazon tracks what customers buy together across millions of orders. It uses this data to suggest the most common product pairings. These suggestions appear on product pages and in the cart.
What is the frequently bought together algorithm?
The algorithm studies order history, product relationships, and buyer behavior. It identifies patterns where certain products appear in the same cart often. Based on that data, it decides which items to show as suggestions. The system updates over time as new buying trends appear.
What’s the best way to use “Frequently Bought Together” for stores with large product volumes or variable products?
For stores with many or variable products, use dynamic grouping tools to create relevant bundles automatically. This keeps recommendations personalized and convenient for customers. It helps to improve sales conversion and customer satisfaction.
What are complementary product recommendations, and why are they ideal for e-commerce stores?
Complementary product recommendations suggest related items that go well with the product your customer is viewing. They improve customer satisfaction by making shopping easier and encourage higher customer average order value through smart upsell features.