17 Proven Strategies to Increase WooCommerce Sales in 2026 [Actionable Tips]

You’ve built your WooCommerce store, polished your product pages, and invested in marketing, but sales aren’t coming.

Visitors browse, some add items to their cart, and most vanish before completing a purchase. Frustrating, right?

You’re not alone. In 2025, the global cart abandonment rate hit 75.38% (Baymard Institute), with WooCommerce stores averaging 70–75%. 

That means for every 100 visitors showing buying intent, about 70 leave without purchasing.

The good news is that recovering just 10–20% of abandoned carts, optimizing checkout flows, improving mobile UX, and using strategies like cross-sells, discounts, reviews, SEO, paid ads, and live chat can drastically boost conversions.

In this guide, you will discover 17 actionable strategies to increase WooCommerce sales in 2026, following the buyer journey to convert casual browsers into loyal customers.

Quick Overview of 17 Proven WooCommerce Sales Tactics

17 Proven Strategies to Increase WooCommerce Sales in 2026

Here is a list of 17 proven strategies that cover every step of the buyer journey, from checkout and cart recovery to product pages, mobile UX, and marketing.

Implementing them will help you capture more sales and grow your WooCommerce store in 2026.

Strategy 1: Optimizing Your Checkout for Maximum Conversion

Your checkout process is where friction kills sales. 19% of shoppers abandon carts due to forced registration, while 18% leave because of complicated checkouts (Source: Baymard Institute). 

• Enable Guest Checkout Immediately: Forcing account creation adds friction at the final step. Allow guest checkout and prompt registration after purchase to reduce abandonment.
• Add a Multi-Step Checkout: Break long forms into clear steps with progress indicators so customers feel in control and move faster through checkout.
• Display All Costs Upfront: 47% of shoppers abandon carts due to unexpected fees. Show shipping, taxes, or free-shipping thresholds early to build trust.
• A/B Test Your Checkout Page: Test one change at a time, layout, button copy, trust badges, or payment placement, and optimize based on completed purchases.
• Mobile Optimization Is Non-Negotiable: Design a thumb-friendly checkout with large buttons, autofill, and minimal typing to prevent mobile drop-offs.
• Add Multiple Payment Options: Offer credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local gateways to remove payment friction and boost conversions.
• Technical Performance Matters: A one-second speed improvement can raise conversions by up to 7%. Keep checkout fast by reducing scripts and optimizing performance.

Implementation Tools: 

You can enable guest checkout using WooCommerce settings. 

For the rest, you can blindly rely on FunnelKit Funnel Builder, like more than 40,000 WooCommerce stores are already doing. 

With this, you can create a multi-step checkout in a few steps. 

You can also create a single-step checkout with minimal fields by removing the unnecessary steps. 

Plus, you get 8+ checkout optimization options, including Express Checkout Buttons, Smart Login, Address Field Validation, Google Address Autocompletion, Auto Apply Coupons, etc. 

Strategy 2: Implementing Strategic Cart Recovery Campaigns

Cart abandonment represents your store's single largest untapped revenue source. With £2.96 trillion in merchandise abandoned annually and £192.4 billion in recoverable revenue globally (Source: Kanuka Digital, the opportunity is staggering. 

The Three-Email Recovery Sequence: 

The timing of your recovery emails matters more than you might think. Sending the first recovery email within 1 hour of abandonment can increase recovery rates by up to 20% compared to emails sent 24 hours later. 

Here's the sequence that works: 

1. Email 1 (1 hour after abandonment): Send a gentle reminder with cart contents. Keep it simple like "You left something behind" with clear product images and a direct checkout link. 

2. Email 2 (24 hours later): Add social proof. Include customer reviews, testimonials, or showcase how many people have purchased this product recently.

3. Email 3 (48-72 hours later): This is your conversion catalyst. Offer a small incentive, such as a 10% discount or free shipping to push hesitant buyers over the edge. 

Real-World Impact: 

Consider this calculation: If your store has 1,000 abandoned carts monthly with an average value of $95, you're looking at $95,000 in potential lost revenue. Recovering just 15% of these carts would add $14,250 to your monthly revenue, for a total of $171,000 annually. 

Implementation Tool: 

Use FunnelKit Automations to set up automated campaigns that target customers who abandoned their cart with timely email and SMS sequences. You can also add dynamic discount coupons based on cart total, user purchase history, and more

It comes with a visual builder to create automation. Plus two prebuilt automations for abandoned cart recovery. 

For emails, you also get prebuilt templates and an intuitive visual email builder, where you can add attractive CTAs with Cart Recovery Link that take users directly to the checkout page with pre-filled values, making it easy for them to complete their purchase.

Track your recovery rate meticulously. Start with the baseline, implement your sequence, and measure weekly improvements. 

Strategy 3: Prioritize UX with a Mobile-Friendly Design

Mobile shopping is no longer optional. A large share of WooCommerce traffic now comes from mobile devices, and customers expect a fast, intuitive, and frustration-free experience.

A mobile-friendly store goes beyond responsive design. It means fast page load times, easy navigation, and a checkout process that doesn’t feel overwhelming on a small screen. Long forms, tiny buttons, and slow load times quickly drive mobile users away.

Simplifying the mobile checkout experience is especially important. Reducing form fields, enabling autofill, and using large, clear CTAs can drastically improve completion rates. Navigation should be simple, with visible search functionality and tap-friendly menus.

If your mobile experience feels even slightly inconvenient, customers will leave. Prioritizing mobile UX ensures you don’t lose sales where most of your traffic actually lives.

Implementation Tool: 

You can use any popular theme or page builders like Elementor, Divi, etc., to make your WooCommerce pages mobile-friendly. Plus, make sure all the images and CTAs are prominent enough. 

You don’t have to worry about UX or mobile friendliness when it comes to FunnelKit Funnel Builder mobile checkout. For instance, it includes a collapsible order summary, a sticky place-order button, etc. 

Strategy 4: Craft Compelling Product Pages

Start with high-quality visuals. Use clear images, multiple angles, lifestyle shots, and short videos to boost confidence.

Focus descriptions on benefits, not just features. Explain how the product solves a problem, who it’s for, and why it’s worth buying. Use short paragraphs and bullet points for readability.

SEO matters. Optimize titles, meta descriptions, image alt text, product schema, and structured data so search engines understand your products and display rich snippets, thereby attracting more clicks and driving sales.

Build trust with reviews, guarantees, clear pricing, stock info, and secure checkout badges. Even small tweaks, such as CTA changes or content layout, can significantly improve conversions. Continual testing turns good pages into high-converting assets.

Implementation Tool:

Use a WooCommerce-ready theme to design clean, high-converting product pages. Research and write benefit-focused descriptions, leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity to structure and refine your copy. Include high-quality images, lifestyle shots, and short videos.

Add reviews, trust signals, and clear pricing/stock info in your product page. For SEO, implement Product Schema Markup using plugins like All in One SEO, set each product to “Product,” and review the auto-generated fields. This helps search engines display rich snippets and drive more clicks.

Strategy 5: Reducing Friction Slide Cart & In-Cart Recommendations 

The traditional shopping cart experience is clunky. Customers add items, navigate to a separate cart page, review their order, and then proceed to checkout. Each extra step creates an opportunity for abandonment.

Adding a slide cart to your WooCommerce store removes this friction. Shoppers can view cart details at any time and jump straight to checkout without visiting a separate cart page.

Modern slide carts also let you display relevant cross-sells and upsells directly inside the cart. Customers can add extra items, see updated order totals, and even view how much they’re saving, all without leaving the page.

The result is a smoother shopping experience that reduces drop-offs and helps increase WooCommerce sales.

Implementation Tool: 

You can use a tool like FunnelKit Cart to add a customizable side cart that blends seamlessly with your store’s appearance and theme, creating a smoother shopping experience.

With a slide-in cart, customers can view their cart details in a single click and proceed straight to checkout without navigating to a separate cart page. Plus, built-in in-cart recommendations make it easy to add related products with one click, increasing order value without disrupting the buying flow.

Strategy 6: Offer Related Products as Pre- and Post-Checkout Cross-Sells and Upsells

Order bumps and one-click upsells aren't about being pushy. They're about helping customers discover products they genuinely need while increasing your average order value. 

• Order Bumps (Pre-Purchase): These appear on your checkout page as simple checkbox additions. For example, if someone is buying a camera, offer a memory card or camera bag for a small additional fee. Keep these offers relevant and value-focused. 
• Post-Purchase Upsells: After the initial purchase is confirmed (but before payment processing completes), present a complementary offer. The psychological barrier to buying has already been overcome, making customers more receptive to relevant additions. 

Implementation Tools: 

You can use FunnelKit Funnel Builder to offer multiple order bumps at different positions on the checkout page. You can auto-select the order bump if you want, and also provide a dynamic, conditional offer to make it more targeted. 

Similarly, after a successful checkout, you can offer a one-click upsell. If needed, you can offer multiple order bumps and a conditional order bump to encourage customers to accept them.

Strategy 7: Offer Discounts and Free Shipping to Increase Conversions

Discounts and free shipping are some of the strongest motivators in e-commerce. Shoppers often abandon carts because the total price feels too high, or unexpected shipping costs appear at checkout. Offering strategic discounts or free shipping not only encourages users to complete their purchase but also increases average order value by prompting them to add more to their cart to reach a milestone.

Set clear spending milestones for free shipping (e.g., “Free shipping on orders over $50”) or discounts (“Get 10% off orders above $75”). This creates a sense of urgency and FOMO, especially when paired with a deadline or limited-time offer, nudging shoppers to buy now rather than later. Properly implemented, this strategy reduces cart abandonment, increases revenue, and boosts overall customer satisfaction.

Implementation Tool

You can use FunnelKit Cart reward system to offer both milestone-based discounts and free shipping. Plus, you can offer a free gift if you want. Plus, on the cart you can show a progress bar that tells users how much more they need to add to their cart to avail the offer. 

Strategy 8: Get Better WooCommerce Hosting

Hosting can make or break your WooCommerce store’s performance. Slow page loads, downtime, and server crashes directly impact sales and customer experience. 

Choosing the right hosting provider isn’t just about price. It’s about keeping your store online, fast, and reliable.

Key Hosting Features for WooCommerce:

• Fast Load Times: Improves user experience and conversions. Look for SSD storage and a CDN.
  
• Scalability: Choose a host that lets you easily add storage, bandwidth, or dedicated servers as your store grows.
  
• Security: Automatic SSL certificates, firewalls, malware protection, backups, and uptime monitoring are essential.
  
• Optimized for WooCommerce: Hosts designed for WooCommerce offer automatic updates, caching, and e-commerce-friendly server setups.
  

Implementation Tool

• Recommended Hosting Providers: SiteGround, Bluehost, WP Engine, Kinsta. Choose based on speed, support, and WooCommerce optimization.
  
• Monitor Performance: Use Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, or Pingdom to check load times and uptime.
  
• Scaling & Optimization: Regularly review server resources and upgrade if needed. Ensure caching, CDN, and security features are active.

Strategy 9: Actively Seeking and Leveraging Customer Reviews

Social proof is one of the most powerful drivers of conversion. Products with 11–30 reviews show roughly 68% higher conversion rates (Spiegel Research Center).

Collect reviews from multiple channels and make it easy for customers to leave feedback. Automate review requests 3 to 7 days after delivery, offer small incentives, and allow quick star ratings, photo/video uploads, or detailed written reviews.

Responding to reviews builds trust: thank customers for positive feedback, and handle negative reviews quickly, professionally, and privately. Display reviews strategically on product pages, the homepage, category pages, and even checkout to boost buyer confidence.

Implementation Tool

You can use FunnelKit Automations to set up automated review collection campaigns via email and SMS. Trigger review requests via emails  3 to 7 days after order completion, and dynamically offer incentives based on cart total, purchase history, or loyalty points to encourage submissions.

The visual automation builder makes it easy to design flows, and you can personalize messages with product names and customer details.

Strategy 10: Running Data-Driven Paid Ads

Paid advertising can boost WooCommerce sales when campaigns are properly tracked and optimized. Set up the Facebook Pixel with standard events like View Content, Add to Cart, Initiate Checkout, and Purchase, and create custom conversions for key products.

 For Google Ads, link conversion tracking with Google Analytics, track actual purchase values, enable auto-tagging, and use consistent UTM parameters to measure which campaigns drive revenue.

Once tracking is in place, focus on building high-performing campaigns. Use dynamic Product Catalog Ads on Facebook and Instagram to retarget cart abandoners and product viewers. 

Optimize Google Shopping campaigns with quality images, detailed product data, and budgets for top-performing items. Retarget website visitors, cart abandoners, product page viewers, and past customers. Test one variable at a time and run campaigns long enough to gather meaningful data. Monitor ROAS to scale profitable campaigns and pause underperforming ones.

Implementation Tools

The primary tools for executing this strategy are Meta Ads (Facebook and Instagram) and Google Ads. All campaigns, including tracking, targeting, and retargeting, should be set up directly within these platforms to ensure accurate measurement and maximum ROI.

Strategy 11: Setting Up Google Analytics with Proper E-commerce Tracking

You cannot improve what you do not measure. Proper analytics setup is essential for understanding customer behavior and increasing WooCommerce sales. Start by enabling Enhanced E-commerce Tracking in Google Analytics 4 to monitor product impressions, add-to-cart actions, checkout funnel progression, and completed purchases. 

Track key metrics such as cart abandonment rate, add-to-cart versus checkout views, average order value, and purchase frequency. Visualize your funnel with a custom report that shows homepage-to-product-page drop-offs, product-page-to-add-to-cart conversions, add-to-cart-to-checkout initiation, and checkout initiation-to-completed-purchase conversions. This gives you a clear picture of where customers drop off and which areas need optimization.

Once tracking is in place, analyze the data to uncover actionable insights. If many users add items to the cart but few initiate checkout, the cart page may need improvement. If users reach checkout but do not complete the purchase, focus on optimizing the checkout process as covered in Strategy 2.

Implementation Tools

The primary tool for this strategy is Google Analytics 4, configured with Enhanced E-commerce Tracking. For WordPress users, MonsterInsights provides a no-code solution to connect WooCommerce and view actionable analytics dashboards. You can integrate FunnelKit Funnel Builder with GA4 and track your store data in Google Analytics. 

Strategy 12: Auditing and Optimizing Your Buyer Flow

Your buyer flow is the path from landing on your site to completing a purchase. Every extra step or confusing element can cost sales. Start by acting like a customer browsing on mobile and desktop, add items to the cart, and go through checkout. Note any friction points. 

Enable express checkout options like PayPal Express, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to reduce steps, implement address autocomplete to speed up form entry, and A/B test critical elements like product page layout, add-to-cart buttons, checkout design, and trust badge placement.

Small improvements can have a big impact. Ensure mobile checkout works flawlessly, guest checkout is the default, express payment methods are available, progress indicators guide users, trust badges are visible, and the returns policy is clear. Use tools like Google Optimize, Convert, and VWO to run controlled tests, focusing on one element at a time until you reach statistical significance.

Implementation Tools

Key tools for optimizing your buyer flow include Google Optimize, Convert, and VWO for A/B testing. For checkout improvements, add a progress bar in case of multi-step checkout, enable PayPal Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Google Address Autocomplete to reduce friction and increase conversions, as shared in strategy 1. 

Strategy 13:  Winning Back Lost Customers

Acquiring new customers costs 5–25x more than retaining existing ones (Source: Harvard Business Review). Your past customers are the lowest-hanging fruit for increased sales.

Segmented win-back campaigns are highly effective:

• Recently Lapsed (30–90 days): Offer small incentives like 15% off, highlight new products, or provide free shipping.
  
• Longer Lapse (90–180 days): Use stronger incentives (20–25% discount) and showcase bestsellers or trending items.
  
• Long-Time Gone (180+ days): Send a re-engagement series (3 emails), offer maximum incentives or exclusive deals, and ask, “What would bring you back?”
  

Behavior-triggered campaigns further drive revenue: target browse abandonment, category interest, seasonal reminders, or loyalty rewards. Implement a points system with bonuses for birthdays, referrals, or VIP tiers.

Implementation Tool

Use FunnelKit Automations to run personalized win-back campaigns via email and SMS based on customer inactivity periods. 

You can apply multiple conditions, such as last purchase date, previous emails received, or engagement status, before sending each message, ensuring customers aren’t over-emailed.

The visual automation builder lets you create lapsed-customer sequences with dynamic offers, coupons, or seasonal nudges, no coding required.

Strategy 14: Content Marketing for Organic Sales

Content marketing drives organic traffic that converts without ongoing ad spend. Organic search typically converts around 4%, compared to 2–3% for paid ads (Source: WordStream). 

Start by identifying content opportunities using Google Search Console, Answer the Public, and keyword tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest. 

Focus on high-value content types such as buyer’s guides, how-to posts, comparisons, and problem-solution articles. Optimize each post with a primary keyword, related keywords, internal links to products and categories, external authoritative links, optimized images, meta descriptions, and proper header structure. Aim for comprehensive posts that provide value and guide readers toward purchase.

Share content on social media, email newsletters, and repurpose into videos or infographics. Update and republish posts annually to maintain rankings. Over time, a well-optimized content strategy continues to drive traffic and sales long after publication.

Implementation Tools

To support your content strategy, use AISEO alongside your research tools. AISEO can help generate SEO-friendly drafts, suggest keyword placement, and identify relevant internal links, saving time while keeping your content aligned with your strategic plan. 

Paired with tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush,  Google Search Console, etc., it ensures your posts are both optimized for search and designed to convert.

Strategy 15: Set Up WooCommerce SEO for Local Search Results

Local SEO is often overlooked by WooCommerce store owners, yet it attracts high-intent buyers. Customers searching for a product “near me” or for a product in a specific city are usually ready to purchase. Even if you ship nationally or globally, ranking for local searches builds trust and increases visibility in your core market. Google favors businesses with clear geographic relevance, especially for commercial queries. 

Start by optimizing your Google Business Profile, ensuring your business name, address, phone number, and website are accurate and consistent. Regular updates, product photos, and customer reviews strengthen your local presence and improve click-through rates.

Integrate location-based keywords naturally across product pages, category pages, and meta descriptions. Create locally relevant content such as blog posts, landing pages, or case studies tied to your city or region. Maintain consistent citations across local directories and social platforms to reinforce your store’s legitimacy and authority. When done correctly, local SEO drives warmer traffic, builds trust, and often converts better than generic search traffic.

Implementation Tools
To implement local SEO, focus on your Google Business Profile for updates, photos, and reviews.

Use WooCommerce SEO plugins such as AIOSEO, Rank Math, etc. to add location-based keywords to product pages, meta descriptions, and structured data. Tools like Whitespark or Moz Local can help manage local citations and track local search rankings.

Strategy 16: Use Social Persuasion to Increase Sales

Social proof is one of the most effective ways to boost WooCommerce sales. People trust the opinions of others, and showcasing how your products have helped previous buyers builds trust, reduces hesitation, and increases conversions.

Highlight customer reviews and ratings prominently on product pages, as research shows products with 11–50 reviews can see up to 70% higher conversion rates. Feature social media mentions, user-generated content, and customer photos on product pages or a dedicated “social wall” to reinforce credibility. Compelling testimonials on your homepage or landing pages further strengthen trust, while influencer partnerships expose your brand to new audiences and lend additional authority.

Small placement changes can make a big difference. Add reviews and testimonials directly below product descriptions and consider showing aggregated star ratings in search results to capture attention early.

Implementation Tools

To implement social persuasion effectively, use review management plugins like Yotpo, Loox, or Judge.me to collect, manage, and display customer feedback. Sharing these reviews on social media posts further amplifies trust and visibility.

For user-generated content, you can integrate feeds from Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter directly into your site. Additionally, influencer marketing platforms such as AspireIQ or Upfluence help you connect with credible promoters in your niche. Together, these tools make it easy to turn authentic social proof into a sales-driving feature for your store.

Strategy 17: Implement Live Chat for Immediate Engagement

Live chat is no longer a luxury. Customers expect instant answers. Questions about sizing, shipping, or product features can quickly turn into abandoned carts if left unanswered. 

Live chat reduces uncertainty, builds trust through real-time interaction, and captures high-intent buyers exactly when they’re most interested. Even partial availability during peak hours can noticeably boost conversion rates.

To maximize the impact of live chat, set up automated responses for common questions, display expected response times, and use behavior-based triggers, such as showing a chat window after a visitor spends 30 seconds on a product or pricing page. 

Train your team to provide helpful, consultative support instead of pushy sales pitches, and make chat availability clear on your product pages.

Recommended Tools for WooCommerce

• WPChat – A lightweight solution that connects your store to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram, and Telegram. Ideal for engaging customers on the platforms they already use, especially mobile shoppers.
  
• LiveChat – A classic, fully-featured on-site chat widget with WooCommerce integration. Offers proactive chat invitations, AI-assisted responses, analytics, and multi-channel support for more advanced stores.

Frequently Asked Questions About Increasing WooCommerce Sales 

Here, find the commonly asked questions with answers: 

Ready to Convert More Traffic Into Sales?

Increasing WooCommerce sales is not about luck. It is about reducing friction, guiding buyers, and creating an experience that converts.

Start with strategies that deliver the fastest impact, such as checkout improvements, cart recovery, and live chat, while building long-term growth through SEO, content marketing, and data-driven advertising. Track results, test changes, and refine your approach to steadily grow your store’s performance.

FunnelKit products help you create optimized checkout flows, recover abandoned carts, implement upsells, collect reviews, and run automated marketing campaigns all from a single platform.

Whether you run a small boutique or a growing e-commerce brand, applying these strategies with the right tools will help you increase conversions, maximize sales, and make your next sale closer than you think.

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